[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

PLAY: A1 is fouled and will be shooting two shots. After A1’s first free throw attempt, B6 (Team B’s only remaining eligible substitute) replaces B2. A1’s second free throw attempt is unsuccessful. During the rebound action for A1’s missed second free throw attempt (and before the ball touches or is touched by a player on the court, A1 (A1’s foul was before the game clock started) pushes B3 in the back causing B3 to roll an ankle. Team B is in the bonus. B3 is unable to immediately continue playing. Team B requests and is granted a timeout in order to allow B3 to recover from the ankle injury so as to remain in the game. B3 is still not able to play after the timeout has ended.

QUESTION: Can B2 return to the game to replace B3 and shoot B3’s free throw attempts? Or must B2 remain out of the game until the first opportunity for Team B to substitute after the clock has started and instead one of the four Team B players on the court at the time of B3’s injury to shoot his free throws?


I have taken the position that B2 can return. I am going to reference NFHS Rules but they equally applicable to games played under NCAA Men's/Women's Rules.


NFHS R3-S1-A1 (TEAM): Each team consists of five players, one of whom is the captain. NOTE: A team must begin the game with five players, but if it has no substitutes to replace disqualified or injured players, it must continue with fewer than five. When there is only one player participating for a team, the team shall forfeit the game, unless the referee believes that team has an opportunity to win the game. See NCAA R3-S1-A1, A2, and A3.


NFHS R3-S3-A4 (SUBSTITUTION): A player who has been replaced, or directed to leave the game shall not re-enter before the next opportunity to substitute after the clock has been started properly following his/her replacement. See NCAA R3-S4-A14.

The purpose of NFHS R3-S3-A4 is to keep both teams from running players in and out of the game during the same stop clocked period: HC-B sends B3 in for B2; HC-A sees this and sends in A6 for A5; then HC-B sends B2 back in the game for B3 which causes HC-A to send A5 back in for A6, ad infinitum.


NFHS R4-S34-A2 (BENCH PERSONNEL): Bench personnel are all individuals who are part of or affiliated with a team, including, but not limited to: substitutes, coaches, manager(s) and statistician(s). During an intermission, all team members are bench personnel. See NCAA R4-S8-A1.

NFHS R4-S14-A1 (DISQUALIFIED PLAYER): A disqualified player is one who is barred from further participation in the game because of having committed his/her fifth foul (personal and technical), two technical fouls or a flagrant foul. See NCAA R4-S20-A1.

NFHS R4-S34-A1 (PLAYER): A player is one of five team members who are legally on the court at any given time, except intermission. See NCAA R4-S51.

NFHS R4-S34-A3 (SUBSTITUTE): A substitute becomes a player when he/she legally enters the court. If entry is not legal, the substitute becomes a player when the ball becomes live. A player becomes bench personnel after his/her substitute becomes a player or after notification of the coach following his/her disqualification. See NCAA R4-S63.

NFHS R4-S34-A4 (TEAM MEMBER): A team member is a member of bench personnel who is in uniform and is eligible to become a player. See NCAA R4-S65.


NFHS Casebook Play 3.1.1.: SITUATION: After six players have been disqualified, Team A has only four who are eligible to continue in the game as players. In a gesture of fair play, the coach of Team B indicates a desire to withdraw a player so that each team will have four players on the court. RULING: This is not permissible. Team B must have five players participating as long as it has that number available. If no substitute is available, a team must continue with fewer than five players. When only one player remains to participate, that team shall forfeit the game unless the referee believes this team still has an opportunity to win the game.

NFHS Casebook Play 3.1.1 coupled with the reason for NFHS R3-S3-A4 (NCAA R3-S4-A4) supports allowing B2 to re-enter the game in the original situation being discussed in this thread.

MTD, Sr.