Home Uniforms – What is wrong with this picture?
Aside from the fact that some players on the blue team are wearing white tee shirts, neither team is wearing their home white uniforms. In this case the blue team is the home team and should be wearing white uniforms.
The home team MUST wear jerseys whose torso color is white. No other color is permitted (3-4-1c). Neither gray, light gold nor any other light color is permitted.
The uniform being worn by #5 in the picture on the left and #44 in the picture on the right are not legal uniforms for the home team under high school rules.
The wearing of a jersey whose torso color is not white by the home team makes the uniform illegal (see Case Book Play 3-4-1 Situation A). The penalty for participating while wearing an illegal uniform is a direct technical foul charged to the head coach (Rule 10-6-4…The head coach shall not permit a team member to participate while wearing an illegal uniform (see 3-4)). This results in two free throws and possession of the ball for a throw-in at the division line opposite the table. The head coach also loses the use of the coaching box. Only one technical foul is charged regardless of the number of players who participate wearing an illegal uniform.
Note: If this were to occur in a tournament situation where it was not clear who the home team should be, then no penalty would be assessed.
Under unusual circumstances, the school may request an exception to this playing rule from the HSL office. If granted, the school would present the approval letter to the referee before the game.
Handchecking – Numerous reports about inconsistency in enforcing the handchecking rule have been received. Under Rule 10-7-12 there are four automatic fouls. If a defender places two hands on a ball handler or if the defender places an arm bar on a ball handler, it is a foul. If a defender touches a ball handler more than once with the hands or if a defender places a hand on a ball handler and keeps it there, it is a foul. There is no judgement required to determine if such contact affects the ability of the ball handler to play. This applies in the post as well as on the perimeter.
Directional Signal – The signal given to indicate the direction of play is illustrated on the left. One and two finger directional signals are unapproved.
Leg Sleeves – The leg sleeve pictured here is NOT legal. It does not matter if all players are wearing the same type. A leg sleeve MUST be a solid color.
Tip of the Week
Traveling – Do you (the official) rule a traveling violation when the pivot foot is lifted and returned to the floor during a “spin move” that results in a crowd-pleasing “thunderous” dunk? The real question should be, “Does the opposing team want an illegal ‘spin move’ to be ruled a legal play? There are always two teams to consider. An official should enforce the rules with no regard to delighting the fans.