2007-2008 - Plays of the Week - Week 3
"Working together, we will all get better."
The plays/questions described below occurred recently and are provided for your review and discussion. The rulings given are based on NFHS rules. NCAA rulings may be different. Have you seen an unusual play? Let all officials benefit from it by sending it to Plays of the Week
Play #1 - From the end line in front court A1 attempts a throw in. The pass is tipped by B1 then by A2 in the front court. The ball is recovered in the backcourt by A2. The official rules a backcourt violation. Is the official correct?
Answer: The official is NOT correct. By rule there must be team control while the ball has front court status before a backcourt violation is possible. There is no team control during a throw-in until player control is obtained inbounds. Player control did not start in this instance until A2 recovered the ball. (References: Rule 9.9.1, Rule 4.12.1, Rule 4.12.2)
Play #2 - From the right side of the lane A1 jumps to attempt a shot. A1 is fouled by B1. The ball hits the front of the ring, then hits the backboard. Then it passes through the ring. While the ball is just below the ring and still fully within the net, A5 jumps and hits the ball. What is the correct procedure?
Answer: A5 has committed a basket interference violation. The ball becomes dead when it is hit and no goal can be scored. However, A1 was fouled in the act of shooting an unsuccessful try. Therefore, A1 is entitled to two free throws. Players will line up along the lane and play will proceed as normal after the second free throw is made or missed. (References: Rule 1.10.1, Rule 4.6.1, Rule 9.11 Penalties 2, Case Book Play 9.11.2 Situation E)
Play #3 - During a throw-in by Team A in the 1st quarter, B1 breaks the boundary plane and a warning is issued by the official. It is reported to the scorer and Team B's coach. During the 2nd quarter B1 again violates the boundary plane during a throw-in and a technical foul is called. Team A attempts two free throws and is awarded the ball at the division line for a throw-in. During a throw-in in the 3rd quarter B1 reaches through the boundary plane and slaps the ball out of A1's hands. A technical foul is called and the official notifies Team B's coach that B1 is disqualified for receiving two techncial fouls. Is the official correct?
Answer: The official is NOT correct. Although the technical foul for slapping the ball out of A1's hands is charged to B1, by rule the technical foul for violating the boundary plane is a team technical foul. It is not charged to any individual. Therefore, B1 has received only one technical foul even though he may have "caused" two of them. (References: Rule 10.1.10, Rule 10.3.11, Rule 9.2 Penalties 3)
Play #4 - Team A takes a shot from the corner. Just (a) before or (b) after the ball is released, the lead official, who is confused, calls 3 seconds on B3. The ball enters the basket. What is the correct procedure?
Answer: In (a) by rule the ball became dead when the whistle was sounded. Therefore, no goal can be scored. Since Team A had team control of the ball when the inadvertant whistle was sounded, the ball should be awarded back to Team A at the spot nearest to where A1 was when the whistle sounded. In (b) the sounding of the whistle does not make the ball dead since a try is in flight. The goal is scored. Team B is awarded the ball for a throw-in from anywhere along the endline. (References: Rule 6.7.5, Rule 6.7 Exception a, Rule 4.36.2)
2007-2008 Plays of the Week - Week #2
2007-2008 Plays of the Week - Week #1
