Do you like high IQ plays in basketball? I like high IQ plays in basketball because this makes the game more interesting and fun to watch. There are many types of high IQ plays in basketball. One of the best high IQ plays is throwing the basketball off another player. However, is it legal to throw a basketball off your opponents? Let me answer that.
Can you throw a basketball off another player? Yes! You can throw the basketball off another player. If the intention is for the ball to go out of bounds, it’s legal. It is illegal to throw the basketball off another player if the throw was meant to injure or harm the opponent.
There are many things you can learn about this topic. We will tackle the different reasons why basketball players throw the ball off another player or their opponents. Also, I am going to answer various questions related to our topic. Let’s go and learn more!
Why Do Basketball Players Throw The Ball Off Another Player?
There are many strategies in basketball. Basketball players and coaches execute these strategies to win the ball game. It is like a war. If a basketball team has no strategies, how could they win? One of the famous strategies most basketball players execute is bouncing or throwing the ball off an opponent.
What are the reasons why basketball players throw the ball off their opponents? Let’s check the different reasons why basketball players throw the ball off another player.
Get The Possession Of The Ball
One of the reasons basketball players throw the basketball off another player is to get possession of the ball. When the ball is near out of bounds, basketball players will dive to attempt to get the ball. However, if it looks impossible for them to get the ball, they dive and throw it to their opponent’s legs so that the ball will deflect to their opponents and go out of bounds.
This happens if the defensive player deflects the ball from the offensive player but didn’t manage to get the ball with their two hands. When the ball goes near the out of bounds after the defensive player deflects it, the defensive player will dive and try to get the ball. If they know they will not fully obtain the ball, they dive and throw it off their opponents if there is one near them.
If the defensive player successfully throws the ball off their opponent, the ball will deflect to their opponents. When the ball deflects their opponent’s legs or any body parts and it goes out of bounds, the possession of the ball will switch to the team of the defensive player.
Throwing the basketball off your opponent is a good strategy if you want to get possession of the ball or retain it.
To Consume The Time On The Clock
If the clock has less than three seconds and the offensive team needs to inbound the ball, they will sometimes throw the ball off their opponent’s back or legs. Why? Because when they successfully hit the body of their opponents, the clock will start to run.
Some basketball players do this during the final three seconds of the fourth quarter if they are on the lead. They do this so that the clock will run out of time, and the defensive team will never get a chance to get the ball and try to outscore them. This happened in the NBA already, and it is considered as high IQ play.
Check the video below where Lamelo throws the ball at the back of his opponent to win the basketball game:
To Inbound The Ball
If the offensive player needs to inbound the ball, but no one is free to get the ball, he/she will sometimes throw the ball off his/her opponent. When the opponent turns around, the offensive player may throw the ball at the back of his/her opponent and step inside to get the ball quickly. This is one of the best ways to inbound the ball if no one is free.
In the NBA, these happened many times. This is also considered as high IQ play. Check the video below from the NBA where Chauncey Billups throws the inbound pass off to Kobe Bryant. This is not the only time this happened. It also happened when the 76ers faced the Clippers. Ben Simmons is the one who throws the ball off his opponent’s back.
Can You Throw The Basketball On Your Opponent’s Head?
Like I have said above, it is legal to throw the ball off another player, only if the intention is to get the ball out of bounds. Most basketball players who do this will throw the basketball on the legs or back of their opponents so that the ball will hit their opponents and go out of bounds.
When it goes out of bounds, and the ball hits the opponent last before it goes out of bounds, the team of the player who throws the ball off the opponents will get possession of the ball. This is a good strategy and can use if you want to retain or get the ball.
However, if it is legal to throw the ball off the legs or back of the opposing player, is it legal if you throw it in the head? Is it legal for a basketball player to throw the basketball to his/her opponent’s head? Let me answer that!
Can you throw the basketball on your opponent’s head? Yes, you can. However, it still depends on the intention. If you bounce the ball off a defender’s head to go out of bounds, it is legal. But if you intend to hurt the head of the defender, it is illegal, and it can be a technical foul.
You cannot throw the basketball on your opponent’s head if you intend to physically hurt them or injure them on their head. It is illegal and the referees may give you a technical foul if you execute it. However, if you intend to deflect the ball to your opponent to get it out of bounds, it is legal.
If you want to get the ball out of bounds and get possession of the ball, you can throw it in any body parts of your opponents. But make sure that you throw it gently so that you never hurt your opponents.
Where You Can Execute This?
Throwing or bouncing the basketball off another player is a strategy that most basketball players use. They use this strategy to retain or get possession of the ball, to inbound the basketball, and to waste the time.
You can do this strategy if you want to get possession of the ball. But remember that this is a hustle play. Why? Because it can lead to running and pushing. Let me give you an example for you to understand what I am saying.
Imagine Stephen Curry is guarding Kyrie Irving. Stephen Curry deflects the ball from Kyrie Irving, and Kyrie lost the ball in his hands. The ball is bouncing off out of bounds, and they both run to get the ball. Curry has successfully touched the ball with one hand, and he threw it to the legs of Kyrie. The ball hit Kyrie, and the ball went out of bounds. Who is the last touch? It was Kyrie. So the team Curry will get possession of the ball.
If you are a basketball player that is ready for hustle plays, this will be a piece of cake for you. Throw the basketball off your opponents if needed only. Do not throw the ball if you intend to hurt your opponent because you get angry or upset. That is not good sportsmanship my friend.
Can You Touch Another Player In Basketball?
Another question related to our subject is if a play can touch another player in basketball. Let me answer that question.
Can you touch another player in basketball? Yes! Basketball is a limited-contact sport. A basketball player can touch another player in without the referees calling a foul. However, if the referees see that the touch is illegal, they will call it a foul.
It is legal for a defensive player to touch the offensive player he/she is guarding. However, it is illegal if the defensive player touches the offensive player to hurt the offensive player. Basketball is a contact sport, and it is inevitable for players to touch each other.
Final Thoughts
To finalize our article, let me tell you again that it is legal for you to throw or bounce the basketball to your opponents. However, make sure that your intention is not to hurt them but to get the ball out of bounds. Because if you intend to hurt them, you can get a technical foul from the referees.
Do you think that throwing the ball to another player or your opponent is a good strategy? If yes, why? Comment your answers below.
