Inbounds play - inbounder delays entry

[CMHCoachNRef]

Originally Posted by rfp

Saw this the other night. GV game, 10 seconds left in a tie game. Team B inbounds under their basket. Inbounder B1 passes into the corner and then remains out of bounds for approximately 3 full seconds, in what appears to be part of their inbounds play strategy, so the defense loses attention on her. After 3 seconds she comes inbounds at the box, receives a pass and puts up a lay-up for the go-ahead score.

What's the right call? More interestingly, would you make it? Gut check time.

In this OP, no call was made. Team B wins by 2 on this game-deciding play.

Originally Posted by just another ref

I'm still not sure about this one. Is it possible to be "purposeful and deceitful" by just standing there? The case play has the thrower going around a screen while out of bounds. This is pretty cut and dried. But if the thrower stands in the spot a couple of seconds, then enters, how does this gain an advantage? If the rule included the phrase "return immediately" it would be different, but, as written, pass, wait, step inbounds directly, I don't think I would make this call.


In reality, even if one were hell-bent to make this call, I think it would be easy to overlook, particularly in two whistle. In the OP, the ball went to the corner. I assume the lead went with it.

Per the NFHS Rules Book:
Purposely and/or deceitfully delay returning after legally being out
of bounds.

I get the rule. At the same time, while the STATIONARY player who stands for a one, two or three count and then steps DIRECTLY onto the court MAY fit into the area of "Purposefully", as a COACH I still can't understand how such a delay could not reasonably be defended. The offensive team has five players involved in the play -- one of them legally out of bounds. Eventually, the player will be back on the court. Until that time, the offensive team is playing FOUR vs. FIVE -- not exactly what I would consider an "advantage."

I completely understand the situation of a player skirting around any defenders by running along the end line or sideline. It makes perfect sense. A player simply standing (or, perhaps he slipped, or perhaps he realized his shoe was untied and bent down to tie it), should NOT create an advantage for an offense unless the defense is just plain stupid.

Just my opinion, of course.