1. sports
2. basketball

South Dakota High School Activities Association
J a n u a r y 2 8 , 20 1 5
A u t h o r : B u c k T i mmi n s
OFFICIALS HAVING TROUBLE WITH A FAN
If a spectator at a basketball contest is out of line, make sure you handle this situation
very professionally and “NEVER” confront the spectator. How you handle this situation speaks
volumes for the officiating profession.
When you officiate, inquire when you arrive who the administrator on duty is, and where
they will be located, should anything unusual arise.
The “role” of the official is to fairly administer the rules of the contest by being in the
correct position and communicating what they observe using the proper NFHS signals.
At times fans will disagree with “the call” of an official, when the fan comments become
inappropriate the official should notify school administration so they can deal with the fan. If
this can be done during a time out or between quarters it is less disruptive to the game, but if it
needs to be dealt with right away, the official should stop the contest and go to game
management for assistance. If officials don’t know where game management is they should go to
the scorers’ table and ask them to assist in finding a school administrator.
Allow school administrators the opportunity to visit with this spectator and make any
final decisions. School administrators know their spectators and if it happens to be an opposing
team’s spectator(s), these administrators are trained to work with individuals and let them
handle the situation. Letting an administrator handle these types of situations, allows for a more
positive result to take place.
HEADBANDS
Headbands with knots to tie in the back are not a legal headband that is allowed by the
SDHSAA and the NFHS rules. Generally those headbands are more than two inches wide. A
headband can be no wider than 2 inches. The knot and the “tails” could present a hazard in
basketball game situations, thus renders them illegal.
Below is an example of an illegal headband.
Touching Ball To The Floor
If the offensive player touches the ball to the floor (once or several times) to brace him/her
from falling, this action DOES NOT constitute the start of a dribble, so it would be perfectly
legal for the offensive player to begin a dribble after regaining his/her balance.
If the offensive player for any reason were to touch his/knee to the floor while holding the
ball, this would be a traveling violation. The offensive player could use his/her hand to touch the
floor without committing a violation.
If the offensive player were to gain control of the ball while having one knee on the floor
and stand up, this would be a traveling violation. If the offensive player were to start a dribble
before rising from one knee, this action would be legal.
Where To Spot The Ball
A key part of "getting the play right" is where the ball is spotted after the official makes
their ruling on a violation, non-shooting foul or resumes play at the completion of a timeout.
This often “overlooked” component of the game can lead to careless spot placements,
which will undoubtedly create unfair advantages for teams inbounding the ball.
Be vigilant in visualizing your "Inbound Triangle" for determining throw in spots for
non-shooting fouls in the offensive team's front court.
Did the foul/violation occur inside your imaginary lines running from the free throw line
elbows to the end line corners, or at the top of the key? If so, the throw in spot in on the
ENDLINE.
If the foul/violation took place outside the imaginary lines, then the spot throw in will take
place on the SIDELINE.
Careless ball placement, or a lack of understanding of the "Inbound Triangle" will lead
to several unfair advantages given (or missed opportunities for end line throw-ins) throughout
the course of your game.
It is the location of the foul/violation, not the location of where the ball is at the time of the
foul that determines where the resumption of play throw-in is to take place.
Conversely for timeouts, it is the location of the ball, not where the player or coach is who
requests the stoppage in play that determines where the ball will be spotted to resume play.
Gain Possession By Diving On The Floor
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Continuing to slide across the court after gaining possession of the ball is legal provided:
Once the player stops sliding, he/she MAY NOT roll over to avoid a defender.
If the player is flat on his/her back, the player may sit up without violating.
The offensive player MAY NOT attempt to stand up. This would be traveling, unless the
player starts a dribble.
The player MAY NOT put the ball on the floor, then stand up and be the first to touch the
ball. This would be traveling.
The player can shoot or pass from this prone position or request a time out.
Throw-In Movement
The designated throw-in spot pointed out to a player is actually:
• Three foot WIDE area
• There is no limit on how far back the player may step in order to complete the
throw-in
Since the traveling rule is not in effect, the official need not pay attention to a pivot-foot.
The thrower must keep at least ONE FOOT over the three-foot designated spot area until the
ball is released. The mechanic to signal a violation of the designated spot throw-in is a downward
pointed finger at the spot with a side-to-side waving motion. The infraction is NOT a traveling
violation and should not be signaled as such.
Remember, when attempting to inbound the ball, the thrower
• Can legally step ON the boundary line
• Shall NOT step OVER the boundary line
• May legally JUMP in the air to release the ball—there in NO restriction on the
number a jumps—keep five second count live
If the court does not provide ample access along the end lines and side lines for the throwin, the official may direct the defender to step back enough to give the thrower at least three-feet
of unobstructed space.
During a designated spot throw-in only the thrower may be out of bounds. However, after
a made basket or an awarded goal the thrower is permitted to
• Run along the end line
• Pass the ball to a teammate who is standing out of bounds (along the endline) to
gain better access to completing the throw-in
o The ball may be passed in the air, it may be a bounce pass, or it could be
rolled along the floor
o The player receiving the pass has the same baseline privileges—player
can run along the end line
o Officials need to remember to keep the five second count live
A timeout called by the inbounding team does not forfeit their right to “run the end line”
if they had the privilege prior to the timeout. Good concentration and a helpful partner will
eliminate as to the type of throw-in to be administered coming out of a break in the game action.
Screening
A screen is legal action by a player who, without causing contact, delays or prevents an
opponent from reaching a desired position. To establish a legal screening position:
The screener may face any direction. The screener must stay within his/her vertical plane
with a stance approximately shoulder width apart (4-40-2d)
• Time and distance are relevant
• The screener must be stationary, except when both are moving in the same path and the
same direction
• When screening a stationary opponent from the front or side, the screener may be
anywhere short of contact
• When screening a stationary opponent from behind, the screener must allow the
opponent one normal step backward without contact
• When screening a moving opponent, the screener must allow the opponent time and
distance to avoid contact. The distance need not be more than two strides.
• When screening an opponent who is moving in the same path and direction as the
screener is moving, the opponent is responsible for contact if the screener slows up or
stops
• Must have contact to have an illegal screen
SITUATION #1: A2 sets a screen for A1 on the side of B1. B1 pushes A2 with a forearm in an
effort to stay with A1.
RULING: Foul on B1.
COMMENT: A2 was in the visual field of B1. B1 should have avoided contact with A2.
SITUATION #2: A3 sets a screen behind B2. B2 takes 1 and ½ normal steps and collides with
A3. A3 is knocked backward a short distance with the initial contact but after the initial contact
B2 pushes right through A3 to continue guarding his opponent.
RULING: Foul on B2.
COMMENT: If B2 would have moved to the right or left of A3 after the initial contact, the play
would have been legal and no foul would have occurred as long as the initial contact was
incidental since the screen was not in the visual view of B2.
SITUATION #3: A4 sets a screen for A3 at the side of B3. B3 sees the screen and tries to move
around A4. A4 throws his/her hip to the left as B3 is moving around him/her and contacts B3.
RULING: Team-control foul on A4.
COMMENT: The screener must be stationary and his/her body must remain in his/her vertical
plane. Moving the hip or extending the arms or elbows beyond the vertical plane is a foul if there
is contact.
SITUATION #4: A5 is dribbling the ball from his/her backcourt and is being closely guarded by
B5. A4 moves in the path of B5 to set a screen more than two steps behind the visual field of B5.
A4 is stationary and has her arms on his/her chest with the elbows protruding beyond his/her
vertical plane. B5 collides hard with A4’s elbow and falls to the floor.
RULING: Team-control foul.
COMMENT: Arms and elbows must be within the vertical plane of the screener and must be
used in a fashion to absorb the collision only. They cannot be used to inflict pain on the player
being screened by extending them beyond the vertical plane or thrusting them forward on the
player being screened.
Lead Official Rotations
One area which most officials working in three person crews need to do a better job is flexing
as the lead and causing a rotation. Generally any time the ball goes below the free throw line
extended or there is a competitive post match up across the lane the lead official should move
across the lane to help officiate the strong side of the floor. If an official starts to move across the
lane and a shot goes up they should back out so they don’t get partners caught in between during
a rotation. This movement keeps all officials involved in officiating plays, players and provides a
better officiated game.
Officials Quiz
Question 1: After Al’s try is released and is in flight, the official inadvertently blows the whistle,
the ball hits the rim, but the try is unsuccessful. What is the result?
Question 2: Team A is inbounding under their own basket. A1, in an attempt to throw the ball to
A3 all the way back into the backcourt, tosses the ball and it caroms off the side of Team A’s
backboard falling to the floor directly in front of A1. A1 steps inbounds with both feet touching
the floor and picks up the ball and passes to A5. Is this a legal play?
Questions 3: Thrower A1 tosses the inbounds pass off the leg of B1 whose back is turned away
from the play. Thrower A1 steps onto the court, secures the ball and dribbles to the basket for an
easy lay-up. Is this a legal play?
Question 4: Which of the following are TRUE as it relates to a DESIGNATED SPOT throw in
and the restrictions on the INBOUNDER? A) Can be standing ON the endline to make the
throw-in; B) Can reach through the imaginary plane with the ball and hand off to a teammate;
C) May move 3 feet in either direction (sideways) or backwards as far as available; D) Move the
pivot foot; E) Dribble the ball—hold the ball—then dribble the ball again; F) More than one
player may be out of bounds.
Question 5: During an interrupted dribble of Team A, the official inadvertently blows his
whistle. What is the correct way to handle this situation?
Question 6: How many free throws are awarded for an intentional foul on: A) an unsuccessful
two-point try; B) successful two-point try; C) unsuccessful three-point try; D) successful threepoint try?
Question 7: During a spot throw-in, thrower A1 moves five feet along the end line. Officials call a
travel violation. Is the official correct?
Question 8: On the game opening tip, Player A1 fumbles the ball out of bounds without gaining
control. The officials rule that Team B is awarded a throw-in. The alternating possession will be
set for which team?
Question 9: A1 is about to attempt the first of a one-and-one free throw situation. The
administering official steps in and erroneously informs players that two shots will be taken. A1’s
first attempt is unsuccessful. The missed shot is rebounded by B1 with all other players
remaining motionless in anticipation of another throw. What is the ruling?
Question 10: A1’s dribble is “interrupted” when the ball deflects off his/her shoe. A1 or a
teammate asks or signals for a time-out as the ball bounces toward the sideline. Is the time-out
granted?
Officials or Coaches
If you have a question about a rule interpretation, a play situation or a mechanic question
that officials/coaches statewide should know about or the SDHSAA should know about to
help make the game of basketball better for everyone involved in the game of basketball—
please send your concerns to be included in the weekly bulletins.
Send your concerns to Buck Timmins at
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buck.timmins@k12.sd.us
Cell Phone: 605-933-1493
Home Phone: 605-996-1486
Quiz Answers
RULING 1: Throw-in to the team entitled to the alternating possession throw-in. The throw-in is
at the spot nearest where A1 shot the ball. (4-36-2c, 6-4-3)
RULING 2: No, this play is NOT LEGAL. The player throwing the ball inbounds may NOT be
the FIRST TO TOUCH the ball on the court—this is a violation. The ball remained live, as it
caromed off the side of the backboard but one of the other nine players on the court would
have to touch (or be touched) by the ball for this play to be legal. (9-2-6)
RULING 3: Yes this is a legal play. Since the ball touched B1’s leg, the thrower is permitted to
gain possession of the ball. As B1 did not intentionally kick the ball, the official should allow
this play to continue. (9-2-6)
RULING 4: A—C—D—E are correct statements. Remember the pivot foot restrictions and the
traveling rule are NOT in effect for a designated spot throw in. Only one player may be out
of bounds unless the team retains the ability to run the endline. (4-42-6)
RULING 5: The team whose dribble was interrupted (Team A) should be awarded a throw-in.
During an interrupted dribble and the inadvertent whistle, Team A still maintains control.
(4-12-2, 4-36-2)
RULING 6: A) Two free throws if committed on an unsuccessful two-point try; B) two free
throws if committed on a successful two-point try; C) three free-throws if committed on an
unsuccessful three-point try; D) two free throws if committed on a successful three-point try
RULING 7: NO. It is impossible to travel while out of bounds. A1 has committed a throw-in
violation by moving outside the three foot wide designated spot area that has no depth
limitation. A1 is allowed to move without restriction from side to side within the area and as
far back as the facility allows.
RULING 8: The alternating possession arrow will be set to favor Team A when the ball is placed
at the disposal of Team B for the throw-in.
RULING 9: The official’s error clearly put one team at a disadvantage (players stood motionless
and didn’t attempt to rebound). Play should be whistled dead immediately and resumed
using the alternating-possession procedure.
RULING 10: The request cannot be granted since A1’s dribble has been “interrupted” and the
ball is loose.
Rule Competency Breeds Calmness and
Confidence In Chaos