Player Pass to Self

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by MelbRef

Under what circumstances may a player legally pass the ball to self? Everyone seems to have a different rules interpretation. I figured I would ask the experts.

Situation: Player #2 cuts to basket just as Player #1 passes him the ball.

1) Player #1 had not started a dribble and retrieves pass and stops.
2) Player #1 was dribbling and retrieves pass and stops.
3) Player #1 had not started dribble and retrieves pass and dribbles.
4) Player #1 was dribbling and retrieves pass and dribbles.

Verdict?

All the principles which you need to know about such plays are covered in this play ruling:

2003-04 NFHS BASKETBALL RULES INTERPRETATIONS

SITUATION 6: A1 jumps from the floor and secures a defensive re-bound. A1 then pivots toward the sideline where a teammate, A2, is standing for an outlet pass. Just as A1 releases the pass, A2 turns and runs down the court. A1 throws a soft bounce pass to where A2 was standing. A1 then moves and secures the ball without dribbling. RULING: Legal action. A1 had the pivot foot on the floor and began a dribble by throwing the ball to the floor (the bounce pass); the dribble ended when A1 secured the ball. Upon reaching the ball, A1 also could have continued the dribble. (4-15-3,4)