Team A has the ball for a throw-in, and B is heavily guarding the inbounder. A1 looks behind him, and realizes he is standing in front of the stairs in the bleachers. He runs back and up the stairs (within 3 feet horizontally), and easily tosses the ball over the defender.

Legal play? or do you blow the whistle and tell the kid
"nice try, but I don't think so."?

No, the player must remain on the playing surface.

Prove it!
 

I'll agree with you BktBallRef, but I can't find the rule that would justify your answer. Not trying to be picky here, I'm just curious about exactly what rule # you're basing your answer upon???

Re: Really do not have to in this case.
 

I understand that you want a rule definition and explaination, but I do not think there is a casebook explaination about this specific situation. But officials can rule on things that are not covered under the rulebook, and if you feel that it is an advantage and steps over what should be allowed, you can handle this an other situations how you please.

Re: Prove it!
 

4-41-6 says that the designated throw-in spot is 3 feet wide with no depth limitation and is established by the official prior to putting the ball at the thrower's disposal. The spot is on the playing surface. The rule book isn't required to address ridiculous situations such as a player stepping onto a stair, a chair, a table, the bleachers, or a ladder to make a throw-in. None of these item are part of the playing floor.

If the space behind the throw-in is limited, I wouldn't let the player stand on the stair, chair, wall, or whatever was there...instead I would have the defender take a step back and warn them that I'm creating a new boundary plane and they are not to cross it. If they do, then you have delay of game warning. T for the 2nd time.

I guess this has been a habit of mine since I have worked a lot of games where space has been severely limited. The coachs and defenders alike seem ok with that because they know they will have the same right afforded to them when they are in the same situation.

What about rule 3-5-3? I know that this is mainly for uniforms but I think that this comes closer than anything.

I left my rule book at home, But there is a ruling on a player using anything that unnaturally increases his height or reaching ability! I think this would apply here!

AK ref SE

Big Sarge has it. 3-5-3.

Thanks BktBallRef! I did not have my book to see what 3.5.3 stated!
AK ref SE

How about plain old common sense? Who in their right mind would allow this? It is a throw in violation for leaving the playing surface.

That's why I referred to it as a ridiculous situation.

It is those ridiculous situations that someone wants a ruling on! We as officials always use common sense, or what we think would be a common sense call or ruling, We are always asked to PROVE IT! I think this would also fall under the referee's jurisdiction on "making a decision not covered in the rule book"! We as officials will always be questioned on our judgement and common sense! Reading these post on unique situations, makes you think anything is possible!

AK ref SE

Would you give them a T for leaving the playing area? 10-3-4
Thoughts?

dhodges007,
Nope, he was legally out already. Just a violation.:)
mick