PDA

View Full Version : Free Throw Distraction: Taking it to a New Level



fisheyes
02-14-2015, 09:33 AM
Check out the NYTimes article (Front Page!) on the art of free throw distraction at AZ State:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/14/upshot/how-arizona-state-reinvented-free-throw-distraction.html?ref=sports&_r=0&abt=0002&abg=0


Duke probably started this (Speedo Guy, etc) but curious to see if the Crazies can come up with something new and even better!

NYBri
02-14-2015, 09:54 AM
This SO appeals to my sense of the absurd.

weezie
02-14-2015, 10:19 AM
I'm the party pooper. OK for in the stands, not so ok with the curtain along the baseline.

Maybe just have the players wear blindfolds and make free throws more of a lucky fluke if the sun devil has to resort to wacky, oh-so-clever 'theatrics' to win games.

cptnflash
02-14-2015, 11:10 AM
That is totally awesome! A great example of creativity and coordination leading to results!

OZZIE4DUKE
02-14-2015, 12:17 PM
Check out the NYTimes article (Front Page!) on the art of free throw distraction at AZ State:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/14/upshot/how-arizona-state-reinvented-free-throw-distraction.html?ref=sports&_r=0&abt=0002&abg=0


Duke probably started this (Speedo Guy, etc) but curious to see if the Crazies can come up with something new and even better!

This would not happen today, and K would never condone it (neither would I), but in day's of yore I half expected to see some well endowed coed drop her top to distract the foul shooter. No, it should NOT happen on Wednesday night... http://www.crazietalk.net/ourhouse/images/smilies/devil9f.gifhttp://www.crazietalk.net/ourhouse/images/smilies/devil9f.gif

SCMatt33
02-14-2015, 12:43 PM
I think the curtain really provides an interesting element of surprise to the free throw distraction. Over the years many of the best free throw distractions have been the random and absurd. Some of the most notable successful free throw distractions have been a single person doing something unexpected. Certainly Speedo Guy fits that bill. Others include Wild Bill at Utah State (http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/Utah-State-superfan-Wild-Bill-has-become-colle?urn=ncaab-326390), and the "Face Sign Kid" at Alabama (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger/alabama-fan-face-sign-instant-internet-hit-172350668.html). The success lies in the absurdity and ability to break a shooters routine by drawing attention to it before they can get set and block them out. I remember that they did a Sport Science episode on free throw distractions and found that they were mostly ineffective because players are very good at concentrating on the rim and blocking out distractions. The thing that make ASU's routine work is that there is a true element of the unknown behind the curtain that probably makes a few guys think about it before it opens. Once they've even paid a little bit of attention to it, the distraction has worked on some level, regardless of what ultimately is revealed behind the curtain.

The next thing to think about is where the line is to be drawn on distractions, as brought up by weezie. There is already an established line drawn, with most artificial noisemakers (instruments, air horns, whistles, etc.) being banned during play. Artificial lights such as laser pointers are also banned. Pretty much anything is allowed in terms of dress and signage save certain level of vulgarity or profanity that are decently well established. The curtain enters into a new arena of large stage props being used. The framework for the curtain being bigger than a person is something bigger than I can ever remember seeing in basketball stands. You wonder how big someone will be allowed to go before it become an issue from either a basketball standpoint (officials and conferences) or a safety standpoint (I can't see too many fire marshals being ok with giant obstructions on the floor).

KenTankerous
02-14-2015, 01:43 PM
Boring as it sounds, I have often pondered the efficacy of everyone behind the basket holding plain placards the exact same color as the rim to wash out the focus rather than attempt to distract the shooter with all this tomfoolery.

subzero02
02-14-2015, 02:10 PM
I ran across this article yesterday. It will be interesting to see if this FT trend continues in future seasons. I'd also be interested in seeing how individual shooters performed from the foul line before and after the use of the curtain show. It would've been nice if the article had interviewed some of the players who shot poorly from the foul line at ASU and asked if the curtain had distracted them.

Eternal Outlaw
02-14-2015, 07:02 PM
I really have doubts this is affecting anything considering it isn't in the eye line of the shooters. How can this be distracting the shooters if they aren't even (supposed to be) looking at that area?

gam7
02-14-2015, 08:43 PM
Check out the NYTimes article (Front Page!) on the art of free throw distraction at AZ State:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/14/upshot/how-arizona-state-reinvented-free-throw-distraction.html?ref=sports&_r=0&abt=0002&abg=0


Duke probably started this (Speedo Guy, etc) but curious to see if the Crazies can come up with something new and even better!

The originators have confirmed that Speedo Guy inspired the Curtain. http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger/arizona-state-students-have-perfected-the-art-of-free-throw-distraction-172014640.html

Henderson
02-14-2015, 08:46 PM
Duke probably started this....

My eyeballs hurt from rolling.

You know the air they put in basketballs? A Duke student invented that. Low tent number. Pretty sure a line monitor. Maybe even a head line monitor.

hudlow
02-14-2015, 08:54 PM
Honestly I like it, it's fun.

Then, I have to ask myself...how did we get here?

hud

sagegrouse
02-15-2015, 08:51 AM
My eyeballs hurt from rolling.

You know the air they put in basketballs? A Duke student invented that. Low tent number. Pretty sure a line monitor. Maybe even a head line monitor.

And also "Hairball," "Hairball," when a Clemson Tiger failed to draw iron on a free throw. But I may have this confused with something else.

Furniture
02-15-2015, 08:59 AM
Honestly I like it, it's fun.

Then, I have to ask myself...how did we get here?

hud

Letting the days go by?

hudlow
02-15-2015, 10:56 AM
Letting the days go by?

Same as it ever was...

uh_no
02-15-2015, 10:59 AM
Same as it ever was...

not what i think they mean by basketball "talking heads"