[BillyMac]

5.2.1c Three-Point Try
5.2.1 SITUATION C: A1 throws the ball from behind the three-point line. The ball is above the level of the ring and/or has a chance to go in. The ball is legally touched by: (a) B1 who is in the three-point area; (b) B1 who is in the two-point area; (c) A2 who is in the three-point area; or (d) A2 who is in the two-point area. The ball continues in flight and goes through A's basket. RULING: In (a) and (b), three points are scored since the legal touching was by the defense and the ball was thrown by A1 from behind the three-point line. In (c), score three points since the legal touch by a teammate occurred behind the three-point line. In (d), score two points since the legal touch by a teammate occurred in the two-point area. COMMENT: In all situations, when there is no possibility of the ball entering the basket from above and the touching/deflection causes the goal to be successful, it shall be a two-point goal.

Rationale: This editorial revision clarifies that the thrown ball must be released from behind the three-point line, be above the ring level, and have a chance to enter the basket to qualify as a three-point goal.

6-3-2a,6-3-5b Jump-Ball Administration
ART. 2 When the official is ready and until the ball is tossed, nonjumpers shall not:
a. Move onto the center restraining circle (within 3 feet).
b. Change position around the center restraining circle.
ART. 5 Until the tossed ball is touched by one or both jumpers, nonjumpers shall not:
a. Have either foot break the plane of the center restraining circle cylinder.
b. Take a position in any occupied space (within 3 feet of the center restraining circle).

Rationale: This rule change explicitly incorporates the 3-foot depth around the center restraining circle, as defined in Casebook Play 6.3.2, into the rule language. By clearly specifying the restricted area for non-jumpers before and during the jump ball, the change enhances clarity and consistency in enforcement.

10-5-2 Bench Technical
ART. 2 Enter the court unless it is to attend to an injured player

Rationale: The change clarifies that coaches and bench personnel may enter the court to attend to an injured player without needing explicit permission from an official.

10-2-5 Team Technical
ART. 5 Fail to have all players return to the court at approximately the same time following a time-out, or intermission, or during a substitution process

Rationale: This change clarifies that all five players must return to the court together, or be present on the court, before play resumes following a time-out, intermission, or substitution process

4.11.2A Continuous Motion
A-1 has ended his/her dribble in the free throw lane; In (a) is stepping toward the basket; (b) is pivoting toward the basket; In both cases, B-1 fouls A-1. In (a), legally finishes his/her last step. In (b), complete the pivot; before immediately jumping to attempt a try. RULING: In (a) and (b), if the try is successful, the goal counts. If the try is unsuccessful, A1 will be awarded 2 free throws as it was a 2-point attempt. A player with the ball is pivoting or stepping when fouled may complete the usual foot or body movement in any activity while holding the ball. (4-11-2, 4-41-3) COMMENT: The try starts when the player begins the motion, which habitually precedes the release of the ball. After a player ends a dribble and is stepping or pivoting toward the goal when fouled, the player should be considered in the act of shooting if the player continues the motion and releases the ball on a try

Rationale: At the high school level, the act of shooting is considered to have begun when the player is pivoting or stepping toward the basket. This differs from how other levels of play which has required “upward movement” to establish the beginning of the shooting motion

4.12.2C Player And/Or Team Control
4.12.2 SITUATION C: With 3.9 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter, A-1’s throw-in pass is deflected into the air by B-1. While the ball is in the air, an official inadvertently sounds his/her whistle. After the whistle, the game clock still shows 3.9 seconds remaining in the quarter. RULING: The clock shall remain at 3.9 seconds, with Team A awarded a throw-in at the out-of-bounds spot nearest to where the ball was deflected by B-1. While the ball remains live, a loose ball always remains in control of the team whose player last had control. Team A maintained control, and they will be awarded a throw-in nearest to where the ball last in contact with a player on the court when the whistle sounded. The officials would not have rule support to take time off the clock as no player on the court ever gained control of the ball(4-12-4, 4-36-2a, 4-42-5a)

Rationale: Other case book plays state that team control during throw-in only apply to offensive fouls. This clarification expands that concept to include inadvertent whistles. In cases such as this, control remains with the team that completed the throw-in. However, since no control was not established on the court, no rule based counts (closely guarded, 3-second, etc.) would be in effect. Unless officials have definite knowledge, NFHS rules do not support taking time off the clock. Previously, because team control was tied only to offensive fouls, officials may have mistakenly used the alternating-possession arrow in this situation to resume play. This update provides clearer guidance for managing inadvertent whistles and addressing timing situations without penalizing the team in control

4.15 Comment Dribble –Legal And Illegal Movement
4.15 COMMENT: It is not possible for a player to travel during a dribble. A player is not dribbling while slapping the ball during a jump, when a pass rebounds from a player's hand, when a player fumbles, or when a player bats a rebound or pass away from other players who are attempting to get it. The player is not in control under these conditions. It is a dribble when a player is in control of the ball, bats, throws, or pushes the ball to the floor, and is the first to touch the ball after it returns from the floor. It is not dribble when a player stands still and holds the ball and touches it to the floor once or more than once.

Rationale: The current rules do not provide a clear, singular definition of what constitutes a dribble, leading to inconsistent enforcement of traveling violations. By rule, a traveling violation at the start of a dribble does not occur until a dribble is completed by touching the ball after it returns from the floor. Officials have sometimes incorrectly ruled a traveling violation as soon as the ball is released to begin a dribble while the pivot foot is off the floor. Including this clarification in the casebook will improve officials’ understanding and promote consistent application of the traveling rule