We had some discussion tonight in IM basketball about the best way to deal with fouls. We don't want to do free throws, so we have a couple options as I see it. These are three we discussed: 1) no points awarded but ball goes to team that was fouled on the sideline 2) one point to offended team and they retain possession. 3) one point to offended team and there is a change of possession. Any thoughts on the best way to officiate fouls without using free throws? We have a pretty casual program, so we want simplicity along with fairness.
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IM Basketball: free throw alternatives for fouls
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I believe the players love free throws. We let them shoot them, than they get the ball back. No positioning under the basket just player at free throw line shooting and they get ball after make or a miss. It has cut down the fouls and rough play. Good luck I will monitor this thread also to see what others are doing.
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I think a lot of shooting free throws versus not shooting free throws depends on the culture, as much as it depends on the timing, of the game. Our program does two 20 minute halves and for most of the participants that 30 seconds while we shoot free throws is how they catch their breath. If you are at a place where participants don't want to stop playing and just want to reset and go as quickly as possible I see options 1 and 3 being feasible.
I would caution about taking away any advantage to the team being fouled. You could see an uptick in fouls if there is no points awarded or no penalties assessed to the offending team.
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In our program, we utilize free throws. However, I have worked summer league basketball tournaments that use the following:
Common Foul = 1 point and retain possession
Shooting Foul (missed shot) = 2 or 3 points and change possession
Shooting Foul (made shot) = 2 or 3 points (and 1 point) and change possessionEssentially, they just assume that every free throw that would be awarded would be made. I think it works pretty well.
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In our basketball league, we use a running clock (20 mins/half) in order to fit every game within a 1 hour slot. Since the clock is running, we too try to avoid having tons of clock eaten up at the free throw line. But since our culture likes shooting free throws, we let the shooter have 1 free throw that is worth either 2 or 3 points. If the shot was made during the foul, the +1 is added automatically without shooting a free throw.
We explain the reasoning behind it with the running clock to all the teams at the start of the season, and we haven't had any issues.
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I agree with the input that Schmidt enlightened us with. I have been involved with several leagues that handle the free throw situation the same and there has never been any issues. It allows players to still shoot free throws (which is a part of the game), but also it doesn't waste that much time especially if it is running clock. Lastly it avoids any issues that might happen towards the end of the game if the game is close. Free throws are important to have down the stretch and it allows the team that is behind to still have a change rather than just giving the other team points without earning them.
One free throw for 2 or 3 points and if they make the bucket while getting fouled just add a point automatically as it is an and one. As long as you explain the rule at the beginning there shouldn't be any issues. -
I know it might be casual, but removing free throws would take away player's opportunities to catch breath. Also, if you have student officials, free throw administration is a great thing to practice. What you can do though, if time of running clock is a consideration is only shoot the free throw that would make the play live on release. Any other free throws would be assumed to have went in (even the front end of the 1 and 1 bonus).
Common foul - out of bounds
Shooting foul ( 2 pt FG missed) - 1 pt added + 1 free throw
Shooting foul (2 pt FG made) - 2 pts added + 1 free throw
Shooting foul (3 pt FG missed) - 2 pts added + 1 free throw
Shooting foul (3 pt FG made) - 3 pts added + 1 free throw
Bonus (single or double) - 1 pt added + 1 free throw
