Crossing the backboard...
 

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?

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.

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

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

The real rule is
 

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

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.

Out of bounds violation is the official term. Or maybe icing. :D

1) Yes, as long as the ball passes completely over a rectangular backboard.

2) No.

3) No.

4) A player causing the ball to go out of bounds.

5) NFHS rules 9-3-1 and 7-1-2(b)

Thanks everyone! It was rectangular backboard.

The actual call is "Over the Back board..."

JK

Well that was "reaching" to get there!

It's Simple Geometry ...
 

The front, top, sides, and bottom of the backboard are all in play. The ball cannot pass over a rectangular backboard from either direction. The back of a backboard is out of bounds as well as the supporting structures.

A fact that seems to escape many. I love hearing the cries of "IT HIT THE TOP!" after a missed shot ricochets off of the top of the backboard and stays in play. I can't help but thinking to myself "Yes, exactly. Which is why we're playing on."