Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Basketball: Too Much Fouling

Differential foul shooting opportunity is one of the updated Four Factors. Get to the foul line but don't send opponents there.

Fouling hurts teams in many ways.

  • Free throws are high points per possession shots.
  • Sometimes they replace bad or bailout shots. Don't reward bad shots by fouling. 
  • They get our players in foul trouble which may get them benched or cautious.
  • They allow opponents to come back by scoring with clock stoppage.
  • They lead to player disqualification (fouling out). 
  • Sometimes they impact officials broadly if there's "referee abuse." 
Foul prevention is part mental and part technique. Here are pointers that I've emphasize to reduce fouling: 

1. Make it a point of emphasis. Texas coach Kevin Sivils teaches, "foul for profit." 

2. Don't give the officials an 'excuse'. Make players decide the game, not the officials. If something 'looks like' a foul, it will usually get called, like chopping down on blocked shots. 

3. "SHOW YOUR HANDS." Some coaches literally yell, "show your hands," reminding the referees 'we're avoiding fouls'. 

4. Don't reach in. Use hand discipline. 

5. Advise plays to tap 'up' on the ball instead of swiping down. 

6. Never foul jump shots. Make the opponent make them, especially three-pointers. 

7. Move your feet. Maintaining "legal guarding position" requires good footwork with balance and quickness. 

8. Don't block shots with a "hitting down" follow-through, this often gets called.

9. Avoid "upper bodying" the dribbler. This also leads to fouling. 

10. "Over the back" may not exist (pushing is the call) but be aware that if you're in foul trouble, it's another way to get in trouble.

11. Read the game. If the officials are calling the game tightly, react to that. 

12. Teach foul discipline. For what it's worth, when I coached Cecilia Kay (Boston Herald Dream Team, McDonald's All-American nominee) in middle school, I played her with foul trouble, training her to learn to play with fouls. This has helped her stay on the court in high school as a high impact player.  

Lagniappe. Pitino on effort.  

Lagniappe 2. Accountability means "holding yourself to a high standard." 

Lagniappe 3. Control your fouling. 

 Lagniappe 4. Super video from Dave Love on shooting errors