Running the end line
 

Is it just me, or do players not take enough advantage of running the end line?

More often than not, when I become the new T on a BCELTI, and the thrower-in has the end line to run AND defensive pressure, his/her feet still remain stationary. Even after a time-out, when I specifically inform the thrower-in he/she has the end line, they still stay still, and sometimes lean to look for an open teammate.

Any thoughts?

Most plays on inbounding the ball and breaking the press are built around screening and movement of the players on the court. Properly executed, this will do the trick, and it is easier for the thrower to be accurate while stationary.

I think it's just not practiced and coached. So, when given the opportunity, while it seems rather simple, players just don't take advantage of it, because they haven't practiced it or been taught plays or actions while moving outside the court.

Like jar said, there's much more to properly executing an in-bounds play than being able to run the end line. So while it can be to the team's advantage, it's not nearly as important as you're making it out to be.

I tend to agree that it's an under utilized right for throw ins.

Some teams are better coached than others.

Exactly. You see this more on TV than in high school for that exact reason.

Of course, it can backfire. Key moment during an NCAA tournament game last year (can't remember which one), coming out of a media timeout with a backcourt throw-in and defensive pressure, the thrower forgot it was a spot throw-in and violated. Oops.

Best part was the official who hesitated before he realized what had just happened. His body language was like, "hey, wait a minute, was there a made bask......nope, no there wasn't [insert belated staccato whistle here]!"

I always inform players they can run the end line when I'm handing them the ball on such a throw-in. I think I see players actually run only once or twice a year. Since I do a greater share of low-level games than other forum contributors, I also see players try to run the end line on a designated-spot throw-in on a pretty frequent basis. This year, I've yet to see a player run the end line on a throw-in where they can do that. By contrast, I've had a violation for leaving the designated spot twice this year.

On the endline I always tell them what they can do either way. It certainly does not mean they know the rules or know what the rules entail.

Peace

Soon To Be Published ...
 

IAABO mechanics require us to tell, and signal, both when the player can, and can't, run the endline on all backcourt endline throwins.

I suggest that rookie officials be careful regarding exactly what they say:

Things Officials Should Probably Not Be Saying In A Game

"Don't move”, said to an inbounding player, by an official, before a designated spot throw-in, is another statement that should probably go unsaid. According to the rules, that player can move laterally within a three foot wide area, can jump up, and can move as far back as time, and space, will allow. Better statement: “Designated spot”, while pointing to the spot.

I usually tell the thrower when the throw-in is a designated spot throw, but I should be doing it more. When I do, I typically say "on the spot".

Sometimes I say this on the sideline but the only time you really should do it is for backcourt endline throw-ins. Every other location is a spot throw regardless. I say "spot throw" versus "you can run" on any endline throw-in however, just as preventative officiating.

I've used the following:
1. "Hold your spot."
2. "Stay in this spot."
3. "You have the whole endline."
4. "You may run."

What I will not say is, "Don't run" or "You can't run" as I've found that these can easily be misheard and cause a player to violate.

"You can run", "Spot". Those 2 phrases clearly convey what the thrower-in can do, and neither has ever caused confusion in any game I've worked.

Question: Doesn't the book also say that you should notify the defense?

I tell the inbounder, and then give a signal for all to see (including the videotape)

"Just this spot" while pointing to the floor or "You have the whole end line" while gesturing back and forth along the end line.

I can't remember the last time I've had someone move from where they started either legally or illegally.

Even rarer is the OOB pass to another thrower. I've seen it maybe twice.

"You can run."
"Here's your spot."

Another answer may be that the running the baseline is the third or fourth option on the play - so it isn't used very often because they don't get that far most of the time.

I have observed that the privilege of "running the endline" is grossly under-utilized by players. Players are so conditioned to the spot throw-in that they dare not venture to do otherwise for fear of causing a turnover.

Almost the same...
- "You can run" with a side to side hand motion.
- "Spot throw in" just prior to handing the ball to the thrower.

Camera Don't Lie ...
 

What? Do you mean to say that some of our games are videotaped?

"You can run" and "You can't run" are too close for a noisy environment.
You should consider one of the other options mentioned in this thread.

What if you accompany the "you can run" with a visual signal that also indicates the player can indeed run?

I have never had a problem or confusion with saying "Don't move." If a player is too stupid to know what that means, then they have bigger problems. They realize there are only two options. Even if you say "Spot" that does not take away from the kind of crying that goes on for a travel if they move a foot one way or the other.

Peace

Perpetuate A Myth ...
 

I agree that saying "Don't move" might not, and probably, will not, lead to any problems, but why say something that isn't true (it's positively, absolutely, not true), and perpetuates a myth?

"On the spot", accompanied with the visual signal pointing to the floor.

"You can run", accompanied with the visual signal indicating so.

Never had a problem with either and don't think either is coaching or confusing.

"You're on a spot." - with appropriate point to the floor.

"You have the entire endline." - with approprate hand signal.

A few nights ago, the player's response, with a grin, "Thanks. I probably won't need it." (There was no defensive pressure.)

Not everything we say is literal. If that is the case, you should have a problem with anyone saying "running the end line" when no such language is used in the rulebook but very often used to describe the ability to "move" on the end line. I even had a problem years ago with a coach because he felt that it was my obligation to give his player the ball wherever he choose, not where I choose, which resulted in a T on the coach. But that is another story for another day. Never had a problem with saying "Don't move" when I rarely even say that in the first place.

And again, not sure what myth it perpetuates, because people think you travel on a throw-in. It is not assumed it is a travel because a player with the ball moves. It is thought to be a travel because they take steps with their feet. So I am not so sure what myth is perpetuated? They only want to know that they can or cannot run the end line. They do not understand the nuances of the rule to begin with.

Peace

I usually say to a player, "You can run if you need to." And if it is clear there is no press or press coverage of any kind I sometimes add, "You may not need to." Usually gets a laugh or a smile.

Peace

I say the same thing when there is no pressure.

Why Can't He Move ???
 

... That the inbounder can't move. Because he can, in a lot of different ways, and directions. Up (jump). Down (gravity after jumping). Left (to a degree). Right (to a degree). Forward (very limited). Backward (limited to time, and setting). Move both feet in place (the travel that isn't a travel). Etc. So why say that he can't move?

Why say something that is 100% wrong, dead wrong, when several other alternatives (see above posts, lots of posts, lots of alternatives) can be easily stated that are all 100% correct.

Because that is Rut and you can't him otherwise.

After thinking about it because of this thread, I've refined my verbiage to "You have the endline" and "Hold this spot."

I also use hand signals.

I just don't want to end up in a situation in which the player was confused by my words.