2009-2010 - Plays of the Week - Week 7
"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 - A-4 catches a throw-in pass in frontcourt near the division line with one foot on the floor while turning away from the sideline. A-4 then places the other foot on the floor in backcourt. The official rules this to be a backcourt violation. Was the official correct?

Answer: The officials was correct. By rule, the exception during a throw-in applies only to a player who first gains control while airborne. A-4 was in contact with the floor in frontcourt when he gained control of the ball. Placing the other foot down in backcourt results in a backcourt violation. (References: Rule 9.9.1, 9.9.3)

Play #2 - With 0:13.0 on the clock in the 3rd quarter A-1 is attempting the front end of a 1 and 1 bonus free throw situation. A-5 violates by entering the lane too soon. Team B is awarded the ball on the endline. When the official goes to put the ball in play, the clock reads 0:12.0. What is the correct procedure?

Answer: The clock should not have started. The referee should order the clock to be reset to 0:13.0 seconds since the officials have definite knowledge of how much time was left.(References: 2.5.5, 5.10.1)

Play #3 - A-5 attempts to tap a rebound into the basket while in a crowd around the hoop. After tapping the ball A-5 momentarily grasps the ring to steady himself before dropping to the floor. In so doing the ring is pulled down a bit and the ball rolls on the ring before it returns to its original position. The officials rule this legal play since A-5 was protecting himself from injury when he grasped the ring. Were the officials correct?

Answer: The official was correct in ruling that no technical foul should be ruled for the actions of A-5. However, since the ball was on the ring while A-5 was grasping the ring, offensive basket interference should have been ruled. The ball should have been awarded to Team B along the endline for a designated spot throw-in. No score would have been possible. (References: Rule 9.11, 4.6, 10.3.3 Exception)

Play #4 - A-1 is fouled and goes to the free throw line to attempt two free throws. A-5 and A-4 line up in the marked lane spaces closest to the end line. B-4 and B-5 line up in the next spaces. The illegal line up is not detected by the officials until after A-1 has successfully made the first free throw. What is the correct procedure?

Answer: Once the free throw has ended, it is too late to penalize the illegal line-up along the free throw lane. The officials should correct the line-up and proceed to the 2nd free throw. (References: Rule 9.1.2 Penalty 3, Case Book Play 9.1.2 Situation B)