[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally posted by Self
I am currently waiting for one more response and that is Dr. Ralph Swearngin Executive Committe Ga HSA. He is over Basketball and oficials for the stage of Ga. When I receive his response I have prepared an email that I will be sending to all the heads that have responded with these official answers and wait an see what they do at that point. Maybe it will help and get something added for next year.

I can see the points by both sides;

Violation: While many rules have been referenced, none officially say the throwin begins when they thrower throws the ball. Most imply that you have to be out of bounds first to initiate the throw in. So then this is why people say it cannot be a violation since player never went out of bounds.

Delay warning: Unless someone can find differently no where does it say these warning that were referenced by Mr. Knox apply only to the new defensive team.

A few still would begin the 5 second count and also a few would just reset the throw in.

I believe it is definitely a violation or a delay warning. I have been swayed. Dick Knox presented a good case. Either way it needs to be clarified better. Not sure what I would call now... Still pondering...

When the NFHS added R4-S46-A3 to the rules, I heard Dick Schindler speak on this rule change when it first appeared in the Rules Book. And at no time was the offense ever mentioned as being able to violate this rule. The history of behind this rule change is that it is meant to be applied to the team that just scored. The rational for the rule change was that Team A would score and then would touch the ball in such a manner that would delay Team B's ability to inbounds the ball in a timely manner. Some officials would issue "unofficial" warning after "unofficial" warning, some officials would charge the offending player on Team A with a technical foul for delay of game. The NFHS Rules Committee finally addressed the problem and made it one of the three situations where the officials are required to give on official warning for delay of game for the first infraction and then charge the team with a technical foul for each infraction after that. Every casebook play addresses infractions of R4-S46-A3 as being made by the team having just scored. There is no historical basis for NFHS R4-S46-A3 to be applied to the team making the throw-in after being scored upon.

I have respect for Mr. Knox's position as Chairman of the NFHS Rules Committee, but he is wrong in this case.