probably a pretty common question. in the nba, if the ball bounces off the top of the backboard, is it still inbounds or out of bounds? does it depend on which side of the backboard it lands (front or back)? thanks to all.

It's a myth that a ball that hits the top is OOB. The ball is not OOB, under NBA, NCAA, or NFHS rules, if the ball hits the top of the backboard. It's OOB if it goes over the top, touches a support, rope, cable, shot clock, etc., or hits the back of the backboard.

Just like high school, five sides of the backboard (top, bottom, left side, right side, front) are inbounds. In HS, if the ball goes over the top of a rectangular backboard, it's OOB, whether or not it hit the top first (sometimes it hits the rim and then goes over). In the NBA, if the ball attempts to go over the top, it will hit the 24 second clock and this puts it OOB.

thanks

Let me add another NBA twist. Unless the ball goes DIRECTLY over the backboard, it's still in play. Picture the square on the board. If it goes out directly over that, it is out. However if the ball goes over at an angle to either corner, it's play on!

I always thought that was a weird rule. What angle must the ball go over at to be legal? 45 degrees? 50 degrees? 21 degrees?

If it goes over, it goes over.

How about this twist from the same rule: the ball is also considered to be OOB if it passes directly behind the backboard. So if you throw a pass from one corner on the baseline to the other corner on the baseline and it goes behind the backboard, TWEET, OOB! Wierd! (Rule 8 Section II-b).

Which ref is supposed to call this? Not lead I hope?

Is there anybody else here who would pay a LOT of money to work with Juulie while she was reffing in high heels?!?!?! :D

Easy Chuck, easy...

http://wex.www.media.mit.edu/people/...sult-trans.gif

I lost a game that way once...
 

Thanks for clarifying that call, I lost a game that way last year and all this time I thought I got ripped off. I've seen it called the other way too many times.

Thanks,

Coach Corbitt
<a href="http://www.NWAhoops.com">www.NWAhoops.com</a>

Re: I lost a game that way once...
 

Welcome to the site, coach! ;)

This is one of those basketball myths. Unfortunately, too many officials believe the myth as well. :(