backcourt---the most confusing rule in b-ball

[Paul in Seattle]

Three things must reach the frontcourt before a player/team is considered to be in the frontcourt: the left foot, the right foot, and the ball. (NF rules here.) This makes all the rules clear except for the pass to A2 leaping into the backcourt. In this case, A2 is in the frontcourt when he/she secures the ball. The best analogy to this is a player leaping out of bounds to save the ball--he/she is considered to be inbounds until he/she touches out of bounds. Therefore, A2 is considered in the frontcourt until he/she touches the backcourt. Because A2 has the ball, both feet and the ball are considered to be in the frontcourt, and when the player lands, it's a backcourt violation. Blow the whistle and flap that arm back and forth.

Paul

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