I just got a list of proposed rule changes for the NCAA, and one of the changes is to adopt the international 3-point line and the trapezoidal lane. These are just proposed changes at this point and apparently need to be approved during the last week of June.

Does anyone have an educated guess as to whether the change will be approved? My uneducated guess is that they wouldn't have made the proposal so public if it was going to be voted down.

Does anyone have a clue as to why they didn't adopt the NBA lane instead? I know that they experimented with both lanes over the last few years. What was the factor that tipped the decision to the trapezoid?

Just looking for thoughts. Been really slow here lately.

I am going to show my ignorance, what is the trapezoid lane. Has the NCAA used this before, and are now trying to implement again. Excuse me for my ignorance, but I am still learning.

Chuck, the way I read the two bulletins is that it's a done deal for Men's and an Experimental for Women's...officially there will be a vote in late June (I believe that's when the committees have their meetings), but reading the entire bulletin makes it seem like the Men's will be using the trap. lane this coming season...

The trapezoidal lane is the the lane used in International ball - it is narrower at the free throw line and wider at the baseline...makes the key bigger and is supposed to spread the defense out and help eliminate rough post play - although some of the roughest games I have ever seen have been international games...

A few years back, just before many Canadian provinces switched to NCAA rules (after years of FIBA), I remember doing some "trapezoid key" games. I don't recall them being any cleaner.

The notion that switching keys will cut rough play is a myth, as far as I'm concerned. Seems to me the only way to cut rough play is to enforce rules regarding post play, and the proper calling of rebounding fouls.

Unfortunately, this will never be an exact science, because we all want to "let 'em play" as much as we can. It's a tough call that's only getting tougher, as the players get bigger, faster, and sneakier.

Just another ploy by the international community to "Eurocize" our game.

Who let these furriners have a say, anyway?

Oh wait - Dr. Naismith was Canadian.

You guys are right, a trapezoid game does not eliminate rough play. More foul calls will help.

In international play, it is accepted that more contact is permitted, which I personally don't like.

The trapezoid has its advantages; easier to box out on free throws, more difficult for a big man to camp down low.

BTW Mark, James Naismith was Canadian, but Canadians aren't Europeans you know.

Basketball, the great canadian game!

[Edited by Jay R on Jun 9th, 2003 at 12:54 PM]

The NCAA just released a bulletin that this change (the trapezoid lane) is being delayed to the 2004-05 season. Mainly to allow all the schools to comply and the coaches to start figuring out how they are going to change their offenses, etc.

Oh yeah? Then why do so many of them speak that French stuff? ;)

French is my native language, so if you have any questions on "grammaire", you let me know.

:D
And don't you forget it!!

Where did you see this bulletin??? I was just on the NCAA bulletin webpage and didn't see anything about the delay...could you direct me to where you saw the bulletin?

Rocky,go the NCAA home page:
http://www.ncaa.org/
Scroll down to "News Releases". It's the 2nd one down.

Rocky,go the NCAA home page:
http://www.ncaa.org/
Scroll down to "News Releases". It's the 2nd one down. [/B][/QUOTE]

Thanks JR, guess I owe you another brownpop...what is that now, about 2 cases???

Thanks JR, guess I owe you another brownpop...what is that now, about 2 cases??? [/B][/QUOTE]
Breakfast of Champions!! http://213.239.157.21/smilies/beerglass.gif

I have heard tell that in the year 2??? everybody will be playing to the same rules: FIBA, NCAA, etc. I have been told that the new keyhole proposed in the U.S. is to prepare the players to playing to international rules. Just as you will be going to the trapezoidal lane, FIBA is going to the AP arrow rule and is adopting its 3man mechanics to match the NCAA or NBA mechanics. I have refereed to the trapezoidal lane for years no problem, it can be just as physical as your rectangular lane. During foul shots only 2 offensive and 3 defensive players are allowed to line up plus the shooter.