Did I Kick This One?
 

A1, in the back court, passes to A2 in the front court. A2 is not expecting the pass, and the ball bounces off his shoulder and into the back court where A1 picks it up.

I called back court.

The reason I'm second guessing myself is I thought you had to have team and player control in the front court in order to have a back court violation.

Set me straight please.

Player & Team Control inbounds, last to touch in FC, first to touch in BC. Violation. Essential elements met.

If the pass from A1 were a throw-in then it would not have been a violation b/c Team A's initial Player & Team Control inbounds was not established until A1 got possession in the backcourt.

Player control in the frontcourt is only required when coming from a throw-in. Officiate backcourt calls exactly as you would have last year.

Unfortunately, this isn't what the rule says, even if it is how we're supposed to rule it.

That's how I was instructed to call it.

Sad, but true. The NFHS really screwed up the text this season.

Glad you posted this...it reminded me of a play I had last night in a playoff game. I'm the C coming up the court on a press. Right as I get to half court A1 passes the ball from the backcourt to A2 in the front court. A2 jumps up to catch the high pass...ball deflects off his hands back into the backcourt where A3 grabs the ball.

I pause to process what just occurred focusing specifically on where A2 jumped from....After I played it back that he jumped from the frontcourt, I blew my whistle and signaled backcourt violation. A slight delay...but wanted to make sure I got the call right...

Same play as the OP. BC violation.

NFHS Fumbled The Ball ...
 

What if you're a rookie official and don't know about last year?

Yeah, that was my ongoing rant on the subject. Hopefully the FED will take the time in the off-season to properly word all the applicable rules.

But at this time of the year officials who are still working HS games shouldn't be rookies and should know how to adjudicate the plays properly.

We're Not In Rookie Land Anymore, Toto ...
 

Good point.