Players back WNBL’s game-changing trials

A range of new rules are set to be trialled at September's WNBL27 Townsville Tip-off, as a way to bring exciting innovation to the League.

The six rules in discussion by the League include one free throw for maximum points, rolling substitutions, player-only timeouts, increased points power plays, immediate inbound passes in the backcourt and adding a sixth foul to a designated player.

One who has experienced the player-only timeout rule first-hand in New Zealand's Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa is Adelaide Lightning recruit Jess McDowell-White.

"It [the player-only timeout] is a great way to allow players to take charge on the floor, execute on the fly and in late clock situations it's beneficial as you can advance the ball," McDowell-White said to ESPN.

"I'm excited for the WNBL to trial it as it gives players the opportunity to lead and can change late game/clock decisions as coaches don't have to use their timeouts."

Five-time WNBL champion and current Bendigo Spirit forward Kelsey Griffin has also thrown her support behind the potential rule changes.

"I know in the States they do time-outs players can call, but usually you go to the bench, or a reset timeout now in the WNBA, so I think it's good to look at that and have players have the autonomy to call that time-out," Griffin said.

"I think it will help with situational plays and executions down the stretch for having those situations sorted for the end of the game. Of all the rules considered, it'd be the one I'd be most excited about."

WNBL chief operations officer Justin Nelson, who explained 'nothing is ever off the table', said that if these trials prove positive, the rules could be implemented as early as this season.

The second Townsville Tip-Off runs from September 17-20.

‍Read the full story here >> WNBL's pre-season rule trials could come into regular season as early as WNBL27