Great Lakes Basketball Officials Consortium

Language was added to Rule 1-19 to specifiyt that communication betweeen a coach and player through electronic devices is prohibited. While hearing aids remain legal, electronic communication devices cannot be used to relay coaching instructions to players.

A modification to the exception in 2-2-1 was made, allowing state association game or replay officials to use a replay monitor during postseason tournament contests, which was previously limited to state championship series.

An important clarification addresses players who hang on the ring after a dunk attempt.

The rules now specify that once a player grasps the ring following a dunk attempt, that player is no longer considered an airborne shooter. This clarification impacts how officials evaluate subsequent contact if it occurs after the player returns to the court.

If contact occurs after the player hangs on the ring and the ball has become dead following a successful dunk, the contact is considered incidental unless it is ruled intentional or flagrant.

On an unsuccessful dunk attempt, the ball remains live. If the player hangs on the ring and subsequently fouls an opponent, the foul is not considered a player-control foul. Likewise, if the former shooter is fouled before returning to the floor, the player is not considered to be in the act of shooting. In either case, penalties are administered according to the bonus rule.

Language in 4-6-2 was added, stating a try must have the possibility of entering the basket in order for basket interference to occur when a player slaps or strikes the backboard, causing the backboard or ring to vibrate.

Basket interference involving a vibrating backboard only applies when the try still has the possibility of entering the basket. In last year’s rule, there was a reference to the ball entering the cylinder after the backboard was slapped, which was problematic. Under last year’s rule, if the backboard was vibrating after it was slapped, an “airball” that passed through the cylinder would have technically been basket interference. This year’s rule closes that loophole, simply stating that the try needs to have a chance of entering the basket. This now covers any ball that contacts the backboard or basket.

Rule 4-22-2 Goaltending on a free throw can be committed by either team. This corrects language from last year’s rule that inadvertently limited the infraction to defensive players. This closes a loophole that would have made it a challenge to rule a violation on a player who jumped up and guided a free throw into the basket. A note was also added that a goaltending violation during a free throw is also a player technical foul per rule 10-4-8.

Rule 4-22-3 A ball touched by a defensive player after it contacts the backboard is subject to the goaltending rule if it still has a chance to enter the basket. The NFHS removed the phrase “the ball is considered to be on its downward flight,” simplifying the rule and making it easier to apply consistently.

Several revisions address the continuous motion rule and reinforce a principle that officials have applied for years.

The rules now clearly state that a player does not need to be stepping directly toward the basket to be considered in the act of shooting. A player may be moving laterally or even away from the basket while creating space for a shot attempt and still qualify for continuous motion.

Additionally, a new case play confirms that continuous motion may continue following a legal jump stop. If the player immediately and continuously proceeds into a try after the foul, the continuous motion provision remains in effect.

These changes reinforce that officials should focus on whether the player is making a move to attempt a try for goal rather than concentrating solely on the direction of the player’s movement.

Rule 4-40-3 added further explanation in regard to screening a stationary opponent. The visual field of a player being screened includes the player’s forward vision and peripheral vision and extends horizontally from each ear. A screener who sets a screen in front of an imaginary line extending laterally from either ear of the player being screened is considered to be within that player’s visual field (see PlayPics C and D).

Several revisions codify interpretations that officials have applied for many years. Clarification to rule 4-44-5 was provided on traveling, stating that a player may not attempt to stand up with the ball.

To codify a long-standing interpretation of the traveling rule, language was added to rule 4-44-5 in the casebook stating that a player holding the ball in a position on his or her back may sit up and return to the position on his or her back.

Language was added to rule 4-44-5 stating that after gaining control while on the floor, a player may slide or roll with the ball if it is caused by the player’s momentum.

Language was added to rule 4-44-5 in the casebook to clarify that it is traveling if a player secures the ball on both knees and lifts one knee while holding the ball and without dribbling.

PLAY: A-1 dives for a loose ball and slides after gaining control. A-1 is in a position either on the back or stomach. What can A-1 do without violating? RULING: A-1 may pass, shoot, start a dribble or request a time-out. Once A-1 has the ball and is no longer sliding, the player may not roll over. If flat on their back, A-1 may sit up without violating. If A-1 returns to a position on their back while holding the ball, it is legal. Any attempt to get to their feet is traveling unless A-1 is dribbling. It is also traveling if A-1 puts the ball on the floor, then rises and is the first to touch the ball (4-44-5b)

PLAY: A-1 secures control of the ball with a) one knee or b) both knees in contact with the floor. May A-1 assume a standing position without committing a traveling violation? RULING: It depends on what A1 does. If A-1 attempts to stand up while holding the ball, a traveling violation occurs. However, if A-1 starts a dribble and then rises, no violation has occurred. Also, A-1 could pass, try for goal or request a time-out from that position. In b) if A-1 lifts one knee while holding the ball, it is a traveling violation.

PLAY: A‑1 dives to the floor to recover an errant pass. A‑1 gains control of the ball while lying on their back. A‑1 then sits up while holding the ball and passes to A‑2. RULING: This is legal, so play should be allowed to continue. If A‑1 were to attempt to stand, it would be a traveling violation, unless they were to start a dribble and then stand up while continuing to dribble. Comment: If A‑1 returns to a position on their back while holding the ball, it is legal (4‑44‑5).

The jump-ball rule has been revised to provide a clearer point at which restrictions begin.

Language was added to rule 6-3-2 regarding jump-ball administration to clarify that jump-ball restrictions begin when the official enters the the center restraining circle, providing a clear visual reference for enforcement. Instead of using the somewhat subjective phrase that the official “is ready,” the restrictions now begin when the tossing official enters the center restraining circle.

Language in rule 6-4-3 for jump-ball administration specifies that restrictions end when the ball is touched by the jumper(s).

A revision was approved to rectify a long-standing contradiction between the throw-in rules (4-42-5) and the alternating-possession rule (6-4-6).

The rules now make it clear that a team loses its alternating-possession opportunity only when that team commits a throw-in violation. Other violations occurring during the throw-in, such as a kicked-ball violation by the throw-in team, do not cause the team to lose the arrow.

Language was added to rule 7-5-6 clarifying that when a throw-in violation occurs, during a division line throw-in, the resulting throw-in shall remain at the division line opposite the scorer’s and timer’s table.

Clarification was added to rule 9-2-10 on throw-in provisions, stating that after a boundary plan violation and warning, the alternating possession throw-in and is administered at the original throw-in spot.