potency

But the proponents of the center jump contend that the rule makers have placed a
premiun on mediocrity rather than upon excellence. Nowthe team scored upon automatically
secures possession of the ball out of bounds, whereas heretofore both teams had to fight
for possession at center after each goal and free throw. The weaker team will now have a
better chance to hold the score dow, for with the ball in its possession it will have the
option of either driving dom rapidly or delaying the offensive to suit its play situations

As a result of this new ruling, scores should be higher, not necessarily on account
of faster play, but because 6 or 8 mins of action will be added to the actual playing timee
Previously, there were letups in action on the center tip-off playse These additional
minutes of playing time in this already strenuous game may prove too great a physical strain
on the heart and the kidneys of the players. Heretofore, the spectators had an opportmity
to relax for a few seconds while the ball was being brought back to center for the tipeoff
after an exciting field goale Now, only strong hearts that can stand longesustained. _
excitement should venture out to the games. Sow

There will still be held balls during the game because research has shown that,
in games played with the tip-off in use, there were held-ball plays for every three tip-off
playse In the future, the jumpers will be players of wmequal heights, whereas the center
jump invariebly brought together the tallest men and the best jumpers of each team.

The proponents of the elimination of the center jump contend also that the team
having the shorter center fought harder for possession and control of the ball, and thereby
added fight to the dete team, while the team controlling the tip-off usually, because of
a tall center, couted too much on its height advantage and weonseiously loafed on the jobe

"Just a lot more of out+of=boimds plays at the end line added to what you had be-
fore," is the analysis of one coache The defense will soon learn to drop back fast enough
to thwart any somcalled quick breake And as for that rapid-fire offense allowing sleepers
to work against then, there still will be a premium on good ball handling and on all-around
fundenentalse Any time that a sleeper, awaiting a pass from his teammates, tries to drop
out of the defensive picture, he will discover to his sorrow that the added man on offense