Old interp, rehash and compare

[Back In The Saddle]

I made no secret that I disliked the interp released either last year, or the year before, indicating that because a throw-in ends when legally touched, the "exception" (NFHS 9-9-3) to the backcourt rule regarding an airborne player does not apply.

But in expanding my horizons and delving into NCAA rules, it appears that the same interp is the rule there too. (NCAA 4-3-8) "Art. 8. After a jump ball or during a throw-in, the player in his/her front court, who makes the initial touch on the ball while both feet are off the playing court, may be the first to secure control of the ball and land with one or both feet in the back court. It makes no difference if the first foot down was in the front court or back court."

If I understand this correctly, the effect is identical. In order for the "exception" to apply, it must be the player "who makes the initial touch" which does not allow for an previous legal touching.

I still don't like it. But it appears to be consistent, and is therefore pretty unlikely to change.