1. sports
2. basketball

South Dakota High School Activities Association
Fe b r u a r y 1 1 , 2 0 1 5
A u t h o r : B u c k T i mmi n s
Crunch Time
February/March is crunch time for basketball. The teams are fighting for conference
championships and high seeds for the state play-offs. Teams want to be at their best and so
should we as officials. Our concentration and game calling skills should be at optimum. We
must give 100% each and every game we officiate. It is important that officials concentrate on
being consistent in calling violations and communicating appropriately what you are seeing.
There is no excuse for making errors on rules enforcement and not using proper
positioning and proper mechanics. We have to get in the best position possible to clearly see
the play which minimizes our chances significantly of getting it wrong. We must use our
proper NFHS mechanics to communicate with the timer, our crew members, coaches, and
fans. We cannot allow laziness or lack of respect to deter us from performing to our
maximum.
If you prepare yourself, know the game, know how to apply the rules, use proper
positioning, and mechanics and give 100% every game, you and your crew members can feel
proud of your achievements. Remember, we only cheat ourselves when we do not give our
very best.
Seek out the game management prior to the game to review strange or confrontational
situations that can happen. The pressure of February/March makes more of an opportunity
for the unusual. Never be surprised by anything that happens on or off the floor!!!
State Tournament Officials
Just because you do not get selected to officiate a state basketball tournament does not
mean you are not a good official. The SDHSAA cannot award everybody with a state
tournament. It is a numbers game as there are only so many slots available. There are a
number of SDHSAA basketball officials that are capable of officiating state basketball
tournaments. Be supportive of the officials who are selected to officiate a state basketball
tournament.
Ball Passes Over Rectangular Backboard
When a rectangular backboard is used, the top and sides of the backboard are not out
of bounds. The ball is out of bounds if it passes OVER the backboard or touches any cables or
supports. The ball shall be out-of-bounds when any part of the ball passes over the backboard
from any direction.
Double Whistles
Involving A Violation and A Personal Foul
What happens when two officials have double whistles involving a violation and a
personal foul? One official has a travel and the other official has a personal foul.
The key component to understand is you can’t enforce both rulings. There is no rules
coverage to administer the acts as occurring simultaneously. Something happened first; the
violation or the foul, and you have to quickly make the correct determination.
If the officials decided the violation occurred first, the ball becomes dead, and the
personal foul by would be ignored, unless it was deemed intentional or flagrant. If the crew
agreed the contact caused the player to travel, then the foul would be enforced.
Maintaining good eye contact with your partner(s), and to be listening for the sound of
another whistle being blown, particularly on plays in the areas of dual coverage, will go a long
way to reducing the number of differing preliminary signals on double whistles.
Read and Study Case Book Plays 2.6 SITUATION A and 2.6 SITUATION B.
End of the Year Thoughts
**Have a thorough pre-game - If you are the referee, you should be leading the conversation.
Take control and drive a good, conversational pre game covering as many topics as time
will allow.
**Have a beneficial post-game - After the contest: It is essential that the crew have an honest
and productive post-game discussion. The crew’s post-game evaluation should include a
review of any applicable rules, crew consistency in calls and any unusual situations that
may have occurred.
**Master the rules and know the intent of the rules - Take time each week with the rule and
case book to review a topic that gives you trouble.
**Enforce “freedom of movement” - Review Rule 4-24 as it relates to legal and illegal use of
the hands/arms. Know when to enforce illegal contact inhibiting a player’s freedom to
move.
**Have excellent clock management skills - Are you keenly aware of the clock at all times?
This is a good item to practice maintaining “definite knowledge” of time remaining after
stoppages.
**Communicate with one another - Are you maintaining good “eye contact” with your
partners at all times? Do you verbalize clearly at the spot of the foul (or violation). Make
sure to drop the whistle and sell rulings that need selling—loud enough to be heard by all.
**Officiate every possession hard - Think officiating in chunks of “2 minutes” at a time and
never take a break on a possession. Work hard and be in the right spot to make the proper
ruling “every time.”
Jump ball Out Of Bounds
If the ball goes out of bounds and was last touched simultaneously by two opponents or
if two opponents simultaneously control the ball for a jump ball situation play shall be
resumed by a jump ball between the two players involved in the jump. Rule 7-3-2.
Rationale: The two players who knocked the ball out are responsible for the ball being
out of bounds or the two players who controlled the ball are responsible for the jump ball so
they are required to jump the subsequent jump ball.
Throw-In Provisions
The opponents(s) of the thrower shall not have any part of his/her person through the
inbounds side of the throw-in boundary-line plane until the ball has been released on a throwin pass. NOTE: The thrower may penetrate the plane provided he/she does not touch the
inbounds area or a player inbounds before the ball is released on the throw-in pass. The
opponent in this situation may legally touch or grasp the ball.
1. The first violation of the throw-in boundary-line plane by an opponent(s) of the
thrower shall result in a team warning for delay being given (one delay warning per
team per game). The warning does not result in the loss of the opportunity to move
along the end line when and if applicable.
2. The second or additional violations will result in a technical foul assessed to the
offending team.
3. If an opponent(s) reaches through the throw-in boundary-line plane and touches or
dislodges the ball while in possession of the thrower or being passed to a teammate
outside the boundary line, a technical foul shall be charged to the offender. NO
warning for delay required.
4. If an opponent(s) contacts the thrower, an intentional personal foul shall be
charged to the offender. NO warning for delay required.
Disqualified Player
A disqualified player is one who is barred from further participation in the game
because of having committed his/her fifth foul (personal and technical), two technical fouls or
a flagrant foul.
A player is officially disqualified and becomes bench personal when the coach is
notified by an official.
Once the coach is notified, the disqualified player becomes bench personal and any
subsequent technical foul on that disqualified player is also charged indirectly to the head
coach.
A technical foul charged to a player on the floor is NOT charged indirectly to the head
coach. It counts as one of his/her two technical, counts toward his/her five personal fouls;
counts to team-foul count.
Timing Mistakes and Corrections
On a throw-in, start the timing device (shot clock and game clock) when a player in
bounds legally touches or is touched by the ball.
The 10-second count begins when the ball is controlled by a player with backcourt
status. The official should use a visible arm count to indicate the status of the count. The count
remains in effect until frontcourt status is obtained or a change in team control occurs.
Situation: Game using the 35 second shot clock. Player A33 receives throw-in pass in the
backcourt from teammate A12. Team B has full-court defensive pressure. Trail official has a
10-second violation on Team A. The shot clock shows 26 seconds.
Ruling: If the officials count is not accurate or was not made, it cannot be corrected. There is
no provision for the correction of an error made in the official’s accuracy in counting seconds.
Award the ball to Team B for a throw-in. Also, the shot clock operator may not have started
the shot clock timing device when by rule it should have been started.
Traveling Truths
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Traveling involves illegal movement of the pivot foot
A player cannot travel while dribbling
A player who is not in control of the ball cannot travel
A player cannot travel while the ball is out of bounds such as during a throw-in
Establishing the Pivot Foot
Determining the presence or absence of a pivot foot is central to understanding
traveling. A pivot foot is established after a player catches the ball as follows:
 Both feet on the floor
o When a foot is lifted the other foot is the pivot
 Both feet off the floor
o Touches on one foot followed by either
 First foot to touch is the pivot
o Touches on one foot, jumps off foot and lands simultaneously on both
 Neither foot can become pivot
o Lands on both feet simultaneously
 When a foot is lifted, the other foot is the pivot
 One foot on the floor
o Second foot touches next
 Foot first on floor is pivot
o Jumps off foot and lands simultaneously on both
 Neither foot can become pivot
End of Game Management
Three-minute countdown. A good time to start focusing on the end of the game is at
a dead-ball near the three-minute mark of the last period. Check with the table to verify how
many and the type of timeouts each team has left. Communicate that information to a coach
from each team and to your partner. The three-minute mark should also be a reminder to
emphasize eye contact with your partner(s) on all double whistles and restarts of the game.
It’s also a good time to note which person has the last-second shot responsibilities.
Verify the number of fouls each team has committed and communicate that
information to your partner(s). If you know when a team should be in the bonus or double
bonus, that will prevent errors at the free throw line.
Beware of game clock at all times. Work to look at the clock on any whistle to ensure
that the clock is properly stopped. Similarly, when the ball is put back in play, the official
chopping in time should ensure that the clock is properly started. Remember an official’s
count (backcourt, throw-in, etc.) can be used to correct a timing error.
Rules Myths
Palm/Carry Rule – A dribble has no limit on the height of the dribble. A high dribble is just
that, a legal high dribble. It may be ugly but not illegal. How high the ball bounces while being
dribbled isn’t the key factor in determining a carrying violation; where the dribbler’s hand
when in contact with the ball is the key factor. If the location of the dribbler’s hand is on top
of or on the side of the ball, the dribble is legal regardless of the height of the ball or the
number of steps the dribbler takes between bounces. If the hand rests underneath the ball,
then it’s a violation.
A dribble ends when the ball comes to rest in one or both hands, the player
“palms”/carries the ball as it comes to rest in one or both hands, the dribbler simultaneously
touches the ball with both hands, the ball touches or is touched by an opponent if it results in
loss of control. Batting a ball from an opponent is not a dribble as the player is not in control
of the ball; a player can bat a ball away, pick it up with both hands and start a dribble.
Starting Clock
During a FREE THROW which is NOT-SUCCESSFUL, the clock shall be started
when the missed free throw touches (or is touched) by a PLAYER ON THE COURT.
 The trail official (2 person crew) or center official (3 person crew) is responsible for
“chopping” the clock on the final free throw.
 A good mechanic is to utilize the arm closest to the division line for counting and
chopping, as to minimize distraction for the free-thrower.
 A “tiny count” with the wrist followed by lifting the arm on the free throw release,
while waiting for the proper time to “chop” is recommended.
 It is very conceivable the missed free throw could rebound to the floor and bounce
around for a given time, without the clock being “chopped in.” Patience is key; to wait
until the ball is touched by a player on the court.
 Violations will cause the ball to become dead prior to the clock starting.
Officials Quiz
Question 1: A1 is charged with his/her fourth personal foul and reacts by using profanity. The
covering official charges A1 with a technical foul. Is A1 disqualified from the game?
Question 2: A1 jumps from inbounds to retrieve an errant pass near a boundary line. A1
catches the ball while in the air and tosses it back to the court. A1 lands out of bounds and (a)
is the first to touch the ball after returning inbounds; (b) returns inbounds and immediately
dribbles the ball; or (c) picks up the ball after returning to the court and then begins a
dribble.
Questions 3: A1’s first of two free throws is successful. Prior to the second free-throw attempt,
team B’s head coach calls a timeout, but team B has no timeouts remaining. What is the
result, and how is play resumed?
Question 4: After a successful goal by team A, B1 steps out of bounds with the ball to begin
team B’s ensuing throw-in. Immediately afterward, B2 steps out of bounds along the same end
line several steps away from B1. B1 releases the ball on a pass to B2, and while the ball is still
on the out-of-bounds side of the boundary, A3 reaches through the boundary and slaps the
ball (a) while it is still in the air prior to reaching B2, or (b) after B2 has caught the pass and is
holding the ball.
Question 5: Player A1 is charged with his/her fourth personal foul and reacts by using
profanity. The covering official charges A1 with a technical foul. Is the technical foul charged
indirectly the head coach?
Question 6: Team A has a (a) designated spot throw-in, or (b) alternating-possession throw-in
along the end line. Thrower A1 extends the ball with his/her arms over the end line such that
part of the forearms, hands, and the ball are entirely on the inbounds side of the boundary
line. B2 slaps A1 on the wrist and dislodges the ball. Do you have an intentional foul?
Question 7: A2 is attempting a designated spot throw in, with B3 covering. A2 releases the
ball, which is still on the out-of-bounds side of the line, when B3 first reaches through the line
and deflects the ball.
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: A1 is disqualified. The technical foul brings A1’s total fouls to five, which results
in automatic disqualification. This technical is not charged indirectly to the head coach, as
A1 was not “bench personnel” when the technical foul was charged.
RULING 2: Legal in (a) and (b). Illegal in (c) as the controlled toss of the ball to the court by
A1 constitutes the start of a dribble, dribbling a second time after picking up the ball is an
illegal dribble violation.
RULING 3: Team B shall be allowed to use the timeout, but the request for an excessive
timeout results in a technical foul charged to team B. The technical foul is a team
technical. After the timeout period, A1 shall shoot his or her remaining free throw for the
original foul with no players in the marked lane spaces, any team A player or substitute is
awarded two free throws for the technical, and then team A shall receive a throw-in at the
division line opposite the table.
RULING 4: : It is legal for the team making the throw-in that follows a goal to have multiple
players out of bounds along the end line, and for those players to pass the ball among
themselves. Therefore, the pass between B1 and B2 while out of bounds was a legal part of
the throw-in. When A3 reached through the boundary line and made contact with the
ball, regardless whether the ball was being held by B2 or in the air while being passed
between B1 and B2, a technical foul shall be assessed to A3. The penalty is two free
throws awarded to any team B player or substitute. Play shall be resumed after the free
throws with a throw-in to team B at the division line. Since A3 crossed the boundary line
on the original throw-in, that also serves as the team A warning for reaching through the
boundary.
RULING 5: This technical is not charged indirectly to the head coach, as A1 was not “bench
personal” when the technical was charged.
RULING 6: In (a) and (b), when a defender makes contact with a thrower-in, the result is an
intentional foul. Where A1’s arms are located (on the inbounds or out-of-bounds side of
the boundary line) is immaterial. A1 is awarded two free throws and Team A awarded a
throw-in at the spot nearest the foul. In (b), since the throw-in did not end, the arrow
remains with Team A.
RULING 7: No violation by B3. Throw-in provisions against the defense end when team A
releases the ball.