Disallow the Goal?

[Jumpshooter40]

This is a play that happened in a 3-on-3 game between some Old School work buddies down at the park after work last night.

A1 makes a short jump shot which passes thru the hoop. As the ball is traveling downward thru the net, and is probably 2/3 of the way thru the travel, player A2 contacts the net. The ball finishes traveling thru the net and exits downward, falling on the ground for an apparent Team A victory. Team B self-designated captain, protests that this was illegal contact with the net, and the goal is disallowed and a violation is called on Team A, giving Team B the possession out top.

What is the correct call?

[Nevadaref]

Grab a rules book and read the definition of basket interference.

[bballref3966]

Basket interference by rule. However, I've seen officials not call it when a player just swipes a finger on the net.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Jumpshooter40

This is a play that happened in a 3-on-3 game between some Old School work buddies down at the park after work last night.

A1 makes a short jump shot which passes thru the hoop. As the ball is traveling downward thru the net, and is probably 2/3 of the way thru the travel, player A2 contacts the net. The ball finishes traveling thru the net and exits downward, falling on the ground for an apparent Team A victory. Team B self-designated captain, protests that this was illegal contact with the net, and the goal is disallowed and a violation is called on Team A, giving Team B the possession out top.

What is the correct call?

Did y'all tell them that was a weak-a$$ call?

[APG]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Did y'all tell them that was a weak-a$$ call?

Not sure if you remember the play, but this happened in one of your camp games last Saturday!

[Camron Rust]

Yes, this is an infraction by the letter of the rule but I've never called it short of it actually affecting the shot...a mere touch of the bottom of the net is not what the rule was intended to address.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Yes, this is an infraction by the letter of the rule but I've never called it short of it actually affecting the shot...a mere touch of the bottom of the net is not what the rule was intended to address.

I see this at least a few times a season. I always think that technically it's BI as I'm not blowing my whistle.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by APG

Not sure if you remember the play, but this happened in one of your camp games last Saturday!

Most definitely. I was Lead tableside at the opposite end of the court from you and Mark. I had an And-1 and I saw a hand pull on the net as the ball was about to drop completely through.

Did Mark have any thoughts on it? He didn't say anything about the play after the game.

[APG]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Most definitely. I was Lead tableside at the opposite end of the court from you and Mark. I had an And-1 and I saw a hand pull on the net as the ball was about to drop completely through.

Did Mark have any thoughts on it? He didn't say anything about the play after the game.

We talked on the play briefly. Mark asked if it was a rule difference between the NBA vs NFHS/NCAA. Under NBA rules, it's not a violation unless the pulling of the net causes the ball to take an unnatural bounce.

All and all, said it was a good one to lay off on.

Originally Posted by APG

Under NBA rules, it's not a violation unless the pulling of the net causes the ball to take an unnatural bounce.

Which is the intent of the NFHS/NCAA rule and the way I call it.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Jumpshooter40

As the ball is traveling downward thru the net, and is probably 2/3 of the way thru the travel, player A2 contacts the net. The ball finishes traveling thru the net and exits downward, falling on the ground.

Technically, on the written test, it's an offensive basket interference violation. No goal. Easy call on a written test.

In my real game, in real time, if I'm the trail official, and if the ball is totally in the net, totally controlled by gravity alone, and the net is just barely touched by the offensive player, it's a no call for me.

However, if the ball is on the rim, or is rattling around inside the net, or the net is grabbed, not just touched, I'm calling the offensive basket interference violation.

The Intent And Purpose Of The Rules
The restrictions which the rules place upon the players are intended to create a
balance of play; to provide equal opportunity between the offense and the
defense; to provide equal opportunity between the small player and tall player; to
provide reasonable safety and protection; to create an atmosphere of sporting
behavior and fair play; and to emphasize cleverness and skill without unduly
limiting freedom of action of individual or team play on either offense or defense.
Therefore, it is important to know the intent and purpose of a rule so that it may
be intelligently applied in each play situation. A player or a team should not be
permitted an advantage which is not intended by a rule. Neither should play be
permitted to develop which may lead to placing a player at a disadvantage not
intended by a rule.

[BryanV21]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Technically, on the written test, it's an offensive basket interference violation. No goal. Easy call.

In my real game, in real time, if I'm the trail official, and if the ball is totally in the net, totally controlled by gravity alone, and the net is just barely touched by the offensive player, it's a no call for me.

However, if the ball is on the rim, or is rattling around inside the net, or the net is grabbed, not just touched, I'm calling the offensive basket interference violation.

The Intent And Purpose Of The Rules
The restrictions which the rules place upon the players are intended to create a
balance of play; to provide equal opportunity between the offense and the
defense; to provide equal opportunity between the small player and tall player; to
provide reasonable safety and protection; to create an atmosphere of sporting
behavior and fair play; and to emphasize cleverness and skill without unduly
limiting freedom of action of individual or team play on either offense or defense.
Therefore, it is important to know the intent and purpose of a rule so that it may
be intelligently applied in each play situation. A player or a team should not be
permitted an advantage which is not intended by a rule. Neither should play be
permitted to develop which may lead to placing a player at a disadvantage not
intended by a rule.

To start off, I totally agree, and thank you.

As a young official going by intent is scary. I mean, I feel I'm not experienced or respected enough to get away with this argument.

Sorry to be pushy, but if I am in this situation and an assignor asks, it's nice to have a solid answer that's backed up by the rules.