Stepping OB

[Mike Goodwin]

Originally Posted by phansen

NFHS

A1 dribbles up sideline, enters her frontcourt, tries to dribble past B1 near sideline but cannot, B1 has her foot on the sideline. A1 picks up her dribble and steps on top of B1's foot which is still out of bounds.

7.1.1 SITUATION A

A1, while holding the ball inbounds near the sideline, touches (a) player B1; (b) a photographer; (c) a coach; (d) an official, all of whom are out of bounds.

A1 is not out of bounds in (a), (b), (c) or (d). To be out of bounds, A1 must touch the floor or some object on or outside a boundary line. People are not considered to be objects and play continues. Inadvertently touching someone who is out of bounds, without gaining an advantage, is not considered a violation.

= = =

This case book play doesn't specify how A1 touches B1 in (a), but presumably it's with a hand. Regardless, as long as A1, while incidentally stepping on B1's foot, isn't also touching out of bounds, should still be considered inbounds.

I hope A1 pivots off B1's foot so we don't have to consider illegal contact if remains there too long and hinders B1's normal defensive movements.