Creating a boomerang effect in basketball can lead to a spectacular play. Standard boomerangs fly through the air and return to the point they were launched. It’s possible for a similar feat to happen in basketball on a smaller scale with some imagination and creativity.
Trick Play
Coaches teaching the fundamentals of basketball may not discuss boomerang plays. Coaches usually focus on teamwork and accepted principles of the game such as two-handed passes, set shots, keeping hands up while on defense and dribbling. A boomerang play in basketball could be considered a trick play by some coaches.
Defenders
A boomerang effect in basketball occurs when a player tosses the ball and it returns to him without another player passing it. A boomerang play can occur when one player has the ball out of bounds and is about to toss it back into play. The player out of bounds can create a boomerang play by tossing the ball in bounds off the body of an unsuspecting defender. Sometimes -- but not always -- the ball will perfectly ricochet or “boomerang” off the defender and back into the hands of the player who passed it into play. Some players may toss the ball off a defender, catch it and then dribble to the basket for a score.
Backboard
Players can also create a boomerang effect by dribbling the ball down the court and tossing it to themselves off the backboard. It’s usually a deliberate attempt by the player to position himself for a score. The player usually attempts to score on a layup or dunk shot after the boomerang effect.
Rules
Basketball rule books and coaching guides usually do not specifically mention boomerang plays. However, some rule books acknowledge that it is legal for players to toss balls off opponents or backboards. The South Carolina Basketball Officials Association notes in its guide for game officials that a player can throw the ball off either backboard, or throw the ball off of an opponent. The association notes that the player can catch the ball and continue play after the boomerang effect. The officials’ guide lists such plays as “unusual things” that can happen in a game and are allowable.
Showboating
Creating a boomerang play by tossing the ball off a player who isn’t looking is usually considered a smart play. But a player who tosses the ball off the backboard to draw attention to himself may be accused of showboating, or poor sportsmanship.
Trick Play
Coaches teaching the fundamentals of basketball may not discuss boomerang plays. Coaches usually focus on teamwork and accepted principles of the game such as two-handed passes, set shots, keeping hands up while on defense and dribbling. A boomerang play in basketball could be considered a trick play by some coaches.
Defenders
A boomerang effect in basketball occurs when a player tosses the ball and it returns to him without another player passing it. A boomerang play can occur when one player has the ball out of bounds and is about to toss it back into play. The player out of bounds can create a boomerang play by tossing the ball in bounds off the body of an unsuspecting defender. Sometimes -- but not always -- the ball will perfectly ricochet or “boomerang” off the defender and back into the hands of the player who passed it into play. Some players may toss the ball off a defender, catch it and then dribble to the basket for a score.
Backboard
Players can also create a boomerang effect by dribbling the ball down the court and tossing it to themselves off the backboard. It’s usually a deliberate attempt by the player to position himself for a score. The player usually attempts to score on a layup or dunk shot after the boomerang effect.
Rules
Basketball rule books and coaching guides usually do not specifically mention boomerang plays. However, some rule books acknowledge that it is legal for players to toss balls off opponents or backboards. The South Carolina Basketball Officials Association notes in its guide for game officials that a player can throw the ball off either backboard, or throw the ball off of an opponent. The association notes that the player can catch the ball and continue play after the boomerang effect. The officials’ guide lists such plays as “unusual things” that can happen in a game and are allowable.
Showboating
Creating a boomerang play by tossing the ball off a player who isn’t looking is usually considered a smart play. But a player who tosses the ball off the backboard to draw attention to himself may be accused of showboating, or poor sportsmanship.
Posted in: Basketball