Rule 9-9-1-4

A player shall not be the first to touch a ball after it has been in team control in the frontcourt, if he/she or a teammate last touched or was touched by the ball in the frontcourt before it went to the backcourt.

While in team control in its backcourt, a player shall not cause the ball to go from backcourt to frontcourt and return to backcourt, without the ball touching a player in the frontcourt, such that he/she or a teammate is the first to touch it in the backcourt.

A player from the team not in control may legally jump from his/her frontcourt, secure control of the ball with both feet off the floor and return to the floor with one or both feet in the backcourt. The player may make a normal landing and it makes no difference whether the first foot down is in the frontcourt or backcourt. (more…)

As officials, the two things we hear most from the stands and team benches is “three in the key” and on a rebound, “over the back.”

Three in the Key: rule 9-7

A player shall not remain in the area of the free throw lane between the end line and the further edge of the free throw line while the ball is in control of his/her team in the front court. That includes only one foot in that area. Allowance shall be made for a player who, having been in the restricted area for less than three seconds, dribbles in or moves for an immediate try for goal. (more…)

Rule: 4:1:1-2
An airborne shooter is a player who has released the ball on a try for a goal or has tapped the ball and has not returned to the floor. They are also considered to be in the act of shooting.

So if a player is in the air attempting a shot, and gets displaced before landing by a defensive player either trying to block the shot or boxing out too early it is a foul. (more…)

One of the hardest calls for a basketball official is block or charge?

The rule book states:
A block is illegal contact which impedes the progress of an opponent with or without the ball.

A charge is illegal contact caused by pushing or moving into an opponent’s torso. The offensive player is required to stop or change direction to avoid contact with a defensive player that has legal guarding position (both feet on the ground and torso facing the opponent, and must keep verticality). (more…)