Several times over the years I have worked with partners who told the non-jumpers before the jump ball, "you have to be up to the line (circle) or back six feet." I have asked each of these refs, at halftime intermission, why they said that, the answer is always the same, "it's in the rules." I have never found it in the rule book, case book, or any other book. Can somebody help me?

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Several times over the years I have worked with partners who told the non-jumpers before the jump ball, "you have to be up to the line (circle) or back six feet."

This is incorrect. Check out Rule 6-4 and Case 6.4.2. Spots along the "center restraining circle" extend 3 feet deep. (1-3-1) Once the Referee is ready, but before the ball it tossed, nonjumpers shall not move onto the center restraining circle or change position around the circle.

Furthermore, after the ball is tossed but before it is touched, a nonjumper may not move into an occupied spot (e.g. in the spot defined by a player, the center restraining line, and 3' beyond that line). (6-4-5)