Advancing the ball on a time out
 

Last night, 6th grade travel boys. (Not assigned by my board.) The game itself was better than 80% of the middle school games (and a few of the high school games) I've worked this year. Two 16-minute halves, better-than-decent skills for that age group, not many fouls, tied and halftime, home team wins by 5.

In the last ten seconds, V-1 secures a rebound from a three throw, and Coach V requests a time out. The Coach then asks my partner (early 20s) to advance the ball to midcourt for the throw-in. My partner checks with me, no can do.

After the final buzzer, all coaches thank us for our service. I took a minute to let Coach V know that advance-the-ball rule only exists in the NBA, not in high school or college. He replied that an opposing team tried the same in a previous game, and the officials allowed it. :eek: I advised him to "make some noise" if that happens again.

I may have asked this before, and I know the rule has been around for decades in the NBA, but can anyone explain to me the rationale for this rule?

To make the end of the game more exciting. In other words, entertainment.

You advised a sixth grade coach to do what?

Is this like raise the roof? :D

Best just to say, it's not legal.

Maybe he meant "make a joyful noise".

I've had kids rec league coaches ask me if they can do that on an inbound play. I tell them that it's an NBA rule, and when they move up to coach in the NBA, they can have the ball there.

It's also a FIBA rule and it is a great rule. It promotes exciting finishes.

It makes the end of the game more exciting. FIBA rules also allow an advance after a timeout though I think it's to halfcourt rather than the 28 foot mark like in the NBA.

I hope so, but who will provide the accompaniment during travel league games?

If you saw the end of tonight's OKC-Dallas game, you see why they have this rule.

Back to back big time shots by Vince Carter followed by a Durant GW after a timeout.

Yup...at the very least, without the ability to advance, the game is all but over after Carter's 3 point shot.

Didn't know it was in FIBA, too. Thanks for that.

Still, I believe you should get the ball where you had (read: earned) the ball. If an exciting finish is the justification, then let's move the ball to the 50-yard line after a football timeout, giving the offense a better chance to score.

Really??????? 6th grade??????? :eek:

Just about everything the NBA does is all about scoring more points and selling tickets. Call me a purist, but I hate it :(

I take it then that you\'re not liking the direction a lot of the major rule sets are going in then?