Slapping the Backboard: POE

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Good time to destroy another myth:

Slapping the backboard is neither basket interference nor is it goaltending and points cannot be awarded. A player who strikes a backboard so forcefully that it cannot be ignored because it is an attempt to draw attention to the player, or a means of venting frustration, may be assessed a technical foul. When a player simply attempts to block a shot and accidentally slaps the backboard it is neither a violation nor is it a technical foul.

Wow! Great copy and paste. Do you work for the NFHS, writing POEs?

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

I've seen the NFHS powerpoint on the new rules and POEs. And one of the slides shows a player hitting the backboard on the opposite side from where the shot was taken. When there is obviously no play on the ball, I guess they feel that we aren't calling it enough.

Called it twice in one game last December. I guess the NF guys don't get down home too often.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

I guess I'd have to see it. If it's just part of a pre-game ritual to jump and touch the backboard, then I'd probably let it go. If it's really a good "whack" to draw attention, then I might consider the T.

10-3-5 Player Technical Foul:
b.) While a try or tap is in flight or is touching the backboard or is in the basket or in the cylinder above the basket, intentionally slap or strike the backboard or cause the rim to vibrate.

I hope that you wouldn't consider it a technical foul under 10-3-5, because I doubt that the try or tap was in flight pregame. Maybe you could charge him with a technical foul for some other rule involving unsporting conduct, but I can't think of one right now.

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Maybe you could charge him with a technical foul for some other rule involving unsporting conduct, but I can't think of one right now.

Gosh, if only there were a discussion about about slapping the backboard and if it is a technical foul, then we would know the answer. Maybe the NF will even make it a POE so it will be clear in everyone's minds...

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Do you work for the NFHS ?

No, I'm just your friendly neighborhood basketball rule mythbuster.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by LDUB

Gosh, if only there were a discussion about about slapping the backboard and if it is a technical foul, then we would know the answer. Maybe the NF will even make it a POE so it will be clear in everyone's minds.

10-3-5 (slapping the backboard) wouldn't cover a pregame slap, while the referee is holding the ball preparing to toss. 10-3-5 only involves a slap during a tap, or try. 10-3-5 wouldn't even cover a slap during the game, if it wasn't during a tap, or try.

Maybe some other rule would kick in during these two instances, but not 10-3-5.

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

10-3-6 (slapping the backboard) wouldn't cover a pregame slap, while the referee is holding the ball preparing to toss. 10-3-6 only involves a slap during a tap, or try. 10-3-6 wouldn't even cover a slap during the game, if it wasn't during a tap, or try.

Maybe some other rule would kick in during these two instances, but not 10-3-6.

I thought that the POE wants slapping the backboard to be ruled a technical foul as it does not mention anything about tries. It would be nice if this was clarified.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by LDUB

I thought that the POE wants slapping the backboard to be ruled a technical foul as it does not mention anything about tries. It would be nice if this was clarified.

I'm not certain, but I think that the actual written rule, and possibly a casebook play interpretation, may "trump" a Point of Emphasis?

RULE 10 FOULS
SECTION 3 PLAYER TECHNICAL
A player shall not:
ART.5...
b.) While a try or tap is in flight or is touching the backboard or is in the basket or in the cylinder above the basket, intentionally slap or strike the backboard or cause the rim to vibrate.

10.3.5 Situation: A1 tries for a goal, and (a) B1 jumps and attempts to block the shot but instead slaps or strikes the backboard and the ball goes into the basket; or (b) B1 vibrates the ring as a result of pulling on the net and the ball does not enter the basket.
Ruling: In (a) legal and the basket counts; and (b) a technical foul is charged to B1 and there is no basket.
Comment: The purpose of the rule is to penalize intentional contact with the backboard while a shot or try is involved or placing a hand on the backboard to gain an advantage. A player who strikes either backboard so forcefully it cannot be ignored because it is an attempt to draw attention to the player, or a means of venting frustration may be assessed a technical foul pursuant to Rule 10-3-7.

2008-09 POINTS OF EMPHASIS
4. SLAPPING THE BACKBOARD. The incidents of players slapping the backboard are increasing throughout the country. The rules specify that “intentionally slapping or striking the backboard” is a technical foul (10-3-5). The spirit and intent of that rule is to penalize a player for drawing attention to him/herself or as a means of venting frustration. A player who strikes the backboard in a legitimate attempt to block a try for goal should not be penalized. Basket interference cannot be ruled in either of the above situations. Basket interference only occurs if the ball is interfered with while in the cylinder above the basket ring or by touching either the ball or any part of the basket while the ball is on or within the basket (4-6).

There may be another unsporting rule that you can use to penalize a player slapping the backboard if there is no tap, or try, but I don't know of any such rule at this time. You are right. The Point of Emphasis does not mention a tap, or try, other than citing a rule, 10-3-5, that does.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

There may be another unsporting rule that you can use to penalize a player slapping the backboard if there is no tap, or try, but I don't know of any such rule at this time.

Use rule 10-3-7 if you think the act is unsporting. Otherwise, ignore it.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by jdmara

Players eventually become officials.

That has nothing to do with why POEs are written.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

10-3-5 (slapping the backboard) wouldn't cover a pregame slap, while the referee is holding the ball preparing to toss. 10-3-5 only involves a slap during a tap, or try. 10-3-5 wouldn't even cover a slap during the game, if it wasn't during a tap, or try.

Maybe some other rule would kick in during these two instances, but not 10-3-5.

You should read what you copy and paste.

Originally Posted by BillyMac

A player who strikes either backboard so forcefully it cannot be ignored because it is an attempt to draw attention to the player, or a means of venting frustration may be assessed a technical foul pursuant to Rule 10-3-7.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

You should read what you copy and paste.

Nice catch BktBallRef. That omission existed for three and one-half years until you picked it up.

MOST MISUNDERSTOOD BASKETBALL RULES

3) The backboard has nothing to do with goaltending. Goaltending is contacting the ball on its downward flight, above the level of the rim, with a chance to go in. On most layups, the ball is going up after it contacts the backboard. It is legal to pin the ball against the backboard if it still on the way up and not in the imaginary cylinder above the basket. Slapping the backboard is neither basket interference nor is it goaltending and points cannot be awarded. A player who strikes a backboard, during a tap, or a try, so forcefully that it cannot be ignored because it is an attempt to draw attention to the player, or a means of venting frustration, may be assessed a technical foul. When a player simply attempts to block a shot and accidentally slaps the backboard it is neither a violation nor is it a technical foul.

Thanks for being the latest contributer to the list of the Most Misunderstood Basketball Rules. You are now, officially, a Basketball Rule Mythbuster. I'll send you your identification card and decoder ring as soon as possible.



Thanks to the following Official Forum Basketball web site members for their contributions in developing this list: bossref, Hartsy, Jurassic Referee, Camron Rust, Mark Padgett, Nevadaref, Mark Dexter, Dan ref, mdray, Jimgolf, elecref, Assignmentmaker, IREFU2, David M, JeffW, Back In The Saddle, rainmaker, texaspaul, and BktBallRef.

[IREFU2]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

A POE is meant to emphasize an existing rule. They will sometimes elaborate on the intent of the rule. They will sometimes enumerate specific instances they want to see called more consistently. They will sometimes use different words. But the intent is always to emphasize the existing rule.

The committee never, ever, under any circumstances changes a rule in a POE. Except when occasionally they do

It really doesnt matter if its not enforced!!!!!!

[Tio]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Good time to destroy another myth:

Slapping the backboard is neither basket interference nor is it goaltending and points cannot be awarded. A player who strikes a backboard so forcefully that it cannot be ignored because it is an attempt to draw attention to the player, or a means of venting frustration, may be assessed a technical foul. When a player simply attempts to block a shot and accidentally slaps the backboard it is neither a violation nor is it a technical foul.

I agree that many officials falsely believe they can enforce goaltending on this play.