Sarah Stealing the Opening Tip

[oldude]

We all agree that Sarah is an amazing talent. One of 6’2” Sarah’s many remarkable skills is her ability to win the opening tip over bigger players. Early in the season, Geno installed Sarah to jump center in place of Jana and, to the best of my recollection, she won every opening tip with the exception of the one against UCLA AA, 6’7” Lauren Betts.

The last time UConn had someone as accomplished as Sarah jumping center, it was 5’11’ Gabby Williams. Both Gabby and Sarah share the same skill set. They are incredibly quick off the floor, with great timing and serious elevation. But there is a difference between them.

Gabby was a world class high jumper who would win the opening tip by getting to it at its highest point ahead of her opponent. Sarah is so quick that she frequently wins the tip as the ball is on the way up, basically “stealing the opening tip.”

The same skills make Sarah the best rebounder I have ever seen at UConn. Over the next 3 seasons, I expect that I will be able to count on one hand, the number of times Sarah loses the opening tip.

 

[meyers7]

We all agree that Sarah is an amazing talent. One of 6’2” Sarah’s many remarkable skills is her ability to win the opening tip over bigger players. Early in the season, Geno installed Sarah to jump center in place of Jana and, to the best of my recollection, she won every opening tip with the exception of the one against UCLA AA, 6’7” Lauren Betts.

The last time UConn had someone as accomplished as Sarah jumping center, it was 5’11’ Gabby Williams. Both Gabby and Sarah share the same skill set. They are incredibly quick off the floor, with great timing and serious elevation. But there is a difference between them.

Gabby was a world class high jumper who would win the opening tip by getting to it at its highest point ahead of her opponent. Sarah is so quick that she frequently wins the tip as the ball is on the way up, basically “stealing the opening tip.”

The same skills make Sarah the best rebounder I have ever seen at UConn. Over the next 3 seasons, I expect that I will be able to count on one hand, the number of times Sarah loses the opening tip.

It wasn't early in the season. I think past midway. After I had complained about us losing every tip (not that it matters that much, but still), Geno finally listened to me and decided to try Strong....and....the rest is history.

 

[Centerstream]

It wasn't early in the season. I think past midway. After I had complained about us losing every tip (not that it matters that much, but still), Geno finally listened to me and decided to try Strong....and....the rest is history.

Does this really matter? The point is that Geno noticed something was wrong, with oldude's help obviously, and corrected it. Thanks for the OP @oldude

 

[Bone Dog]

Isn't stealing the tip while the ball is still on the way up a violation? I guess it doesn't get called much.

Start Your Game on the Right Track

The jump-ball rules are fairly simple, but when something strange happens, it can take you by surprise — and set a negative tone for the whole game.

www.referee.com

 

[donalddoowop]

Jana was not losing the tip. She was tipping it to the other team. Geno was wondering why. He said so talking to an interviewer.

 

[donalddoowop]

Isn't stealing the tip while the ball is still on the way up a violation? I guess it doesn't get called much.

Start Your Game on the Right Track

The jump-ball rules are fairly simple, but when something strange happens, it can take you by surprise — and set a negative tone for the whole game.

www.referee.com

Yes.

 

[oldude]

Isn't stealing the tip while the ball is still on the way up a violation? I guess it doesn't get called much.

Start Your Game on the Right Track

The jump-ball rules are fairly simple, but when something strange happens, it can take you by surprise — and set a negative tone for the whole game.

www.referee.com

Technically, yes. But if you’re really good at it, and Sarah is really good at it, it’s seldom called. Just take a look at the opening tip in the national championship game. Sarah gets it on the way up, but she does it so smoothly, that the ref really doesn’t notice. It’s like a magician pulling a rabbit out of his hat.

 

[uh-no]

Isn't stealing the tip while the ball is still on the way up a violation? I guess it doesn't get called much.

Start Your Game on the Right Track

The jump-ball rules are fairly simple, but when something strange happens, it can take you by surprise — and set a negative tone for the whole game.

www.referee.com

Yes. Never called.

 

[meyers7]

Does this really matter? The point is that Geno noticed something was wrong, with oldude's help obviously, and corrected it. Thanks for the OP @oldude

Yeah, I think accuracy matters.

I do agree with @oldude , Strong does seem to be a quick jumper.

 

[meyers7]

Jana was not losing the tip. She was tipping it to the other team. Geno was wondering why. He said so talking to an interviewer.

Well UCONN was though, however it was happening. And like Geno, I was wondering why. You know great minds think alike.

But his basketball mind is better than mine, because he had a fix for it.

 

[Crossover]

Yes. Never called.

I think that the refs are so focused on making a decent toss, and so relieved after doing so, that they don't notice whether the tap is before or after the apex.

 

[augustaTC]

Once the ball is past a certain point, who's to say if it's still going up or not when a player tips it? Would think there's always gonna be a few inches where you just can't tell??? And Sarah, as noted above, is really good at getting the ball in that twilight zone.

 

[donalddoowop]

I think that the refs are so focused on making a decent toss, and so relieved after doing so, that they don't notice whether the tap is before or after the apex.

The two officials not involved with the toss are supposed to make that decision.