Myths/Facts from the OhioHSAA Edition of the NASO Preseason Basketball Guide.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

BillyMac has asked that I present the following Myths/Facts.

From the OhioHSAA edition of the NASO/Referee 2017-18 Preseason Basketball Guide:


Myth #1: On a last second shot, anyone can kill/wave off the shot, but only one official can count the basket.

Fact #1: There should be only one official signaling regardless of good or no good and that is the officials opposite the table per the NFHS Officials Manual. If a partner(s) are no in agreement with the calling official, they should immediately confer in an attempt to get the call correct. However, the partner(s) should not be giving any type of signal.


Myth #2: If opposing coaches agree to shorten quarters, the quarters should be six minutes length.

Fact #2: By [NFHS] Rule R5-S5-A3, the coaches can agree to shorten a quarter(s) to any length they desire, including as little as one second. There is no basis for this six-minute policy in site of what a [OhioHSAA District B]oard may think or say.


Myth #3: If a time-out is granted so close to expiration of time at the end of a period that the horn sounds, (0:00) on the clock, it is proper to arbitrarily put 0.3 or 0.4 seconds on the clock (the default time varies depending on the [OhioHSAA D]istrict it seems.

Fact #3: Per [NFHS R]ule R5-S10-A1, timing errors may only be corrected when the official has "definite information". [Local Officials] Associations advising to "just put 0.3 (or 0 .4) on the clock is not "definite information". There is also nothing in the NFHS Rules to support the notion that "you have to put something back on" if you do not have "definite information".


Myth #4: Offensive player drives the endline, leaving his or her feet and passing the ball across the free-throw lane to a teammate. In the process, his or her momentum carries them off the court. This is a violation for leaving the court for an unauthorized reason.

Fact #4: This is not a violation. Per interpretation, this act is an extension of a legitimate basketball play.


Myth #5: This myth is only an OhioHSAA situation and may or may not be applicable to other StateHSAAs. To explain the OhioHSAA Rule would take more space that the Myth and Fact themselves.




I really do not want to post Myth #6 because it has been discussed in a previous thread in the Basketball Forum during the 2011-12 school year(https://forum.officiating.com/basket...k-pregame.html) during the 2011-12 school year.

Myth #6: Apparent varsity players are shooting around during halftime of he JV contest. One or more of the students are observed dunking during the intermission. The varsity officials notice and penalize those players at the start of the varsity game.

Fact #6: At this point in time, while it may be obvious these are varsity players they are not part of the team participating in the JV game and are not subject to the dunking prohibition. This is the responsibility of game management and they should be left to address the matter if they wish. Varsity officials do not have any jurisdiction at this time and should also defer this matter to game management. Likewise, these students are not under the jurisdiction of the JV officials and we would not want them getting involved/penalizing either.

My comments regarding Myth #6/Fact #6: I agree with first half of Fact #6: The Varsity officials have no jurisdiction in this matter. BUT, the second half of Fact #6 is incorrect by Rule and Casebook Play as discussed in the thread mentioned above in the Basketball Forum.

MTD, Sr.


P.S. Earlier this morning I sent an email to the OhioHSAA Director of Basketball Officials Developmet regarding the incorrect information regarding Myth #6/Fact #6. The irony is that in 2011-12, Hank Zaborniak, Jr. of the OhioHSAA and at the time the Chairman of the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee issued a Ruling to all OhioHSAA basketball officials that conformed to the 1971-72 Casebook Play and now the OhioHSAA issues a Ruling that was in violation of an existing Casebook Play.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

Myth #2: If opposing coaches agree to shorten quarters, the quarters should be six minutes length.

Fact #2: By [NFHS] Rule R5-S5-A3, the coaches can agree to shorten a quarter(s) to any length they desire, including as little as one second. There is no basis for this six-minute policy in site of what a [OhioHSAA District B]board may think or say..

5-5-3: A quarter(s) may be shortened in an emergency or at any time by
mutual agreement of the opposing coaches and referee. Playing time and number
of quarters for nonvarsity game quarters may be reduced by mutual agreement
of opposing coaches.
NOTE: A state association by adoption may institute a running clock when a specified
point differential is reached at a specified time in the game.

Varsity: Number of quarters may not be reduced, only shortened. Both coaches and officials must agree.

Subvarsity: Number of quarters and/or length of quarters may be reduced. Only both coaches have to agree, officials not involved with decision.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

5-5-3: A quarter(s) may be shortened in an emergency or at any time by
mutual agreement of the opposing coaches and referee. Playing time and number
of quarters for nonvarsity game quarters may be reduced by mutual agreement
of opposing coaches.
NOTE: A state association by adoption may institute a running clock when a specified
point differential is reached at a specified time in the game.

Varsity: Number of quarters may not be reduced, only shortened. Both coaches and officials must agree.

Subvarsity: Number of quarters and/or length of quarters may be reduced. Only both coaches have to agree, officials not involved with decision.

The OhioHSAA does not have a "running clock" provision but the MichiganHSAA does.

MTD, Sr.