ND-SFA Last Basket

[JetMetFan]

Originally Posted by just another ref

How does the wording compare in NCAA rules compared to NFHS with regard to ball at disposal and starting the throw-in count after the made basket? On the last play in this game the ball laid on the floor for a couple of seconds before being rolled out of bounds where it remained for another 7 or 8 seconds before being picked up and, I assume, the count started.

It's one of those great circular rules and it's the same in NCAA and NFHS.

NCAAW 7-6-4: A throw-in and the throw-in count shall begin when the ball is at the disposal of the player entitled to the throw-in

NCAAW 4-12-1d: The ball is at the disposal of a player when it is available to a player after a goal and the official begins the throw-in count.

(The NCAAM's wording should be the same, though the rule #s might be slightly different)

So, the count begins when the ball is at the disposal...and the ball is at the disposal when it's available to a player and the count begins. I call it the chicken or the egg rule.

At any rate, common sense will play into a situation such as SFA/ND. SFA is getting its bearings after giving up an emotionally devastating FG. There was definitely a lot of time taken between the FG and a player retrieving the ball but that time also allowed ND to set up its defense. One could say the delay was more advantageous to ND since it was setting up its defense in front of its own bench while SFA's head coach was - at best - 66 feet away from the player making the throw-in.