For FIBA officials (here we go again)

[Jay R]

I'd like some input from FIBA officials regarding the new no charge semi-ciricle which FIBA is adopting this year. I just starting reading the 2010 FIBA rules and if I am understanding the new rule, it will be different than the NBA interpretation. In FIBA, there will be no charge called when a defensive player is inside the semi circle area. That means (I believe) that unlike the NBA, a defensive player could be standing on the semi circle line and a charge can be called. It is only when both his feet are completely inside the line that a block will be called. Please verify this or correct me if I'm wrong.

I was sorta hoping that I was wrong because it means that the NBA and FIBA versions will be different and it will lead to confusion. It would not be the first time. In 2008, when FIBA adopted the clear path rule, they never bothered to specify when the clear path foul ceases. So we had officials who thought that if you stole the ball in the open floor and you were fouled going up for a lay up on the other end, that it was still a clear path foul. In our province, that interpretation was only clarified after the season began (not good).

I also noticed that many rules have been changed that were not announced as rule changes by FIBA.