if a guy takes off from beyond the 3-pt line, and takes a shot closer to the basket in mid-air, does that count as a 2-pt shot or a 3-pt shot?
What drives me nuts is when the refs don't know the rules or are out of position to make a call and blow it. Perfect example...backcourts. I've coached quite a few games where we are bringing the ball down the court and the kids reverse the ball after crossing one foot over the 1/2 court line. I don't like for us to be in that predicament, but sometimes, in a pressure situation, it has to be done. Most refs call that as backcourt, but the rule is that both feet AND the ball must have crossed the 1/2 court in order to make that call. My players know the rule. I argue this with the refs until they ignore me, because they won't "T" me up for knowing the rule. I got a direct technical one time this year for getting on the court...I had my toe on the court...I swear that this is how much of my foot was on the court. The other ref came down and told me that he couldn't believe she made that call and I laughed about it and joked with the other coach all night long about it.
FT, I dunno why that reminds me of a funny story from my freshman year. I was on A team, so I was doing the books for the B team game for the first three quarters. Whoever filled out the books for us forgot to list one of our players, and when he checked in, it was caught, so that's an automatic technical. We informed the official, who immediately slammed the ball down as hard as he could, blew his whistle really loud and made the "T" with his hand real forceful. After seeing the stunned look on our faces, he simply smiled and said, "I always wanted to do that".
It actually counts as a 5 point shot..and the shooter wins a round trip ticket to vegas..new rule I think.
I always assumed it was a three (take off behind the arc), but some of the high flying college kids could almost make a layup launching from the top of the key. I guess if they can pull that off they deserve the three.
Hell, another 3-4 feet and it would be a dunk for MJ as when he took off from the FT line in the slam dunk contest. Would that still be a 3?
I don't think they gave him three points when he did it in Space Jam. Gonna have to go back and check though.
The actual NBA rule follows: c. A successful field goal attempt from the area outside the three-point field goal line shall count three points. (1) The shooter must have at least one foot on the floor outside the three-point field goal line prior to the attempt. (2) The shooter may not be touching the floor on or be inside the three-point field goal line. (3) The shooter may contact the three-point field goal line, or land in the two-point field goal area, after the ball is released. On a personal note, I would like to see the rule changed so that the 3 point shot has a clearly defined maximum length as well. I don't think a team should be rewarded with 3 points for a desparation 70 foot heave. I also don't think a team should be rewarded with 3 free throws if the heaver is bumped while throwing up a desparation 50 footer.
That would take away from the game. If somebody can hit a shot from the other side of the court, then they deserve 3 points, especially if it gives you a chance to win or tie the game.
I'm up in air about the free throws. If your trying to throw the ball in from 50 ft out and you get fouled, then technically you are shooting a 3 pointer so I guess it should be three free throws.
I was once in a spot that my team needed 3 point to tie and 4 points to win with two seconds on the clock and us inbounding the ball at the 1/2 court. I set up a play to try draw a foul on a 3 point shot. The other team did not fould us on the shot, nor did my shooter make the shot, but it gave us a chance. Maybe the refs should be able to use their discretion on an "unmakeable" shot...kind of like an uncatchable pass in football.
True, I guess what I really mean is that the whistle should normally be swallowed in those situations unless the contact is extremely obvious, like a tackle or something. I once chased a referee after a high school basketball game against our rival (I wasn't on the varsity yet) when our player was literally tackled while trying a desperation three to win the game. I was ID'd, but slipped out a backdoor before someone could get to me...I thought for sure I'd be in trouble the next day, but no one said anything.
Bobrek, there is a chance that a lucky shot goes in, and that's why the defense still contests the long shot but if a player is not allowed to take that shot, he should still have the chance to get his points. That is, unless someone calls "No **** shots..."
