Fans weigh in on possible basketball rule changes

• Changing to halves could hurt another sport, Cheerleading
• Skill level could make shot clock a disaster
• Less coaching antics on one fan’s mind
• Legendary coach Bob Haas weighs in on the state of High School Basketball

During my discussion with the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s Assistant Commissioner, Jerry Snodgrass, we discussed possible rule changes to high school basketball. At the end I asked for some opinions from you all, and I must say, I was very happy with what came to my inbox.

I read some in favor of a shot clock and some opposed; I also read some suggested rule changes I have never heard before. Here are some of the most interesting emails I received.

Vince Becker, of Newark, opposed the shot clock, claiming it would change the game dramatically.

“First, I would be opposed to instituting a shot clock for high school basketball. I believe it adds to the game to be able to slow things down or even stall. It, at times, creates parity among the teams and allows for a weaker team to be able stay with or even beat a stronger team,” Becker wrote.

I do believe that the ability to stall does give a weaker opponent a chance to win. I remember a game during my freshman year at Plymouth when we played at Monroeville. The score was 4-2 at halftime. Monroeville held the ball almost the entire first half. Our squad was not a great team (we were .500). Monroeville’s record was not the greatest, and they beat us because of the strategy.

But, is that good for high school basketball? Fans left disappointed because of the pace of play. Yes, it worked and allowed a weaker team to beat a stronger team. But, it did not feel like basketball.

Becker also mentioned a rule change he would like to see implemented.

“One thing I would like to see changed is the ability of a coach to call a timeout to maintain control of the ball when players are fighting for possession,” Becker wrote.

This change is a great suggestion and actually one that is going into effect in college basketball during the 2015-16 season. Players need to be taught those kinds of live-game situations and know when to call a timeout themselves.

Former football, basketball and track coach Stan Hughes, of Avon, also wrote in with his opinion.

“I agree completely with the idea that the OHSAA is trying more to make HS sports more like college sports,” Hughes wrote.

The OHSAA is following the National Federation of High School Association’s lead on the evolution of basketball. And, Snodgrass is not in complete agreement that high school sports need to be exactly like college sports because of the eye-poppingly low number of athletes to advance to the next level.

Hughes also made a rule change proposition that really made me think a little bit.

“After being involved with HS sports for over 40 years, I think that the number one rule that needs to be changed in basketball is the bench rule. Coaches should not be allowed to stand, except during timeouts. Kids are being over coached during the games, and they need to be able to put their training into effect during games without counting on the coach to point out every single move,” Hughes wrote.

Why have a week full of practices if the players are going to need everything told to them during the game? But, that is what coaches are for, to make sure players remember strategy. I do not think coaches need to sit the entire game, but a little less activity is certainly acceptable.

Things also change at the drop of a hat in high school basketball and adjustments need to be made on the fly. While a coach can prepare for the way he may think a team will come out and play, that team may come out and stall, for instance, and an adjustment may need to be loud.

Legendary basketball coach Bob Haas was nice enough to discuss some of the hypothetical rule changes. Haas does not think rule changes are needed if the objective is to create more interest from the fans.

“Fans will not come to games because of rule changes, they will come for a show. Back in my coaching days, we used to have pregame shows, rolled out red carpets and announced the starting line ups with a spotlight. The outlaw of such things has really hurt the entertainment value of high school basketball,” Haas said.

“We packed the building every night. And, the caliber of play is the same now as it was back then. The high schools just do not promote sports the way that they used to; they do not have the enthusiasm that they used to have. ”

As for rule changes, Haas is not a fan of changing much.

“There is no need to change from quarters to halves. I like that free timeout between the first and second quarter. It is also unnecessary to change it for the fans. They will have to sit longer and cannot go out and get popcorn between quarters,” Haas said.

The switch would also hurt another sport.

“Cheerleading has become a sport and if they change to halves, they eliminate the opportunity for those athletes to perform,” Haas added.

“High school players do not handle the ball well enough to implement a shot clock. They make mistakes at critical times even without the added pressure. Adding a shot clock would hurt the game rather than help it,” Haas said.

As fans of the game have spoken, high school basketball may not need to change too many rules to make it more fun for players and fans alike, but give the ability to make the game more enjoyable and a fun atmosphere may be the best way to liven up the sport so many of us love.

jfurr@gannett.com

419-610-3024

Twitter: @JakeFurr11