[ChuckElias]

Welcome to the forum, chas. No team may be in control of the ball for 10 seconds while the ball has backcourt status.

So your question isn't really phrased correctly. The offensive team does not have to possess the ball in the front court in order to end the 10 second count. But in some cases, merely touching the ball to the frontcourt will not give the ball frontcourt status.

If the ball is being passed or thrown or is loose, then touching the frontcourt or any player or equipment (backboard, basket) in the frontcourt is sufficient to give the ball frontcourt status.

However, if the ball is being dribbled from backcourt to frontcourt, then the ball and both feet of the dribbler must touch in the frontcourt in order for the ball to have frontcourt status. If the player is standing in the backcourt, but dribbling the ball so that it is bouncing in the frontcourt, the 10 second count continues. The ball is still considered to be in the backcourt.

Hope that helps.