2011-2012 - Plays of the Week - Week 10
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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.

Play #1 - A-1 is driving to the basket and goes up to lay the ball in. A-1 is fouled, the ball is released and is in the basket when A-5 jumps and whacks the front of the ring. The center official rules offensive basket interference and disallows the goal. The lead official reports the foul and rules that A-1 will attempt two free throws. Were the officials correct?

Answer: The officials were correct. The action by A-5 is offensive basket interference which nullifies the goal. By rule, since the try was unsuccessful, two free throws are awarded. (References: Rules 4.6.2, 9.11 Penalties 2, 10 Summary of Penalties 5a)

Play #2 - After the second quarter has ended, A-3 makes a derogatory comment to an official and is charged with a technical foul. The free throws are administered before the teams go to the locker room. The coach is informed that he will not have use of the coaching box for the remainder of the game. The 3rd quarter begins with an AP throw-in. Were the officials correct?

Answer: The officials were NOT correct. By rule, since the technical foul occurred after the 2nd quarter had ended, it is true that the coach will lose the use of the coaching box since all players are considered bench personnel during an intermission. However, the free throws for the technical foul should have been administered to start the 3rd quarter. The throw-in subsequent to the free throws would have been part of the technical foul penalty. The AP arrow should not have been switched. (References: Rules 4.34.2, 10.4 Penalty, 10.5.1a, 5.6 Exception 4)

Play #3 - During the 4th quarter of a close ball game, A-1 is injured. The Team A coach rushes onto the floor to check him. The player is able to get up within a few seconds and is ready to play. Since the player was ready to play quickly, the officials do not require the coach to replace A-1 or to use a timeout to keep him in the game. Were the officials correct?

Answer: The officials were NOT correct. By rule, once the coach came onto the court, the player needed to be replaced or the coach needed to request and be granted a timeout to keep him in the game. (References: Rule 3.3.6)

Play #4 - A-5 taps the ball with both hands simultaneously. The officials ruled that tapping with both hands counts as 2 touches so if the ball had been touched by the same jumper again before the jump ball ended, there would have been a violation. Were the officials correct?

Answer: The officials were NOT correct. By rule, touching the jump ball simultaneously with both hands is considered one touch. (References: Case Book Play 6.3.7a)