2009-2010 - Plays of the Week - Week 2
"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.

Play #1 - During the 2nd quarter the official issues a warning for delay to Team B for interfering with the ball after a goal. During the 3rd quarter the official sounds his whistle when defender B-1 breaks the boundary plane during a throw-in. The official rules that a technical foul is charged to Team B. Was the official correct?

Answer: The official was correct. Once any of the 4 warnings for delay have been issued, any subsequent occurrence of these delays results in a TEAM technical foul. The technical is not charged to any individual. The technical foul does result in the team foul total being increased. (References: Rule 4.47.3, 10.1.5c, 9.2.10)

Play #2 - A-5 is charged with a personal foul during a rebound. It is his 5th foul but the scorer does not notify the officials. About 30 seconds later A-5 is fouled during an attempted lay-up. After A-5 is successful on his first free throw, the scorer notifies the officials that A-5 has 5 fouls. The officials disqualify A-5 and state that A-5's substitute will attempt the remaining free throw. The coach of Team B argues that A-5's 1st free throw should be dis-allowed under the correctable error rule (wrong shooter) since A-5 should not have been out on the court. Was the coach correct?

Answer: The coach was NOT correct. While it would have been nice if the scorer had been more alert, A-5 is not disqualified until his coach is notified. Therefore, he is a legal player and, as such, was entitled to the 1st free throw. Once it was discovered that he had 5 fouls and notification was made to his coach, he could no longer participate. The fact that the disqualification was "late" is not a correctable error. Under the rules his substitute would attempt the remaining free throw. (References: Rule 4.14.2, 2.10.1, 8.2 )

Play #3 - Team A has the AP arrow. With the score tied and 10 seconds remaining in the game, A-4 attempts two free throws. The 1st free throw is unsuccessful. The 2nd free throw bounces on the ring several times and comes to rest on the flange. The official rules a free throw violation and awards the ball to Team B for a designated spot throw-in on the end line. Was the official correct?

Answer: The official was NOT correct. The official has confused the rule governing the throw-in with the rule governing all other live balls. If A-4 had been attempting a throw-in and the ball came to rest on the flange, it would be a violation. However, in all other situations an alternating possession throw-in is the result. (References: Rule 6.4.3d, 7.6.2, 9.2.8)

Play #4 - With 0.3 seconds remaining in the game, Team A is trailing Team B by two points. Team A has the ball for a throw-in in its frontcourt near the scorer's table. A-1 throws a high lob pass toward the basket for an possible tip play. B-5, who is in the lane, jumps and bats the ball away from the basket with his fist. The horn sounds immediately after the batting of the ball. What is the correct procedure?

Answer: The batting of the ball by B-5 is a violation since it is not legal to hit the ball with your fist. Since the touching of the ball was not legal, the clock should not have started. The referee should order the clock to be reset to 0.3 seconds. The ball would be awarded to Team A for a designated spot throw-in on the endline nearest to where the ball was touched. (References: Rule 9.4, 5.9.4)