Hung Net

[IREFU2]

Originally Posted by ranjo

This question was brought up by one of my boards senior members in response to a question from a new official and I thought the forum would be the place to put it for your opinions as I didn't recall anything in the rule or case book that applied.

"Why do we stop the game every time the net gets hung up after a shot goes through? My response was, to keep it from preventing the next shot from not going through. Realistically I know that's the reason but how often does that happen? Should we stop the game each and every time the net gets hung? We now create a dead ball situation and should allow subs in, not to mention we slow down a possible fast break or allow a team to set up a press."

What are your thoughts on it?

Doesnt the rule state that the ball has to "check" through the nets or something like that ? If they are hung, it cant to do that...just my 2 cents.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by IREFU2

Doesnt the rule state that the ball has to "check" through the nets or something like that ? If they are hung, it cant to do that...just my 2 cents.

WTH does that mean?

I had this situation just before the '09 season tipped off. I got mixed responses about how to handle this situation properly. So I contacted our local rules guru for clarification:

If the net flips up we are obligated to make sure it is in its normal position because by definition a goal cannot be scored unless the ball passes through or remains in the basket. If we need to stop play, we stop play to fix it.

When it appears to be an ongoing problem, having someone free the net in transition was an acceptable solution as well.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Ch1town

I had this situation just before the '09 season tipped off. I got mixed responses about how to handle this situation properly. So I contacted our local rules guru for clarification:

If the net flips up we are obligated to make sure it is in its normal position because by definition a goal cannot be scored unless the ball passes through or remains in the basket. If we need to stop play, we stop play to fix it.

So, when the net flips up and prevents the ball from going all the way through, what problem is there again?...

[chartrusepengui]

We've been instructed to fix the net at next dead ball.

[bbcof83]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

So, when the net flips up and prevents the ball from going all the way through, what problem is there again?...

Maybe there is no problem specifically stated in the rules with the ball staying in the basket (no doubt something left over from the olden days) but this does create an advantage/disadvantage situation.

Just like the delay of game rule that states a player from team A cannot bat the ball after it goes through the hoop. If the ball is staying in the basket or slow to get through, team B is prevented from quickly bringing the ball back in play, allowing team B to setup a press or get back in transition.

[Bishopcolle]

Some argue that shooting at a net that is hung up is harder to do (can't see it normally and lose perspective on it) than shooting at a basket hanging normally....may have some truth to that.

[Adam]

Fix it at a dead ball if it's not fixed yet. If it's a continuing problem, have game admin replace the nets.

Only old nets have this problem. I guess if I ref in Denver, I'll have to stop the game. But until I'm told to, I'm not going to. And, I'm not likely to ask.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by bbcof83

Maybe there is no problem specifically stated in the rules with the ball staying in the basket (no doubt something left over from the olden days) but this does create an advantage/disadvantage situation.

Just like the delay of game rule that states a player from team A cannot bat the ball after it goes through the hoop. If the ball is staying in the basket or slow to get through, team B is prevented from quickly bringing the ball back in play, allowing team B to setup a press or get back in transition.

All valid points, except for one thing - the team that may be disadvantaged is the team that just scored. So there is another possession to finish before that basket will come back into play. Someone else (ball boy, parent, game management, etc.) will have time to fix it while play is on the other end of the court. However, if you blow the whistle to stop the game, you are doing exactly what you want to prevent by stopping play to fix it. You have now definitely prevented the other team from quickly bringing the ball in play, where it is only a posssibility if the net is left alone, and not an issue at all if someone else fixes it.

What rule or mechanic can you quote that allows a stoppage of play in this case?

Also, 1-10-3, as mentioned before, says the net "...shall be constructed to momentarily check the ball as it passes through." Iow, the rules require the ball to be slowed up as it passes through the basket. Since there is no definite number associated with "momentarily", a hung-up net that may add a few tenths of a second is immaterial IMO.

[bbcof83]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

...However, if you blow the whistle to stop the game, you are doing exactly what you want to prevent by stopping play to fix it. You have now definitely prevented the other team from quickly bringing the ball in play, where it is only a posssibility if the net is left alone, and not an issue at all if someone else fixes it...

Touché

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Ch1town

I had this situation just before the '09 season tipped off. I got mixed responses about how to handle this situation properly. So I contacted our local rules guru for clarification:

If the net flips up we are obligated to make sure it is in its normal position because by definition a goal cannot be scored unless the ball passes through or remains in the basket. If we need to stop play, we stop play to fix it.

When it appears to be an ongoing problem, having someone free the net in transition was an acceptable solution as well.

Let me just ask this one question; have you ever seen a shot not go in because the net was hung up? I haven't, even on a playground. Ever. In fact, the next basket that goes through almost always (99.59870870u34% of the time) fixes the problem.