High school rule: player entitled to his space on the floor

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Raymond

... that case play no longer exists.

I am not aware any relevant rule changes that have occurred since the caseplay was removed from the casebook.

However, that doesn't necessarily mean that the interpretation has, or hasn't, changed.

Interpretations occasionally can, and do, change without rule changes (i.e., infamous backcourt interpretation).

Not sure what happened here. Interpretation change? Not enough room in casebook to keep the interpretation? Hard to tell.

2004-05 NFHS Casebook: 10.6.1 Situation E: B1 attempts to steal the ball from stationary A1 who is holding the ball. B1 misses the ball and falls to the floor. In dribbling away, A1 contacts B1's leg, loses control of the ball and falls to the floor. Ruling: No infraction or foul has occurred and play continues. Unless B1 made an effort to trip or block A1, he/she is entitled to a position on the court even if it is momentarily lying on the floor after falling down.

4-23-1: Guarding is the act of legally placing the body in the path of an offensive opponent ... Every player is entitled to a spot on the playing court provided such player gets there first without illegally contacting an opponent. A player who extends an arm, shoulder, hip or leg into the path of an opponent is not considered to have a legal position if contact occurs.

4-37-3: Every player is entitled to a spot on the playing court, provided the player gets there first without illegally contacting an opponent.

10-7-1: A player must not hold, push, charge, trip or impede the progress of an opponent by extending arm(s), shoulder(s), hip(s) or knee(s), or by bending his/her body into other than a normal position; nor use any rough tactics.