Unnannounced Changes in the 2017-18 Rules Book
 

A word-for-word comparison with last year’s rules book revealed that all changes and additions announced prior by the NFHS seem to have been accounted for in the new rules book and are designated by shading in the text.
FYI, the following unannounced changes have been noted:

1-20:
Was: Non-playing personnel shall stand outside the free-throw lane lines extended toward the sidelines throughout the game.
Is Now: Non-playing personnel shall be located outside the free-throw land lines extended toward the sidelines throughout the game.

2-12-5:
Was: The timer shall . . . sound a warning signal to begin the expiration of the 15 seconds (maximum) permitted for replacing a disqualified or injured player, or for a player directed to leave the game.
Is Now: The timer shall . . . sound a warning signal to announce 15 seconds (maximum) permitted for replacing a disqualified or injured player, or for a player directed to leave the game.

Addition to 3-4-5: (re. Uniform pants/skirts…)
Showing multiple manufacturer’s logos on the waist band of the pants/skirts makes the item illegal.

Addition to 3-5-6: (re. Undershirts…)
Only one visible logo is permitted.

9-1-3c:
Was: No opponent shall disconcert the free thrower.
Is Now: No opponent shall distract the free thrower.

9-1 PENALTIES 4c:
Was: If a violation by the free thrower follows disconcertion by an opponent…
Is Now: If a violation by the free thrower follows distraction by an opponent…

10-4-6g: (re. Player Technical)
Was: Use tobacco or smokeless tobacco.
Is Now: Use alcohol, or any form of tobacco product (e-cigarette or similar items) beginning with arrival at the competition site until departure following the completion of the contest.

10-5-1i: (re. Bench Technical)
Was: Grasping either basket except to prevent injury; dunking or stuffing, or attempting to dunk or stuff a dead ball.
Is Now: Grasping either basket except to prevent injury; dunking or attempting to dunk or stuff a dead ball.

10-5-3: (re. Bench Technical)
Was: Use e-cigarettes, tobacco or smokeless tobacco.
Is Now: Use alcohol, or any form of tobacco product (e-cigarette or similar items) beginning with arrival at the competition site until departure following the completion of the contest.

Added on p.3:
FACILITIES: Because facilities used for high school athletics come in many shapes, sizes and conditions, on-site event management may on occasion conclude that compliance with NFHS directives about event configuration is not feasible. Under all circumstances, on-site event management should utilize set-ups that minimize risk under the conditions with which they deal. If a given facility cannot be made reasonably hazard-free, the event should e relocated.

Added on p.5, under the Basketball Court Diagram:
NOTE: Except as specifically sated in the rules, information on field diagrams in this book is suggestive only; it is not required by NFHS rules. The construction and layout of all courts and fields used for high school competition are subject to any controlling laws and building codes, and to the sound judgment of the persons in charge of the facilities.

Removed:
Chart of “MAJOR BASKETBALL RULES DIFFERENCES” (bet. NFHS and NCAA)

2016-17 Unannounced Changes Retained in the New 2017-18 Rules Book:
4-42-5a:
Was: The throw-in ends when: a. The passed ball touches or is legally touched by another player inbounds.
Is Now: The throw-in ends when: a. The passed ball touches or is touched by another player inbounds.
Note: The provisions regarding when the AP arrow does and does not switch as stated in Rule 6-4-5 seem to make either the inclusion or omission of the word “legally” in 4-42-5a moot point.

They couldn't fix the typo? Shouldn't "land" be "lane"? They reviewed the whole sentence and missed that?


They remove "stuffing" from one side but yet leave "stuff" on the other side of the sentence?

The first error you identified, the typo, was my fault. Corrected it now. Thanx for the feedback.
The second point you make is legitimate.

Freddy you are unreal for doing this. Well done sir.

You mean I can't tell the cheerleaders they have to stand anymore?!? Get off your butt, Cindy, the rules say you have to stand up!

Freddy, as someone with not just a little experience working with words in print, I commend you.

But, man, I also wish I had your free time! :D

So now we have to monitor coaches for flasks when they walk in the door? ;)

As worded, that would seem to indicate they can't even leave since it says they shall stand there (or be located there) throughout the game.

It could also be read to say that no one can be in on the sidelines since non playing personnel SHALL be located...

I believe it is also intended to refer to people at court level. Some venues have bleachers on the endlines. Are they suggesting that the bleachers within the lane lines extended remain vacant?

I'm imagining nothing has changed. I can't imagine them requiring us to clear the entire bleacher space behind the backboard all the way to the wall. As is typical, the new verbiage is not well thought-out. It is open to more misinterpretation than the previous wording. But I don't think they're prompting anything new. Past practice has been for the Fed to release their Interpretations to clarify the mistakes and unfortunate wording they released in the previous rules and POE's. Maybe they'll clarify this then, for those that really seek clarification.

Last year's Mechani-Gram Images:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0By...XBNUWQxUGs5TUU

My post was intended to be a bit sarcastic.

As you say, the wording is poor at best.

What A Sobering Thought ...
 

Does that mean that I can't drink before the game, or during halftime? If so, that means that I will have to officiate when I'm completely sober! I'm not sure I can do it.

Ya gotta read more carefully. You can't use once you get to the facility . . . it says nothing about being sloshed when you arrive . . .:rolleyes:

Typical guilt reflex symptom after terminating a Bambi. :D

Actually, the rule doesn't pertain to us at all. ;)

Yeah, that wasn't fun. But am glad to escape it without injury.