[Back In The Saddle]

First thing to ask is, "What is a position on/around the jump circle?" They are like free throw lane spaces. They are not marked, but are 36"x36". If players can be shoulder to shoulder on the free throw lane, why can't they be shoulder to shoulder around the jump circle? The positions are the exact same size.

ART. 3 . . . Teammates may not occupy adjacent positions around the center restraining circle if an opponent indicates a desire for one of these positions before the referee is ready to toss the ball.

So if two Team A players are side-by-side and a Team B player wants between them, we are required to ensure the Team B player is allowed between them. The same logic applies to rebounders along the lane on a free throw, although the free throw rules are much more specific about this.

ART. 5 . . . Until the tossed ball is touched by one or both jumpers, nonjumpers shall not:
b. Take a position in any occupied space.

A non-jumper who occupies a position on/around the circle (is positioned within 3 feet of the circle) cannot have a leg in another jumper's position. They must remain in their own position. Again, think about a free throw here. We do not allow rebounders along the lane to overlap into an opponent's lane space.