2009-2010 - Plays of the Week - Week
1
"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 - A-1 has the ball out of bounds at the division line for a
throw-in to start the third quarter. A-1 passes the ball to A-2 in Team
A's frontcourt. A-1 then runs up the sideline out of bounds about 15
feet and enters the court just past A-2 who is near the sideline. The
official rules a technical foul on A-1 for deliberately failing to
return inbounds. Was the official correct?
Answer: The official was correct. After making the throw-in A-1,
who was legally out of bounds, must re-enter the court where the
throw-in was made from. A-1 gained a positional advantage by running up
the sideline out of bounds and coming in behind A-2. (References: Rule
10.3.2)
Play #2 - A-5 receives a pass near his basket and jumps to dunk
the ball. The ball slips out of his hand and hits the back of the ring
bounding up into the air. A-5 momentarily grasps the ring to steady
himself and then notices the ball is within reach. A-5 holds onto the
ring with his left hand, grabs the ball and dunks it. The official
rules this to be a technical foul and disallows the goal. Was the
official correct?
Answer: The official was correct. While it is OK for A-5 to
steady himself before dropping to the floor, A-5 is not allowed to put a
hand on the backboard or ring to gain an advantage. Once he holds on
and grabs the ball, a technical foul should be ruled. This makes the
ball dead and no goal can be scored. (References: Rule 10.3.3 Exception,
10.3.4a)
Play #3 - With the score tied and 10 seconds remaining in the
game, A-5 receives a pass in the free throw semi-circle. A-5 pivots on
his left foot to face the basket, fakes a shot, picks up his pivot foot
and then releases the ball to start a dribble. The official rules this
to be a traveling violation. The coach says it is not because, to be a
travel, the pivot foot had to return to the floor before the release of
the ball. Was the coach correct?
Answer: The coach was NOT correct. The coach has confused the
rule governing the release of a pass or try after the pivot foot has
been lifted with the rule governing the start of the dribble. If A-5
had passed or shot the ball, then the foot movement would have been
legal. However, to start a dribble the ball must be released before the
pivot foot is lifted from the floor. (References: Rule 4.44.3)
Play #4 - A-1 is fouled attempting a layup and is injured on the
play. A-1 is unable to continue. The coach of Team A sends A-6 in to
replace A-1. As A-6 walks to the free throw line, the coach of Team B
claims that, since A-1 cannot attempt the free throws, he gets to pick
one of the 4 Team A players who were on the court at the time of the
injury to attempt the free throws. Was the coach correct?
Answer: The coach was NOT correct. Under NFHS rules the
substitute who enters to replace A-1 will attempt the free throws. If
no subs are available, then the coach or captain of Team A would select
one of the players on the court to attempt the free throws.
(References: Rule 8.2)
