Crossing the backboard...

[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

[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.

[Adam]

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

[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.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by coachgbert

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

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

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by coachgbert

1) If the path of the basketball is over the top of the backboard, is this a violation?

2) Does it make a difference if the ball travels from front to back, or back to front?

3)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)?

4)And if this is a violation, what is the official term? ie. double dribble, traveling?

5)What is the REAL rule?"

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)

[coachgbert]

Thanks everyone! It was rectangular backboard.

[Juulie Downs]

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

JK

[coachgbert]

Originally Posted by Juulie Downs

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

JK

Well that was "reaching" to get there!

[BillyMac]

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.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

The front, top, sides, and bottom of the backboard are all in play.

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."