strategy question

[TadQueasy]

Over the last few years I am seeing more and more teams that do not put any offensive players around the lane while they shoot a FT. They are all back at halfcourt. Strafford was the first I noticed doing this. What is the purpose of this? I get why you do it late in a game when you do not want any silly fouls and you want to make sure your defense is set. But during the main part of the game a team is missing out on some offensive rebound opportunities. Missed block outs and long rebounds always lead to another offensive possession for teams. What am I missing? Why do some teams/coaches do this?

 

[Ftballfan16]

I know Miller does it. They only play 5 players so it saves them some energy. I also think they want to make sure everyone is back and in good defensive position. I think Miller has only allowed about 10 fast break points all year.

 

[AC100]

I assume they want to prevent silly folks from their best players during the entire game.

 

[TadQueasy]

If you only have 5 players then I guess that makes sense.

But other than that I just don't see why you would pass up the opportunity for another possession. In close games a few offensive rebounds can make the difference.

And it is not like the majority of high school free throws are successful. What does the average high school girls team shoot from the line? 60% maybe?

 

[kaskaskiakid]

A stupid new fad.

 

[mike37]

I agree. Missing out on some rebound stick back buckets

 

[chs_02]

It might be the dumbest thing I have ever seen. Even if your team shoots 90% from the line, you’re still costing yourself some possessions.

 

[3Rfan]

It might be the dumbest thing I have ever seen. Even if your team shoots 90% from the line, you’re still costing yourself some possessions.

I'd bet the number of rebounding fouls committed by the offense on missed free throws far surpasses the number rebounds and stick backs.

 

[AC100]

If you have 1 big player that you can't afford to have on the bench, it is worth giving up 1 or 2 put backs per game

 

[All_Options]

I'd bet the number of rebounding fouls committed by the offense on missed free throws far surpasses the number rebounds and stick backs.

I agree. Plus it gives the coach a chance to talk to his/her team. You might concede a rebound and put back. But more than likely statically you are going to save fouls.

 

[TadQueasy]

I'd bet the number of rebounding fouls committed by the offense on missed free throws far surpasses the number rebounds and stick backs.

I highly doubt this. There are maybe 1-2 fouls committed rebounding on free throws during a game, but there are multiply offensive rebounding opportunities

 

[3Rfan]

I highly doubt this. There are maybe 1-2 fouls committed rebounding on free throws during a game, but there are multiply offensive rebounding opportunities

 

[3Rfan]

Plenty of opportunities, not so sure about how many you get.

 

[ball_fan3215]

Pace of the game is a concern for the team deploying that tactic. Good way to prevent the opponents transition offense.

 

[Razzy417]

Miller does it as part of their defensive strategy, they don’t want to give up any transition points, plus they aren’t that big and have next to no depth so I understand why they do it. Helton would be the one who’d battle the most for offensive rebounds on missed free throws and they need her on the court as much as possible and not picking up fouls on missed free throws.

It’s not a one size fits all strategy either way though.

 

[justaconcernedcitizen]

I have used before when I was not very big and played a team that ran a lot of transition plays out of a missed FT. I usually kept one player in to help chase down long rebounds. You might get 1-2 ORBs a night off a missed FT. Teams that play with a lot of pace can be slowed down if you have a guy back at the rim, one guy to take over the outlet guard and another to help stop the long pass in transition. It is a solid tactic that can be used to control pace out of FTs.