illegal dribble?

[HawkeyeCubP]

This was a question in the IAABO test this year. I answered violation initially, but was persuaded otherwise by the answer key.

[just another ref]

Answer keys are sometimes wrong.

[HawkeyeCubP]

Originally Posted by just another ref

Answer keys are sometimes wrong.

This one wasn't. The play is basically as follows:

"A1, in control of the ball, who has not used a dribble, jumps off both feet into the air, then drops/releases the ball to his/her side. The official rules a legal play. Is the official correct?"

The answer, despite what many of you are suggesting, is in fact "yes," which is what jdmara is suggesting could be the ruling depending on the situation. The reason the answer is yes is because it does depend on what else is happening on the court around A1. If, for example, A2 is nearby and comes over and grabs the ball before or after a bounce or two, it wasn't the start of a dribble.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeCubP

This one wasn't. The play is basically as follows:

"A1, in control of the ball, who has not used a dribble, jumps off both feet into the air, then drops/releases the ball to his/her side. The official rules a legal play. Is the official correct?"

The answer, despite what many of you are suggesting, is in fact "yes," which is what jdmara is suggesting could be the ruling depending on the situation. The reason the answer is yes is because it does depend on what else is happening on the court around A1. If, for example, A2 is nearby and comes over and grabs the ball before or after a bounce or two, it wasn't the start of a dribble.

You're missing my point. The only valid answer to the question is "unknown" or "so far". You may not know what it is until something else happens. But, if it is a dribble, it was, by definition, so the moment it left the hand. You just have to wait in order to know. The question is incomplete. If it it turns out that it was a dribble, the actual violation occurred when it was released. Returning to the hand just confirms that it was a dribble.

[just another ref]

It is what it is on the release and should be judged at the time. If a defender lunges at the loose ball after it hits the floor and knocks it out of bounds, who would you give it to?

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by just another ref

It is what it is on the release and should be judged at the time. If a defender lunges at the loose ball after it hits the floor and knocks it out of bounds, who would you give it to?

Even better...dribbler lifts the pivot, then starts a dribble then there is contact as the defender tries to cover the move. Travel or block (assume block)? Do you think it is right for a defender to have to guard that move?

[BillyMac]

From the files of the Mythbusters:

When an airborne player tries for goal, sees that the try will be blocked, purposely drops the ball, and picks up the ball after it hits the floor, that player has traveled by starting a dribble with the pivot foot off the floor.

Are the Mythbusters wrong?

[HawkeyeCubP]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

You're missing my point. The only valid answer to the question is "unknown" or "so far". You may not know what it is until something else happens. But, if it is a dribble, it was, by definition, so the moment it left the hand. You just have to wait in order to know. The question is incomplete. If it it turns out that it was a dribble, the actual violation occurred when it was released. Returning to the hand just confirms that it was a dribble.

Gotcha. Semantically speaking, however, if it were written and rephrased as a true/false question, however, the answer would be "true."

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by just another ref

Answer keys are sometimes wrong.

So are forum members.

[Adam]

Just because a player throws a pass to an empty spot does not mean it wasn't a pass. The do it all the time out of ignorance and/or desperation. In the OP, I'm not calling it until the player touches it again and confirms that it was a dribble. If the erstwhile shooter doesn't even try to touch it, it was a pass.

This isn't to say I haven't blown this play out of anticipation.