3 second rule

[krampuppy]

When does the three second count reset? Does it reset on the shot? We had a kid get knocked down in the lane and there were a bunch of offensive rebounds during the possession and we were called for 3 seconds. I asked if the three second resets on shot attempts and was told it did not. He told me that it doesnt reset for someone laying in the middle of the lane. I had a conversation with a referree about it and was just wondering what the call is. Thanks in advance for your time.


Also, someone tried to tell me once that it could reset on the referee's discretion on shot fakes. Is that true?

[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.

[Scratch85]

Originally Posted by krampuppy

When does the three second count reset? Does it reset on the shot? We had a kid get knocked down in the lane and there were a bunch of offensive rebounds during the possession and we were called for 3 seconds. I asked if the three second resets on shot attempts and was told it did not. He told me that it doesnt reset for someone laying in the middle of the lane. I had a conversation with a referree about it and was just wondering what the call is. Thanks in advance for your time.


Also, someone tried to tell me once that it could reset on the referee's discretion on shot fakes. Is that true?

Three seconds requires team control in the Front Court. There is no Team Control during a shot so the count would end every time Team Control is lost. A new count would start when Team control was established again in the Front Court (offensive rebound).

If a player dribbles in or moves immediately to try for goal, the count is suspended. If the player ceases to try for goal, the count is picked up where it was suspended.

[buckrog64]

You have to have team control in order for there to be a three second call. Team control doesn't exist on a try or tap or during the rebounding. Fans and coaches tend to get excited when there is no three second call with all those players in the lane trying to grab a rebound. There is also some discretion on a three second call when a player gets the ball in the lane and may make a move towards the basket. If it's the opinion of the official that the player may make a move towards the basket, the three second count can be suspended. It's one of those judgement things we run into from time to time. If the player winds up passing the ball, then you have a three second call assuming three seconds have passed. It happens quickly, but most officials don't pull the trigger on a three second call as fast as fans and coaches want sometimes. Must be a reason for that.