3 second rule

[Adam]

Shot fakes: no.
Every actual shot: yes.

[APG]

The three second count begins when there is team control in the front court. The count resets each time there's a shot. It does not reset on shot fakes. If what you say is true, your officials were misinformed on the rule.

[mbyron]

Sounds to me as if they called a bogus 3-second violation in order to prevent anyone getting hurt -- either the player on the floor or someone falling over him.

If that's what happened, I don't regard it as good preventive officiating.

[krampuppy]

Still a bit confused about the shot fake or move towards the basket. Is that in the referee's discretion or is in the rule book?

[jdw3018]

Originally Posted by krampuppy

Still a bit confused about the shot fake or move towards the basket. Is that in the referee's discretion or is in the rule book?

The rule book says nothing about a shot fake. It does say (paraphrasing) that the three-second count is to be suspended when a player makes a move to immediately attempt to score.

For example, if a post player gets the ball in the lane and begins a move to the basket, most officials will suspend the count. If the post player doesn't complete his move with an immediate shot attempt, though, the violation should be called if he (or another player) had been in the lane more than three seconds.

You'll here debate as to whether a shot fake can be considered within the 'immediate attempt to score' language. So the answer isn't real clear. What is clear, however, is that a shot fake does NOT reset the count. Only losing team control or leaving the lane resets the count.

[stosh]

IMO, I would also not rush to call 3 seconds on a player that is on the floor and struggling to get up or out of the lane, as long as their safety is not at risk. (No real advantage being gained). If the player is in a position where their safety is at risk, stop play once someone controls the ball so the player can be looked after and restart play at the point of interuption.

[BillyMac]

The intent of the three-second rule is to not allow an offensive player to gain an advantage. There is no three-second count between the release of a shot and the control of a rebound, at which time a new count starts. There is no three-second count during a throwin. There is no three-second count while the ball is in the backcourt. There is a three-second count during an interrupted dribble. Allowance shall be made for a player who, having been in the restricted area for less than three seconds, dribbles in or moves immediately to try for goal.