Step on Line -- Legal or Illegal?

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by Juulie Downs

I'm wondering if there's an equally simple, elegant way to describe all the different line violations. The boundary lines are all out of bounds, so if a person is throwing in, it's legal to step on the line, but the lines around the top of the key, where the shooter stands, are all not okay. Free throw lane lines are not okay to step on, during the free throw, stepping on the 3-point line makes a shot a 2-point shot. So basically all lines are like oob, except that the division line is legal if you're still in backcourt. To me, it's confusing. Anyone help here?

It's confusing because you're looking at whether it's "okay" to step on it or not, which is the wrong mantra.

Originally Posted by mbyron

The lines are boundaries, and they are not part of the court area they define. The OOB lines are not part of the court. The lane lines are not part of the lane. The division line is not part of the frontcourt.

That's terrible!

The boundary lines are always OOB.

The lane lines are always part of the lane.

The division line is always part of the backcourt.

The 3 point arc is always part of the two point area.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by hoopsaddict

I need clarification on this, if a player is taking a throw-in out of bounds and they step on the line this is legal? The violation wouldn't occur until they actually step over/past the line onto the playing court?

Some courts don't have lines, they have merely a paint color change. Others have lines that are 6 feet deep. Thoughts?

[representing]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Some courts don't have lines, they have merely a paint color change. Others have lines that are 6 feet deep. Thoughts?

Players can stand on the 3 feet deep "lines". Where the line ends and the court starts, the FINE LINE that separates it, that's where the player cannot step over. on a standard 3 inch line they are allowed to step on the line. The line makes them out of bounds if they were dribbling the ball on the court, so it still has them out of bounds if stepped on during a throw-in. Makes better sense?

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by hoopsaddict

I need clarification on this, if a player is taking a throw-in out of bounds and they step on the line this is legal? The violation wouldn't occur until they actually step over/past the line onto the playing court?

Correct.

[CMHCoachNRef]

Originally Posted by hoopsaddict

I need clarification on this, if a player is taking a throw-in out of bounds and they step on the line this is legal? The violation wouldn't occur until they actually step over/past the line onto the playing court?

addict,
The ONLY points on the OOB line that are relevant are the points that touch the court. In other words, even though the line is somewhere between 2 inches and 6 feet (or more) wide, only the razor thin line that defines the court matter.

Therefore, as long as said player's foot does not go completely through the line and make contact with the court, there is no violation. Touching the line is no different than touching the area behind the line as all of these areas are out of bounds.

[TimTaylor]

Originally Posted by CMHCoachNRef

addict,
The ONLY points on the OOB line that are relevant are the points that touch the court. In other words, even though the line is somewhere between 2 inches and 6 feet (or more) wide, only the razor thin line that defines the court matter.

Sometimes you get a mix.....we have a significant number of courts in our area that have a 2 inch line, a small gap and a wide painted area outside that. The court boundary is the inside edge of the 2 inch line.

Think of the line as defining a restricted area that includes the line. A violation occurs when a player enters or leaves a restricted area when they aren't supposed to by rule.

For example, the lane is a restricted area for everyone during a FT and for the offensive team when they have team control in their front court.

Likewise, out of bounds is an area that all players are restricted from intentionally entering when the ball is live, and which a player making a throw-in is restricted from leaving until they release the ball on throw-in pass.

The edge of the line is always the edge closest to the non-restricted area on the court. Why - common sense...it's easier to see when determining if a violation has occurred.