Scoring Down - Rule Changes Ahead?

[Play Angry]

We've discussed this on here a few times but this afternoon's MVC Report from Sully sparked my interest. What do you guys think?

An interesting quote from HCGM summing up what we all know to be the cause:

I also think the game is very physical. It’s become that way. It’s harder to score because of all the physicality. It’s hard to make shots because of all the physicality.


Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/sports/college...#storylink=cpy

I kinda think trimming the shot clock is like treating the symptoms instead of the disease- more possessions, but the conversion rate will continue its declining trend until officiating is changed.

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/sports/college...#storylink=cpy

[pie n eye]

You didn't quote coach saying the thing that, in my opinion, is the biggest reason scoring is down. Cutting the shot clock might result in more points scored but it would be an illusion. Instead the community needs to focus on the keeeeds. Even the NBA would benefit eventually if we taught fundamentals and skills instead of just letting kids get by on the fact that they're a foot taller, stronger, or more athletic than other kids their age.

It's been said over and over by more knowledgable people than me that kids play too many games nowadays instead of focusing on improving their individuals kills. It won't affect scoring immediately like shortening the shot clock would but it would greatly improve basketball at all levels.

[Rlh04d]

Weren't the rule changes prior to last season supposed to be to encourage scoring? How did it go the other direction?

[Cdizzle]

Weren't the rule changes prior to last season supposed to be to encourage scoring? How did it go the other direction?

It didn't. The numbers went in the correct direction last year, especially the first half of the year. Then they quit enforcing the rule changes.

[shockerfanmas]

I certainly don't think they quit enforcing the rule changes. I've seen plenty a games this season that have had both teams in the bonus situation with plenty of time to go in each half,and I've seen plenty of games that lasted over 2 hours, even a couple that lasted almost 2 1/2 hours because of so many whistles. From what i can tell, nothing has changed. The ticky tack touch fouls are still being called the majority of the time.

It really all depends on the officials working each particular game. Then again, what I consider a good call isn't what most consider a good call, and so forth. I'm all for freedom of movement but basketball is a contact sport, and calling a foul on every little touch gets old, quickly. And I've seen many more games being called that way than the other way.

[Cdizzle]

I certainly don't think they quit enforcing the rule changes.

Your observation of officiating is about as astute as I had previously gathered. I am certainly no expert and not without bias in many regards; but nearly everyone, including players, coaches, conference leaders and officials have noted, quite publicly, that the freedom of movement rules were no longer being enforced as designed, even by late last season.

[Steeleshocker]

Your observation of officiating is about as astute as I had previously gathered. I am certainly no expert and not without bias in many regards; but nearly everyone, including players, coaches, conference leaders and officials have noted, quite publicly, that the freedom of movement rules were no longer being enforced as designed, even by late last season.

What dumbfounds me is that it worked so well for half the year and then they backed off. What is even more bizarre is that they changed the rules back in the interest of making it "easier for officials to enforce." If they had stuck with the rules changes for a full three seasons I'm sure the results are what we would have wanted.

What is also interesting is 3Gs comments about the physicality of the current game. Most teams complain that they were unable to match or physicality, which shows how good coach is at training the players to be in good position and to contest shots appropriately. You don't see many of our players just trying to line up for a charge.

[ArtVandalay]

To make officiating easier over the long run, institute a no flopping "foul" or penalty (2 minutes for diving is a penalty in hockey, Love it). Way too much flopping going on, which impacts foul calls and scoring and makes officials' jobs more difficult. Start calling fouls for flopping or having a penalty decreases the likeliness you see it in the future.

People talk about lowering the shot clock. I have some other/better time management ideas: Don't reset the 10 second clock getting across half court on timeouts or deflections out of bounds. They stopped making the officials count to 10 a few years ago and just had them use the shot clock (35 to 25=10 seconds). If there's 27 on the shot clock when you call timeout, you've got 2 seconds to get it across half court. Rewards defense, discourages calling timeouts, probably creates turnovers/fast break opportunities.

Extend the restricted arc area. I hate the charge call. Get by your defender and get ready to jump and some guy slides over in front of you should never be a charge. Ever. That's not good defense.

[Steeleshocker]

To make officiating easier over the long run, institute a no flopping "foul" or penalty (2 minutes for diving is a penalty in hockey, Love it). Way too much flopping going on, which impacts foul calls and scoring and makes officials' jobs more difficult. Start calling fouls for flopping or having a penalty decreases the likeliness you see it in the future.

People talk about lowering the shot clock. I have some other/better time management ideas: Don't reset the 10 second clock getting across half court on timeouts or deflections out of bounds. They stopped making the officials count to 10 a few years ago and just had them use the shot clock (35 to 25=10 seconds). If there's 27 on the shot clock when you call timeout, you've got 2 seconds to get it across half court. Rewards defense, discourages calling timeouts, probably creates turnovers/fast break opportunities.

Extend the restricted arc area. I hate the charge call. Get by your defender and get ready to jump and some guy slides over in front of you should never be a charge. Ever. That's not good defense.

Maybe the rule should be changed to the defender being set before the dribble is picked up. That's a pretty defined act.

[ShockerFever]

It didn't. The numbers went in the correct direction last year, especially the first half of the year. Then they quit enforcing the rule changes.

Yah, but the higher scoring was the result of insane free throw contests. That is NOT the way to increase scoring. No thanks.

[Shock Therapy]

Yah, but the higher scoring was the result of insane free throw contests. That is NOT the way to increase scoring. No thanks.

Exactly! I's been well documented that teams were averaging around 9 more free throws a game, which is insane.

[Steeleshocker]

Exactly! I's been well documented that teams were averaging around 9 more free throws a game, which is insane.

It was always going to take time to adjust to the new rules. Watch some games from the 80s to see how much more offensive freedom there was. We have a rules enforcement issue and only enforcing the rules will fix the scoring eventually.

[Shock Top]

I think shortening the shot clock will help in multiple areas.

I think it'll happen sooner rather then later.

[Shock Therapy]

It was always going to take time to adjust to the new rules. Watch some games from the 80s to see how much more offensive freedom there was. We have a rules enforcement issue and only enforcing the rules will fix the scoring eventually.

Except they changed the rules back to what they were in '12-'13 before this season.

[Play Angry]

Except they changed the rules back to what they were in '12-'13 before this season.

Mostly re: charges, right?

I was under the impression almost all of the rest (hand checks, body contact, etc.) was jawboning from their bosses as "points of emphasis," which basically stopped being emphasized by late December.