[Rick82358]

Recently I have seen several calls regarding the over and back rule that just cause you to think, maybe too much, but I thought that I would throw these out to see how the experts feel.

Play 1 – Team A inbounds in the back court after a basket and is under token pressure by team B. As the ball nears center court A1 passes from the back court to A2 who is airborne from the backcourt to the front court when the ball is caught and lands with both feet but sees the trap coming and passes the ball back to A1 who is still in the back court. A2 did not dribble the ball and this is a bang, bang move.

The official calls over and back, the coach screams he needs all three points - the ball was never in the frontcourt!

Play 2 -

The ball is in the frontcourt in the possession of team A. A1 is dribbling around the top of the key and the ball is batted toward the backcourt by B2. A2 under no pressure from the defense is near the mid-court line and:
1)The ball touches him then enters the back court and is recovered by A2
2)Goes into the back court untouched and is recovered by A2
3)The ball could clearly be recovered by A2 in the frontcourt but A2 goes into the backcourt and recovers the ball.

1)I have seen either way
2)Usually no call
3)I have seen either way

In all three scenarios there really is no loss of team control which is a requirement for there to be no over and back call.
I have made calls both ways in these conditions and have had long discussions over what is right with other officials would like some more input.