Fun With The Division Line …

[JRutledge]

This might be semantics, but it is actually 2 feet and the ball, it just when you hold the ball you have not crossed the division line. I get it, but I would not worry about that as much because as long as they know that once the other foot crosses, you cannot dribble into the backcourt.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

This might be semantics, but it is actually 2 feet and the ball, it just when you hold the ball you have not crossed the division line.

It depends (see 4.4.1 SITUATION).

Only two ways for an individual player on his own (with no help from teammates (as with a pass)) to get ball across the division line, dribbling and stepping (while holding the ball).

Only dribbling involves two feet and the ball.

Stepping (while holding the ball (not dribbling)) involves the lifting of a foot, and then putting said foot back on the floor, and a backcourt call, or no call, depends on where (backcourt or frontcourt) the foot was lifted and put back the floor.

Here's an example of holding the ball and crossing the division line, without a dribble, and thus without the ball touching the floor, leading to a backcourt call.

4.4.1 SITUATION: As Team A is advancing the ball from its backcourt toward its frontcourt, A1 passes the ball to A2. A2 catches the ball while both feet are on the floor – with one foot on either side of the division line. In this situation, either foot may be the pivot foot. (a) A2 lifts the foot which is in the backcourt and then puts it back on the floor in the backcourt; RULING: In (a), it is a -backcourt violation. When A2, while holding the ball, lifts the foot which was in the backcourt, the ball is now in the frontcourt. When A2’s foot then touches in the backcourt, it is a violation.

[BillyMac]

I went back to the website to see more recent responses.

Good news. Several IAABO members have correctly commented that the ten second count should continue even after White #3's left foot touches down in the frontcourt.

Bad news. Many, many IAABO members continue to correctly answer no backcourt violation, but for the wrong reason, referring to both feet and the ball needing to be in the front court to establish front court status. IAABO members post answers and reasons before having the ability to see other's responses, so it's not a matter of copying from others, these are independent responses. And these will show up as correct answers in the final results.

Even a friend and colleague of mine who has worked more state finals than anybody I know and who is also a very good rules guy, leading many training committees, commented on both feet and the ball needing to be in the front court to establish front court status in this video.

Maybe these comments are referring to White #3, after initially stepping across the division line, finally stopping the ten second count by dribbling across the division line (both feet and the ball) a few seconds later in the center circle.

Rose colored glasses. Glass half full.