Rule Changes for Next Season

[BBall_Junkie]

See the following (I like the change regarding lag time):

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (April 19, 2006) - Beginning next season in high school basketball, only one warning will be given for any of the
four delay situations before a technical foul is assessed, including the
newly approved delay situation for water on the court following a
time-out.
This change was one of five rules revisions approved by the
National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Basketball
Rules Committee at its April 9-10 meeting in Indianapolis. The rules
changes subsequently were approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
In addition to the new delay situation for water on the court following
a time-out, the other delay situations in Rule 4-47 are for throw-in
plane violations, for a huddle by either team and contact with the free
thrower, and for interfering with the ball following a goal.
Previously, a team could receive a warning for each of the other three delay situations before a technical foul was assessed and two free
throws awarded to the opposition.
"The elimination of three warnings for various delay-of-game
situations into one warning will better assist with the flow of the
game, as well as the administration of the rule by officials and
scorers," said Mary Struckhoff, NFHS assistant director and liaison to
the Basketball Rules Committee. "With new tactics of additional
delay-of-game situations increasing, such as wiping up the floor
following time-outs, the rule gives coaches and officials clear
direction on limiting these situations by allowing only one warning
prior to administering a team technical foul."
In another major change, the exact time observed by the referee
may be placed back on the clock when an obvious mistake is made by the
timer in starting or stopping the clock.
"With this change in Rule 5-10-1, it eliminates the lag
time/reaction time of the clock operator," Struckhoff said. "If the
referee observes the time on the clock when an error occurs, the exact
time will be able to be put back on the clock."
Two equipment changes were approved by the committee. In Rule
3-5-2, the guidelines for headbands and sweatbands were altered, and in
Rule 3-6, the school logo/mascot now will be permitted on pants,
compression shorts, sweatbands and headbands.
Headbands and sweatbands must be white or similar in color to
the torso of the jersey and must be the same color for each item and all
participants. Only one item is permitted on the head and on each wrist.
Sweatbands must be a maximum of four inches and worn below the elbow.
"Increasingly, headbands and sweatbands have become items of
concern, mainly on how and where athletes have worn them," said Nate
Hampton, assistant director of the Michigan High School Athletic
Association and chair of the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee. "Many are
concerned that these items are worn mainly for decorative reasons or
individual identification rather than for a useful purpose. This change
will give a clearer direction on where sweatbands may be worn, and the
colors will be more reflective of team and school."
Among the five rules changes was the addition of a new signal
for a team-control foul. The mechanics for this signal will be extension
of the arm with the fist punched. Struckhoff said the new signal should
eliminate confusion at the scorer's table, as well as with players,
coaches and fans.
"Today's game of interscholastic basketball is in the best
position ever," Hampton said. "The great work done by so many
knowledgeable and caring previous committee members has made for the
great game we enjoy today. This year's committee discussed at length
many proposed changes with an eye on how each proposed change would
affect the game as it is coached, played, officiated and understood by
the various levels of participation in interscholastic programs across
the nation."
In addition to the actual rules changes, six major editorial
revisions were approved by the committee, along with five points of
emphasis for the 2006-07 season.
Among the editorial changes is a revision to Rule 5-11-2 which
prohibits on-court entertainment during a 30-second time-out.
In addition to the point of emphasis on the Proper Procedures
for Handling Apparent Concussions that is being emphasized in all NFHS
sports rules this year, the Basketball Rules Committee issued four other
areas of concern: uniforms, time-outs, intentional fouls and rule/signal
enforcement.