Ball is Wedged Between the Basket and the Backboard or Comes to Rest on the Flange

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

This past week a Situation was discussed on a Facebook group for basketball fanboys. I was surprised at the number of people that thought the Situation being discussed was a rare occurrence but I was not surprised at the lack of Rules knowledge regarding the Situation.

And since Tournament Time is just around the corner many of you I decided to create a number of Situations for everyone's review (and viewing pleasure, ).


The Situations are: I) the Ball becoming lodged between the Basket and the Backboard or II) it comes to rest on the Flange. Whether it is (I) or (II) the Ruling may not always be the same. In all Situations, Team A has the AP Arrow.

Situations (I):

Situation 1a: Team A has a Sideline Throw-in in its Frontcourt. Thrower A1 releases the Ball. The Ball crosses the Sideline. The Ball neither touches another Player nor is it touched by another Player before it becomes wedged between the Basket and the Backboard. RULING: ???

Situation 1b: Team A has a Sideline Throw-in in its Frontcourt. Thrower A1 releases the Ball. The Ball crosses the Sideline. The Ball then touches another Player or it is touched by another Player before it becomes wedged between the Basket and the Backboard. RULING: ???

Situation 2a: A1 has Control of the Ball in Team A’s Frontcourt. A1 releases the Ball on a Pass to A2. The Ball neither touches another Player nor is it touched by another Player before it becomes wedged between the Basket and the Backboard. RULING: ???

Situation 2b: A1 has Control of the Ball in Team A’s Frontcourt. A1 releases the Ball on a Pass to A2. The Ball touches another Player or is it touched by another Player before it becomes wedged between the Basket and the Backboard. RULING: ???

Situation 3a: A1 releases the Ball for a FGA. The Ball neither touches another Player nor is it touched by another Player before it becomes wedged between the Basket and the Backboard. RULING: ???

Situation 3b: A1 releases the Ball for FGA. The Ball touches or is touched by another Player before becomes wedged between the Basket and the Backboard. RULING: ???

Situation 4a: A1 releases the Ball for the: i) first FTA of two FTAs or ii) first or second FTA of three FTAs. The Ball then becomes wedged between the Basket and the Backboard. RULING: ???

For Situation 4b, the Ball is to remain in Play whether or not the FTA is successful.
Situation 4b: A1 releases the Ball for the last FTA of: i) one FTA, ii) two FTAs, or iii) three FTAs. The Ball becomes wedged between the Basket and the Backboard. RULING: ???

For Situation 5, the last FTA is the last Attempt in a Series of FTAs after which the Ball will be put into Play by a Throw-in.
Situation 5: A1 releases the Ball for the last FTA of: i) one FTA, ii) two FTAs, or iii) three FTAs. The Ball becomes wedged between the Basket and the Backboard. RULING: ???


Situations (II):

Situation 1a: Team A has a Sideline Throw-in in its Frontcourt. Thrower A1 releases the Ball. The Ball crosses the Sideline. The Ball neither touches another Player nor is it touched by another Player before it comes to rest on the Flange. RULING: ???

Situation 1b: Team A has a Sideline Throw-in in its Frontcourt. Thrower A1 releases the Ball. The Ball crosses the Sideline. The Ball then touches another Player or it is touched by another Player before it comes to rest on the Flange. RULING: ???

Situation 2a: A1 has Control of the Ball in Team A’s Frontcourt. A1 releases the Ball on a Pass to A2. The Ball neither touches another Player nor is it touched by another Player before it comes to rest on the Flange. RULING: ???

Situation 2b: A1 has Control of the Ball in Team A’s Frontcourt. A1 releases the Ball on a Pass to A2. The Ball touches another Player or is it touched by another Player before it comes to rest on the Flange. RULING: ???

Situation 3a: A1 releases the Ball for a FGA. The Ball neither touches another Player nor is it touched by another Player before it comes to rest on the Flange. RULING: ???

Situation 3b: A1 releases the Ball for FGA. The Ball touches or is touched by another Player before it comes to rest on the Flange. RULING: ???

Situation 4a: A1 releases the Ball for the: i) first FTA of two FTAs or ii) first or second FTA three FTAs. The Ball then comes to rest on the Flange. RULING: ???

For Situation 4b, the Ball is to remain in Play whether or not the FTA is successful.
Situation 4b: A1 releases the Ball for the last FTA of: i) one FTA, ii) two FTAs, or iii) three FTAs. The Ball then comes to rest on the Flange. RULING: ???

For Situation 5, the last FTA is the last Attempt in a Series of FTAs after which the Ball will be put into Play by a Throw-in.
Situation 5: A1 releases the Ball for the last FTA of: i) one FTA, ii) two FTAs, or iii) three FTAs. The Ball becomes wedged between the Basket and the Backboard. RULING: ???


Billy: I intend to rejoin the IAABO Rules Examination Committee so feel free to forward these on to Charlene, . I am also thinking of submitting them to the NFHS Rules Committee for possible Case Book Plays.

MTD, Sr.

[frezer11]

Alright, I'll give it a shot-

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

This past week a Situation was discussed on a Facebook group for basketball fanboys. I was surprised at the number of people that thought the Situation being discussed was a rare occurrence but I was not surprised at the lack of Rules knowledge regarding the Situation.

And since Tournament Time is just around the corner many of you I decided to create a number of Situations for everyone's review (and viewing pleasure, ).


The Situations are: I) the Ball becoming lodged between the Basket and the Backboard or II) it comes to rest on the Flange. Whether it is (I) or (II) the Ruling may not always be the same. In all Situations, Team A has the AP Arrow.

Situations (I):

Situation 1a: Team A has a Sideline Throw-in in its Frontcourt. Thrower A1 releases the Ball. The Ball crosses the Sideline. The Ball neither touches another Player nor is it touched by another Player before it becomes wedged between the Basket and the Backboard. RULING: ??? Violation. Team B gets a throw in at the previous spot, no change in arrow.

Situation 1b: Team A has a Sideline Throw-in in its Frontcourt. Thrower A1 releases the Ball. The Ball crosses the Sideline. The Ball then touches another Player or it is touched by another Player before it becomes wedged between the Basket and the Backboard. RULING: ??? AP Arrow for Team A at previous throw-in location.

Situation 2a: A1 has Control of the Ball in Team A’s Frontcourt. A1 releases the Ball on a Pass to A2. The Ball neither touches another Player nor is it touched by another Player before it becomes wedged between the Basket and the Backboard. RULING: ???AP Arrow for Team A at either designated spot closest to the lane where the basket is at.

Situation 2b: A1 has Control of the Ball in Team A’s Frontcourt. A1 releases the Ball on a Pass to A2. The Ball touches another Player or is it touched by another Player before it becomes wedged between the Basket and the Backboard. RULING: ??? AP Arrow for Team A at either designated spot closest to the lane where the basket is at.

Situation 3a: A1 releases the Ball for a FGA. The Ball neither touches another Player nor is it touched by another Player before it becomes wedged between the Basket and the Backboard. RULING: ??? AP Arrow for Team A at either designated spot closest to the lane where the basket is at. (I'm seeing a theme beginning to develop....)

Situation 3b: A1 releases the Ball for FGA. The Ball touches or is touched by another Player before becomes wedged between the Basket and the Backboard. RULING: ??? AP Arrow for Team A at either designated spot closest to the lane where the basket is at.

Situation 4a: A1 releases the Ball for the: i) first FTA of two FTAs or ii) first or second FTA of three FTAs. The Ball then becomes wedged between the Basket and the Backboard. RULING: ??? Unsuccessful free throw, move on to the 2nd FT attempt (Same as a miss.)

For Situation 4b, the Ball is to remain in Play whether or not the FTA is successful.
Situation 4b: A1 releases the Ball for the last FTA of: i) one FTA, ii) two FTAs, or iii) three FTAs. The Ball becomes wedged between the Basket and the Backboard. RULING: ??? AP Arrow for Team A at either designated spot closest to the lane where the basket is at.

For Situation 5, the last FTA is the last Attempt in a Series of FTAs after which the Ball will be put into Play by a Throw-in.
Situation 5: A1 releases the Ball for the last FTA of: i) one FTA, ii) two FTAs, or iii) three FTAs. The Ball becomes wedged between the Basket and the Backboard. RULING: ??? Unsuccessful free throw, ball goes to the shooting team at the POI (if intentional foul) or mid-court opposite table (if technical foul)


Situations (II):

Situation 1a: Team A has a Sideline Throw-in in its Frontcourt. Thrower A1 releases the Ball. The Ball crosses the Sideline. The Ball neither touches another Player nor is it touched by another Player before it comes to rest on the Flange. RULING: ??? Violation, throw-in for Team B. (Would also be a violation if it fell through the hoop)

Situation 1b: Team A has a Sideline Throw-in in its Frontcourt. Thrower A1 releases the Ball. The Ball crosses the Sideline. The Ball then touches another Player or it is touched by another Player before it comes to rest on the Flange. RULING: ???AP Arrow for Team A at previous in bound location.

Situation 2a: A1 has Control of the Ball in Team A’s Frontcourt. A1 releases the Ball on a Pass to A2. The Ball neither touches another Player nor is it touched by another Player before it comes to rest on the Flange. RULING: ???AP Arrow for Team A at either designated spot closest to the lane where the basket is at.

Situation 2b: A1 has Control of the Ball in Team A’s Frontcourt. A1 releases the Ball on a Pass to A2. The Ball touches another Player or is it touched by another Player before it comes to rest on the Flange. RULING: ???AP Arrow for Team A at either designated spot closest to the lane where the basket is at.

Situation 3a: A1 releases the Ball for a FGA. The Ball neither touches another Player nor is it touched by another Player before it comes to rest on the Flange. RULING: ???AP Arrow for Team A at either designated spot closest to the lane where the basket is at.

Situation 3b: A1 releases the Ball for FGA. The Ball touches or is touched by another Player before it comes to rest on the Flange. RULING: ??? AP Arrow for Team A at either designated spot closest to the lane where the basket is at.

Situation 4a: A1 releases the Ball for the: i) first FTA of two FTAs or ii) first or second FTA three FTAs. The Ball then comes to rest on the Flange. RULING: ???Unsuccessful FT Attempt

For Situation 4b, the Ball is to remain in Play whether or not the FTA is successful.
Situation 4b: A1 releases the Ball for the last FTA of: i) one FTA, ii) two FTAs, or iii) three FTAs. The Ball then comes to rest on the Flange. RULING: ???AP Arrow for Team A at either designated spot closest to the lane where the basket is at.

For Situation 5, the last FTA is the last Attempt in a Series of FTAs after which the Ball will be put into Play by a Throw-in.
Situation 5: A1 releases the Ball for the last FTA of: i) one FTA, ii) two FTAs, or iii) three FTAs. The Ball becomes wedged between the Basket and the Backboard. RULING: ???AP Arrow for Team A at either designated spot closest to the lane where the basket is at.
I think you meant comes to rest on the flange again, but there is no difference in ruling.


Billy: I intend to rejoin the IAABO Rules Examination Committee so feel free to forward these on to Charlene, . I am also thinking of submitting them to the NFHS Rules Committee for possible Case Book Plays.

MTD, Sr.

How's my aim MTD? And let me counter with one: B1 on the lower block of the 2nd of 2 FT attempts enters the lane before the ball is released, and the official correctly gives the delay signal. The ball bounces around on the flange before coming to rest. Ruling?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by frezer11

B1 on the lower block of the 2nd of 2 FT attempts enters the lane before the ball is released, and the official correctly gives the delay signal. The ball bounces around on the flange before coming to rest. Ruling?

Since free throw by A1 will be deemed unsuccessful (on the flange) call the delayed violation and reshoot the free throw.

[frezer11]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Since free throw by A1 will be deemed unsuccessful (on the flange) call the delayed violation and reshoot the free throw.

What's sad is that I actually took a few minutes to try to think of something that might trick someone up, and that's the best I could come up with.

[SNIPERBBB]

Originally Posted by frezer11

What's sad is that I actually took a few minutes to try to think of something that might trick someone up, and that's the best I could come up with.

It's not a bad one because you have to remember that the ball wedging/coming to rest on the flange is not a violation, except during a throw in. Even it it was a violation on the free throw then we'd go to disconnection so we'd still be sholting a replacement FT.