[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Coach Bill

Is "voluntarily" considered synonymous with "on purpose". I've seen guys sprinting the floor wide to get to the corner and inadvertently touch a sideline along the way, but are clearly inbounds ready to shoot in the corner by the time the ball is passed to them. Is this a violation? I would consider inadvertent as not voluntary, but I don't know if there's a case supporting that.

The rule (and the caseplays) doesn't make any reference to "voluntarily", "on purpose", "inadvertently", or "intentionally".

Here's the rule:

9-3-3: A player must not leave the court for an unauthorized reason.

Here are the caseplays:

9.3.3 SITUATION A: A1 receives a pass while in the restricted area of the lane. A1 passes the ball to A2 outside the three-point line. In order to get the three-second count stopped, A1 steps directly out of bounds under A's basket. RULING: A1 is charged with a violation for leaving the court for an unauthorized reason. (9-3-3)

9.3.3 SITUATION B: A1 and A2 set a double screen near the end line. A3 intentionally goes out of bounds outside the end line to have his/her defender detained by the double screen. RULING: The official shall call a violation on A3 as soon as he/she steps out of bounds. The ball is awarded to Team B at a designated spot nearest to where the violation occurred.

9.3.3 SITUATION C: A1 and A2 set a double screen near the end line. B3 intentionally goes out of bounds outside the end line to avoid being detained by A1 and A2. Just as B3 goes out of bounds, A3's try is in flight. RULING: B3 is called for a leaving-the-floor violation. Team A will receive the ball out of bounds at a spot nearest to where the violation occurred. Since the violation is on the defense, the ball does not become dead until the try has ended. If the try is successful, it will count. (6-7-9 Exception d)

Interpret as you see fit.

I've only seen this called twice in forty years. Once when my partner, as Lead, almost got run over by an offensive player using a double screen near the low post area to get open. The other was an offensive player exiting the lane via the endlne to avoid a three second violation. Can't remember if we called it a three second violation or a violation for leaving the court for an unauthorized reason.