Possession Question

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LUKE23
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Possession Question 

Post#1 » by LUKE23 » Mon Aug 27, 2012 7:38 pm

I was looking to conduct an analysis involving specific possessions. I know there is a possession estimate formula available, but just for the sake of clarity, we all know that a possession can end on a FGA, TO, or FTA.

FGA = 1 poss
TO = 1 poss
FGM + 1 FTA = 1 poss
2 or 3 FTA = 1 poss

My question is how a technical FT is counted. If it occurs on defensive 3 seconds, is it part of the normal possession? If a technical happens when said team is playing defense, does that 1 FTA count as a possession? I was looking to break it down to exact possessions per game. Any help appreciated.
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Re: Possession Question 

Post#2 » by ElGee » Mon Aug 27, 2012 9:16 pm

Any possessions formula you use is an estimate because of factors like technicals, 3-point fouls and and-1's. If you simply eliminate these and count the actual possessions, you will have an accurate number. So if you are doing strict per possession analysis, you can set the technical free throws to the side (this assumes you have PBP data).
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