foot on center line... violation?

[dvtaylor]

A ref today said that it is a violation for a player's foot to touch the center line in NFHS. Was he right? In club ball (USAV), I think the foot has to be completely past the center line to be a violation.

Can you point me to chapter/verse in NFHS? Or quote it here?

[I guess I'd better get a copy of the rules, whaddya think...]

Doug

[mbyron]

Rule 9-5-7:
A player may touch the floor across the center line with one or both feet/hands provided a part of the foot/feet or hand(s) remains on or above the center line. Contacting the floor across the center line with any other part of the body is illegal.

I would say that, as quoted, the official was mistaken. Merely touching the center line with the foot is not a foul.

[refnrev]

dvtaylor,
mbyron has the exact ruling. No it is not a violation for the players foot to be on the line. However, a couple of times I have seen the girl's foot on the line and when she raised her heel the ball of her foot was in the opponent's court and she was no longer touching the line. Therefore, those were violations. Both times the girls were trying hard to hold their position, but just couldn't do it.

[dvtaylor]

Thanks, y'all. That's was exactly my understanding. I will notify the local head-of-the-refs so he can gently correct his refs.

[MCBear]

Hold the phone there, Rev!

Originally Posted by refnfev

I have seen the girl's foot on the line and when she raised her heel the ball of her foot was in the opponent's court and she was no longer touching the line. Therefore, those were violations.

IF I read that correctly, the heel is still above the center line. Therefore, she is still legal. She is only illegal if she pivots so that her heel is no longer over the center line. Then, she is guilty of a centerline violation.

Please note that she does not have to be in contact with the center line to be legal. As long as some part of the foot or hand remains in contact with or directly above the centerline, she is legal.

[FMadera]

Jan is correct, per 9-5-7.

"A player may touch the floor across the center line with one or both feet/hands provided a part of the foot/feet or hand(s) remains on or above the center line. Contacting the floor across the center line with any other part of the body is illegal."

As always, make 100% sure you have a violation before you whistle one.