At the Site of the Violation

Importance of taking your time.

Importance of accurate and thorough information.

Importance of throw-in spot (nearest spot) accuracy.

a) Simultaneously sound (once) the whistle and signal to stop the clock.

b) While displaying the stop the clock signal, make eye contact with partner(s).

c) Maintain the stop the clock signal while stepping toward the area of the violation, STOP. Then signal the type of violation.

d) Simultaneously state the jersey color of the team entitled to the ball for the ensuing throw-in; indicate/point (open hand, thumb tucked) in the direction of the throw-in team’s basket.

e) Never turn your back and head when indicating/signaling the direction.

f) Indicate the throw-in spot.

Importance of communication/signals for partner(s), table personnel, players, coaches.

Importance of communication/signals for BOTH teams.

The administering official shall, at the site of the throw-in spot and near the thrower:

a) Glance to the table for substitutes, etc.

b) Establish eye contact with partner(s).

c) Apply the “boxing-in” technique (physically or visually):

Option -- for a frontcourt endline throw-ins, the Lead official may assume a position inside or outside of the thrower (assess the situation and provide the best coverage position).

d) Signal the type of throw-in -- designated spot; endline with no designated spot (after a time-out or unusual delay).

e) Place the whistle in mouth.

f) If following a time-out, intermission or unusual delay -- sound (once) the whistle; remove the whistle; simultaneously announce the color of the jersey of the throw-in team and indicate/signal the direction of the throw-in team’s basket.

g) Raise arm with the hand displaying the “time-out/ keep the clock stopped” signal.

h) May hand or bounce the ball (assess the situation) to thrower-in. Exception: for all frontcourt throw-ins, the ball shall be handed to the thrower.

i) If handing the ball, step away after handing the ball. If bouncing the ball, step away after designating the spot and then bounce the ball. Do not designate the throw-in spot from “long distance”.

j) Signal to “start the clock” when the ball is legally touched.

Penalties for Fouls during Throw-ins Changed in High School Basketball

Points of Emphasis

"Don’t split hairs on these calls but call the obvious violations that give a player an unfair advantage." --Dave Libbey
 
It never fails; when you start to relax as an official with regard to some of the more “fundamental” violations, they begin to become a problem. Violations which seem elementary – and rare because the players are supposed to be “beyond” them and no one likes to see them called – begin to sneak back into the limelight. I’d specifically like to discuss three of these: traveling, palming, and three seconds.

In regard to these three areas, I think it is important to remember that the purpose of good officiating is to keep the game fair and not let a team or player gain an unfair advantage by using illegal moves with or without the ball. Common sense must always be employed. Don’t split hairs on these calls but call the obvious violations that give a player an unfair advantage.

Here are some guidelines for properly officiating the traveling rule:

1. To call traveling properly you must see the entire play from the beginning.

2. Just because a move looks “funny” or “strange” it is not necessarily a traveling violation.

3. As in all good officiating: “Don’t guess!”

4. When in doubt, don’t call traveling. It is better to fail to call a violation that was traveling, than to call traveling when there was not a violation.

5. Don’t split hairs on foot movement, such as when judging whether the ball left the dribbler’s hand before the pivot foot was moved, or whether both feet hit the floor at the same time during a jump stop. Call the obvious violations.

6. To see the entire play and make the correct call, you must focus on the feet and find the pivot foot as soon as the dribbler established one. Without positively knowing what is going on with the pivot foot, a proper ruling on traveling is not possible. Refer herein to #4 above.

7. Look at the movement of the ball handler’s feet first. Once you have deemed the movement legal, immediately look up and watch for contact and other violations.

8. If you watch for contact first and ignore the ball handler’s feet, it will be too late for you to recognize a traveling violation.

9. Proper mechanics and court position are of utmost importance. You must be in the proper position to see the entire play and give yourself the best chance of a correct call.

10. Many times the lead official has the worst look at a travel call, especially with the big players down in the post area. In most cases it is best that the center and trail officials watch the foot movement in the post. Also, during movements across the key – such as curl plays or crossover moves by the big players – it is easier for the center and trail officials to see traveling violations. This being said, it is important to note that officials must not reach too far out of their primary coverage areas. If you must go out of your area to get a call, you better be 100% sure of your call. Refer again to #3 and #4.

11. If the big post player gains an unfair advantage by a shuffle or hop – no matter how small it might seem – you must call the traveling. The defense is put at a disadvantage if this type of movement is allowed when the defensive player(s) are playing legally. Again, don’t guess and take away a good offensive move on a questionable call or just because it looks unusual.

12. Traveling calls will in most cases cause negative responses in one form or another. That is part of the reason the traveling rule is so important and officials must work hard to get it right. Have courage and know what you are looking for and then call traveling with authority when you see it.

13. Don’t try to explain your traveling call. Make the call with strong mechanics and voice and then move on.

14. Be ready to help your partner(s) when traveling and a foul occur close together. If you are absolutely positive that you had traveling before your partner called a foul, come in immediately and communicate that to your partner.

Now for some guidance on working illegal dribbles or “carrying” or “palming” the ball:

1. This is a point of emphasis this year precisely because officials have largely lapsed into not calling the violation.

2. Because of the failure to call this violation, it has become out of control and a major issue. This has evolved largely because officials see the illegal movement and decide not to call it.

3. Palming may not be a popular call but it must be called to nullify the very unfair advantage gained by the ball handler over his defender(s).

4. Playground or “street” play and the NBA influence are causing more and more players to perfect and use this illegal move.

5. These must be called illegal dribbles:

a. The high crossover move.

b. The freezing of a defender when the dribbler’s hand slides down to the side of the ball.

c. The hesitation or hop dribble when the ball comes to rest in the hand of the dribbler.

6. Palming is in many ways easier to see than a common traveling violation yet is not being called in a fair and consistent manner.

7. Call the illegal dribble when it allows a dribbler to gain a real advantage over the defender, not when a dribbler is just bringing the ball up court with no defensive pressure on him.

8. Have courage. The fans and media don’t like the palming call, but make it anyway. Work as a crew and talk about these things in your pregame conference. Don’t let one or two members of the crew carry the load in straightening out this situation. All officials must buy into the enforcement of the rule in order to clean it up.

9. We have seen that such problems can be resolved. A few years ago hand checking and verticality issues were cleaned up. We can clean up the palming situation as well.

10. Enforce the rule early in the game and the teams will adjust. Don’t wait until the end of the game to start enforcing the rule; you will only confuse and frustrate the players and coaches.

Lastly let’s look at some advice regarding three-second violations:

1. Three seconds in the lane has been an overlooked violation for many years. Thus, it was a point of emphasis a few years ago.

2. When a shooter starts a shooting motion, the count stops. Never call three seconds when a shot is in the air. Before blowing your whistle for a three-second violation, find the ball. If the ball is in the air on a shot, pass on the call. If the offense still has the ball, call the violation.

3. When you blow your whistle for three seconds, make sure the guilty player is still hanging out in the lane. Do not blow your whistle while he or she is trying to escape the lane. If the player is trying to exit the lane there is no advantage being gained and you should allow play to continue. You’ll look bad if you call three seconds on a player who is not in the lane after you blow your whistle.

4. A great rule of thumb: call the violation when a player gains an unfair advantage over opponents.

5. If a post player is camping in the key and not making an attempt to leave, call the violation.

6. Sometimes three seconds is what I call a “feeling call.” Say a player in the lane is pushing the rule and the ball is being passed between his teammates out on the wing. Just when you think a shot is going to go up, they make another pass up top. Call the three seconds, even if you think you might be calling it a little late. One pass too many heightens the unfair advantage gained by the player in the lane and you should call the violation.

7. One common way this call is missed is when a player tries to get out of the key to avoid the violation by running out of bounds under the basket. By rule the three second count continues and the violation should be called if you get to “three.”

The problem over the years is that many officials have come up with too many varying philosophies about how to enforce these violations. They go according to their own judgment of what is an advantage and what is not. Call the violations early and consistently and the players and coaches will adjust. The experience that comes with seeing these plays many times over will help you make the right calls. Looking at game tape is also a valuable tool. The more you can see the play the better chance you will have of getting it right. And getting them right – even the most fundamental of violations – will help us all achieve our ultimate goal of keeping the game fair.

Subject: NYSPHSAA - Concussion memo

ADMINISTRATIVE TECHNICALS – maximum one for infractions at the 10-minute mark and maximum one after that.  Counts towards the team total.  Once a roster is ready in accordance with all requirements at the 10-minute mark, there can be a maximum of only one technical for a roster related infraction, which counts only towards the team total.  If a starter does not start the game, he can only be penalized before the game starts, otherwise it is too late.  It is a technical to change a number in the book.  If a player changes his number without notifying the scorer and officials, it is a flagrant technical if discovered while it is being violated  

BACKCOURT – exception for airborne player in 3 instances: jump ball, throw-in, and a steal by a defensive player.  Landing in frontcourt first followed by a foot in backcourt is permitted.  Airborne player from the front court may not pass to a teammate in backcourt

BONUS – all technical fouls count towards the team totals

CLOSELY GUARDED – defensive player in a guarding position, within 6 feet, in front court, holding or dribbling.  The count will continue on a legal defensive switch.  If the dribbler gets his head and shoulders past the defender, towards the basket, the count ends.

DELAY – a warning is recorded in the scorebook and reported to the coach for: throw-in plane violation, team huddle or contact with the free thrower, interfering with the ball following a goal, or water on the court.  After being warned a violation of any one of these will result in a technical foul, charged to the team total. The individual player will be charged with a technical foul for reaching across the boundary line and making contact with the ball.  If after intermission, both teams are on the court, resuming play may be invoked. After a time out, if all players do not return at the same time, a technical is charged.  This is charged to the team and not the individual player. If a warning has not been issued, any of the following infractions will result in a technical and no warning for delayed required-fouling thrower-in, dislodging the ball from the hands of the thrower-in.

DISQUALIFIED PLAYER- any combinations of personal or technical fouls totaling 5 or 2 technicals.  The coach has 20 seconds to replace the player.  A warning horn will sound with 15 seconds remaining.  A second horn will occur at 20 seconds at which time the substitute is required to have reported to the table.  If a disqualified player participates a direct technical is charged to the coach (PENALIZED IF DISCOVERED WHILE BEING VIOLATED).

DUNKING – pregame or halftime, technical charged directly to the player and indirectly to the coach.  One team foul is charged.  A player may grasp the rim only to prevent injury to himself or another player.

FIGHTING – the head coach may not enter the court during a fight unless beckoned by the official.  If he does it is a direct technical and disqualification. Bench personnel who leave the bench but do not participate in the fight are given a flagrant technical and disqualified.  An indirect technical is charged to the coach and a maximum of 2 free throws are awarded, unless offset by the opposing team.  Bench personnel who participate in a fight are given flagrant technicals and disqualified.  An indirect technical is charged to the coach for each participant.  Free throws  are administered for each technical, unless offset by the opposing team. PLAYERS ON COURT –SEE RULE 10-6, PAGE 67 OF RULE BOOK.

FREE THROWS – maximum six players allowed on line, 4 defensive and 2 offensive.  The lane areas from the end line up to, and including the neutral-zone marks(blocks), shall remain vacant. The first marked lane spaces on each side of the lane, above and adjacent to the neutral-zone marks (blocks)  must be occupied by the opponents of the free thrower. No teammate of the free thrower shall occupy either of these marked lane spaces.  The second marked space may be occupied by teammates of the free thrower (offense). The opponents of the free thrower may occupy the marked lane spaces on each side , nearest the free thrower. Players shall be permitted to move along and across the lane to occupy a vacant marked lane space within the limits of this rule. Players cannot enter the lane until the ball touches the ring, backboard, or the free throw ends.

INJURED PLAYER – a team can use a 30 second timeout to keep a player in the game.  An opposing player may not remain in the game if the opponents calls a timeout.  If opposing players are injured or bleeding each team may call a timeout to keep their player in the game.  The timeouts will run concurrently. 

JURISDICTION- begins when the officials are present on the court. THE OFFICIAL’S ARRIVAL ON THE FLOOR SHALL BE AT LEAST 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE SCHEDULED STARTING TIME OF THE GAME. THE JURISDICTION OF THE OFFICIALS’ IS TERMINATED AND THE FINAL SCORE HAS BEEN APPROVED WHEN ALL OFFICIALS LEAVE THE VISUAL CONFINES OF THE PLAYING AREA.

KNEE BRACES- all exposed hinges must be covered by a sleeve.  An ace bandage is not acceptable. 

OUT OF BOUNDS – a violation shall be called as soon as the player purposely leaves the court for any unauthorized reason.

PREGAME – the head coach and captains meet with the officials to verify that the team is properly equipped.  Contract states that the sportsmanship card should be read.

RESUMPTION OF PLAY- resumption of play procedures is used after timeout and each quarter, including after halftime if both teams are on the court.

TEAM CONTROL – there is no team control on a throw-in.  Any foul committed by the throw in team, will result in free throws, if the opponents are in the bonus. Another point-there is no team control or player control during a dead ball, throw-in, a jump ball or when the ball is in flight during a try or tap for goal unless that try is that of an air borne shooter (A FOUL BY THE AIR BORNE SHOOTER IS A PLAYER CONTROL FOUL). 

THROW-IN – defensive player may immediately reach through the boundary line once the throw-in is released. The defensive player may legally touch or grasp the ball when any part of the ball is over inbounds territory.  If an opponent reaches through the boundary plane and makes contact with the ball, during a throw in, the result will be a technical charged to the player. Contacting the thrower-in will result in an intentional personal foul. 

TIME OUTS – 4 sixty-second time outs, 2 thirty-second time outs, one per half, use it or lose it (THIS IS A SECTION 11 RULE).  When a time out is erroneously granted, it cannot be revoked.  A granted time out cannot be reduced unless both teams are ready to play.  An excessive time out is charged to the team total.  An excessive time out is penalized when discovered, even if play has already resumed.  A time out may be granted to an airborne player in possession of the ball.

TIMING – 35-second shot clock.  Overtime is 4 minutes. In the case of an obvious timing error a correction can be made. 10 seconds to bring the ball into frontcourt.  In the case of an illegal kicking of the ball when the clock is stopped, it is possible for the clock to be started and stopped immediately.  The clock is not reset.

TRAVELING – may not touch the floor with a knee or any other part of the body other than the hand or foot.  Falling to the ground is traveling.

UNIFORMS – the first time they are not tucked in the pants, the player must leave and may return at the next legal opportunity to sub.  A uniform may not be removed in the visible confines of the playing area.  The penalty is a technical foul charged to the player and team total.  Shirts worn under the uniform must be similar in color to the torso of the jersey.  Sleeves must be the same length, but team members do not have to match the sleeve lengths.  Compression shorts must be worn above the knee and be similar to the color of the pants.  Home team must wear white uniforms 

WARNING HORNS –all warning horns will sound with 15 second remaining. 60-second time out, first horn at 45 seconds. 30 second time out, first horn at 15 seconds.  20-second replacement of injured player or one who has been directed to leave, first horn at 5 seconds.

MECHANICS

JUMP BALL – referee will designate who will toss the jump ball

OUT OF BOUNDS – use stop clock signal, then give color and direction.  Use one hand for the visible count and the other to chop in time.  Official handing ball in chops time.

FOULS –Official reports player’s number using one hand.  Reporting procedure is to be done in the reporting area (pg. 57, foul procedures).  Official then moves opposite the table.  Player control signal is behind the head.

FREE THROWS – subdued visible, silent, 10 second count.  Use the same hand to chop in time on a miss.

THROW INS- sideline below the free throw line, the lead bounce the ball to the thrower and remains the lead.  Above the free throw line, the lead becomes the new trail and administers the throw in.   

TIME OUT POSITIONS – SIXTY SECOND TIME-OUT, one official at center, at backside of circle.  Partner will be at the spot of ball.  30 second, one official at center and at front side of circle; Partner at spot of ball. FREE THROW- one official backside of circle, and one official at backside of foul circle. Review manual-very will done.

DISQUALIFIED PLAYER- the NON calling official HAS THE OPTION TO notify the coach first, then has the timer begin the 20-second timepiece, then he notifies the player.( I believe this should be the method used.)The player becomes bench personnel when the coach is notified. 

3 POINT ATTEMPT- the lead official does not mirror the trail on a successful 3 point basket that was in the trail’s area of responsibility. If an official sees his partner signal a 3 point goal, BUT saw the shooter step on the three point arc, he blows his whistle and signals two points. He then gets ball back into play at point of interruption. No discussion is necessary. That official will have to live by his RULING. 

NOT CLOSELY GUARDED- the new signal when a player is not closely guarded is similar to the full time out signal (arms straight out at shoulder height, open hands, palms facing table).

SHOT CLOCK PROCEDURES

*Shot clock used entire game including overtimes
*Shot clock duration 35 seconds
*No shot clock in Modified (JHS) games

Start Shot Clock
*Throw-In – when in-bounds player touches or is touched by ball (exception is kicked ball)
*Jump Ball – when player gains control of ball
*Missed Try - when player gains control of ball
*Missed Free Throw – when player gains control of ball
*Loose Ball - when player gains control of ball

Officials Signals
*Reset – whirling motion of a pointed index finger above head
*Violation – Official taps top of head with open palm

When To Reset
*Floor violations except kicking
*Intentionally kicked ball – reset to 15 if under 15; otherwise leave what is on clock
*Ball hits ring on try or tap – reset when team control secured
*Opponent secures control of ball
*Personal foul
*Try or tap fails to hit ring and is recovered by opponent
*Held ball – if defensive team has AP arrow
*Technical Foul

When Not To Reset
*Defensive team touches ball but does not gain control
*Defensive team causes ball to go out-of-bounds
*Defensive team cause held ball but offensive team has AP arrow
*Blocked try or tap is recovered by offensive team
*Try or tap fails to hit ring and is recovered by offensive team
*Held ball during throw-in and offensive team has AP arrow
*Time-out is granted
*Game stopped due to injury, blood rule or loss of glasses/lens
*Any shot at wrong basket

It should be a primary responsibility of the TRAIL official to be aware of the shot clock. The Trail should try to look at the shot clock occasionally during the entire offensive possession, especially as the possession continues for an extended period of time. This will allow the official to be prepared to rule on a possible violation, incorrect reset or the horn goes off during or before a shot is taken.