Player Position: Start of Game Toss
 

For the "start of the game" toss, is there anywhere in the books that states that both players must be of equal distances from the center division line?

In one game I was in (U1 and not administering the toss) I saw one player, while in the center restraining circle half where he was supposed to be, be about a step or so back while the other player, while in his half, was about six inches from the division line. The one coach wanted the player that was standing further out to be moved in.

Now, I was watching another game from the stands and saw the R move a jumper closer to the line so both jumpers would be equal distance from the division line.

Where in the book(s) does it states both players need to be of equal distance from the division line during the opening toss? I can't find that, only the other specifics around the opening toss.
:rolleyes:

No such requirement. The jumpers merely must be in their own halves of the circle, but don't even need to face any particular direction.

6-3-1 . . .

of the center restraining circle which is farther from his/her basket.

NOTE (following article 8)

NOTE:

During a jump ball, a jumper is not required to face his/her own basket, provided
he/she is in the proper half of the center restraining circle. The jumper is also not required
to jump and attempt to touch the tossed ball. However, if neither jumper touches the ball
it should be tossed again with both jumpers being ordered to jump and try to touch the

ball.

I've seen officials move players back to allow room for the toss, but I've never seen officials move players closer, unless they were outside the circle.

That's a new one for me.

Exactly! The rule only states that each jumper must be in their half of the center restraining circle. The players need not face each other. The players, initially, do not have to jump but on a re-toss, at least one must jump. Neither players need face a basket. The simply have to be in their half of the circle.

So, I ignored the coach on this one since I did not know of any rule that stated the opponent needed to be the same close distance from the center line as the coaches player was. Of course, the game I was observing, the R was simply wrong to make one of the jumpers move to a point that was equal to his opponent.

Thanks.

I worked a game at the start of this season where the R made a non jumper move because his feet were straddling the division line. Myth?

I'm not carrying the measuring tape in my pocket!! :D

Who ya gonna call?
 

Billy Mac, calling Billy Mac. The Batphone is ringing for you.

I've never heard that one. I do see a few Rs who want to make everyone stand still for the toss, but I've never had one make the playes choose one side of the division line.

But hey, may as well have Billy add it to his list.

Mark T. DeNucci, Sr. Will Remember This ...
 

Back in the middle part of the twentieth century, there was an smaller diameter inner circle inside the jump ball circle that we now use. I believe that the rule stated that both jumpers had to have all least one foot in the smaller diameter inner circle.

Steverz's coach, and R, in his original post, must be "old timers".

Freddy: I don't answer the Batphone, but I do respond to the Mythbuster searchlight signal in the clouds.

Yes, it's a myth, and I've seen officials do it, too. I wonder where this crap gets started.

Non-jumpers are not allowed to change positions.

It wasn't in the middle 20th Century, but in the late 1970's thru the late80's if my memory is correct. I ain't going to climb up into that attic for this one but I think that once Spring time rolls around I am going to have to bring that stuff down and scan it into this computer.

MTD, Sr.

It doesn't mean they have to be stationary, and it only applies to the players around the circle.

If they aren't on the circle, they can move all they want.

These Leopards Can Change Their Spots
 

And if they are on the circle, they can move away from it if they want.
6-3-2a,b

Before The Possession Arrow ...
 

Back in the "olden days" when I was a coach, I used this to get quite a few open layups. That was back when we had lots, and lots, of jump balls, and lots, and lots, of jump ball plays.

Canada Eh.

Had a partner this week tell a player off the circle that she couldn't be directly behind (6-7 feet) a player on the circle.

"6-3 ART. 2

When the official is ready and until the ball is tossed, nonjumpers shall not:

a. Move onto the center restraining circle.

b. Change position around the center restraining circle."

How would one judge this? I guess I'm having problems understanding "move onto" and "change position".

Is that more than a step?

Not Sure, Need Cooberation ...
 

Aren't the "unmarked" spaces on the circle assumed to be three feet wide, and three feet deep, like the marked spaces on the lane lines?

Billy:

You are correct oh "Great One'.

MTD, Sr.

Where is it written?

6.3.2 SITUATION:

The referee is ready to toss the ball to start the game. (a) A1 who was on the center restraining circle backs off; (b) B1 moves onto the *restraining circle into an unoccupied spot; (c) B2 moves off the circle and goes behind A2 and is within 3 feet of the circle; or (d) B3 moves off the circle about 5 feet and moves around behind A3 and A4 who are occupying spaces on the *circle.

RULING: Legal in (a) and (d), but a violation in both (b) and (c). Moving off the restraining circle in (a), and around the circle when more than 3 feet away as in (d), is permissible. It is a violation to move onto the circle as in (b), until the ball leaves the official's hand, or into an occupied space as in (c), until the ball is touched. The violation by B results in a throw-in for Team A. (4-3-1, 4-3-2, 4-3-3)

You mean besides 1-3-1?

Uh yeah.

Bob, Thanks. Forgot to look there. :o

I Can't Remember The Last Time I Read Rule 1 ???
 

A restraining circle shall be drawn at the center of the court with a
radius of 6 feet measured to the outside edge. The edge of the circle shall be
designated with a minimum of a ¼-inch-wide single line but no wider than 2
inches. See Table 1-1, No. 3 if the use of contrasting colored-floor areas instead
of a line is desirable. Spaces for nonjumpers around the center circle are 36
inches deep.

Where does it say that the spaces are three feet wide?

Is This Microphone Workng ???
 

Does it say it anywhere? Is it one of those myths?

Billy:

I am not going to climb up into the attic right now, but the "myth" comes from the fact that the marked free throw lane spaces are three feet wide and the width of the throw-in space is also three feet. Realisticly (Did I spell that correctly?) when players line up next to each other, they have defined their spaces around the Center Circle. And therefore there are approximately 12.6 spaces around the Center Circle.

MTD, Sr.

Is it also true that if A1 and A2 are right next to each other around the circle B1 can request the space between them?

Along those lines, what about an inbounds play from endline where the other four players are stacked in a line down the free throw line. Can the defense request to be in between them?

Yes, 6-3-3.

No, 7-6-5. Only applies to parallel positions to the throw-in plane within 3 feet of the line.

Last week during an 8th grade boys game I actually had to tell some non-jumpers to move because they came onto the circle with their legs overlapping an opponent who had already established his position on the circle. I can't recall ever having to deal with it before.

Does no one own a rules book anymore?

You cut me, Bob. ;)

Please Help ...
 

Still can't find a citation that states that the spaces around the circle are three feet wide. I looked. Maybe I'm not looking in the right place. I remember being taught this, over thirty years ago, but I can't find it in the rulebook.

I've never heard anything about width, only depth.

What about girth?