2009-2010 - 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.

Play #1 - During the 2nd quarter A-1 goes in for a layup and is intentionally pushed in the back by B-1. The try is successful. The official awards A-1 two free throws and awards the ball out of bounds at the spot nearest the foul to Team A for a designated spot throw-in. The coach of Team B argues that A-1 should only get one free throw since the try was good. Was the coach correct?

Answer: The coach was NOT correct. All intentional personal fouls result in two free throws for the player who was fouled unless that player was fouled attempting an unsuccessful three point try. In that case the player would receive three free throws. (References: Rule 10.6 Penalties 4 & 5, Case Book Play 4.19.3 Situation A)

Play #2 - During a timeout when the 1st horn sounds, Team B returns to the floor. Team A is still in the huddle when the 2nd horn sounds. The official sounds his whistle, indicates that the ball belongs to Team A by calling out their color and pointing in the direction of their basket and places the ball on the designated spot on the floor. B-2 becomes confused, runs over, steps out of bounds and picks up the ball. The official charges Team B with a technical foul. Was the official correct?

Answer: The official was NOT correct. By rule the technical foul for touching the ball during a throw-in occurs if the ball is in the possession of the thrower. It also could occur if the ball is touched while being passed to a teammate along the endline during a throw-in when moving along the endline is permitted. In this case it is a violation by B-2 to break the boundary plane. The official should have ruled this violation and reported a delay of game warning to the scorer and to Team B's coach. (References: Rule 9.2.10 Penalties 1 & 3)

Play #3 - The score is B 55-A 51 with 20 seconds left in the game. A's Coach informs U2 (new Lead) that he would like to request a time-out if his team scores. A1, on a fast break, misses a layup and his teammate, A3, grabs the rebound and while in the act of shooting (and prior to the release of the ball), U2 sounds his whistle and grants a timeout to Team A accidentally. The try goes in and the ball is at the disposal of B. The officials decide this is an inadvertent whistle, score the goal and give the ball to Team B for an endline throw-in. Were the officials correct?

Answer: The officials were NOT correct. By rule the sounding of the whistle caused the ball to become dead immediately. No try or tap was in flight. No foul had been committed by the defense so, therefore, continuous motion was not in effect. The goal should not have been scored and, under the point of interruption rule, Team A should have received the ball for a designated spot throw-in at the spot nearest to where the ball was located when the intterruption occurred. (References: Rule 6.7.5, 4.11, 4.36.1 & 4.36.2)

Play #4 - Before the last free throw of a multiple free throw situation #42 from Team B is beckoned into the game for Team B. #32 goes to the bench and sits down. As #42 approaches the free throw lane, the official notices that his jersey is untucked and sends him out of the game. #32 gets off the bench and returns to the game. After the successful free throw, #42, who has returned to the table, is beckoned into the game by the officials. Were the officials correct?

Answer: The officials were correct in sending #42 out of the game for the untucked jersey. However, #32 had been a player and had been substituted for. By rule, #32 cannot return to the game until the clock has legally started. So his return to the game was not legal. Someone else on the bench should have replaced #42. Also once #42 was beckoned into the game, he became a player. When he was sent out of the game, he also has to wait until the clock has legally started before he can return. He should not have been permitted back into the game after the successful free throw. (References: Rule 3.3.5, 3.3.4, 3.3.3, Case Book Play 3.3.1 Situation E)