Terry Mosher
I guess I’m in the minority about the new hand-checking rules in basketball (not the NBA) because most of what I read is in favor of the new rules, which prevent the defense from putting hands or elbows on the offensive player.
I had not known about the new rules when I watched Duke and Kansas last week (Kansas won). I kept shaking my head and wondering where the defense was. A player would go coast-to-coast and score a layin and he would not be stopped, no hands on him, nothing.
I thought, wow, these two teams are terrible. It’s all offense. There is no defense.
There were 53 fouls in that game, and 63 free throws were shot. The last 10 minutes of the game seemed to be a free throw shooting contest. Kansas won that, which is why the Jayhawks won the game.
Since watching that game, I have discovered the new rules. I was talking to veteran local referee, Lloyd Pugh, during a life tribute to Elton Goodwin on Saturday and he said to expect a half-hour longer to games.
Wow, I don’t know. I don’t like it. I know the NCAA rules committee is trying to cut back on the physicality of the game, and provide more scoring, but my whole sense of being is predicated on defense. I feel I can take a team and teach players how to play tough man-to-man defense and get an advantage over most other coaches and teams, some that may have better talent.
But not now.
It takes away the defense. It takes away hard contact. It takes away the guy who makes his living shutting down the other guy. The new rules lean toward the guy with quickness and speed who can dribble the length of the floor and score at will. Nothing you can do about it except put a hand on him and send him to the foul line.
Yeah, I think the new rules are bad. It gives the advantage to the teams who have great individual players who are all offense. Coaches won’t have to teach defense anymore. Just find the best offensive player around and let him go at it.
It stinks. It really does.
And the bad part is that once college players get used to the new rules, they will have a tough time acclimating to the rougher rules allowed in the NBA. But what do I know. Maybe I’m all wrong and this will be good for the players.
Right now, though, it really does stink.
Be well pal
Be careful out there
Have a great day
You are loved.