[David B]

Originally posted by assignmentmaker
I would like to raise the issue of #23 again, both for purposes of your list and in general.

Your item includes the rules book language: "Allowance shall be made for a player who, having been in the restricted area for less than 3 seconds, dribbles in or moves immediately to try for goal."

I believe there is more to the situation - though, admittedly, I am the only one I know who has ever called it, and not often, no . . .

Even if you don't want to include my cutting-edge (of lunacy?) point, to be made further below, I think you need more/better language for #23, something like: "If a player who has been in the restricted area for less than three seconds dribbles in or moves immediately to try for goal, enforcement of a 3-second violation is suspended; if the referenced attempt to score terminates with the offensive team still in control, a violation has occurred."

That being said, here is my version of the 'real' rule . . . don't be gettin' apoplectic, some of youse.

1. If a player has (a) been in the lane with the ball for less than 3 seconds, or (b) has received the ball having been in the lane for less than 3-seconds, and said player dribbles in or moves immediately to try for goal, the 3-second count continues, but enforcement of a violation is suspended, pending resolution of the attempt to score.

2. If the reference dribble and/or try for goal terminates with the team in control retaining control (as in a pass out of the lane or if the player in control dribbles out of the lane), a 3-second violation shall be called.

3. If the player in the lane with the ball as in #1 above is being closely guarded, the '5-seconds closely guarded' count also applies; it's enforcement represents the limit of how long enforcement of a 3-second violation may be suspended.

I know the interpretation is there, but I don't see a call being made in the lane of closely guarded. There are simply too many variables - who is guarding whom.

Maybe just me, but I haven't seen a call (and I never would) of closely guarded on a player in the lane.

Thanks
David