Second Basketball Memo December 12, 2014 Dear Basketball Coaches and Officials, To date we have had one player ejected and no coach ejections. Coaches continue to visit with your players and staff about how important “Good Sportsmanship” is as it relates to not only the game of basketball, but the game of life! We are challenged with choices everyday but the important part is how we deal with those choices, appropriate decisions usually end up as positive results. Officials: Social Media Guidelines: a. Consider social media communications as public at all times—even if created with private intentions. If you are going to use social media in any form, consider your communication may be read by anyone at anytime. b. You represent the officiating profession, your association, your assigners and your partners. Act accordingly. c. Promote officiating in a positive light and with a feeling of pride and professionalism. You are an ambassador for officiating. d. You have a unique access to information. The same ethical restrictions that apply to any form of public speech also apply to social media. It is inappropriate to communicate specifics about your assignments, other officials, conferences/schools, coaches, players or any related personnel. e. Do not engage in specific play and or ruling evaluation/commentary, whether it is of a game you worked, one that you witnessed or in general about the impact of officials in any sporting event. f. Communications among officials for learning purposes should be done privately and not through the use of social media. Be mindful that email and other forms of direct communication can be made public. g. Be very sparing in the sharing of your personal information, including photos. Adjust security settings accordingly. Report fake profiles or posts to the appropriate authorities/governing bodies in a timely fashion. h. Follow specific conference/district, school and /or governing body social media policies. Coaches and Officials: I have been hearing of basketball players rolling their uniform waistbands and we need to address this immediately. See the rule below, no penalty; players need to abide by the National Federation rule. Rule 3‐5 Art. 5; Rule Book page 26; Equipment and apparel shall not be modified from the original manufactured state and shall be worn in the manner the manufacturer intended it to be worn. Coaches and Officials: If a player wears an undershirt under his jersey, it must be a single solid color similar to the torso of the jersey and may have no frayed or ragged edges (sleeve length may vary). Use of Approved Signals: Signals and signaling are the game’s and officials’ form of communication. It is extremely important that every official uses the NFHS Officials Manual approved signals in order to standardize necessary communication. We all must understand that when we call a team control foul closed fist high in the air (elbow to ear) followed by a closed fist projecting out in front of our body. If we have a player control foul, use a closed fist mechanic with arm raised high in the air (elbow to ear), but with a bent elbow with hand behind the head followed by direction signal. Too often we see the team control foul mechanic as a player control foul, even though these are two different fouls. Signals serve as vital information to fellow crew member(s), the official timer, the official scorer, the player(s), and coaches and enhance the understanding of the media and spectators. Jump Stop: A player who makes a successful jump stop may catch the ball while airborne, land on one foot and then jump to land on both feet simultaneously, or may catch the ball while on one foot and then jump to two feet simultaneously. The key is from one foot alone or two feet together, but once he does either of the above he has no pivot foot. Any other variation is traveling. When receiving a pass or ending a dribble, ask yourself; “Did the player land on both feet simultaneously or did one foot land prior to the other?” Landing with both feet simultaneously after receiving the ball while both feet are airborne is easy. If the player lands on both feet simultaneously the player may lift either foot in order to establish a pivot foot. If the player lands on one foot followed by the other foot, the first foot down is his pivot foot. If the player lands on one foot and then comes to a jump stop, either foot may be lifted to attempt a try or pass, but cannot return to the floor while holding the ball or he has committed a traveling violation. EXAMPLE: A1 drives into the lane, ends the dribble with one foot on the floor, jumps off that foot and lands with both feet simultaneously on the floor. A1 then sees A2 cutting toward the basket and picks up a foot and places it on the floor and then passes the ball to A2. Since one foot was already on the floor and then he made a jump stop and landed simultaneously on both feet it results in a traveling violation on A1. 10 Common Rules that Officials, Fans Will Often Get Wrong: It seems every game fans have a tendency to yell the same things: “Three seconds,” “That’s a travel,” “over the back,” etc. A team misses its third straight shot in a five second span, and you can almost count on cry the of “three seconds” from the stands. When a high dribble takes place fans will often yell, “That’s a carry,” or “travel!” When the ball is passed, it hits the player’s hand or goes right through a player’s hands and falls to the floor, the same player recovers the ball and starts a dribble and we hear Double dribble.” Those are common pleas at almost every game. Unfortunately, many officials buy in to those pleas and respond with an inaccurate ruling. There are many myths and incorrect interpretations of the rules, which fans and even newer officials have heard and believe, are correct. Improving the spectator’s knowledge would go a long way in solving many problems. Every level of basketball have their own rules and many are the same, but each level has a number of differences, just like other sports. Here are 10 rules to clarify: 1. Three‐Second Rule: The three‐second restriction does not begin until the ball is in the frontcourt. An allowance is made for a player, who has been in the restricted lane area for less than three‐seconds, receives the ball and makes progress toward the goal and shoots, the three second count is extended. There is no three second count during a shot, rebounding action or during a throw‐in. Every time a shot goes up the three‐second count is off until a teammate secures possession in the front court. 2. Over the Back: Nowhere in the rule book or case book is there an over‐the back foul. However, officials often call, report and make signals for the contact foul. Over the back is legal. On the back or through the back is a push and is illegal. Don’t penalize a player for being taller and reaching over the top of an opponent in front o him to secure a rebound, unless he made illegal contact. On the back or through the back is a push and is illegal. 3. Fumble: A fumble is the accidental loss of player control when the ball unintentionally drops or slips from a player’s grasp. A dribble is an intentional push of the ball to the floor. It is not possible to travel during a dribble. A player must be holding and in control of the ball in order to travel. A player may fumble the ball down the court if it is unintentional act to gain control of the ball. A player attempting to end a dribble may fumble the ball and run to gain control without a violation. In securing a fumble following a dribble, the player may recover the ball, but may not dribble the ball in order to secure the fumble following a dribble. If he does dribble the ball, he has committed a double dribble violation. 4. Palm/Carry Rule: A dribble has no limit on the height of a dribble. A high dribble is just that, a high dribble. It may look ugly, but it is legal. A dribble ends when the ball comes to rest in one or both hands, or the dribbler simultaneously touches the ball with both hands. Batting a ball from an opponent is not a dribble as the player is not in control of the ball; a player can bat a ball away, pick it up with both hands and start a dribble. 5. Sliding/Traveling: A player may dive for a loose ball and once secured has no limit on how far he or she may slide. After coming to a stop, a player may not roll over (if a player is flat on their back, they may sit up without violating), but may pass, shoot, request a time‐out or begin a dribble. Any attempt to stand is a traveling violation, unless a dribble is started. Designated out‐of‐bounds throw‐in spot: The designated throw‐in spot 3 feet wide with no depth limitations and is established and signaled by the official prior to putting the ball at the thrower’s disposal. NOTE: The thrower must keep one foot on or over the spot until the ball is released. The traveling and dribbling rules are not in effect for a throw‐in (4‐42 Art 6). 6. “Boxing Out” VS Displacement: Legal rebounding position is an attempt to secure control of the ball. A player may not displace, back‐out, charge or push an opponent. Every player is 7.
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entitled to a spot on the playing court, as long as the player gets there first without illegally contacting an opponent. Moving an opponent off an occupied space is displacement and a foul. A good block‐out is securing a spot with your body, and not displacing an opponent while doing so, by backing your opponent out. When a player uses his body to “drive” an opponent off a spot, it is a foul. PLAY: A1 attempts a jump shot from outside the three point line. While the unsuccessful try is in flight, defensive player B1 “boxes Out,” causing contact (a) before shooter A1 returns to the floor (b) after shooter A1 returns gets one foot back to the floor or (c) shooter A1 flops from very slight contact. RULING: Covering official should focus on the shooter until A1 is back on the floor. “Boxing out” 20 feet from the basket is a questionable play, possibly aimed at intimidating the shooter on the next try. Three‐shot foul on B1 in (a) & (b). In (c) the patient whistle is critical. Where did the rebound go? Was A1’s ability to rebound restricted or was he seeking an unsporting advantage (acting)? Slapping the Backboard: If it is a legitimate attempt to play the ball, it is not an unsporting technical foul. If it is not a legitimate attempt to play the ball, it can be an unsporting technical foul. Goaltending: NFHS has no rule that a player may not touch or block a shot after it hits the backboard. In NFHS, it is a legal play as long as the ball is not on its downward flight, nor in the imaginary cylinder that is above the ring (basket interference). The ball must not be touched when it is above the basket ring level and have the possibility of entering the basket. Block/Charge: It is legal for a player to move or be moving and still be able to draw a charge, if a legal guarding position has been obtained. A player may move backward and laterally other than into an opponent, if legal guarding position has been obtained prior to contact. The player who causes the contact is responsible for the foul. If the offensive player can get his head and shoulders past the torso of the opponent, without making contact, legal guarding position is no longer in place and the foul is on the defender. When a shooter becomes airborne, the defender can draw the charge only if the defender obtained legal guarding position before the shooter became an airborne player. If the defender moves in under, after the shooter has left the floor, it is a blocking foul. Verticality: A player who has a legal position on the floor is entitled to that spot from floor to ceiling within the frame of his body (no extension of knee or arms). Many believe because the defender jumped, if there is contact, that it must be a defensive foul. It’s not! Front Court/Back Court: Don’t forget about our new tipped ball signal (13), which means if the ball is in front court and is deflected into back court and was not last touched by the offensive team, any participating team member (offense or defense) may secure possession of the ball, and the covering official should use signal 13. This is the only play situation this signal should be used for. 2014‐2015 NFHS Corrections & Interpretations: Correction; Rule Book Page 2‐NFHS Basketball Rules Change 9.1.4g to 9.1.3g Page 53 Delete 9.1.4 This article is no longer accurate due to rule change. Correction‐Case Book: Page 29, 4.14.1d Change the ruling to read: Referee notifies the Team A head coach of the disqualification and allows a substitute for A1. The points scored by A1 will stand. B3 is awarded a throw‐in at the division line located opposite the scorer’s table. References: 4.14.2; NOTE following 2.11.5. Page 32, 4.19.3E‐Change the ruling to read: (a) intentional foul due to excessive contact while the ball is live. Page 70, 9.1 Comment‐Sentence two (2) should read: Once a free throw begins no player may enter or leave a marked free throw lane line space or break, with either foot, the vertical plane of the free throw lane line or marked lane space boundary prior to the release of the ball by the free thrower. Delete the last sentence. Also understand it is a violation if a player in a marked lane space crosses the free throw line before the ball hits the rim/board or shot ends (delayed dead ball signal) and if the player does violate and makes contact with the shooter a foul could be assessed as well. Point of Emphasis‐ Page 70, Point of Emphasis #4 & Note – Makes the application of Team Control status for the throw‐in very clear. Until there is Player Control secured inbounds, even though the throw‐in has ended (ball touches or is touched a player), Team Control continues to exist. Case Book Page 33, 4.19.7D and reference should read 4.12.2d & 4.12.3b. Screening: When screening a stationary opponent from the front or side (with‐in the visual field), the screener may be anywhere short of contact. When screening a stationary opponent from behind (outside the visual field) the screener must allow the opponent one normal step backward without contact. When screening a moving opponent the screener must allow the opponent time and distance to avoid contact by stopping or changing direction. The speed of the player to be screened will determine where the screener may take his/her stationary position. The position will vary and be one or two normal steps or strides from the opponent. When screening an opponent who is moving in the same path and direction as the screener, the player behind is responsible if contact is made because the player in front slows up or stops and the player behind overruns his/her opponent. A player who is screened within his/her visual field is expected to avoid contact by going around the screener. A player may not use the arms, hands, hips or shoulders to force his/her way through a screen or to hold the screener and then push the screener aside in order to maintain a guarding position on an opponent. There is no such thing as a moving screen/illegal screen, if no contact is made with an opponent. On behalf of the Iowa High School Athletic Association we want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Be sure to spend time with family and friends! Sincerely, Roger Barr Director of Officials