Disconcert
 

In the first half you have the opposing bench nearby for free throw attempts. This year I am noticing opposing players making noises to disconcert the free thrower. I know I am splitting hairs. That disconcerting is so rarely called much less on the bench. I am sure we all talk to a player on the court getting close to doing this. What about the bench. What could they say or do that would have you call this for the first or second time in your career. Any stories would be appreciated. If they squeak the floor just as they go into their shooting motion do you call it? If they bark orders at their teammates from behind the 3 point arc just as they release do you call something if they miss. I cant figure out if we skip this violation because we think it makes us look bad or picky. Or some myth says if you call it you are not varsity material. Thanks for your input.

ART. 3 . . . After the ball is placed at the disposal of a free thrower:
a. He/she shall throw within 10 seconds to cause the ball to enter the basket
or touch the ring before the free throw ends.
b. The free thrower shall not fake a try, nor shall any player in a marked lane
space fake to cause an opponent to violate.
c. No opponent shall disconcert the free thrower.

If you are 100% sure that noises are being made by the bench players (and not the fans sitting behind them), I would head straight to the head coach and let him know that needs to stop. Then if it keeps up, you can call a violation. I would try to resolve it using preventative officiating if at all possible.

In lower level games - youth league, competitive youth tournaments and the like - I have had head coaches and assistants yell "BOX OUT" just as the shooter is about to realease his or her try. I've stopped play for disconcertion by players for similar acts (well timed cough, shoe squeek, BOX OUT e.g.) maybe once or twice in the past 10 years, but never a coach. But, I've come close. Instead, I've gone to that coach to remind him of the rule and that has always nipped the issue in the bud.

No opponent shall disconcert the free thrower.

Is this the rule you are using that the bench are opponents and can not disconcert the free thrower?

Yes, that's the rule.

That said:
1) It's not golf
2) I prefer to address it in other ways before calling the violation.

I've never seen "cut it out" fail to work in this situation.

Blast from the Past
 

A) I was vociferously castigated for calling this violation on bench personnel at a camp two years ago (I thought one of the clinicians had put them up to it to see what/if we would do anything about it). Was schooled that this violation is only for "players" on the court, though the rule clearly states "opponents." I wasn't in a position to argue the point, this being camp and all...then,

B) Consensus on this forum after that sitch was brought up in a thread was that this is better handled with 1) a warning, then 2) a bench T for unsporting conduct if they didn't knock it off.

That made the score camp clinician and forum 2, me 0. I'm still unclear as to exactly what of the two choices I would do should it occur again. :confused:

Opponents ...
 

Disagree 100%.

Yeah, that sucks. Who is the real authority? I hear you.

I would ask someone you trust, then. I will say that some of those that chime in here are rather high up the chain. And I will also say that in every case but one where my higher ups were saying one thing and this board was saying something else - in the end it turned out to be this board that was right.

But you have to live where you are, and work for whom you work.

Heckuva word picture....:o

Better than being literally castrated. :D

This, only I use "knock it off" usually followed by the "Who me?" expression from the kids on the bench.

I was squirming in my chair the whole time I was reading his post....

Or, "I wasn't talking to him"

Same here, reminded me of branding time in Montana!