The book says the 3-second count is to be suspended during an interrupted dribble. Does this mean any interrupted dribble, or only an interrupted dribble in the key?

Why should it matter?

Front court
 

Jewel,
Any interrupted dribble in the front court, I assume, cuz we don't know who will end up with the ball, thus the advantage is negated.
mick

I can see where this is confusing. The fed contradicts themselves with the backcourt count.

Rain - Any interrupted dribble would suffice.

backcourt
 

Brian,
...ball in BC, 3 seconds?
mick

What I mean is you continue your 10 second count in the BC during an interrupted dribble. So to turn around and say the 3 second count suspends on the same thing could be confusing.

But I have now confused myself so I'll stop now.

I assume we are talking about NCAA rules here. In that case the 3 second count is only when the ball is in the front court. So any interupted dribble in the front court will suspend the count. If team A had the ball and an interupted dribble occurs and team A regains control of the ball the 3 second count will start again, even though the player may never have left the key.

NCAA vs. Fed 3 seconds
 

Dewey1,
Careful here.

NFHS 9-7 Three seconds: The count shall not begin <b><u><i>and</i></b> it shall be terminated</u> during an interrupted dribble.

NCAA 9-8-3 Three-second Rule: The count shall not begin<b><u><i> nor</i></b> shall it be terminated</u> during an interrupted dribble.

mick

I was told that the 3 second count begins when there is possesion established... even in back court!!! I don't believe this is correct, but could someone enlighten me?

Thanks,

You cannot start a 3 second count until the ball has front court status.

It sounds like what you're saying is that if A1 is dribbling outside the 3-pt line, and fumbles, and then re-asserts his/her dribble, we start over with the 3-second count on A2, who has been in the paint the whole time. Is that right? Also, if A3 in the key receives the ball, having been in the key less than three seconds, allowances shall be made as he/she maneuvers for a shot. Okay, what about A4? If he/she is also in the key that whole time, do we call it on him/her?

Unrelated question: Can you call a fashion Technical on a coach whose clothes fit so poorly that his crack shows above his belt-loops? Do we feel so sorry for this guy that we toss him early out of pity?

Jewel,
A sad state of affairs, but that has never caught my eye.
I think it never will.
mick

Opps! Less not confuse a fumble and an interrupted dribble. They are not the same. Let's re--phrase the question.

Yes.

No, A4 is safe. But if A3 passes the ball to A4 or any other player, then we have 3 seconds.

Denny,
Have you tried Rule 9-7 ?
mick

Thanks Mick! :D