Crossing the backboard...

[justacoach]

Originally Posted by coachgbert

Hi, coach here. Question on a basketball message board and I was hoping to get the rule for the following question. Lots of disagreements, as can be expected from parents and fans. Here is the question:

"No impact on the final outcome of the game; just curious about the rule.

If the path of the basketball is over the top of the backboard, is this a violation? Does it make a difference if the ball travels from front to back, or back to front? And does intent matter (i.e. ball bounces off of rim on a shot, and goes over the backboard, versus a shot from behind the backboard over top)?

And if this is a violation, what is the official term? ie. double dribble, traveling? What is the REAL rule?"

Thanks and sorry to bother you guys with a question, but no one believes anything when you get a bunch of coaches, parents and fans on the same board (as you are all well aware!)
Coach Gbert

Fan shaped or rectangular backboard?

[Hartsy]

Originally Posted by justacoach

Fan shaped or rectangular backboard?

Yes, coach, it does make a difference in the answer. But if you tell me it was a fan shaped backboard, I want to see your gym.

[Paul LeBoutillier]

If a rectangular backboard is being used the ball becomes dead when it passes over the BB.

[Scratch85]

7-1-2(b) The ball is out of bounds: when it passes over a rectangular backboard.

[bearclause]

Originally Posted by Paul LeBoutillier

If a rectangular backboard is being used the ball becomes dead when it passes over the BB.

Happened near the end of a Cal-UCLA game two years ago. They counted the shot, although the refs agreed that the ball went over the corner of the backboard. The Pac-10 basketball officiating coordinator issued some sort of statement that back the officials, although the NCAA's officiating coordinator seemed to think it was an incorrect call. I noticed the NCAA rule was modified the next year to state that **any** part of the ball over the backboard meant that the ball was rules out of bounds.

[Adam]

If the ball passes over top of the backboard, it is considered an OOB violation. Intent and direction do not matter.