2 or a 3

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by geoff.mayfield

Using NFHS Rules, what happens in this scenario:

A1 attempts an alley-oop bounce pass to A2. Both A1 and the bounce (of the bounce pass) are behind Team A’s three point line. A2 ignores the pass and the pass goes into the goal. (There is no contact with the ball and any player between the bounce and the goal). Is this a 2 point goal or a 3 point goal?

I ask because Rule 5-2-1 has two sentences which appear to be in potential conflict.

5-2-1 says that a “Try, Tap or Thrown ball” from behind the team’s own 3 point line shall count as 3 points.

In the above scenario, the goal was not scored from the result of a “try” because the ball struck the floor, ending the try (See 4-41-4). The goal was not scored as a “tap” because the intent was to pass, not to direct the ball into the bucket. (See 4-41-5). (yes, there is judgment here, but assume that judgment is solid)

Thus, the only theory that could support the goal being a three point goal would be the “thrown ball” theory in Rule 5-2-1. (unfortunately “Thrown Ball” is not defined.)

...

Think of a thrown ball as an errant pass (alley oop; baseball pass from backcourt, etc) that we would not judge as a try.

Now my question would be, say we have one of those errant baseball passes to a post player who gets held by the defender and we put a whistle on it and the ball goes in the basket. How do we adjudicate the foul?