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.

To establish a frontcourt or backcourt position the player has to have both feet and the ball in the court.

If team A has the ball established in the frontcourt, and his teammate jumps in the air from the backcourt, grabs the ball while in the air, then lands in the frontcourt, that is backcourt.

If Team A has front court position, then Team B knocks the ball into the backcourt, then team A graps the ball it is not backcourt.

If team A has frontcourt position, team B knocks it out of his control, then he graps it in the frontcourt, then starts his dribble in the backcourt, it is backcourt.

Daniel Sanchez has been officiating for seven years and is among the most respected of our local officials.

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.

We could honestly call three in the key on every possession, especially at the junior high level. But, then we would be there all night. We look at it as: if a player is in the restricted area for longer then three seconds, but has not gained an advantage by obtaining the ball, we will usually let it go, unless we think they have a good rebounding position. If they are in the key and receive the ball, then we will call it. It is the official’s judgment.

Push in the Back: rule 4-37

Rebounding is the attempt by a player to secure possession of the ball following a try or tap. There is no player or team control on a try.

To obtain legal rebounding position the player may not displace, charge, or push an opponent, or extend shoulders, knees, hips, arms or elbows fully. And, they must keep their legal verticality. They may not bend his/her body in an abnormal position to hold or displace an opponent. Every player is entitled to a spot on the court, provided the player gets there first without illegally contacting an opponent.

There is no such thing as “over the back.” That saying was made up by someone. The proper phrase is “push in the back.” If a player has legal rebounding position and is dislodged or the opponent breaks their verticality we will call it. If a player bumps the rebounder and the rebounder has not lost the advantage and can play through it, we try to let it go.

Daniel Sanchez has been officiating for seven years and is among the most respected of our local officials.

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.

Rule: 4:11:1-2
Continuous motion applies when a foul by the defensive player during the interval which begins when the habitual throwing movement starts a try or with the touching of a tap and ends when the ball is clearly in flight. If an opponent fouls after a player has started a try for a goal they are permitted to complete the customary arm movement.

If an offensive player is driving to the hoop and is about to attempt a shot and is fouled while in the act of shooting, they are allowed to complete the shot.

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).

If a defensive player has legal guarding position and takes contact in the center of the chest from the offensive player, the majority of the time a charge will be called against the offensive player.

If a defensive player has not obtained legal guarding position and takes it off the shoulder, hip, or starts to fall before contact, the  majority of the time it will be called a block against the defensive player.