Defensive jump ball not popular among coaches

By ROGER MILLS

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 27, 1999

The Times asked visiting coaches: "If there was one rule you could change, what would it be and why?"

Perry Clark, Tulane: "I have a problem with the defensive jump ball (which gives the ball to the defense if the defense forces a tie-up). I think it's very hard for the officials to administrate it. All you have to do is grab the ball and tie it up and you really didn't create any defensive (turnover), there was no defensive skill in it. I think the solution is going to go back to the (possession) arrow."

Lou Henson, New Mexico State: "First of all, people don't like the jump ball rule, but I like the rule. I'll tell you why I like that rule. It's because it's hard for the officials to administer that. Even on the jump ball at the beginning of the game, (players) get the ball going up half of the time, (players) get into the circle, and all that. I think it's fair and equitable. The old rule, you would alternate the jump-ball possession, but with the new rule you get that possession if you create a tie-up. If the defense ties somebody up, they should earn the ball. The one I have mixed feelings about ... is the five-second count. I like it because (of) the defense it takes, but I dislike it because the officials don't call it right."

Norm Stewart, Missouri: "There are always some things that need fine-tuning. But this year we had a controversy about the defensive jump ball. We have to fine-tune that a bit. The problem is a little bit in the interpretation ... between the rules committee and the officials. The rule has to be better defined. It's not (as much an issue of) mis-interpretation, but (more) a lack of it sometimes. You've got to get the specific idea of the rules committee, that has to be defined and many times it's hard to define. The problem is (determining) who has possession. I think the survey (of coaches) shows that they are 50-50 on whether to keep it."

Tevester Anderson, Murray State: "I would probably change the five-second count. I think officials do a very poor job of interpreting that rule. Some officials call (it) when you're 6 feet away, some call it when you're only 2 feet away. They just don't do a good job of enforcing the five-second count."

Lon Kruger, Illinois: " I think it would be the blocking call that results in a free throw for the defensive team. It's just that the offensive team has got the ball and they are trying to score and the defense, really for doing nothing, is getting to shoot a free throw at the other end. I think it's too harsh a penalty.

Jerry Tarkanian, Fresno State: "No changes. I'm happy right where it is."