What would prevent the official from saying, in his judgement, a shot occured? Player went up for a shot, ball did leave hands, actually hit the backboard, he just came down with it.

No, it sureasheck doesn't. The legality of the play depends on the <b>type</b> of control that is terminated in the air. 9.5.1 says that if <b>team</b> control ends, it's legal to return to the floor. If team control doesn't end, it's a travel- or a held ball if a defender stopped the player from releasing the ball.

Simple as that. [/B][/QUOTE]

As 'the man' says in the Sprint commericial, "Maybe".

Player control, but not team control, terminates during a fumble that originates on the ground and a player may then recover the ball without traveling. I don't think the situation at hand is addressed crisply within the rules.

As 'the man' says in the Sprint commericial, "Maybe".

Player control, but not team control, terminates during a fumble that originates on the ground and a player may then recover the ball without traveling. I don't think the situation at hand is addressed crisply within the rules. [/B][/QUOTE]As the man in the swivel chair said "What?".

The situation at hand is a fumble in the air, not a fumble on the ground. Different rules apply. Trust me. Or not.

[Edited by Jurassic Referee on Mar 7th, 2006 at 04:52 PM]

Nothing in that case. It always has been and always will be a judgement call if the ball leaves the hands. In that case, I wouldn't call a travel if the ball hit the backboard. I'd give the player the benefit of the doubt and call it a try.

We're discussing a "fumble", not a "try" though.