2009-2010 - Plays of the Week - Week 9
"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 - A1 is fouled by B1. The lead looks up to see the ball go through the basket. He reports the basket as good to the table, reports the foul on B1, and awards A1 one free throw. The trail approaches the lead and tells him that since A2 had his hand in the net as the ball was balancing on the ring, the basket should be waved off as offensive basket interference. The officials rule that the basket is not counted and A1 is awarded two free throws with the lane spaces occupied. Were the officials correct?

Answer: The officials were correct. A2 having his hand in the net while the ball is on the ring is basket interference. Since A2 is on the offense this nullifies the goal by A1. However, since A1 was fouled in the act of shooting, A1 is entitled to two free throws since the try was not successful. (References: Rule 4.6.1 9.11 Penalties 2, 10.6. Penalties 5a)

Play #2 - During the 1st quarter A-1 attempts to make a pass to A-2 in Team A's backcourt near the division line. B-2 runs, jumps into the air from Team A's backcourt and catches the ball while in the air. B-2 lands with his left foot coming down in Team A's backcourt first followed by his right foot touching in Team A's frontcourt. The official rules this to be a backcourt violation. Was the official correct?

Answer: The official was NOT correct. It is true that B-2 has jumped from his frontcourt. When he gained possession of the ball in the air, he gave the ball frontcourt status. He then landed with the 1st foot touching in frontcourt and the second foot touching in backcourt. By rule, since he secured possession in the air and his team did not have control prior to this, he may legally land with one or both feet in backcourt. It makes no difference which foot comes down first. (References: 4.35, 4.4.2, 4.12.1, 9.9.3)

Play #3 - A-1 drives down the middle of the lane. As she approaches the basket, the lead official sounds her whistle and rules a traveling violation. At the same time the center official rules a foul has occurred. What is the correct procedure?

Answer: There are no provisions in the official's manual for a simulataneous violation and foul ruling. The two officials will need to get together and decide which occurred first. If the violation occurred first, then no foul will be ruled unless it was intentional or flagrant. If the foul occurred first, then the violation is ignored.

Play #4 - With 4.6 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter and the score tied, A1 is dribbling in the backcourt toward the frontcourt when an inadvertant whistle sounds. The whistle is weak and play continues. A1 advances into the front court and takes a shot from behind the 3-point arc. Time runs out as the shooter is fouled and the calling official awards 3 free throws. The trail official approaches the calling official and asks if there was an accidental whistle. The calling official confirms that, in fact, a whistle was blown. What is the correct procedure?

Answer: The inadvertant whistle made the ball dead. The activity after this occurred during a dead ball. As such, it should be ignored unless an intentional or flagrant foul or technical foul occurred. The referee will need to determine how much time had elapsed and have the clock reset. The ball should be put back in play at the spot nearest to where the ball was when the whistle sounded. (References: Rule 6.7.5, 4.36.2a)