Player Leaving the Floor

[Toxic Czar]

The game tonight made Abner Doubleday roll over in his grave. It set basketball back 30 years. Despite the horrific play, it raised a few issues. First, A1 is inbounding the ball from the baseline. Team A is aligned in a stack formation. A2 wants to get in front of the stack (closest to A1). A2 gets in front of B2 but is now standing inches from A1 and has both feet out of bounds. I called this a violation on A2 for leaving the floor for an unauthorized reason. Was that the correct call? Next time team A has the ball for a throw in, A2 rushes to get the first spot in the stack. B2 wants to get in front of A2. Is there any rule regarding this situation or is it "first come, first served" for the prized first spot in the stack?

Another sitaution with Rule 9-3-3 happended a few weeks ago. Player B1 leaves the court while A1 is in transition. It appears that B1 may be ill and may be leaving the court to vomit. Play continues with no whistle with team A in transition. After about 20 seconds, B1 is healed and re-enters the floor in a situation where team B gained no advantage from the sudden emergence of B1 (team B had the ball in half court offesne and B1 entered from backcourt, if that even matters). What is the ruling? Is illness an authorized reason to leave the floor?