On the shot or not

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I cannot think of a single time where someone shot the ball and did not first "gather" the ball and move forward towards the basket.

Originally Posted by JRutledge

we are talking about a player going to the basket off a dribble or a pass. I have never seen a player do that without first gathering the ball.

I agree with you on both of those points. On such plays, there is almost ALWAYS a gather before the habitual motion that precedes a try. Very true.

But I think Nevada's point is that it's also possible to have a gather WITHOUT the habitual motion.

And if that's true, then it's not correct by rule to award free throws on the gather. In my experience, the habitual motion usually begins immediately after the gather; nevertheless, it is AFTER the gather.

I think in real time, during a drive to the basket the two occur so quickly that it's very difficult, if not impossible, to gather and then be fouled without starting the act of shooting. But by rule, the gather alone is not sufficient to award the free throws. JMHO.