Held ball - Help
 

In a situation where 2 players are close to being call for a held ball, can a third person comes over and help out their teammate？I have been told by friends that no more than 2 players can hustle for the ball. But in some NBA games, I noticed at times there were 3 players hustling for it. Thanks in advance!

There is no rule based limit.

This ain't the NHL...there's no third man in rule. Your friends must not watch any kind of basketball to think there's some rule that prevents 3 or more players from hustling for the ball.

Explain that NHL Rule please? I was not aware. Of such rule in Hockey.

Peace

If a third player intervenes in an altercation between two players, the third player is assessed a game misconduct unless a match penalty is being assessed in the original altercation

NHL Rule Book (2011-2012)
46.16 Third Man In - A game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be imposed on any player who is the first to intervene (third man in) in an altercation already in progress except when a match penalty is being imposed in the original altercation. This penalty is in addition to any other penalties incurred in the same incident.

This rule also applies to subsequent players who elect to intervene in the same or other altercations during the same stoppage of play.

Generally, this rule is applied when a fightys occurs

Is that a Greek fight?

No that is Canadian for what they do in Hockey.

Peace

Respectfully Disagree ...
 

There isn't? How about eleven players? Legal?

Impressive APG! Do you work on the ice as well?

Please tell me your friends aren't officials. Please?

Should have known it was the Canadeapean spelling.

He just takes being a rules geek to a whole 'nother level. :D

Well, chances are if I haven't noticed 11 players on the court before a held ball situation develops, I won't be noticing during that situation. But yes, Billy, I suppose there's a limit, technically.

That said, there's no way in hell this situation is getting beyond three or four players before I have a whistle or the ball comes loose. That's just asking for trouble, so the limit isn't rules-based so much as it is practical.

Blame the NHL website for the spelling haha

Goodness no haha...just make it a point to be as knowledgeable as possible with any sport I watch. Plus I couldn't skate nearly as well as those referees and linesmen do. ;)

So if the ball is clearly on the floor and players are coming from everywhere you are stopping play just to keep away from trouble?

Peace

This isn't the play in question, but, allow me to reiterate:

Shaq, I read what you said. But we do not control the ball coming loose, so that is why I was confused. So if the ball does not come loose then what?

Peace

It Just Wouldn't Seem Fair ...
 

I make it a habit to count all the players on the court before I blow the whistle for a every held ball, in every game, that I officiate. There's no way that I'm going to let an arrow decide possession during an illegal power play. A good official can't be too thorough.