Major rule changes this year

**ruxCYtable** · 10-28-2011, 09:27 PM

Was watching "The Experts" on ESPNU tonight and the subject was basketball officiating. NCAA is going with the 36" arc under the basket now but there are lots of variables to the rule and it's going to take a while for coaches, players, fans and officials to get used to it.

First, as I understood the conversation, the arc only applies to secondary defenders (help defenders.) If I'm guarding you 1-on-1 and get in position, I can still draw a charge on you under the basket. If my teammate slides over to help, even if he gets there before the offensive player, it's a block. Same play, different defender, different call.

An exception to the rule, if the offensive player throws the elbow or pushes off, it can still be charge even inside the arc and even with a help defender.

Other variables, on a fast break EVERYONE is considered a help defender and NO ONE can draw a charge under the basket. On rebounding situations it's exactly the opposite, everyone is considered a primary defender. I.E. if I get an offensive rebound, go right back up with it and barrel you over inside the arc, it's a charge.

Also, it's not a "strict" arc, it's just kind of if you're in the general vicinity of it. I think that opens a lot up to interpretation. I personally am not sure how much I like it, I think it is making things too complicated. For the average fan who doesn't understand the change, even if the officials get it right it's going to look like they're being inconsistent. In the first scenario, I can draw a charge on you 1-on-1 and then next possession do the same thing on a fast break but it's a block. Same players, same contact, but because it's half-court vs. fast break it's a different call.

I just think we're getting way too complicated here with things and consistency, or the appearance thereof, is going to fly out the window. If there are any college officials on the board I'd love to get your thoughts. I don't think a lot of people realize how much this is going to change the game: Stuff that has ALWAYS been a charge before is now going to be a block and the other way around.

**ISUAgronomist** · 10-28-2011, 09:31 PM

Great more "judgement" calls in sports. :puke:

I like the arc idea but with easy rules.

**BigJCy** · 10-28-2011, 09:39 PM

Why don't they just use the NBA rule for the arc? That seems to work and it's simplistic.

**cyclones500** · 10-28-2011, 11:27 PM

I'm not a college official, so I can't respond with any knowledge in that regard.

If having the line made it easier for a referee to judge the distance — not having to guess on the how-close-is-too-close, I'd be OK with it.

If all of this additional detail is added, it's doubly awful. (1) Seems like a way to excuse bad calls; a charge/block decision has become rocket science (2) I would think it makes it harder for officials. There's already shades of gray at the most basic level (was the defender moving or planted?) and a decision has to be made in less than a second. With more to think about, they might blow a larger percentage of "simpler" calls.

**el tornado** · 10-28-2011, 11:43 PM

That's great but we all know that the ref will call the foul on Iowa State

**cycloneG** · 10-29-2011, 07:02 AM

Will there still be a blarge?

**ruxCYtable** · 10-29-2011, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by cyclones500

There's already shades of gray at the most basic level (was the defender moving or planted?)

This is a whole different topic we could go into for days. The moving vs. planted issue is a myth that has been played before an unsuspecting public by the media who do not understand the rules. There is nothing in the rules requiring a defender to be "planted" or "set" to draw a charge.

**madcityCY** · 10-29-2011, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by el tornado

That's great but we all know that the ref will call the foul on Iowa State

If ISU gets called for a charge near the arc, Kansas get three points at a timeout, and Michigan State's opponent gets a double foul.

...I also heard that was a new rule - just to clear up any previous confusion.

**iahawkhunter** · 10-29-2011, 08:51 AM

What's the motivation for having this arc? Is there a good reason to have it, or are league officials just feeling like they need to futz with something every so often to make it look like they're doing something?

**iahawkhunter** · 10-29-2011, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by ruxCYtable

This is a whole different topic we could go into for days. The moving vs. planted issue is a myth that has been played before an unsuspecting public by the media who do not understand the rules. There is nothing in the rules requiring a defender to be "planted" or "set" to draw a charge.

I'd never heard that planted/set wasn't required. Could you provide a brief synopsis?

**VeloClone** · 10-29-2011, 08:52 AM

It will be interesting to see how long officials will consider zone defense and how long a zone defender will have to guard a player to be considered the primary defender.

I agree, this rule is a mess.

That's not going to be good for anyone.

**cyclonestate** · 10-29-2011, 09:15 AM

Just wait, opponents will learn quickly that the most effective way to defend Royce White is to use the flop defense. I won't be surprised if Royce picks up 1 or 2 bogus charges a game.

**IcSyU** · 10-29-2011, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by iahawkhunter

I'd never heard that planted/set wasn't required. Could you provide a brief synopsis?

Basically as long as the defender is established wherever the offensive player tries to go, it can be a change. If I'm defending you on the three point line and you attempt to go around me but I beat you to the spot and the offensive player initiates contact, it can be called a charge. My feet aren't set, but the space was "mine."

I'd actually love to see officials start calling more charges in that situation as well as offensive players clearing space with their shoulders in the lane for example.

**GMan** · 10-29-2011, 10:12 AM

The new rule is dumb. Either keep it as is, or go to the NBA style charging circle. Either way is much simpler and cleaner. Having said that, it wouldn't completely surprise me if after a few early games, this rule basically isn't enforced due to its complexity, and we more or less go back on the old charging rules.

Anyone wanna take a bet on ISU getting screwed by this rule somehow this year?

**iahawkhunter** · 10-29-2011, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by IcSyU

Basically as long as the defender is established wherever the offensive player tries to go, it can be a change. If I'm defending you on the three point line and you attempt to go around me but I beat you to the spot and the offensive player initiates contact, it can be called a charge. My feet aren't set, but the space was "mine."

I'd actually love to see officials start calling more charges in that situation as well as offensive players clearing space with their shoulders in the lane for example.

Thanks for the explanation. I had thought it'd be something like that, but thought I'd ask better basketball minds than mine.