Playing with less than 5 players

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Regarding the necessity of playing with five players if a team has five players eligible, it is my understanding that in cases where the fifth participant is on the bench waiting to "sit a tick" (and thus ineligible at the time) the "must have five players participating as long as it has that number available" rule overrides the "must not reenter before the next opportunity to substitute after the clock has been started properly following his replacement" rule. i.e. "must sit a tick".

3-3-4: A player who has been replaced, or directed to leave the game shall
not re-enter before the next opportunity to substitute after the clock has been
started properly following his/her replacement.

Casebook Play 8.2 SITUATION B: A1 is fouled and will be shooting two free throws. After A1’s first free-throw attempt, B6 (Team B’s only remaining eligible substitute) replaces B2. A1’s second free-throw attempt is unsuccessful. During rebounding action for A1’s missed second free-throw attempt, and before the clock starts, A1 pushes B3 in the back causing B3 to roll an ankle. Team B is in the bonus. B3 is unable to immediately continue playing. Team B requests and is granted a time out in order to allow B3 to recover from the ankle injury so as to remain in the game. B3 is still not able to play after the time out has ended. RULING: B2 may return to the game and replace B3 and shoot B3’s free throw attempts despite having been replaced since he/she is the only available substitute. (3-3-4)

NFHS Basketball Casebook Play 8.2 SITUATION B (Page 62 of the 2019-20 NFHS Basketball Casebook.): The Mark T. DeNucci, Sr. Casebook Play (!

The 2019-20 Edition of the NFHS Casebook references R3-S3-A4 and R2-S3.

2019-20 NFHS Basketaball Rules Book (Page 23) R3-S3-A4: "A player who has been replaced, or directed to leave the game must not re-enter before the next opportunity to substitute after the clock has been started properly following his/her replacement."

2019-20 NFHS Basketaball Rules Book (Page 16) R2-S3 (better known as the "god rule"): "The referee shall make decisions on any points not specifically covered in the rules."

Surprisingly, when I wrote this Casebook Play and its RULING in January 2008, I did not reference R2-S3 (which has been this Rule and Section in the NBC, NFHS, and NCAA Men's/Women's Rules since "The Ancient Days") or what is now R3-S3-A4 (I am not going to climb up into "The Attic" to check if this years's Section and Article were the same in the 2007-08 Rules Book), BUT I did reference reference what is still R3-S1-A1.

2019-20 NFHS Basketball Rules Book (Page 21) R3-S1-A1: "Each team consists of five players, one of whom is the captain. NOTE: A team must begin the game with five players, but if it has no substitutes to replace disqualified or injured players, it must continue with fewer than five. When there is only one player participating for a team, the team shall forfeit the game, unless the referee believes that team has an opportunity to win the game."

It was Mary Struckhoff's (the NFHS Rules Editor at the time) doing that R3-S3-A4, but it has always been my humble opinion that R3-S1-A1 is the controlling Rule and that it trumps R3-S3-A4. I could riff on why this is the correct Rules reference but that is a discussion for another time and I want to get back to watching the Toledo (my wife's alma mater) at Central Michigan football game with my better half.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

MTD, Sr.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

NFHS Basketball Casebook Play 8.2 SITUATION B (Page 62 of the 2019-20 NFHS Basketball Casebook.): The Mark T. DeNucci, Sr. Casebook Play ...

Yadah, Yadah, Yadah.

A former interpreter of ours simply stated it as, "Five trumps sit a tick."

I guess that he played a lot of bridge.