Why is Home Court so different than Home Field?

[ngineer]

Notice how in basketball having homecourt is a tremendous edge, but in football it doesn't seem to matter as much. Is it because the refs are intimidated by the crowd and closeness of the fans; the teams being intimidated by the atmosphere, or what? I note that Lehigh beat Harvard last night to 'improve' to 4-6, Harvard fell to 5-2. But , Lehigh is 19-4 in the last 3+ years at home--at a venue that is not at all intimidating to visitors since LU rarely gets 1,000 in a 5600 seat venue (except for Lafayette or a 'big' playoff game).

[blukeys]

It is all the things you mentioned plus the differences of the venues themselves. Your home court you are accustomed to the rims and their tightness, How far a rebound goes off that rim, the size of a gym etc. If you are practicing in a spacious gym and then have to play away in a band box, it messes with your flow. In professional sports it is my understanding that Hockey statistically has the best home "field" advantage.

[Hansel]

It is all the things you mentioned plus the differences of the venues themselves. Your home court you are accustomed to the rims and their tightness, How far a rebound goes off that rim, the size of a gym etc. If you are practicing in a spacious gym and then have to play away in a band box, it messes with your flow. In professional sports it is my understanding that Hockey statistically has the best home "field" advantage.
Actually I always thought hockey had the "worst" homefield advantage? Esp in the playoffs were it doesn't seem to matter at all ???

[jstate83]

Football even with the closest stadiums.......(to the field).......is still a huge area. Players can eventually block all that "distant" crowd chatter out.

Basketball, Hockey, and other sports that are played in areana's, the crowd is right on top of you. Seat's are right behind the players. You can basically hear what the "guy that has had 1 too many" said in the second deck if he's "sauced" enough. xlolx

Can't block all that out. :D

[ASU Kep]

I think home field matters a lot in football. Ask Furman.