Women's basketball- Should the Rim be lowered?

T

TalkHawk

Well-Known Member
In the last few years I have watched more women's basketball than my previous 27 years of existence combined. This last year if UCONN is on TV, I watch it.
Today I have enjoyed watching the Iowa women on CBS.

Have even gone to a few high school and juco girls games that I never would have previously.


That being said..... I don't agree with the notion that the Women's game is more "fundamental" and they do things right more than the Men's game.

Too much sloppiness and robotic actions when running an offense. A lot of jump balls. A lot of time spent on the floor corralling a loose ball and tie ups occur. Sloppy dribbling. Rebounding looks like a lot of the time the women are in water trying to rebound the basketball.
A player can make a nice move to get in the lane but can't finish a play simply because the hoop is too high. It makes the whole play look so unathletic.


What if the Women's game lowered the hoop? I believe FIBA is experimenting with this idea. I can't remember if I heard that on a broadcast or heard someone at a high school game talking about it.

But.... lowering the hoop would not be for Dunks. It would make shooting better. It would make rebounding look more athletic and easier for the women.

A 6'6 person rising up to shoot a jumper has a different angle than a person who is 5'10.

What if the hoop was lowered to 9 feet....and a 5'10 guard in the womens game had that same angle presented to them in shooting that a 6'6 guy has on a 10 foot hoop?


I have thought about this often....but really today watching the Iowa women play. A point guard would make a nice move to get in the lane but finishing the play looks so unathletic and slow... and had no chance to make the shot.... mainly because the hoop is simply too high. If it was lowered the outcome of the play would have been far different IMO.


Any thoughts?
 


I had some crazy guy almost attack me at the Waveland Cafe a few weeks ago because I suggested that the women's game is different because it's played below the rim.

I don't think the rim should be lowered, because it would be seen as a desperate attempt to make the sport more watchable.
 






TalkHawk said:
In the last few years I have watched more women's basketball than my previous 27 years of existence combined. This last year if UCONN is on TV, I watch it.
Today I have enjoyed watching the Iowa women on CBS.

Have even gone to a few high school and juco girls games that I never would have previously.


That being said..... I don't agree with the notion that the Women's game is more "fundamental" and they do things right more than the Men's game.

Too much sloppiness and robotic actions when running an offense. A lot of jump balls. A lot of time spent on the floor corralling a loose ball and tie ups occur. Sloppy dribbling. Rebounding looks like a lot of the time the women are in water trying to rebound the basketball.
A player can make a nice move to get in the lane but can't finish a play simply because the hoop is too high. It makes the whole play look so unathletic.


What if the Women's game lowered the hoop? I believe FIBA is experimenting with this idea. I can't remember if I heard that on a broadcast or heard someone at a high school game talking about it.

But.... lowering the hoop would not be for Dunks. It would make shooting better. It would make rebounding look more athletic and easier for the women.

A 6'6 person rising up to shoot a jumper has a different angle than a person who is 5'10.

What if the hoop was lowered to 9 feet....and a 5'10 guard in the womens game had that same angle presented to them in shooting that a 6'6 guy has on a 10 foot hoop?


I have thought about this often....but really today watching the Iowa women play. A point guard would make a nice move to get in the lane but finishing the play looks so unathletic and slow... and had no chance to make the shot.... mainly because the hoop is simply too high. If it was lowered the outcome of the play would have been far different IMO.


Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

We must have watched different games today. I don't think the dribbling was
sloppy, and robotic or the play non-athletic. Seemed like Jaimy Printy didn't have any problem finishing the play while driving to the basket.
 


The women try to copy the men in all aspects of the game even down to the way they act on the floor...bumping chests, the same type of clothes, and so on. One problem with the women's game IMO is that they can't/don't jump (most of them) so if they lowered the rim more of the women could dunk, which would help the game. More of them could also make simple layups instead of just tossing the ball up like many do. The rim is simply too high for most women because they are small. They want to play the game like men and act like men so lower the rim and let them play the game like men.
More teams would be competitive and would take a huge advantage away from the UConns and Tennessees...and more people might watch the game because it might be more fun to watch. The reason men's games are fun and exciting is because they play above the rim...women do not.

Sportscasters and such like to say that the women'ts game is more "pure" but it isn't. If you really watch the game, the women play and want to play the game exactly like the men do right down to bumping chests and mannerisms. Also if you watch women's games, most women can take set shots outside without fear of getting their shots blocked because women still don't/can't jump.

Regardless of what some might say, the women's game is quite boring. I have watched many games but have quit...not worth my time.
 


6 on 6 format? who said anything about that? I hardly suggested that by saying the hoops should be lowered.

the International Basketball Federation is considering the same thing....so I don't think I'm too off based here. lol


There is examples in almost EVERY women's game you will ever watch...... where a girl makes a nice play, gets into the lane, but can't finish.

Watch UCONN. I'm not just singling out Iowa's players by any means.

I have watched UCONN A LOT this year....and it will happen every game. There little point guard - blows by her defender, gets to the lane, and puts up a brick on a layup. It's simply too high for her.

That isn't a knock on the women's game at all.

There is a reason girls play softball and not baseball. Ya Ya. You'll point out the few examples of some woman who could have played on the high school team. lol

Girls dont play on 90 foot bases, a 60 foot mound, and 320 foot fences for a reason. lol


Just lower the hoop. Would make the game so much better.


May I ask- those that don't agree....... Do you not feel it would be easier for the women to shoot on a 9 foot hoop? The angle created is different.

there haven't been any reasons listed NOT to lower the hoop. Why is that?
 


TalkHawk said:
In the last few years I have watched more women's basketball than my previous 27 years of existence combined. This last year if UCONN is on TV, I watch it.
Today I have enjoyed watching the Iowa women on CBS.

Have even gone to a few high school and juco girls games that I never would have previously.


That being said..... I don't agree with the notion that the Women's game is more "fundamental" and they do things right more than the Men's game.

Too much sloppiness and robotic actions when running an offense. A lot of jump balls. A lot of time spent on the floor corralling a loose ball and tie ups occur. Sloppy dribbling. Rebounding looks like a lot of the time the women are in water trying to rebound the basketball.
A player can make a nice move to get in the lane but can't finish a play simply because the hoop is too high. It makes the whole play look so unathletic.


What if the Women's game lowered the hoop? I believe FIBA is experimenting with this idea. I can't remember if I heard that on a broadcast or heard someone at a high school game talking about it.

But.... lowering the hoop would not be for Dunks. It would make shooting better. It would make rebounding look more athletic and easier for the women.

A 6'6 person rising up to shoot a jumper has a different angle than a person who is 5'10.

What if the hoop was lowered to 9 feet....and a 5'10 guard in the womens game had that same angle presented to them in shooting that a 6'6 guy has on a 10 foot hoop?


I have thought about this often....but really today watching the Iowa women play. A point guard would make a nice move to get in the lane but finishing the play looks so unathletic and slow... and had no chance to make the shot.... mainly because the hoop is simply too high. If it was lowered the outcome of the play would have been far different IMO.


Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Iowa women shot 31/63 (49.2%) from the field today, I'm guessing lots of mens coaches would take that any night of the week.
 


bandgrocks said:
Iowa women shot 31/63 (49.2%) from the field today, I'm guessing lots of mens coaches would take that any night of the week.
Click to expand...



No question.

We can use one game as an example or look at the sport as a whole. I guess I was looking at the sport as a whole. lol


At one point in baseball pitchers threw from flat ground.

In the late 1960's baseball lowered the pitching mound.

Baseball was America's pasttime. Why make the changes?


Sometimes change isn't a bad thing.
 


bandgrocks said:
Iowa women shot 31/63 (49.2%) from the field today, I'm guessing lots of mens coaches would take that any night of the week.
Click to expand...


Let's try to play with the topic at hand.


Would you agree....or disagree...... on average...that lowering the hoop would make shooting easier for women's players?

Maybe it wouldn't. Looking for opinions.
 










NewMexHawk said:
The women try to copy the men in all aspects of the game even down to the way they act on the floor...bumping chests, the same type of clothes, and so on. One problem with the women's game IMO is that they can't/don't jump (most of them) so if they lowered the rim more of the women could dunk, which would help the game. More of them could also make simple layups instead of just tossing the ball up like many do. The rim is simply too high for most women because they are small. They want to play the game like men and act like men so lower the rim and let them play the game like men.
More teams would be competitive and would take a huge advantage away from the UConns and Tennessees...and more people might watch the game because it might be more fun to watch. The reason men's games are fun and exciting is because they play above the rim...women do not.

Sportscasters and such like to say that the women'ts game is more "pure" but it isn't. If you really watch the game, the women play and want to play the game exactly like the men do right down to bumping chests and mannerisms. Also if you watch women's games, most women can take set shots outside without fear of getting their shots blocked because women still don't/can't jump.

Regardless of what some might say, the women's game is quite boring. I have watched many games but have quit...not worth my time.
Click to expand...



Agree with a lot of this.

The hoop is merely too high for the women to finish plays.


I'm sure we all played on a "DUNK HOOP."

Playing on a 9 foot hoop, or a dunk hoop, playing 3 on 3 tourneys..... things were neutralized. 5'10, average sized males, were able to make athletic plays around the rim...... that they simply could not make on a 10 foot hoop.

It isn't about dunking. It's the ability to play above the rim..... or AT LEAST equal with it...... like NewMexHawk mentioned.

Playing below the Rim is hard.


Another example......

Playing HORSE with a buddy the other day at the Y..... I'm 6ft tall.
He is 6'6.

We talked about...and I was giving him a hard time really is why the topic came up...... but shooting the ball when he rises up and is equal to the rim is considerably easier than the way I have to shoot.
It isn't even arguable.

The eye level and shoot angle is so much easier for him.


the women's game could be given a different feel.... make the game easier and allow the women to play equal too or above the rim to make the game more exciting to watch. Rebounding, finishing plays, shooting angles.... all made easier.


High school girls basketball for sure needs a change like this. Give girls such an easier playing field to compete on. 10 foot hoops is too high for girls in high school especially.
 


I would vote no, from a mere practical stand point.

I have heard many coaches say they do not like kids past 3rd grade playing on shorter rims. They want them shooting at 10' rims. This may be old school thinking, but their idea is you grow into being a good shooter, and they want as many constants as possible. IE, you grow but the rim stays the same.

On the other hand, I have also heard people say, over time, you will play in many different venues, with various layouts, and depth perceptions to overcome. These people say learning to shoot at the goal, no matter what height, or background is preferred.

Now, the practical side of it is this. Almost all colleges have baskets in their arenas that are adjustable and it only takes a few minutes to make the change. But how many have them in their practice gyms?

Now take it down a level to HS. What percent of High Schools would have adjustable rims? I know some do, but I would guess 75%, or more, don't. (Just a wild guess and totally arguable)

So, do you want your players learning on a 10' rim, then changing when they get to college? Because I am doubting there are very many HS Associations who will want to change.

I would say no, but that is just my humble opinion.

John
 


I would vote no. The reason plays in the paint and around the hoop in the womens game looks sloppy and unathletic is because it is. They're just not physically made the same way men are. You'd have to move the rim to 8 feet to make the game just like the mens and I don't like that idea. Besides, a woman dunking is still sloppy and unathletic looking.

Please don't take this as a bash against women as most of them would wipe their *** with me! :) I'm just comparing the very obvious differences between the two genders with regards to basketball.
 


Tvismylif said:
I would vote no, from a mere practical stand point.

I have heard many coaches say they do not like kids past 3rd grade playing on shorter rims. They want them shooting at 10' rims. This may be old school thinking, but their idea is you grow into being a good shooter, and they want as many constants as possible. IE, you grow but the rim stays the same.

On the other hand, I have also heard people say, over time, you will play in many different venues, with various layouts, and depth perceptions to overcome. These people say learning to shoot at the goal, no matter what height, or background is preferred.

Now, the practical side of it is this. Almost all colleges have baskets in their arenas that are adjustable and it only takes a few minutes to make the change. But how many have them in their practice gyms?

Now take it down a level to HS. What percent of High Schools would have adjustable rims? I know some do, but I would guess 75%, or more, don't. (Just a wild guess and totally arguable)

So, do you want your players learning on a 10' rim, then changing when they get to college? Because I am doubting there are very many HS Associations who will want to change.

I would say no, but that is just my humble opinion.

John
Click to expand...



Appreciate you taking the time to respond.

If the height was adjusted on the college level- this would effect all levels of girls basketball.

All high schools would have to get adjustable rims. Would be fairly simple to overcome that obstacle.


They're all just opinions..... just an interesting topic.
 


cockyhawkfan said:
I would vote no. The reason plays in the paint and around the hoop in the womens game looks sloppy and unathletic is because it is. They're just not physically made the same way men are. You'd have to move the rim to 8 feet to make the game just like the mens and I don't like that idea. Besides, a woman dunking is still sloppy and unathletic looking.

Please don't take this as a bash against women as most of them would wipe their *** with me! :) I'm just comparing the very obvious differences between the two genders with regards to basketball.
Click to expand...



Appreciate an actual opinion!

Yea- certainly 8 ft would not be an option.

Do you really think it would look as awkward and sloppy on a 9 ft hoop?

I am just picturing playing on a 9 ft. hoop and I feel like the height of the rim changes the ability to finish the play. Giving a look of more athleticism.

Maybe not though. I know- in my head- it certainly does with males.
 


I don't think you need to lower the rim.

However, I'd be in favor of getting rid of the three-point shot. I actually think scoring would increase if it went away. Right now, too many offense's revolve around the three-point line and there are too many poor shooters jacking up three's. The mid-range jumper is a lost art (However, Harrison Barnes is one of the few that have a nice mid-range jumper)

Here is the current typical offensive series. Pass the ball around the perimeter, jack up a 3, Shot misses badly. Rebound. Foul on the rebound. Shoot free throws. Rinse. Repeat.

The problem with basketball today is there is no flow to the game at all. Emphasis is on defense, not offense. Offensive fundamentals are terrible and kids can no longer shoot the ball. I used to love to watch basketball, but, with the exception of watching the Drake men three years ago, the game has evolved from a finesse game to something not much fun to watch.
 


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