Throwing the ball off the backboard

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally posted by Camron Rust

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With this change in the case play, this rules committee has essentially effected another unannounced rules change. This case play now seems to only allow for an attempt/try off the backboard to be a legal tactic...not just any throw like it has been for decades. [/B][/QUOTE]Actually, decades ago there was a very explicit case play on this type of play. Maybe MTD Sr. still has it in his attic someplace- even though I think it was before he started officiating. The case play said that if a player threw the ball off the backboard and he then went and got it himself, without an opponent touching it or the ball touching the rim, then it was a straight judgement call by the official as to whether there was a pass or a try on the play. The FED removed that case play because of the judgement factor. There was simply too much inconsistency; you could show a sample play to 100 officials and 50 would call it a pass and the other 50 would call it a shot. The case play was removed and new language inserted to try and take some of the judgement out of the pass/try.