The Official Forum - Misunderstood Rules Quiz for New Officials

Here's a list of common misunderstood rules questions for new officials. It is based on the misunderstood rules list previously posted on this forum and the Connecticut IAABO Board 6 website.

On short notice, I need to participate (tomorrow) in a training session for new officials who recently passed, failed or did not take the NFHS part 1 test. These officials will likely work middle school games for our Philadelphia chapter. I think briefly covering some basic misunderstood rules will help the officials get off to a better start. A discussion of the answer for each question will be provided during the session. Suggestions and additions are welcome.

1. The goal counts if, on a try by A1, the ball hits the rim, then hits the top of the backboard and then passes through the basket. true
2. A violation occurs when thrower A1 steps on the end line during a throw in. false
3. It is goaltending when B1 while attempting to block a shot, strikes the backboard causing the ball to roll off the rim. false
4. Basket interference occurs when B1 touches the ball while it is on the rim during a try by B2. true
5. It is a violation for A1 to dunk the ball and then grab the rim when B2 is standing directly below the basket. false
6. A1 has travelled when A1 dives for the ball on the floor, gains control of the ball and then slides on the floor. false
7. A1 has travelled whenA1 lifts his/her pivot foot and then begins a dribble. true
8. It is legal for a player to fumble-dribble-fumble but it is illegal for a player to dribble-fumble-dribble. true
9. A1 has travelled when A1 starts a dribble by tapping the ball ahead, taking five steps and then continuing the dribble. false
10. A2 has committed a violation when A2 touches the ball on a pass from A1, A2’s momentum carries him/her out of bounds and then A2 returns to the court and is the first to touch the ball. false
11. A backcourt violation occurs when a throw in from A1 is tipped by A2 in the frontcourt to A3 who controls the ball in the backcourt. false
12. A backcourt violation occurs when A1 holds the ball straddling the division line, then lifts and returns the foot touching in the backcourt. true
13. A backcourt violation occurs when A1 throws the ball in from the frontcourt , A2 leaps from the front court and catches the ball in the air and lands with the left foot first touching the front court and then the right foot touching the backcourt. false
14. It is a legal screen when A2 causes contact with B2 after B2 establishes a position outside the view of A2 and less than one normal step from A2. False
15. A1 commits a player control foul when A1 contacts B1 in the torso while B1 is moving backwards. true
16. B1 commits a shooting foul when B1 hits A1 on the back of the hand during A1’s try for a goal. false
17. A2 commits an “over the back” foul when A2 secures a rebound from behind B2 by reaching his/her hands and arms over B2’s head. False
18. A1 has committed a 3 second violation by remaining in the 3 second lane for 2 seconds before a first shot is taken and 2 seconds after a rebound but before a second shot is taken. False
19. A new ten second count occurs when B1 deflects the ball from dribbler A1 in the backcourt and A1 then retrieves the ball in the backcourt. False
20. The five second count ends when A1 gets his/her shoulder past defender B1. True
21. The head coach may legally be granted a time-out whenever his/her team has team control of the ball. False
22. A player holding the ball and saving the ball from going out of bounds, may call a timeout while airborne.
23. When players are allowed to occupy free throw lanes during a free throw, a minimum of 2 defensive players and no offensive players must occupy spaces. true
24. A1 violates when the ball fails to reach the basket on A1's try for a goal and A1 is the first to touch the ball while the ball remains airborne. false