There’s less than 1 minute left in the game and you’re the only player left on the court; your team’s last hope. You’re itching to make a catch to tie the game and become a hero BUT the other team has something else in mind. They run out the clock by throwing uncatchable throws. 30 seconds left. 10 seconds left. And that’s game. Were your opponents being strategic or unsportsmanlike? Here are the different sides to consider:
Strategic:
- The onus should be on the losing team to make plays in order to win the game
- The rule against doing this is subjective and extremely difficult to enforce (i.e. you cannot force a player to ‘try’)
- Many players have an experience where they tried to make a last minute play and it backfired, potentially costing their team the game. This isn’t a good feeling and they don’t want to repeat it.
Unsportsmanlike:
- When teams run out the clock, it can be considered a delay of game.
- Our leagues are supposed to be fun-first, winning-second and running out the clock to increase your chances of winning when it makes the game less fun for the other team goes against this.
- In the spirit of sportsmanship, teams should always try to make the game enjoyable for everyone. It does not feel good when the other team runs out the clock.
Depending Factors:
Some factors that may contribute to whether running out the clock is strategic or unsportsmanlike are:
- How much time is left in the game? The less time left in the game, the more acceptable running out the clock may be.
- What is the current score? The more your team is winning by, the less acceptable running out the clock will be.
- What is the skill level of the remaining player(s)? The more skilled the remaining player is, the more acceptable it will be to run out the clock.
- What division are you playing in? Higher divisions are typically more accepting of running out the clock in certain situations.
Overall Thoughts:
If your team chooses to run out the clock in certain situations, do so in a sportsmanlike manner. Throw at your opponent but be smart about it. A low but legitimate throw is your best bet. It likely won’t be caught and it keeps the game fun. On the contrary, counting to 3 and dropping your balls on the other side of the line in an obnoxious way will not do you any favours when it comes to spirit points!
