Legal? Sitting on butt an then lay down
 

Can a player while sitting on the floor holding the ball, lay down on his/her back? (Basically the opposite of the legal play where the player laying down sits up...4.44.5b)

I can't think of any reason that would make this illegal.

Then it's legal.

So if a player sitting on the floor who legally gains possession of the ball then touches the floor with his elbow, you're going to call the violation?

This is what I was thinking. Though it is not specified, I always took it for granted that this rule refers to a standing player.

It's not a travel unless he moves his pivot cheek. :rolleyes:

Actually, the points made in the thread are really interesting. By strict interpretation of that rule, it would be a travel if the player touched the floor with his back or his elbow, or even his wrist, if you don't consider the wrist a part of the hand. I must admit in all my years, I've never called a travel if the player sitting up while on the floor with the ball laid back down, and certainly not if his elbow hit the floor. Maybe I was wrong.

Time For A Nap ???
 

And you've seen this play, how many times?

Quote Was Better On Airplane ...
 

No, it's not, but whether it applies to a player who gains the ball while on the floor is up for discussion, don't you think?

If interpreted literally, this rule could say that it is traveling when the player on the floor gains control.

...............player holding the ball may not touch the floor with......any other body part...............


It doesn't say may not subsequently touch.........

Therefore, we must conclude that4-44-5a refers to a standing player.
Correct?

Wow -what a great interpretation. JAR, gotta' give you props for this. I think you may have nailed it. Deducing this puts you in the same category as that British detective with the deer stalker hat. I'm not kidding - this was absolutely brilliant.

"I can't make bricks without clay."
 

"Excellent!" I cried. "Elementary," said he.

Descriptions and exceptions are shown for being on the floor [i.e., rolling, sliding, laying on the back, sitting up], but no exceptions are given for holding the ball.

Holding the ball is holding the ball, whether sitting or standing.

While holding the ball, if [standing or sitting] A slaps away a defender's hand, what, if any, kind of foul would be called on A?
While holding the ball, may [standing or sitting] A shoot, or pass, or start a dribble?

Then why while holding the ball may [standing or sitting] Player A be allowed to touch A's back (or elbow) to the floor, without a specifically noted exception to the rule [as written]?

If A is allowed to lay down, it is quite possible, though obviously not a basketball play, for A to lay down with enough force to locomote to another place on the court by laying back, legally sitting up, and laying back again.

I think the rule is clear. :)

I was using the words that were printed and not the words which were omitted, imagined or possible heard from the *voices*. ;)