Most Misunderstood Rules

How to Call a Foul & Report to the Scorekeeper

How to Administer a Free Throw

Inbounding Guidelines for Fouls

How to Administer a Throw In

The Bump & Run Technique

Recognizing and Beckoning Substitutes

Most Misunderstood Rules

Tips For Being a Successful Official

Most Misunderstood Rules

1. The shooter can retrieve his own air ball if the ref considers it to be a shot attempt.
2. It is legal to pin the ball against the backboard, if the ball is still on the way up and not in the imaginary cylinder.
3. When player throws a ball off of a player who is standing out of bounds, the player out of bounds caused it to be out
4. The hand is part the ball at all times! This includes holding, dribbling, passing, or even during a shot attempt. However, it is widely accepted that a foul shall be called on the shot
5. To start a dribble, the ball must be released before the pivot foot moves.
6. If the player jumps in the air prior to the release of the ball he can only (1) pass, (2) shoot, or (3) call timeout
7. Palming is when the hand is under the ball or when the ball rests in the hand. There is no height limitation to a dribble
8. A player may slide while trying to secure a loose ball until his momentum stops. At that point the player cannot try to get up, or rollover. The player securing the ball while on the floor cannot try to stand up (traveling) unless he starts to dribble
9. It is always legal to recover a fumble (or muff) - even at the end of a dribble.
10. It is legal to touch the rim as long as the ball is ABOVE the rim and not touching the rim. However, a player cannot grasp the rim
11. A player cannot touch the ball or rim if the ball is on the rim or in the imaginary cylinder.
12. A player with the ball on the court does not have to be given any space by the defender.
13. A blind screen is not a foul until contact occurs.
14. The player inbounding the ball must keep one foot on or over the 3′ wide designated spot.
15. It is okay to jump or move one or both feet. If a player moves outside the 3′ spot it is a violation (not traveling). Thrower-in does not have a plane restriction, but has 5 seconds to release the ball and it must go directly onto the court. A player may move (run the baseline) after any score (basket or last free-throw) - even after a timeout has been called
16. The ball can always be passed into the back court during a throw in!
17. The thrower-in can step on, but not over the line
18. A defender may not break the imaginary plane during a throw-in. If he contacts the ball it is an automatic technical foul (no warning). If he fouls it is an intentional foul (no warning).
19. When a dribbler is advancing the ball into the front-court, the ball maintains back-court status until both feet and the ball cross over simultaneously .
20. The coach may request a timeout if the ball is in his team’s possession or if the ball is dead.
21. A player saving the ball in the air can ask for and be granted a timeout even if he is going out of bounds. The key is does he have definite control of the ball?
22. If a blind screen is set on a stationary defender, he must be given one normal step to change direction and avoid contact. If the defender is moving, he gets a minimum of 1 step and a maximum of 2 steps.
23. There is team control while passing a ball on the court. If the ball is deflected into the back-court, the offense can only go get it if the defense was the last to touch it before it went into the back-court.
24. On free throws: maximum of 2 O and 4 D (in 8 designated spots) can go on release.NCAA only: the shooter and all players not in a rebounding spot must wait until the ball hits the rim or backboard. The first player on each side can step on the entire block.
25. A Defensive player is entitled to vertical space and may jump straight up after establishing an initial legal guarding position (ILGP). It is a foul if the defender’s arms are not vertical.
26. A Defender may turn away or duck to absorb contact provided he has already established legal guarding position, which is two feet on the floor and facing the opponent. He can then rise vertically or move back.
27. The closely guarded rule is in effect in front-court only, when a defender is within 6 feet for 5 seconds. A referee can make up to three separate 4.9 second counts (hold, dribble, hold). The count continues even if defenders switch.
28. If a player’s momentum carries him off the court while playing the ball, he can be the first player to touch the ball as long as he re-enters at approximately the same spot he went out. He must have something in and nothing out. It is not necessary to have both feet back in-bounds
29. A kicking violation needs to be an intentional act. It is also illegal to hit the ball with a fist
30. A player control foul results in no points and no free throws. The penalty is the loss of the ball. A referee should still mark the foul
31. It is legal to hang on the rim if a player is (a) fouled or (B) avoiding injury to himself or another player
32. The top, sides, and bottom of the backboard are all in play. The ball cannot pass over the backboard from either way
33. Players may not participate while wearing jewelry or anything that might be deemed to cause an injury.
34. The intent of the 3 seconds rule is to not allow an offensive player to gain an advantage. Refs will verbalize to “GET OUT!” and will not be too quick to call this violation if the player is not gaining an advantage.
35. “Referees can make decisions on anything not specifically covered by the rules.” - the “Elastic Clause”.
36. Referees are not required to explain judgment calls! They may choose to do so if approached in a respectful manner.
37. ** Officials have been instructed to call technical fouls for unsporting acts and excessive complaints or verbal abuse.New Rules
38. The penalty for any technical foul (direct or indirect) is two shots. The ball is brought back to the “point of interruption.” Two direct Ts = ejection (count as personal & team fouls). A max of 3 indirect will result in ejection.
39. A direct T is for unsporting acts, profanity, or disrespect. An indirect T is for excess TO, illegal substitution, hanging on the rim, etc.
40. Men - only 6 rebounders (4D & 2O) on free throws.Women - the first space no longer exists on free throws