Striking the backboard

[Sharpshooternes]

Striking the backboard while trying to block a shot is really the only time it is legal to hit the backboard. Any other time or when it is on the ring, touching the backboard or in the cylinder should be a player technical foul correct?

[Freddy]

Mere touching not the issue... See 10.3.4 COMMENT for more explanation.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Freddy

See 10.3.4 COMMENT ...

... The purpose of the rule is to penalize intentional contact with the backboard while a shot or try is
involved or placing a hand on the backboard to gain an advantage. A player who
strikes either backboard so forcefully it cannot be ignored because it is an attempt
to draw attention to the player, or a means of venting frustration may be assessed
a technical foul pursuant to Rule 10-3-6.

10-3-4: A player shall not: Illegally contact the backboard/ring by:
a. Placing a hand on the backboard or ring to gain an advantage.
b. Intentionally slapping or striking the backboard or causing the ring to
vibrate while a try or tap is in flight or is touching the backboard or is in the
basket or in the cylinder above the basket.

From the list of The Most Misunderstood Basketball Rules (below):

A player cannot touch the ball, ring, or net while the ball is on the ring or within the basket. A player cannot touch the ball if it is in the imaginary cylinder above the ring. These are examples of basket interference. It is legal to touch the ring or the net if the ball is above the ring and not touching the ring, even if the ball is in the imaginary cylinder above the ring. It is legal to hang on the ring if a player is avoiding an injury to himself or herself or another player.

The backboard has nothing to do with goaltending. Goaltending is when a player touches the ball during a try, or tap, while it is in its downward flight, entirely above the basket ring level, and has the possibility of entering the basket. On most layups, the ball is going up after it contacts the backboard. It is legal to pin the ball against the backboard if it still on the way up and not in the imaginary cylinder above the basket. Slapping the backboard is neither basket interference nor is it goaltending and points cannot be awarded. A player who strikes a backboard, during a tap, or a try, so forcefully that it cannot be ignored because it is an attempt to draw attention to the player, or a means of venting frustration, may be assessed a technical foul. When a player simply attempts to block a shot and accidentally slaps the backboard it is neither a violation nor is it a technical foul.

[Sharpshooternes]

So goal tending can only happen on the initial downward flight? If the ball bounces up off of the rim, any further interference with the ball in the cylinder HAS TO be BI. Is this a valid assessment?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Sharpshooternes

So goal tending can only happen on the initial downward flight? If the ball bounces up off of the rim, any further interference with the ball in the cylinder HAS TO be BI. Is this a valid assessment?

Goaltending occurs when a player:
1) Touches the ball during a field-goal try or tap
2) While it is in its downward flight
3) While it is entirely above the basket ring level
4) Has the possibility of entering the basket in flight
Many, including my interpreter, add:
5) While not in the cylinder.

GT for the win

GT for the win

GT for the win

[Sharpshooternes]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Goaltending occurs when a player:
1) Touches the ball during a field-goal try or tap
2) While it is in its downward flight
3) While it is entirely above the basket ring level
4) Has the possibility of entering the basket in flight
Many, including my interpreter, add:
5) While not in the cylinder.

GT for the win

GT for the win

GT for the win

So that play referenced in the old thread is (in NFHS) actually a BI because the player was touching the net while the ball was on the rim. (And likely in the cylinder). So on an upward bounce it has to be BI whereas a downward trajectory could be either.