2009-2010 - Plays of the Week - Week 10
"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-5 dunks during pre-game warm-ups. The officials charge A-5 with a technical foul and Team A's head coach with an indirect technical foul. This results in the Team A coach losing the right to use the coaching box. Team B is awarded two free throws to start the game. Team B is awarded the ball at the division line and the AP arrow is set to Team A's basket when the ball is placed at the disposal of the thrower for Team B. Were the officials correct?

Answer: The officials were correct. (References: Rule 10.3.3, 10.5.1a, 4.3.3b)

Play #2 - A-3 is fouled in the act of shooting. While the ball is being bounced to A-3 for the second free throw, the coach of Team B requests a timeout. The official grants the timeout. Was the official correct?

Answer: The official was correct. Either team may request and be granted a timeout while the ball is dead. In this case the ball becomes live when the free throw shooter gains possession of the ball. Since he had not gained possession, the official was correct in granting the tineout. (References: 5.8.3b, 6.1.2c)

Play #3 - During a throw-in by A-1, A-3 is whistled for an illegal screen against B-2. Team B is in the bonus. What is the correct procedure?

Answer: There is no team control during a throw-in in high school basketball. Therefore, this is a common foul but not a team control foul. The bonus rule applies. B-2 is entitled to attempt free throws under the bonus rule. (References: 4.12.6, 4.19.13, 10 Summary of Penalties 3)

Play #4 - Following a successful free throw by A1 with less than one minute left in the game, B1 inbounds the ball to B2. As the new lead official is running down the court, B's coach comes onto the court and grabs the official's arm. The official rules a technical foul on the coach for being out of the coaching box and grabbing an official. Team B's coach tells the official the clock did not start on the inbounds play following the free throw. After reporting the technical, the clock operator informed the official that he, in fact, failed to start the clock. What is the correct procedure?

Answer: The technical foul should stand. The coach has acted inappropriately in coming onto the court and grabbing the official's arm regardless of the reason. The referee should determine how much time to take off the clock. An official's count may be used to help make such a determination. (References: Rule 10.4.2, 5.10.2)