Weird play
 

So a situation was proposed and I'm not real sure.

A1 is trapped. In a panic he throws the ball off the official, who is standing on the court. A1 retrieves the ball. Legal? He has already ended his dribble.

I'm thinking this would be an illegal dribble as we are considered part of the floor. But at the same time, if an errant pass hits off of us, any player can retrieve the ball. This was not an errant pass, from situation described, it was a deliberate play.

Two officials have said this play is legal.

illegal dribble. Its no different than starting a dribble off the court, except they use us as a substitute 2x4.

Illegal dribble

Double Dribble
 

The play you describe is illegal. Since the player had already ended their dribble, being the first to recover the ball after hitting the official would be a second dribble.

In the rule book, is there any difference between an errant pass and a deliberate pass?

And where in the rule book does it say any player can retrieve an errant pass that hits off an official?

Nice, that one made me lose it and laugh out loud in class!

You are correct, I said that incorrectly. I don't know what I was thinking :)

Chubby Checker Question ...
 

If he fumbled the ball, and then the ball subsequently struck an official, I believe that he would be allowed to go and pick up the ball (not starting a new dribble) without penalty. Am I correct in this assumption?

Whew....glad it was just a brain fart :D

Billy, you don't know the rule?

When can a player not recover a fumble? That should answer your question.

Once A Teacher, Always A Teacher ...
 

Of course I know this rule. I'm just trying to cash in on a teachable moment for the newbies.

Looks like Texref now knows of two officials that he shouldn't seek advice from. :eek:

This situation in the OP is similar to the ruling when a player, who has ended his/her dribble, throws the ball off of the opponents backboard/rim when in the backcourt.