Contacting the Backboard?

[BballTip]

Tough bang banger the other night...Wanted to get your thoughts and a rules citation...

A1 goes up for layup...B1 is following on fast break and attempts to block the shot. B1 does not touch the ball but does make significant contact with the backboard while the ball is on way up.

Coach goes crazy wanting a goaltending or basket interference call because the ball comes off rim. Trail had it all the way to the basket, does not blow anything.

In my estimation, it was the correct call because there is no penalty if the defensive player is making a legitimate attempt to block the shot.

However, what if the striking of the backboard causes the ring to move? Do you call that basket interference as if the defender had made contact with the ring?

[Adam]

The rules do not allow for a BI call when the defender hits the backboard. It's a T or nothing (99% of the time, it's nothing.) I granted a timeout once to a coach requesting I call a T on the other team.

There was a recent debate on here about whether the rule should be changed to include this in BI, but it wouldn't affect this play most likely, as the glass was likely struck before the ball was in the cylinder.

[tjones1]

Well... it can't be goaltending as the defender never touched the ball. 4-22

So the only other thing it could be is basket interference - which it isn't as Snaq pointed out. Therefore, it's a T or play-on.

Check out 10.3.4 Situation

[representing]

If they make a legitimate attempt to block the shot, then no call. The key here is which side of the basket did the defender hit the backboard. If he hit it on the side which the ball is, then 9 out of 10 times no call. If it's opposite side, then it is always a Technical for unsporting, and count the basket if it goes in (wait for ball to go in before blowing whistle).

EDIT: more like 99 out of 100 times no call.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by representing

If they make a legitimate attempt to block the shot, then no call. The key here is which side of the basket did the defender hit the backboard. If he hit it on the side which the ball is, then 9 out of 10 times no call. If it's opposite side, then it is always a Technical for unsporting, and count the basket if it goes in (wait for ball to go in before blowing whistle).

EDIT: more like 99 out of 100 times no call.

While I agree that this works as a good rule of thumb, I'd hesitate to make it an absolute.

Also, there is no need to wait for the ball to go in before blowing the whistle. Once the shooting motion has begun, a T on the defense does not cause the ball to become dead.

Once the shot is released, a T on the offense doesn't even cause the ball to become dead.

[representing]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

While I agree that this works as a good rule of thumb, I'd hesitate to make it an absolute.

Also, there is no need to wait for the ball to go in before blowing the whistle. Once the shooting motion has begun, a T on the defense does not cause the ball to become dead.

Once the shot is released, a T on the offense doesn't even cause the ball to become dead.

good point, but I'd much rather wait for the ball to go through the hoop before calling a T*, so no coaches will yell at me saying that I blew the call dead. It's hard to explain things to a mad coach, you're always wrong no matter what.

* Unless it is a T that needs to be dealt with immediately to avoid any further problems.

[JRutledge]

This is one of the most misunderstood rules in the game of basketball.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

This is one of the most misunderstood rules in the game of basketball.

This is a job for the Mythbusters:

The backboard has nothing to do with goaltending. Goaltending when a player touches the ball during a try, or tap, while it is in its downward flight, entirely above the basket ring level and has the possibility of entering the basket. On most layups, the ball is going up after it contacts the backboard. It is legal to pin the ball against the backboard if it still on the way up and not in the imaginary cylinder above the basket. Slapping the backboard is neither basket interference nor is it goaltending and points cannot be awarded. A player who strikes a backboard, during a tap, or a try, so forcefully that it cannot be ignored because it is an attempt to draw attention to the player, or a means of venting frustration, may be assessed a technical foul. When a player simply attempts to block a shot and accidentally slaps the backboard it is neither a violation nor is it a technical foul.

[BballTip]

Very good discussion.

That's such a tough call because of the speed of the game and the judgment involved, but I am with you guys, I tend to let the kids try to block the shot and if they make contact on the board while attempting, so be it.

[representing]

Originally Posted by tjones1

Well... it can't be goaltending as the defender never touched the ball. 4-22

So the only other thing it could be is basket interference - which it isn't as Snaq pointed out. Therefore, it's a T or play-on.

Check out 10.3.4 Situation

Play-On is soccer, not basketball :-)

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by representing

Play-On is soccer, not basketball :-)

It works quite well in basketball too. It's especially useful when the table blows the horn during play.

[representing]

Originally Posted by BballTip

However, what if the striking of the backboard causes the ring to move? Do you call that basket interference as if the defender had made contact with the ring?

Don't call it. It would be hard to tell if the rim moved at all, and if it does, it is a mere vibration that could be caused by a lot of different things.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by representing

Don't call it. It would be hard to tell if the rim moved at all, and if it does, it is a mere vibration that could be caused by a lot of different things.

None of this is relevant. You can't call it because it's not against the rules.

[representing]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

None of this is relevant. You can't call it because it's not against the rules.

I just wanted to point out that it would be hard to see any vibration of the rim because of a slap on the backboard. But you are right, it is not against the rules to slap the backboard as long as it is an apparent legitimate attempt to block the shot.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by representing

I just wanted to point out that it would be hard to see any vibration of the rim because of a slap on the backboard. But you are right, it is not against the rules to slap the backboard as long as it is an apparent legitimate attempt to block the shot.

I guarantee you Snaqs knows this. His point is that the basket cannot count for that reason. It never can be called for that reason. All you can call is a T and the ball could count anyway if it goes in the hoop or no one commits and actual BI violation.

Peace