Classic Trick Play ...

[BillyMac]

Below is a question from the 2023-24 IAABO Refresher Exam. I’ve already submitted my answer sheet and know my score, but I don’t know if I got this question correct, or incorrect, but I’m fairly certain that I got it correct.

It’s an open book exam. Our local board sanctions and schedules Refresher Exam study groups, where we can discuss our answers. If we attend such a study group we get rulebook and/or casebook citations (but no answers), both IAABO citations and NFHS citations, to direct us to the correct answers.

42) A-1 has the ball out of bounds for a throw-in but cannot find a teammate available to receive a pass. A-1 throws the ball against an opponent, steps inbounds, and retrieves the ball. The official rules a throw-in violation. Is the official correct?

Citations for this question include NFHS 4-42-5-A; 7-6-2; and 9-2-6.

My answer: No.

We’ve all seen this “trick play” dozens of times over decades, always ruled a legal play.

Some in our study group suggested that this may now be illegal because of the new rule this year:

9-3-3: Out Of Bounds: A player shall not step out of bounds under the player's own volition and then become the first player to touch the ball after returning to the playing court or to avoid a violation.

While I’m not sure if the new rule makes this “trick play” illegal, or not, I am certain that this would not be a “throw-in violation”, as stated in the question, but if it were to be deemed illegal, it would be an “out of bounds violation”, thus my confident answer "No".

My question for the Forum regarding this question is does the new rule 9-3-3 make this classic “trick play” now illegal?

Did A-1 step out of bounds under his own volition, or was he required to do so by the official because it was a throwin situation?

I say the latter, and that this classic “trick play” is still legal.

What says the Forum?