Jump Ball - Movement Prior to Touch

[HokiePaul]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Why would a referee want to state, "Don't move", or, "Hold your spots", before tossing the ball? Stupid referee.

Our rules interpreter when I was trained recommended stating "Hold your spots around the circle" prior to the toss for a couple of reasons:

It allows for the officials to address ART. 3 if necessary
"Teammates may not occupy adjacent positions around the center restraining circle if an opponent indicates a desire for one of these positions before the referee is ready to toss the ball."

It serves as an indication to the players that the official is ready and therefore:
"until the ball is tossed, nonjumpers shall not:
a. Move onto the center restraining circle.
b. Change position around the center restraining circle."
and
"until the tossed ball is touched by one or both jumpers, nonjumpers
shall not:
a. Have either foot break the plane of the center restraining circle cylinder.
b. Take a position in any occupied space."

If a player moves legally, for example, backing directly out from the circle without entering an occupied space, the official would carry on as no violation has occured. The official is also not saying for how long the player must hold their spot. It is up to the player to know the rule if they desire to move. A player located off of the center circle could "hold their spot" for a half second as an indication that they do not desire to move onto the center circle, and the continue to move legally.

As for stating "Don't move" ... I can't defend that one. But I do like "Hold your spots around the circle" as a simple game administration technique. It is also the standard practice in my association.