2009-2010 - Plays of the Week - Week 4
"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, in the frontcourt, attempts to pass the ball to A-2. The ball is deflected by B-1 and bounces off of A-2's foot. The ball goes into the backcourt where it is recovered by A-2 who is the 1st to touch it in backcourt. The official rules this to be a backcourt violation. Was the official correct?

Answer: The official was correct. By rule, team control did not end when B-1 deflected the ball. A-2 was the last to touch the ball while it was in the frontcourt and was the first to touch the ball after it went backcourt. (References: Rule 4.11.3, 4.11.4, 9.9.1)

Play #2 - A-1 is dribbling the ball in the frontcourt near the division line. The ball momentarily gets away from A-1 and bounces once in the backcourt. A-1 recovers the ball while standing in frontcourt. The official rules this a backcourt violation. Was the official correct?

Answer: The official was correct. While player control ended when the ball got away from A-1 creating an interrupted dribble situation, by rule, team control did not end. Although A-1 is not in the backcourt, this does not matter since the parameters of the backcourt violation rule have been met. A-1 was the last to touch the ball before it went backcourt and was the first to touch it after it went backcourt. (References: Rule 4.11.3, 4.11.4, 9.9.1)

Play #3 - A-1 is dribbling in the backcourt and places one foot down on the floor in the frontcourt. A-1, while still dribbling, then moves that foot back into the backcourt. The official rules this to be a backcourt violation. ÊWas the official correct?

Answer: The official was NOT correct. By rule, neither the ball nor the player has been located in the frontcourt. Therefore, a backcourt violation is not possible. (References: Rule 4.4.6, 4.35.2, 9.9.1)

Play #4 - Before the game the referee notes that there are 11 team members of Team A warming up. However, there are twelve names in the scorebook. When the referee asks the coach about this, he says that one player missed the bus. The referee orders the player's name and number removed from the book stating that an individual must be present to have their name entered in the book. Was the referee correct?

Answer: The referee was NOT correct. Although the definition of team member implies that the individual must be present to be entered in the scorebook, it was not the intent of the NFHS to prohibit the inclusion of individuals in the scorebook who may be late or may not show up. (References: Rule 3.2.1, NFHS Interpretation)