Hanging on/contact goal tech?

[letemplay]

Most know it is LEGAL to hang on the rim to prevent injury, as in 10.3.3 C, but is this limited only to an offensive player making a move to the basket (dunk or lay-in)? Could a defensive player, attempting to block a shot and finding himself high in the air and off balance, be afforded the same exclusion from contacting the goal? I realize issues with basket interference/goal tending would take precedence, as also gaining an advantage (10-3-4a), but what about a play where none of this was present?

[bob jenkins]

Possible, but unlikely.

[LRZ]

The rule does not limit its application to the offense: "A player shall not...grasp either basket...except to prevent injury." The "a player" and "either basket" suggest, to me, both offense and defense may rely on the exception.

[Raymond]

Also applies to players who jump up for an alley-oop and miss the ball for whatever reason. Player safety is taken into account.

[Refk]

This year I was watching my son play a college game and he went to block a shot (close to the rim) , missed the block and then grabbed the rim to keep from landing on a player. I was waiting for some sort of whistle but nothing happened. He hung on the rim until it cleared up a bit below then let go. I asked him after the game what happened and he said "I was just protecting myself" , I asked him what the official said to him (next dead ball the official was talking with him) and he said that it wasn't a T because the official felt he was protecting himself. I'm not really sure what the rule is but it made sense to me.

Just my 2 cents.

Refk

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Refk

This year I was watching my son play a college game and he went to block a shot (close to the rim) , missed the block and then grabbed the rim to keep from landing on a player. I was waiting for some sort of whistle but nothing happened. He hung on the rim until it cleared up a bit below then let go. I asked him after the game what happened and he said "I was just protecting myself" , I asked him what the official said to him (next dead ball the official was talking with him) and he said that it wasn't a T because the official felt he was protecting himself. I'm not really sure what the rule is but it made sense to me.

Just my 2 cents.

Refk

That's the rule.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Refk

This year I was watching my son play a college game and he went to block a shot (close to the rim) , missed the block and then grabbed the rim to keep from landing on a player. I was waiting for some sort of whistle but nothing happened. He hung on the rim until it cleared up a bit below then let go. I asked him after the game what happened and he said "I was just protecting myself" , I asked him what the official said to him (next dead ball the official was talking with him) and he said that it wasn't a T because the official felt he was protecting himself. I'm not really sure what the rule is but it made sense to me.

Just my 2 cents.

Refk

That is exactly what the rule permits and the correct application of it.