Using Backboard to Gain An Advantage

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by SamIAm

Concerning the play in the OP, I saw an A2 come flying in on a shot from inside the lane. The shot rebounded to the opposite side of the lane from A2. A2 timed it to likely dunk the rebound. A2's hands looked to contact the backboard, and A2's momentum/direction appeared to change. Instead of A2 landing under the backboard or even closer to the endline (and being out of the play for a rebound on the next shot), A2 is now sufficiently in front of the backboard to contend for a rebound on the next shot.

The backboard was not slapped, A2 just put his hands up to meet the backboard and stop his forward momentum.

I thought it a very athletic and smart play. Then I recalled a rule against using the backboard to gain an advantage, looked it up, and here we are.

Are you saying a player that jumps up and almost hits their head on the backboard and somehow uses their hands to prevent this from happening is doing something illegal? Because that is what is sounds to me. Now if that is what you want to call that is fine. I just think you will have some explaining to do and you better have tape to back it up. Because without a clear example on tape I think this is a stretch.

Peace

[SamIAm]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Are you saying a player that jumps up and almost hits their head on the backboard and somehow uses their hands to prevent this from happening is doing something illegal? Because that is what is sounds to me. Now if that is what you want to call that is fine. I just think you will have some explaining to do and you better have tape to back it up. Because without a clear example on tape I think this is a stretch.

Peace

After re-reading my post and not seeing any mention of a player about to hit their head on the backboard, I am sure I am not saying A2 was avoiding hitting his head on the backboard. What I am saying is, A2 used the backboard to stop his forward momentum and keep himself in play for a rebound. Additionally, when A2 landed he did not have to regain his balance, he seemed to land and be ready for the next rebound. It was almost as if this was practiced or at least had been done before.

Other than this type of use of the backboard, I can't think of any way to get an advantage from the backboard except to pull yourself up from the lip on the backside.

The rule reads as "placing a hand(s) on the backboard or ring to gain an advantage" is a class B technical foul.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by SamIAm

After re-reading my post and not seeing any mention of a player about to hit their head on the backboard, I am sure I am not saying A2 was avoiding hitting his head on the backboard. What I am saying is, A2 used the backboard to stop his forward momentum and keep himself in play for a rebound. Additionally, when A2 landed he did not have to regain his balance, he seemed to land and be ready for the next rebound. It was almost as if this was practiced or at least had been done before.

Other than this type of use of the backboard, I can't think of any way to get an advantage from the backboard except to pull yourself up from the lip on the backside.

The rule reads as "placing a hand(s) on the backboard or ring to gain an advantage" is a class B technical foul.

Once again, can you show me a ruling of any kind that says what you just described is an acceptable T? Rules always say one thing, the casebook and interpretations tell you how to apply the rules. So until you can show me how someone can gain an advantage by playing their hands on the backboard on a rebound, I might go there with you. And in a college game, I am really not going to just call something that is only discussed on this board. I would actually need some play or situation that is backed by a ruling. If I call a T for this, someone is going to ask for an explanation either at the game or later with the supervisor. I am not going to consider a rebounding situation as an advantage at this time. You are not going to keep me from getting suspended or fired.

Let me make another thing clear, is I only listed what the player might have done because I did not see the play (and neither did you). So it is pure speculation what was the reason for the action or how that action really caused and advantage.

Peace