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Steven Ellinger, Constitution Chair, IAABO (99-2000), is a respected official and writer of the NASO The Official’s Guide: Basketball Myths (‘98). Steven officiates NCAA (Division 1) and State High School ball (Texas). He operates basketball camps in the Houston area during summer months. Steve is a practicing lawyer in the State Of Texas.

Text comes from Chapter Three - page 37 (Basketball ‘97-‘98).

Slapping the backboard is always a technical foul. Myth #8.

Reality: Officials who will want to call everything will love this play. Let’s review the rule first. A player shall not intentionally slap either backboard or cause either ring to vibrate while the ball is in flight during a try or tap, or is touching the backboard, or is on or in the basket, or in the cylinder above the basket (ncaa/10-3-h) Federation also includes the script- A player shall not place a hand on the backboard to gain an advantage (Fed 10.3.6- Player Technical). The penalty is a technical foul.

If the ball is not in flight on a try or a tap, not touching the backboard, not in the cylinder ring, or not on or within the basket, slapping the backboard is not a technical foul. (You could have an unsportsmanlike technical foul if a slap other than in those situations described above is for “showboating” or intimidation purposes.) If, however, the backboard is intentionally slapped when the ball is in flight on a try or a tap, is touching the backboard, is in the imaginary cylinder, or is on or within the basket, it is a technical foul.

The intent behind slapping the backboard rule is to penalize deliberate contact with the backboard. If a defensive player makes a play for the ball during rebounding action and incidentally contacts the backboard, it is a no-call. However, when the backboard is slapped intentionally during any of the above situations, a technical foul must be called.

Don’t confuse the play with basket interference, because points can never be awarded for that infraction. Here’s an example: the ball is on the rim when a defensive player intentionally slaps the backboard. Because of the vibration, the ball bounces off the rim and does not enter the goal. A technical foul is called correctly but basket interference can never be called. Many officials incorrectly count the goal and administer the technical foul. The correct rule may not seem fair, but that’s the rule. Call that little wrinkle “myth 8 ½”.

Additional text must be read by the concerned official- Fed. Case-Play 10-3-6, p.72

Contacting the backboard

10.3.6 Play. A1 tries for goal. B1 jumps as if to block the shot but instead slaps or strike the backboard or vibrates the ring as a result of pulling on the net. The ball: (a) goes into the basket; or (B) does not enter the basket. RULING: In both (a) and (b), a technical foul is charged to B1. In (a) the basket counts and in (b) there is no basket.

Comment: The purpose of the rule is to penalize intentional or deliberate contact with the backboard. Contact, which occurs incidentally in playing the game is allowed, but when slapping or striking is intentional or deliberate or is so forceful it cannot be ignored, a technical foul must be charged. The player who contacts the board illegally is either hoping the contact will cause the try to be unsuccessful, or is doing so to draw attention, or as a means of frustration.

PLEASE DISCUSS THIS PLAY-SITUATION WITH YOUR PARTNER IN PRE-GAME TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY FROM YOUR “TEAM”.