Disallow the Goal?
 

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?

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

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

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! ;):D

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.

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.

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

It is?

I realize the NCAA case book plays only mention the ring but there aren't any that mention the net. However, since touching the net while the ball is within the basket is also BI under both codes I'll take a leap of faith that the ruling would be the same.

I see it happen quite often and have yet to have seen it called even once. In all the times I've seen it there has never been a word said about it by coaches, announcers, players, or anyone around the game. Most people realize that merely touching the net as the ball is falling through or on the rim really isn't enough to affect the shot. Grabbing the net is, of course, different.

Oh, I understand that part. However, the day one of my NCAAW or HS assignors tells me the intent of the rule is "it's not a violation unless the pulling of the net causes the ball to take an unnatural bounce" will be the first.

Every time they see this play and don't criticize the officials for not calling it, they are effectively doing exactly that.

What's the definition of "on" the rim?

The OP makes it sound like the ball had already gone past the ring. At that point it doesn't sound like the ball is "on" the rim, and therefore should be counted.

ART. 1 . . . Touches the ball or any part of the basket (including the net) while the ball is on or within either basket.