Batting ball, pushing

[cropduster]

B1 makes a steal on a pass from A1 to A2. B1 pushes the ball in the air toward his goal. He again touches the ball before it strikes the floor. Ruling - Legal play

We had a discussion about this last week at our local officials meeting. We were divided about the call.

In: 4.15.4 SITUATION D: While dribbling: (a) A1 bats the ball over the head of an opponent, runs around the opponent, bats the ball to the floor and continues to dribble; RULING: Violation in (a), because the ball was touched twice by A1's hand(s) during a dribble, before it touched the floor.

The question is, since B1 makes a steal, is pushing the ball into the air the start of a dribble?

Barry

[Barry C. Morris]

I think the difference in the case book situation and your situation is control. In the case book situation, it states "while dribbling", which tells us that the player had control prior to the bat.

In a steal situation, the player did not have control but batted the ball to wrest control from another player. The person making the steal does not gain control until the second bat when he begins his dribble.

[bob jenkins]

Originally posted by cropduster
B1 makes a steal on a pass from A1 to A2. B1 pushes the ball in the air toward his goal. He again touches the ball before it strikes the floor. Ruling - Legal play

We had a discussion about this last week at our local officials meeting. We were divided about the call.

In: 4.15.4 SITUATION D: While dribbling: (a) A1 bats the ball over the head of an opponent, runs around the opponent, bats the ball to the floor and continues to dribble; RULING: Violation in (a), because the ball was touched twice by A1's hand(s) during a dribble, before it touched the floor.

The question is, since B1 makes a steal, is pushing the ball into the air the start of a dribble?

Barry

See 4-15-4, Note 2.

[Hawks Coach]

I would add that a second tap does not necessarily establish control or a dribble - have to see it to call it. A defender could tap over the offensive player's head then run around and tap again on the other side without establishing player control over the ball. He could then catch the second tap and still be able to dribble. The key is the point at which you believe the player had control.

And for defenders, I have always believed that you should err on the side of they don't have control.