3 second rule

[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.

[AirSocata]

I hope this thread is still active, I have a question I hope can be answered on this subject of 3 second violation.

I understand that the 3 second call is "suspended" during a shot attempt, that is the words used every time this is brought up, "suspended" That means it potentially could be restarted where that count left off by definition of suspended.

It has always been my understanding, from other sources, that it is suspended on a shot and when that shot touches the rim, the count is reset. That said, what about when a shot goes up but misses the rim, air ball if you will. That ball then comes down into the offensive players hand that is in the paint, and I had nearly reached the 3 second count at the time of the shot? If I read the rules as saying "suspended" when do I continue the count from being suspended and when do I reset it? Could I potentially now call that offensive rebound-er with a 3 second if they do not immediately put up another shot or leave the paint?

[APG]

Originally Posted by AirSocata

I hope this thread is still active, I have a question I hope can be answered on this subject of 3 second violation.

I understand that the 3 second call is "suspended" during a shot attempt, that is the words used every time this is brought up, "suspended" That means it potentially could be restarted where that count left off by definition of suspended.

It has always been my understanding, from other sources, that it is suspended on a shot and when that shot touches the rim, the count is reset. That said, what about when a shot goes up but misses the rim, air ball if you will. That ball then comes down into the offensive players hand that is in the paint, and I had nearly reached the 3 second count at the time of the shot? If I read the rules as saying "suspended" when do I continue the count from being suspended and when do I reset it? Could I potentially now call that offensive rebound-er with a 3 second if they do not immediately put up another shot or leave the paint?

Whether or not the shot hits the rim has no bearing on when the count resets and whoever your sources are that told you this misinformed you.

Criteria for a 3 second count:
1. Team control
2. Ball must have a frontcourt status


If you judge a throw to be a try, by rule there is no team control, and therefore no three second count. If what you said was true, situations where a team rebounds and continually puts the ball back up without hitting the rim, would be a three second violation (which it is not).

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by AirSocata

I understand that the 3 second call is "suspended" during a shot attempt, that is the words used every time this is brought up, "suspended" That means it potentially could be restarted where that count left off by definition of suspended.

This is incorrect. The 3-second count is suspended on a drive to the basket, and resumed if the drive is not followed with a try (shot). If a player in the paint takes a pass, I'll count 1-2 and stop when he turns and drives to the hoop. If he stops, he has 1 more second to pass or shoot. Your rule reference is 9-7-3.

Once the ball is released on a try, the 3-second count is reset. That is, reset to zero. It does not matter what happens to the try: air balls, made baskets, and anything in between are treated the same.

It's officials' judgment whether a thrown ball is a try.

[AirSocata]

Ok, so basically this is a partial misuse of the term "suspended". That has been what has been confusing me because suspended means it can be resumed. I understand now that if a player drives to the lane it is suspended but if that player never actually puts a shot up then the count can resume. But once a player puts a shot up, actually in the air, and I deem it a shot the 3 second count is reset. The rim has nothing to do with this call at all.

Thank you for the clarity.

[asdf]

I reset the count everytime I hear a coach counting aloud "1...2...3..."

[AirSocata]

lol, Yeah I actually do that too. Glad to see I am not the only one. Last time it happened it really got him mad. My response to him was, "I figured if you were going to count than I don't have to, I will wait for you to make the call". He stopped. I so love those witty yet timid one liners that get a coach to shut up.

[Paul Klaver]

The count does not start with 1. It should actually start with 0.
And it is better NOT to count like 1,2,3.
It is MUCH better to count like this:
seventy one, seventy two, seventy three.
That way it is closer to the actual seconds on a clock.
And if people speak too fast in general it is even better to count like this: onehunderdandone, onehundredandtwo, onehundredandthree.
You can check your own count with a stopwatch. Reading the last line is almost perfectly aligned with a real stopwatch!!

[bob jenkins]

It's good to have a patient whistle, but 6+ years worth of "patient" is too slow.