Frans two foul policy

[airhawk]

This is the root cause of our piss poor defense. The players all know if they get 2 fouls in the first half they will be sitting on the bench. So they have been conditioned to try not to foul thus playing soft or no defense. They all want playing time. Once this mindset has been established it is hard to shake and carries over to all aspects of entire game, not just first half. Fran believes in out scoring the opponent. MSU is not a high scoring team, ever. Izzo philosophy is tough hard nosed slower pace basketball. When was the last time they went over 100 points?
If I was an opposing coach I would go right at Iowa early in hopes of getting calls with the outcome of starters on the bench for extended time. Fran NEVER deviates from this policy.

 

[Dukeslater21]

The players all know if they get 2 fouls in the first half they will be sitting on the bench. So they have been conditioned to try not to foul thus playing soft or no defense.

I think you make some good points. Personally, I like "guidelines" rather than hard and fast "rules," so I'm not a fan of sitting anyone as soon as they pick up that second foul in the first half. Instead, I would evaluate the situation and the player and make the most informed decision possible at the moment. Why have one rule that applies to all players at all times in every situation?

Some players can be trusted to play well even after picking up 2 first-half fouls. It's more risky with other players, but that's where the human element of coaching comes in. Know who you can trust and who you can't in those situations. And take into account how the game is being called, the score, the momentum, and other factors. Guidelines are good. Rules that apply to everyone all the time, not so much, at least not in this context.

It would be interesting to see what would happen if Fran told his team that it's no longer automatic that you come out when you pick up that second foul. Play hard, play smart, and if you get that second foul in the first half, we'll use our judgment as coaches whether you need to come out and stay out or not. I'd love to see that change in philosophy, and I'd love to see how it would impact Iowa's defense. I'm confident the Hawkeyes can play better, more aggressive defense for 40 minutes than they usually do. And you may be right that Fran's 2-foul rule is much to blame for why they don't.

 

[IllQChawk]

You think Fran is the only coach that implements the 2 foul rule? Almost every coach does it, but there are players that deserve to be looked at differently then others. Non starters should not be subjected to the 2 foul rule as well as players that hardly fouls at all during a game.
In Iowa's case you have to protect Kris as other teams know he's the best player Iowa has. Other players that need to be protected are Filip and Tony, those 3 need to be on the court at the end of a close game and Iowa can't afford for those 3 to foul out and getting 3 fouls in the 1st half could limit the aggressiveness of the player in the 2nd half. That is what Fran is really protecting them by sitting them after the 2nd foul.

 

[Dukeslater21]

Fran isn't the only coach with the 2-foul policy, but Fran's the only one who coaches the Hawkeyes, and the question is whether Fran's policy--no matter how many others follow it--is a good one. I think any coach that has a hard and fast rule, like the 2 fouls in the first half and you're benched rule, may not be doing the best thing for his team.

Maybe it's somewhat like parenting: Maybe one of your kids can be trusted without setting a curfew. Maybe your other kid can't. So should you require both kids to be in by midnight, like many other parents do with their kids, or should you be more flexible?

 

[airhawk]

I think you make some good points. Personally, I like "guidelines" rather than hard and fast "rules," so I'm not a fan of sitting anyone as soon as they pick up that second foul in the first half. Instead, I would evaluate the situation and the player and make the most informed decision possible at the moment. Why have one rule that applies to all players at all times in every situation?

Some players can be trusted to play well even after picking up 2 first-half fouls. It's more risky with other players, but that's where the human element of coaching comes in. Know who you can trust and who you can't in those situations. And take into account how the game is being called, the score, the momentum, and other factors. Guidelines are good. Rules that apply to everyone all the time, not so much, at least not in this context.

It would be interesting to see what would happen if Fran told his team that it's no longer automatic that you come out when you pick up that second foul. Play hard, play smart, and if you get that second foul in the first half, we'll use our judgment as coaches whether you need to come out and stay out or not. I'd love to see that change in philosophy, and I'd love to see how it would impact Iowa's defense. I'm confident the Hawkeyes can play better, more aggressive defense for 40 minutes than they usually do. And you may be right that Fran's 2-foul rule is much to blame for why they don't.

His rule is iron clad. No exceptions. I can see being prudent with the 2 foul players playing time but hard and fast he sits? Why not use him sparingly or in managed spurts? To automatically sit him for the remainder of the half causes many problems IMO.

 

[2jimmyjhen12]

every coach does this
there are things to cry about in this life
this is not one of them

 

[iahunter]

This is just one small issue with how Fran coaches. If Fran was released from his contract today. He would never be hired by another P5 school

 

[Ragmann]

Let me refer you to last night's ISU game. IsU's leading scorer (Kelscher) picked up his 2nd foul with lots of time left in the first half. But of course the coaching genius TJ Oxenburger leaves him in the game. Bam! Gets hit with his 3rd and now has to come out still with several minutes to go in the first. Fast forward to 2nd half and Kelscher is playing timidly and is largely inneffective worrying about picking up his 4th. WV takes the lead and keeps it. Can only wonder what a well rested Kelscher with only 2 fouls could have done in the 2nd half. I think it contributed to costing the cyclones the game.

 

[RomanHawk]

I've been saying for years that the policy is stupid. It should be done individually based on the player, his current temperment, and the flow of the game. His policy simply reflects lack of confidence in his own judgement and he himself limits playing time for his key players.