[BillyMac]

RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROPER UNIFORM AND APPAREL

The NFHS Basketball Rules Committee remains concerned with the number of reports of improper uniforms, uniform adornments, and non-compliant accessories being worn by players in games. State associations report that an inordinate amount of time is being spent with interpretations, clarifications, and reminders concerning items worn on both the arms and legs that contradict current rule language. At the same time, there is not unified support according to nationwide questionnaires for either more restrictive or less restrictive rule code changes.

The committee is left to conclude that the existing rule code adequately addresses the requirements, but must be understood by coaches and players, and properly applied by contest officials. The responsibilities in this area are clear:
•It is the coach’s role to know the rules, allowances, and restrictions, and to ensure the players are properly informed. The head coach, by rule, shall not permit a team member to participate while wearing an illegal uniform. It is therefore incumbent on the coach to be sure the rules and restrictions have been reviewed by the team including and especially, allowable accessories.
•It is the officials’ role to monitor the players and the uniform. This role begins in pre-game warmups, even when all of the uniform and accessories may not be visible. Vigilance, visual monitoring, and communication with both coaches and players during this time may prevent unfortunate situations and their subsequent penalties. Violations cannot be ignored. When preventative monitoring can prevent a player from entering the game with non-compliance items, those steps should be taken. If that isn’t possible, then proper penalties must be levied, whether it be against the player or the coach (dependent upon the rule).

While it is difficult to stay in front of these issues with an ever-changing marketplace, the rules in place are clear, and if properly applied by all parties, additional measures may not be necessary.

RULES REVIEW AND AREAS OF EMPHASIS

The NFHS Basketball Rules Committee has identified three areas where it feels the rules in place are appropriate for this level of play but need renewed emphasis as the skill level, and the ability of players continues to improve, and players attempt to duplicate actions performed on other levels.

ESTABLISHING PIVOT FOOT AND TRAVELING

At least eight times in the last thirty years, traveling has been a point of emphasis at the high school level. By definition, traveling is moving a foot or feet in any direction more than prescribed limits while holding the ball.

The strategies for properly enforcing the rules require officials to first and foremost, determine that player’s options for the use of a pivot foot. Officials must be in the proper position with a good, wide-angle view of the player’s feet and body.

With the advent of popular moves such as the “euro step,” officials at times appear to call infractions that are not violations because they “look funny” and at the same time, miss violations that should be called. A great deal of this can be solved by reminders concerning what is allowed by the player with his/her pivot foot.

After coming to a stop and establishing a pivot foot, a pivot foot may be lifted, but not returned to the floor, before the ball is released on a pass or try for goal. If the player jumps, neither foot may be returned to the floor before the ball is released on a pass or try for goal. The pivot foot may not be lifted before the ball is released to start a dribble.

Knowing the rules will better allow the officials to administer the rules related to traveling.

LEGAL GUARDING POSITION, BLOCK/CHARGE, SCREENING, VERTICALITY

For 2018-19, the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee feels it imperative to remind coaches, officials and players about the restrictions in specific contact situations. Fundamental to each of these is the establishment of a legal guarding position with these reminders: Rule 4-23 defines guarding position.
•Once established, the defense can adjust to absorb contact or react to play while maintaining that position.
•Once established and maintained legally, block/charge must be ruled when occurring.
•Many times, a no call is not appropriate as a determination must be made.
•A defender does NOT have to remain stationary for a player control foul to occur. After obtaining a legal position, a defender may move laterally, even, diagonally to maintain position but may NOT move toward an opponent.
•Blocking is illegal personal contact with impedes the progress of an opponent with or without the ball.
•Charging is illegal personal contact caused by pushing or moving into an opponent’s torso.
•There must be reasonable space between two defensive players or a defensive player and a boundary line to allow the dribbler to continue in her path.
•If there is less than 3 feet of space, the dribbler has the greater responsibility for the conduct.
•A player with the ball is to expect no leniency regarding space.
•A player without the ball is to be given distance to find and avoid the defender (two strides by rule).
•A player must be in-bounds to have a legal guarding position.
•If an opponent is airborne (whether or not he/she has the ball), legal guarding position must be obtained before the opponent left the floor.

Diligence and constant review of game video and the rules code will help officials be consistent in the application of these rules.