Memory needs refreshing

[Paul LeBoutillier]

Hi Everyone!

I took last year off officiating (except for some private school tournaments) due to work schedule. I picked up all my new rule books for this season and I'm SHOCKED at how much I've forgotten!! Yikes.

Okay, 4-3-2 says:

Alternating possession control is established and the initial direction of the possession arrow is set toward the opponents basket when...

...The ball is placed at the disposal of the free thrower after a common foul when the bonus rule is in effect.

Is it just the wording here or is it me? (Wait...don't answer that.)

If the bonus rule is in effect, WHY would this be talking about the "initial direction of the possession arrow" ?? Doesn't initial mean that it hasn't been set to ANY team yet??

Secondly, this description seems to be talking about a time when free throw administration would precede the changing of the possession arrow. I need someone to explain this to me. This seems to suggest that after a foul where there are free throws to be shot, the arrow is reversed after the ball is placed at the disposal of the free thrower. The only time I ever knew that the arrow came into play in a foul situation was when simultaneous personal or technical fouls occurred.

Somebody help me shake the rust off here!

Paul