So about those new rules ... are they working?

[APG]

Are the new rules working? - ESPN

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The game had just ended and John Adams had one thing on his mind -- the roast beef sandwich on Hawaiian bread awaiting him at a Springfield Arby's on the drive home between Columbus and Indianapolis.

Unfortunately, the woman sitting in the stands behind him had other ideas. The Ohio State fan wearing the white down vest and red turtleneck spied Adams' name, and more his title (NCAA supervisor of officials) on his press row seat and wanted to ask a simple question:

"Do you think these new rules are working?''

Too bad she didn't have an easier one, such as how to get Republicans and Democrats to work together.

Are the new rules working and, maybe more critically, are they worth it? It depends whom you ask. But no matter whom you ask, they will undoubtedly have an opinion. Plenty want to share them with Adams.

Fortunately, after 15 years patrolling the court as a college official himself, he has developed dinosaur thick skin. He has read comments from critical coaches, including Tom Izzo, whom Adams respects a great deal. Without being impolite, Adams doesn't care.

[JetMetFan]

If players don't want to be in a game with 75+ FTs the answer is simple: move your feet on defense. As long as we keep it up, they'll figure it out. The video of games from the 80s and 90s I posted in another thread is proof that college players can actually defend someone without grabbing them and beating them up.

"I think basketball was meant to be a game of finesse, maneuverability and beauty." (John Wooden, The New York Times, August 20, 1989)

[scrounge]

Actually, I think they're adjusting faster than I expected. Thad Matta, OSU's coach, said he likes the new rules and emphasis and prefers this flow of the game, so it's not just negative from the coaching ranks.

The acid test will be once conference play starts in earnest in january, let's see if they continue to call it tight or revert back to previous norms.

[Indianaref]

I like the "emphasis" on the old rule of freedom of motion. Don't like the new rule on LGP on the gather.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Indianaref

I like the "emphasis" on the old rule of freedom of motion. Don't like the new rule on LGP on the gather.

Me too

[Remington]

Originally Posted by Adam

Me too

I really like the freedom of movement being put back into the game. Our teams have adjusted very well and the coaches have adjusted very well in my neck of the woods.

On the new b/c determination, I find this more difficult to officiate as your field of vision needs to be even wider on the plays as the lead official. If you think about it, it needs to expand by about 6 feet which is a lot when trying to position yourself to see through the bodies. We have been instructed to find the plant foot and determine if the defender has established LGP and not made any illegal movement from that point once the plant foot has been planted. I've worked about 10 men's games this year and it is getting easier, but I am spending even more time on synergy (our NAIA and NCAAD2 leagues use this service) to watch these plays to see if my positioning and judgment were correct. I'd absolutely love any tips that others are using to ensure you are getting these plays correct.