Shooter Unintentionally Drops the Ball

[cshs81]

A1 goes up for a shot. As he's going up, the ball slips from his hands and goes straight up in the air.

1. Can the shooter catch it?
2. If so, is he restricted in any way once he catches it as far as dribbling? Is it treated like any other missed shot?

[Adam]

Originally Posted by cshs81

A1 goes up for a shot. As he's going up, the ball slips from his hands and goes straight up in the air.

1. Can the shooter catch it?
2. If so, is he restricted in any way once he catches it as far as dribbling? Is it treated like any other missed shot?

It's a fumble, not a rebound. He may recover. If he's already used his dribble, he cannot dribble again.

[rbruno]

If A-1 catches the ball and then returns to the floor I would call it a traveling violation.

[cshs81]

Originally Posted by rbruno

If A-1 catches the ball and then returns to the floor I would call it a traveling violation.

Can you not catch a fumble?

[Scrapper1]

In college, this is explicitly allowed. There was a case play released on it early this season.

In high school, it is not explicitly addressed, as far as I know. But I would agree with Snaqwells that it is legal.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

In college, this is explicitly allowed. There was a case play released on it early this season.

In high school, it is not explicitly addressed, as far as I know. But I would agree with Snaqwells that it is legal.

I disagree. It's traveling.

Another old thread....argued ad infinitum, ad nauseum......to no definitive agreement.

[jcarter]

I believe there is a situation in the High School case book in regards to this. I will look it up when I get home. But off the top of my head I believe it is to the effect of, If you believe that this is an attempt at a try, then yes he can catch it and reestablish a pivot foot but can not dribble.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

I disagree. It's traveling.

Another old thread....argued ad infinitum, ad nauseum......to no definitive agreement.

I too recall that discussion. I believe that Bob Jenkins posted an interp from 2000-01 which stated that this was a traveling violation under NFHS rules.

BTW, I had argued that it was a legal play.

So Bob, how about posting ALL of the interps from that year in a separate thread? Please! Thanks.

[rbruno]

you can catch a fumble if both feet are on the floor. Not sure this is a fumble as he is an airborn shooter. it's a travel because he left his feet

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by rbruno

Not sure this is a fumble as he is an airborn shooter.

I disagree. To be an airborne shooter, you have release the ball on a try. That didn't happen here.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by rbruno

you can catch a fumble if both feet are on the floor.

What's the rule reference for this restriction?

Originally Posted by rbruno

Not sure this is a fumble as he is an airborn shooter.

No, he's not an airborne shooter. He never shot the ball. The rule says nothing about an airborne shooter fumbling, because it's inherently impossible; you can't fumble a ball that's been released for a shot.

Originally Posted by rbruno

it's a travel because he left his feet

Based on what?

[BktBallRef]

Travel?

[Adam]

Okay, I think I see how this is traveling. Since a fumble is not one of the allowed actions a player may take after lifting his pivot foot, it should be a travel. However, I don't think it depends on whether the fumbler is the first to recover the ball after he lands. It's either a travel right away, or she can recover it without penalty.

[Johnny Ringo]

O.K. The play: A1 takes two dribbles from the top of the key towards the wing...jumps (jumpshot) for a try and the basketball rockets out of his hands straight up in the air.

NOTE: A1 was in the air when this happened.

A1 returns to the floor and then catches the ball (first to touch).

Is this legal? If so are they allowed to pivot, dribble, shoot, pass, etc ...

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Johnny Ringo

O.K. The play: A1 takes two dribbles from the top of the key towards the wing...jumps (jumpshot) for a try and the basketball rockets out of his hands straight up in the air.

NOTE: A1 was in the air when this happened.

A1 returns to the floor and then catches the ball (first to touch).

Is this legal? If so are they allowed to pivot, dribble, shoot, pass, etc ...

Depends...
1. on whether this is an NCAA or NFHS game
2. on whom you ask

Go read the old thread. Tony posted a link to it. Within that one is another old thread on this. Read that one too. Then you can answer your own question.