My question is if there is 0.3 tenths on the clock can a player shoot the ball. I got into a discussion about this, we each thought that we were right. Would love to know the correct answer. Thanks, oh by the way this was during a high school game.

0.3 seconds or less, the ball must be tapped.

0.4 seconds or more, you can catch and shoot.

5-2-2

No only a tap could score.

When play is resumed with a throw-in or free throw and three-tenths (.3) of a seconds or less remains on the clock, no field goal may be scored if the ball is caught before the try for goal. In this situation a tap could score.

As soon as you see the ball caught, blow the whistle. Sell the "No Shot, No Shot". Just in case he launches one which goes in. Don't rely on the clock operator at all. He may be slow on the trigger and the shot may get off before the horn.

The correct answer is yes, he can shoot.

He can't CATCH and shoot. He can tap, which last I checked, is a shot.

That is, IF the scoreboard shows tenths of a second. This rule actually originated in the pros (where all the scoreboards display tenths) - known as the "Trent Tucker" rule so named when the Knicks guard won a game by catching and shooting with .3 seconds left on the clock.

Zebra,

I think I know what you mean, but he could still get fouled, couldn't he?

Mulk

What exactly is the definition of a catch??? For example, if a player has possession of the ball in the air with two hands and then shoots the ball, is this defined as a catch??? If the player has possession of the ball in the air with one hand and then shoots the ball, is this defined as a catch??? If a player catches the ball in the air with one or two hands and spins around and then shoots, is this legal??? I'd like to get a better clarification of what "catch" means in that particular rule.

How would you know there were .3 seconds left if the clock did not show tenths?

The criteria used is did the ball come to rest in the shooter's hand(s). If it did---> catch. Catch = player control. Judgement call.

Actually, there was only .1 seconds on the clock. Tucker caught the ball and shot a 3 before the horn sounded, agift from the timer at MSG.

You wouldn't. That's why the rule doesn't apply to clocks that don't display tenths.

The only thing that I have been taught differently is not to blow the whistle. Even if he catches the ball there is still the possibility for a foul or some other oddity. Also "no shot" should be reserved for if there is actually a shot. That at least is how I was taught.

Generally, yes, but on some clocks, the scoreboard displays only whole seconds, but the console displays tenths.

I know I asked about it as a hypothetical a few years back. Apparently a similar situation happened in an NCAAW game this year with the shot clock.

I'm guessing the underlined part applies to the game clock as well.