Major Rule Change Needed

[footey]

Too many times refs don't know what call to make when an incredibly fast athlete (e.g. LeBron) comes driving hard down the lane, and a quick footed defender gets in front of him the last second. Is it a block? A charge? Let's face it, we could flip a coin and have about the same success rate making the right call as the refs. I don't believe in conspiracies, I think that the refs try to make the right call for the most part. IT's just that the game has gotten so fast, the athletes don't permit enough time to make the right call, and the rule is awfully subjective to begin with.

The best solution would be to make it a "no call, let them keep playing" unless it is an obvious charge, or an obvious block. For all the ones where it is too questionable, the refs should be instructed to make no call, just let them play. This should have the by-product of cutting down on flopping as well. If you want a separate rule to govern flopping (suspension if you get caught on video tape doing it a certain number of times), that would work for me. But the first and most important change has to be the "too close to call" into a no call.  It would discourage offensive players like LeBron from just plowing into guys. The worst games are ones that become free throw shooting contests.

[Andy Jick]

there's too much emphasis on that arc in the lane than there is on whether the defender had his feet set before the contact takes place. 

that is the ONE call that the refs need to confer on with each other...there's too much to see in such a short time, and it's the hardest call for a ref to make.

i don't know if i'd change the rule...but i would emphasize the refs paying more attention to whether the defenders are sliding in late in front of the offensive player.

[Hondo]

Never a big fan of the charge call.  I don't really think standing there with your hands down to your sides is really what the concept of defense was when they created this game.  Unfortunately the illegal defense concept makes it hard to do much else.  I think I would rather have them extend the charge area and call the rest of the game the way it should be called.

[reggie35]

Too many times refs don't know what call to make when an incredibly fast athlete (e.g. LeBron) comes driving hard down the lane, and a quick footed defender gets in front of him the last second. Is it a block? A charge? Let's face it, we could flip a coin and have about the same success rate making the right call as the refs. I don't believe in conspiracies, I think that the refs try to make the right call for the most part. IT's just that the game has gotten so fast, the athletes don't permit enough time to make the right call, and the rule is awfully subjective to begin with.

The best solution would be to make it a "no call, let them keep playing" unless it is an obvious charge, or an obvious block. For all the ones where it is too questionable, the refs should be instructed to make no call, just let them play. This should have the by-product of cutting down on flopping as well. If you want a separate rule to govern flopping (suspension if you get caught on video tape doing it a certain number of times), that would work for me. But the first and most important change has to be the "too close to call" into a no call.  It would discourage offensive players like LeBron from just plowing into guys. The worst games are ones that become free throw shooting contests.

they should extend the arc to the three point line :-)  seriously though, they should get rid of blocking/charging. it's a coin toss. if it impedes a shot, it should be a shooting foul, but if you stop calling charges, guys will try and play man to man defense, which should help the offensive flow of the game.

[Hondo]

How about extending it to the locker room

[wdleehi]

I agree about getting rid of the arc. 

[EJPLAYA]

there's too much emphasis on that arc in the lane than there is on whether the defender had his feet set before the contact takes place. 

that is the ONE call that the refs need to confer on with each other...there's too much to see in such a short time, and it's the hardest call for a ref to make.

i don't know if i'd change the rule...but i would emphasize the refs paying more attention to whether the defenders are sliding in late in front of the offensive player.

100% spot on with this comment AJ. We were always instructed when learning the game that the defensive player had to have established position for a full count prior to the contact unless the offensive player dramatically lowered the shoulder initiating the contact. If they were sliding their feet laterally there was almost no way you had a charge. (see Lebrons and PP's late call in game 6) If they didn't have a full count but their feet were there it was still a block. You just can't expect the offensive player to be able to change direction when a guy inserts himself in front of him with less than a second to go.

[footey]

1. Make it a no call where it is too close to call.
2. Get rid of the arc (good point, forget to mention).
3. Allow zone defense, get rid of the defensive 3 second call. It is called too arbitrarily. Let the athletes adjust to the zone.

[wdleehi]

1. Make it a no call where it is too close to call.
2. Get rid of the arc (good point, forget to mention).
3. Allow zone defense, get rid of the defensive 3 second call. It is called too arbitrarily. Let the athletes adjust to the zone.

No, 'No calls'.   If there is a foul, there is a foul. 

[Yakmanev]

I always heard it explained that the defensive player had to at least have position and not moving his feet and allow the offensive player two steps before being able to get the charge.

[crownsy]

Never a big fan of the charge call.  I don't really think standing there with your hands down to your sides is really what the concept of defense was when they created this game.  Unfortunately the illegal defense concept makes it hard to do much else.  I think I would rather have them extend the charge area and call the rest of the game the way it should be called.

so what would be the defense of non-6'10 guys when a guy drives the lane then? get out of the way and let the guy dunk?

slashers would average 50 points a game with no charge call, they wouldn't even hesatate to just call an iso and run full bore at the hoop.

The charge is a fine defensive play, and needed. not everyone is the dream on defense, and can just block every shot. some guys, espcally gaurds, need the charge to even out the advantage physically guys like lebron have.

if there were no charging calls, lebron would never shoot a jumper, he'd just bull his way inside against anyone smaller than him, since he would know that a charge wouldn't be called.

[Weird Facts]

Your forgetting the call that makes this all the more iffy.

If the offensive player lowers his shoulder it is an automatic offensive foul....

I also read their is a new rule in the book that says, Lebron cannot be called for lowering his shoulder.

[ram]

Without charge calls, the game would resemble a cross between lacrosse and football.

There would never be a reason to shoot a jumper-you just line up your strongest player to bull his way in with the ball. Big Baby will become a HOF player and Najeh Davenport will switch sports.