Slapping The Backboard

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by theboys

Personally, I'd like to see the rule changed. I've seen instances where the person slapping the backboard clearly rattled the backboard enough to affect the shot, but nothing was called. I suspect some officials are reluctant to call a technical because the impact of the foul is greater than a simple violation.

Why do you think the rule should be changed? Please expand and say what your reasoning would be for changing the rule. However, I would humbly request that if an example of a spineless official is any part of your reasoning, save it.

[BillyMac]

Let's go to the Rule Books:

1996-97 NFHS Basketball Rule Book, page 59, Technical Fouls: A player shall not slap or strike either backboard to cause either ring to vibrate while the ball is in flight during a tap or try or is touching the backboard or is on or in the basket or in the cylinder above the basket.

2000-01 NFHS Basketball Rule Book, page 70, Comments on the 2000-01 Rule Revisions: Clarified illegal contact with the backboard by stating that a player shall not INTENTIONALLY slap or strike the backboard or cause the ring to vibrate. The previous rule was difficult to understand and consequently was being called incorrectly or inconsistently.

Previous to 2000-01, if the basket vibrated after the backboard was slapped, even if the slap was a legitimate attempt to block the shot, a technical foul could have been called. Beginning with the 2000-01 season, if the vibration of the basket occured after the backboard was slapped during a legitimate attempt to block the shot, a technical foul could not be charged. In any case this situation has never been associated with basket interference, and the basket could never be awarded for contact with the backboard.

This rule clarification in 2000-01 is what has led to the myth that a vibrating backboard and/or basket is always a technical foul. Where the myth started that this is a form of basketball interference and that the basket could or should be awarded is anybody's guess

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Previous to 2000-01, if the basket vibrated after the backboard was slapped, even if the slap was a legitimate attempt to block the shot, a technical foul could have been called.

I still disagree with that statement. Iirc, we had a case play throughout the 90's stating that there was no "T" for a legitimate block attempt if the backboard was rattled. That's why the rule was clarified in the 2000-01 rule book, and was not listed as a new rule or rule change.

I can remember going over that exact interpretation at camps/clinics during that time period.

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Where the myth started that this is a form of basketball interference and that the basket could or should be awarded is anybody's guess

No need to guess, it's the NBA rule.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

No need to guess, it's the NBA rule.

Scrappy (or anybody else who's been around for a while), how's your memory? Was the "whacking the board" rule basically the same before the 2000-01 season, or am I losing it? Iow, was it OK as long as the defender tried to make a legitimate block?

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Was the "whacking the board" rule basically the same before the 2000-01 season, or am I losing it?

Are these choices mutually exclusive?

[Scrapper1]

Since Jurassic didn't fall for my witty bait, I will just have to answer honestly and say that I don't remember any big change in this rule. That doesn't mean there wasn't one; but I don't remember anything being different when I first started out.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

Are these choices mutually exclusive?

Come to think of it, they are, aren't they?

Good catch.