Slapping the backboard ruling
 

This play was posted in our area recently: Player A releases the ball on a layup attempt. Player B makes a legal attempt to block the shot but contacts the backboard causing the board and rim to shake altering the flight of the ball. Goaltending, basket interference or technical foul? Local Association A answered no GT or BI but since the flight of the ball was altered it would be a technical citing the second part of rule 10-3-4b. Local Association B answered no GT, BI or T since it was a legit attempt to block and there is no rule that requires us to determine if the ball flight was altered. This play then happened in a game last night and the officials ruled BI because the flight of the ball was altered when the ball touched the shaking backboard. Your thoughts?

Depends on which ruleset you're using. Under NFHS, if it's a legitimate attempt to block the shot, then no call.

In NCAA, it is BI, I believe. I could be wrong, but I know it's something. There's a thread from a few weeks ago discussing this very topic, I just can't remember what the exact NCAA call was, but I know it was something.

No call. Contacting the backboard is never GT or BI under NFHS rules. It is only a technical foul if done intentionally to cause the board to vibrate or as a means of venting frustration. There is no violation for contacting the board while making a legitimate attempt to block a shot.

You are not exactly correct. It is only BI in NCAA if the backboard is vibrated while the ball is in the cylinder or on the basket.

Rule 9-17-2A (5)

Peace

+1. The problem is that some varsity officials either A) watch a lot of TV and/or B) also work college basketball. So if you see this called BI in HS, this may be why. Personally I think NFHS should adopt the NCAA rule, which is a new rule this year, but because most HS backboards are sturdier (because they are not portable), I'll bet it doesn't happen.

The rule is only a couple of years old. Many thought the rule applied long before the NCAA rule was changed to what it is now. I think the NBA has a similar rule, but I am not sure.

Peace

As written: "Causes the basket or backboard to vibrate when the ball is on or within the basket or the backboard and/or is on or in the cylinder"

Embarrassingly, this a rule change I missed until this season.

What do you mean? This is the first season for this rule.

Oh, good, I thought I had totally missed the boat on this one when a locker room discussion came up earlier this season.

Rule went into effect for the 2013-2014 season...so this is the second year it's been in effect.

In that case BNR did miss it until this season... :D

I'm with Local Association B on this one.