Officials Quarterly...

[w_sohl]

Focus on the Rules
Basketball Section (obviously)

SITUATION 2:

Team A started the game with seven team members in the scorebook. All team members foull out but one, A1. Team A is leading by eight points with 38 seconds left in the game with a chance to win. A1 fouls B2 with Team B in the bonus. A1 occupies the first marked lane spaces for the free throw, with no teammate to occupy the other required space.

RULING:

By rule, a team may continue to play with one player if that team has an opportunity to win the game. Accordingly, since Team A can ony put one player in the required free-throw narked lane space, it cannot be penalized. Futher, Team B may not occupy the first marked lane space left vacant by Team A. (3-1-1 Note, 8-1-3)

I thought I saw a rule that said a team couldn't continue with fewer than four players and that each foul on that fourth player that would foul him/her out, and each subsequent, would be a technical foul. I did read in teh rule book thata team can continue with one player if they have that chance to win. Has it always been this way or is this a recent change?


Also, 8-1-3a-f. If an offensive player decides not to occupy one of their lane spaces it appears to me that the defensive players are NOT permitted to move into those spaces according to this rule. In other words Defense has rights to 1a-b and 3a-b and offense is only 2a-b. Please correct me if I am wrong here.