[BillyMac]

Thanks to the many basketball forum members, especially Jurassic Referee, for their input to my "Most Misunderstood Basketball Rules" handout.

For background purposes, this handout was prepared by me as part of a presentation I was asked to give to a college coaching basketball class. I received a lot of help from our IAABO Board #6 interpreter. Our board may use this handout at our annual preseason coaches meeting. It will be suggested that coaches make copies of this to give to their players and (especially) parents. The handout was never designed for officials, so the language is not as precise as would be expected if this handout was designed to train officials. This "Misunderstood Rules" handout was designed for coaches, players, and parents.

Here are some of my recent changes to the handout with rule book or case book citations for making, or not making, changes:

2) (Change) It is legal to hang on the rim if a player is avoiding and injury to himself or herself or another player. (Rule 10-3-4 exception). The hardest part of being a 25 year veteran official isn't the rules, it's the rule changes. At one time it was always illegal to hang on the rim, then it changed to allowing it if fouled and avoiding an injury, and now it's changed to anytime to avoid an injury. (Thanks Jurassic Referee).

10) (Change) Palming or carrying is when a player gains an advantage when the hand is under the ball or when the ball rests in the hand. (Rule 4-15-4b). The part about the "hand under the ball" is by our Board #6 interpretation. We are taught by our interpreter that if the palm of the hand is facing the ceiling and if the dribbler is gaining an advantage, it's a carry (illegal dribble). (Thanks Jurassic Referee).

13) (No Change) The inbounding player does not have a plane restriction, but has five seconds to release the ball and it must come directly onto the court. (Case Book 7.6.3). The inbounder's restrictions are explained in #11 on the handout. The defender's restrictions are explained in #12 on the handout. (Note to Jurassic Referee: An inbounder can step through the imaginery plane, as long as they don't step onto the playing court).

14) (Change) If a player's momentum carries him or her off the court, he or she can be the first player to touch the ball after returning inblounds. That player must not have left the court voluntarily and must immediately return inbounds. (Case Book 7.1.1). (Thanks Jurassic Referee).

16) (Change) The hand is part of the ball at all times. This includes holding, dribbling, passing, or even during a shot attempt. Striking a ball handler or a shooter on that player's hand that is incidental to an attempt to play the ball is not a foul, no matter how loud it sounds or how much it hurts. (Rule 4-24-2). The reference to sound is not part of the rule but is to counter coaches saying "I heard it from here". (Thanks Jurassic Referee).

24) (No Change) The intent of the three-second rule is not to allow an offensive player to gain an advantage. Referees will not call this violation if the player is not gaining an advantage. (Rule 9.7 and The Intent and Purpose of the Rules (beginning of the Rule Book).

I'm really pleased that only six of my thirty "Most Misunderstood Rules" received some form of criticism. If any members of the forum can suggest any other changes, please post them as part of the "Rules Myths" thread. I would like to finalize this handout and have it ready for coaches at our November preseason coaches meeting. Please remember that this handout is not designed for officials, but is designed to be used by coaches, players, and parents. Thanks for all your help.

[Edited by BillyMac on Aug 19th, 2005 at 09:50 PM]