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– High School basketball rules summary page 1 of 32

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Central Florida Youth Basketball

Rules Summary 4th – High School Divisions

This rules document is inspired by the literature contained within the National Federation of High

Schools Rulebook (actually a collection of several books with over 300 pages of regulations and

procedures). While ever increasingly comprehensive in its evolution (for purposes of clarification as

well as staff education and training), this is still a relative summary by comparison. Most sections of the

original have been amended, including some sections being deleted and/or replaced altogether, to fit the

overall function and mission of the YMCA. With that in mind, the information below shall supersede the

“official” rules except where a situation is not specifically covered. Visit www.nfhs.org to learn more.

I. Players and forfeit procedures Page 2

II. Substitutions and participation Page 2

III. Bench personnel Page 4

IV. Equipment and uniforms Page 4

V. Scoring Page 5

VI. Timing Page 7

VII. Correcting errors Page 10

VIII. Staring play and the alternating possession procedure Page 11

IX. Live ball and dead ball Page 12

X. Out of bounds Page 13

XI. Throw ins Page 13

XII. Free throws Page 15

XIII. Violations (those not previously covered) Page 19

XIV. Legal position, screening, and “time and distance” Page 24

XV. Fouls (those not previously covered) Page 27

The referees and coordinators of the YMCA are YMCA Employees. They work here because they

enjoy working with children and sports and the opportunities of being positive role models with other

adults to encourage both teams to try their best, gain friendships, learn and develop skill, and grow as

healthy, gracious competitors. Winning externally, as in “winning by score”, is secondary.

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I. Players and forfeit procedures

A. Games are played with a maximum of five players on the court for each team.

1. A “sanctioned” game shall utilize the final score as a method to record and track team

standings and/or for purposes of seeding and any possible end of season tournament.

2. A “scrimmage” game is a forfeited game that could not start as a sanctioned game.

B. Teams may start a sanctioned game with four players if a fifth player is unavailable, or if a

fifth player is available but no substitutes are available.

1. Teams may not start a sanctioned game with less than five players if five players and

substitutes are available.

2. The team with five players and available substitutes must start the game with five

players even if the opponent is not able to do so.

C. If a team chooses to begin the game with four players due to unavailable players and/or

substitutes, this choice allows the game to be sanctioned.

1. If this is the team’s choice, the opponent must utilize its full complement of players, if

that opponent has enough players and/or substitutes available to play, even though the

choosing team does not.

2. In this situation, the opponent shall not “play down”, and results in the choosing team

to play “out-numbered”.

3. Teams may substitute/add any late arriving players, under the provisions of the

substitution rules, without penalty.

D. If a team is unable and/or chooses not to start a sanctioned game, a scrimmage game shall be

played to allow the players in attendance the opportunity to play in a game-like setting.

1. The game is ruled a forfeit and the opponent shall be awarded a winning score of 2-0

while the other team is awarded the loss.

2. The team in need of players shall either borrow players from the opponent and the

opponent must lend any available players, and/or the opponent shall “play down”, as

determined by the official.

3. Teams may substitute/add any late arriving players, under the provisions of the

substitution rules; however, at the moment the scrimmage game officially begins or the

staff is ready to begin, the forfeiture status of the game’s outcome shall not change

regardless of incoming available players.

E. If neither team is able to and/or chooses not to start a sanctioned game, a scrimmage game

shall be played to allow the players in attendance the opportunity to play in a game-like setting.

1. The game is ruled a double-forfeit and both teams shall be awarded a loss each.

2. A double-forfeit would result from, for example, both teams having three or less

players in attendance; if a team has three players but its opponent has at least four players

available, a single forfeit results.

3. It is up to management’s ability or inability to re-schedule a double-forfeit game.

F. After a sanctioned game has started, it may continue with less than five or four players for

either or both teams due to disqualification, injury, etc., if the official determines the atmosphere

of the game continues to be healthy, fun, and competitive in a positive manner.

II. Substitutions and participation

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A. Substitutions may take place during almost any dead ball except…

1. When a free throw is to be followed by another free throw, or awarded throw in,

regardless whether the free throw is successful or not.

2. During the dead ball interval that occurs beginning at the moment a goal is made and

ending at the moment the ball becomes live again (a made free throw is an exception).

B. At all times any substitute requesting to enter shall…

1. Report to the scorer’s table before the ball becomes live and make known their intent to

enter the game and…

2. Be wearing the shirt tucked in, shoelaces tied, and not wearing illegal equipment and…

3. Wait for the official to beckon him/her onto the court and…

4. Enter immediately at the moment the official beckons him/her.

C. If the substitution requirements are not met, the player may not be allowed to enter at that

moment and shall wait for the next substitution opportunity.

D. An official may require immediate substitution, and the coach shall substitute immediately

upon notification from the official, during situations involving a player…

1. Wearing illegal equipment or refusing to tuck in the shirt.

2. Earning a technical or “excessive” foul, or disqualification.

3. Required to play due to lack of participation.

4. Bleeding or having blood on the uniform

5. Being injured or perceived to be injured.

a. If the official stops play to address an injured or perceived to be injured player,

the official may direct him/her to the bench for substitution to ensure aid is

provided if necessary.

b. If a coach, parent, and/or personnel, enters the court during the stoppage of play

to provide aid, the player shall be automatically directed to the bench for

substitution and to ensure aid is provided if necessary.

c. If the official and/or other personnel determine the injury or perceived injury to

be potentially severe, the official and/or other personnel may disallow that player

further participation for the remainder of the game.

E. The substitution rules are designed in an effort to encourage efficiency during substitutions

and to prevent abuse of the substitution process as a means for a timeout or other discourtesies;

repeated failure to comply with the rule may fall under delay of game and/or technical foul rules.

F. A team must make every effort to ensure all available players participate in at least half of the

total game time as equitable as possible.

1. The scorekeeper shall note on the score sheets which players have or have not

participated in each half.

2. If a player has not participated in the first half of play, or did participate in the first

half but relatively sparingly, the scorekeeper and officials shall notify the coach and

direct him/her to substitute for the player in need.

c. Depending upon the number of players available, some players may end up

participating, mathematically speaking, more or less than others; this is permissible

provided the player with less playing time is still playing at least half of the total game

time.

d. Teams are not typically required to equally distribute playing time among positions, or

to equally distribute scoring opportunities, unless directed to do so by the official

(depending upon various game situations).

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a. Not every player is required, for example, to play as the point guard.

b. Not every player is required, for example, to participate in a scoring play run

specifically for him/her.

c. However, teams shall not purposely prevent its own player from actively

participating in a play and/or an opportunity to score.

III. Bench personnel A. One coach may stand to instruct his/her team, encourage both teams, and respectfully request

information from an official, provided he/she…

1. Remains out of bounds and…

2. Remains near his/her own team bench and…

3. Remains clear of play and the official’s duties including the scorekeeper and…

4. Does not abuse this allowance to argue and/or disrespectfully address the officials

including the scorekeeper.

B. All other bench personnel, including other coaches, team representatives, substitutes, etc.,

shall also comply under the coach rules; however, they shall sit and remain seated on the bench

except under the following situations, provided the personnel member immediately re-takes their

seat afterwards, such as standing to…

1. React during moments of spontaneous and positive celebration.

2. Report to the score table for purposes of substitution.

3. Greet player(s) replaced by substitute(s).

4. Gather information from the scorekeeper.

5. Greet players and/or provide seats during a timeout.

C. The coaching and bench decorum rules are designed to provide allowances to a coach and

other members of the team’s bench for purposes of instruction, encouragement, and information

gathering only; failure to comply with the rule falls under delay of game and/or technical foul

rules.

1. If a member of the bench earns a technical foul, the foul shall count under team foul

and technical foul rules.

2. Additionally, if the coach earns a technical foul, he/she shall sit and remain seated on

the bench, except for purposes of team instruction during a timeout only, unless otherwise

directed by the official as in cases of player injury.

3. If a member of the team’s bench, other than the coach, earns a technical foul, and if the

official determines the coach’s actions incited that technical foul, or the coach made no

reasonable effort to prevent that technical foul, the coach shall also be assessed a

technical foul.

IV. Equipment and uniforms: A. The 4

th and older divisions will use…

1. A basketball provided only by the YMCA.

a. A “regulation” size ball is used for the 8th

and up boys division.

b. A “28.5” size ball is used for all other divisions.

2. Regulation 10 ft goals provided by the YMCA.

3. An approximately regulation size court provided by the YMCA.

4. A game shirt provided by the YMCA.

B. It is required that players wear, under their own supply…

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1. Shoes and shorts/pants appropriately designed for basketball.

2. Any eyeglass/goggles, if eyeglass/goggles are necessary, appropriately designed for

basketball or at least normal wear.

C. It is highly recommended that players wear, under their own supply…

1. Soft knee and/or soft elbow pads appropriately designed for basketball.

2. A mouth guard/tooth protection appropriately designed for basketball.

D. The officials shall inspect each player for illegal equipment and, in order for a player to be

allowed to participate if the official determines a player is wearing illegal equipment, the item(s)

must be removed such as the following examples.

1. Items that are hard or sharp that could cut or scratch (examples: jewelry, rings,

watches, barrettes, belt buckles, girl’s ear rings unless small-studded and worn with the

proper safety backing, unreasonably long fingernails, etc.).

2. Items that are hard or do not “give” that could collide with another player (examples:

casts, slow recovery padding, baseball caps, overly knotted clothing, hair clips, etc.).

3. Items that are loose fitting or hanging loosely off the body in a gap that could “catch”

another player (examples: bracelets, necklaces, looped ear rings, loose cloth jewelry,

hoods, etc.).

4. Items that are hanging loosely off the body that could swing or strike another player

(examples: hair adornments, clothing with strings or ties, etc.).

5. Other items judged by the official to be distracting, unsporting, or otherwise

unnecessary for the game, even if the item poses no safety threat (examples: bandanas,

clothing with inappropriate wording/graphics, multi-colored or multiple bracelets even

when not worn loosely, etc.).

E. The illegal equipment rules are designed to ensure player safety whenever possible due to the

fact basketball is a contact sport and is inherently dangerous enough; simply covering up the

illegal item does not satisfy the rule and repeated failure to comply with the rule falls under delay

of game and/or technical foul rules.

V. Scoring

A. The team leading in points at the completion of a sanctioned game is designated as the

winning team; if the game is a scrimmage due to forfeit, the team able to start a sanctioned game

is designated as the winning team regardless of the points scored at the completion of the

scrimmage.

B. Points are scored when a live ball enters a basket from above the ring and exits through the

bottom of the ring unless…

1. The score is canceled due to violation or foul rules.

2. A score is awarded due to goaltending or defensive basket interference.

C. Points scored at a team’s own basket are recorded for that team.

1. When a team mistakenly or accidentally shoots or tips a live ball into the opponent’s

basket, or is otherwise the last to touch the ball prior to the score, the points are recorded

for the opponent.

2. Play then resumes as though the opponent caused the points unless the situation

resulted from a correctable error situation.

D. One point is scored for each successful free throw.

E. Two or three points are scored for each successful goal or awarded goal.

1. A goal is a score that does not occur as a free throw.

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2. A team has scored a two point goal when…

a. While trying for goal at its own basket, the try is attempted from within the

team’s own three point arc by the shooter having last touched the floor on, or

within, the arc prior to release.

b. The opponent accidentally or mistakenly shoots or tips the ball into the team’s

basket, even if the mistaken goal occurred as a three point try.

c. The opponent is last to touch the ball prior to the ball entering the opponent’s

basket regardless whether the last touching occurred from beyond the three point

arc, unless the touching occurred while defending a three point try, as in a shot tip,

deflection, and/or grazed shot block attempt.

d. The opponent commits goaltending or basket interference of a two point try or

any ball that would otherwise result in two points.

3. A team has scored a three point goal when…

a. While trying for goal at its own basket, the try is attempted from beyond the

team’s own three point arc by the shooter having last touched the floor behind the

arc prior to release.

b. The opponent commits goaltending or basket interference of a three point try.

F. Teams may apply any type of legal offense or defense until the instant a team is leading its

opponent by 20 or more points (10 points for 4th

and 5th

).

1. During that scoring window, the leading team shall not apply defensive pressure in the

opponent’s back court; additionally, no opponent shall apply defensive pressure to the

dribbler until that dribbler has completely established frontcourt status.

2. The scorekeeper shall not display the score beyond a 20 point margin on the

scoreboard, regardless how much a team may actually be ahead in points; if the losing

team scores, for example, while the lead remains 20 or more points, the scorekeeper shall

add the points to both teams to ensure the scoring margin is appropriately displayed.

3. If the lead is 20 or more points in the second half (20 points at any time for the 4th

and

5th

), the officials may direct the leading team to only apply defensive pressure from

within the three point arc to provide offensive developing opportunities to the team in

need.

4. At the moment the scoring window no longer exists, the leading team may apply the

appropriate defensive scheme.

5. Regardless, the officials may provide further and/or other restrictions to the leading

team, as well as further and/or other allowances to the losing team, gauged on the

competitive atmosphere, or lacking, in the game including but not limited to…

a. Restricting the winning team to only take outside shots.

b. Restricting the winning team to allow other teammates that have not attempted

to score to be provided opportunities.

c. Restricting the winning team to “pull up” on a fast break and set up an offense.

d. Restricting the winning team to make no attempt at stealing or blocking a shot,

except for normal legal and vertical movement/positioning, even while within its

own three point arc.

e. Allowing the losing team to continue play without interruption despite

committing violations such as traveling, double-dribble, out of bounds, etc.

f. Allowing the losing team to gain opportunities for free throws that it might

otherwise not be provided under normal rules.

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6. The points rules are designed to ensure teams are provided with a more focused view

of “success” during an extended lead; failure to comply with the rule falls under delay of

game and/or technical foul rules.

a. The first instance the leading team fails to comply shall be designated as a

warning; the game shall be stopped momentarily to record the warning and ensure

the team and coach understands the scoring window rule.

b. The second instance the leading team fails to comply shall be designated as

delay of game and shall fall under delay of game rules.

c. The third instance the leading team fails to comply shall be designated as a

team technical foul and shall fall under technical foul rules.

d. If the leading team has already earned a delay of game for a previous violation

under delay of game rules, even if that previous violation was unrelated to the

scoring window, that team shall earn a technical foul on its second instance

instead of delay of game.

e. This rule resets in the second half of play.

VI. Timing

A. Games are played in four quarters. 4th

- 7th

play 8 minute running clock, 8th

-12th

play 8

minute stop clock.

1. To begin any period, the clock shall start at the moment the ball is…

a. First legally touched during a jump ball.

b. First legally touched after the completion of a throw in.

c. Made available to an awarded team if the jump ball or throw in to start the

appropriate period is replaced by a free throw under delay or technical foul rules.

2. After the clock has started, it shall not stop until the last 60 seconds of each quarter

except for timeouts or other situations the official may judge necessary to do so. (Except

in 8th

- 12th

division)

3. When the game clock reaches 60 seconds…

a. The clock shall be stopped at the instant the official signals the stopping of the

clock by sounding his/her whistle.

b. If the clock reaches 60 seconds at an instance during the game when the clock

should already be stopped, the scorekeeper shall do so without a signal from the

official.

c. The clock shall then resume at the instant the official signals the resumption of

the clock with the appropriate hand signal when…

i. A throw in legally touches a player.

ii. An unsuccessful free throw legally touches a player unless the throw is

to be followed by another throw.

4. If the scoring window reaches 20 or more points at any time in the second half, the

clock will run without stoppage except during timeouts.

5. If necessary, one 3 minute overtime period is played if the score is tied at the end of the

last period; the starting and stopping of the game clock shall be the same as the last

period.

a. If the score is still tied after the overtime period, the game ends in a tie during a

non-tournament game.

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b. Otherwise, another overtime period will be played as necessary during

tournament games, or tournament-deciding games, except for the very last game

of the season in which only one overtime will be played.

6. The first quarter begins when the official sounds the whistle, or is ready to sound the

whistle, to put the ball in play; however, the official’s jurisdiction and the rules governing

all participants and their conduct officially begins, and may be applied, at the moment the

officials are present within the visual confines of the court and shall not cease until the

officials are no longer present.

7. A quarter ends and the next quarter of play, if any, begins at the moment the official

signals play has ended due to the expiration of time.

a. Any appropriate penalties occurring prior to the expiration of the game clock

shall be enforced within that period.

b. Any appropriate penalties occurring after the expiration of the game clock

involving an airborne player and/or a player in the act of shooting, shall be

enforced as an extension of that quarter; however, the game shall be terminated if

this situation occurs in the last quarter of play and the outcome of the game is not

dependent upon the resulting penalty.

c. Any appropriate penalties occurring after the expiration of the game clock not

involving an airborne player and/or a player in the act of shooting, shall be

enforced in the new period unless the following situation occurs in the last period

of play.

i. If the score is not tied after the last quarter of play and the outcome of

the game is dependent upon the resulting penalty, the penalty shall be

enforced as an extension of that quarter.

ii. If the score is tied after the last quarter of play, the penalty shall be

enforced in the new quarter, if any.

B. Each team receives two 60 second timeouts per half of play (total of four); however, no

timeout is available for use until after the appropriate half of play officially begins.

1. The timeouts reset at the expiration of a half; any remaining timeouts do not carry over

from one half of play to another.

2. Anyone on a team may request a timeout during any dead ball.

3. Otherwise, only the team in possession of the ball may request a timeout when the ball

is live except when a held ball occurs.

4. If overtime is necessary, each team receives one 60 second timeout.

a. Any timeouts remaining prior to the end of the last quarter do not carry over

into any overtime period.

b. The timeout received for overtime shall not be used until after the overtime

period officially begins.

5. Play shall resume from the “point of interruption” following a granted timeout or any

other delay judged necessary by the official to stop play.

a. If a timeout occurs prior to the release of a free throw, the interrupted free

throw opportunity shall take place except that any ten-second count for the release

of the throw shall be reset.

b. If a timeout occurs prior to the release of a throw in, the interrupted throw in

opportunity shall take place except that any five-second count for the release of

the throw shall be reset.

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c. If a timeout occurs prior to the release of a throw in that occurred after a

successful score, thereby allowing the throwing team to “run or pass along the

end line”, the interrupted throw in opportunity to run or pass along the end line

shall take place.

d. If a timeout occurs during live play while a team is in possession of the ball,

other than a free throw or throw in, that team shall be awarded a throw in

opportunity nearest the spot where the ball became dead at the moment the

timeout occurred, except that any seconds-counts shall be reset.

6. If a team requests a timeout but has no timeouts remaining, rather than granting the

timeout and then charging the team a technical foul, the following rules shall apply

instead.

a. The official shall simply not grant the timeout rather than allowing a team to

“buy” a timeout with a technical foul.

b. If the official mistakenly grants this extra timeout, he/she shall immediately,

upon discovery of his/her error, award the ball to the opponent for a throw in at

the nearest spot and play shall resume immediately.

c. During a correctable error situation (see further below), the official will require

notification by the scorekeeper that an extra timeout has been requested.

C. There is also a 1 minute timeout between quarters, except there is a 2 minute timeout at

halftime.

D. The resumption of play rule is in effect for team timeouts and quarter/halftime timeouts.

1. Prior to the end of a timeout, the scorekeeper shall signal to the teams and officials that

the timeout is nearing its end and this shall be done when 30 seconds remains in the

timeout.

2. When the timeout is completed, the scorekeeper shall ensure a second signal is

delivered to the teams and officials that play will now be resumed.

3. The officials shall then…

a. Take their positions for the ensuing throw in or free throw spot, dependent upon

when the timeout was granted previously.

b. Signal the team receiving the throw in or free throw and sound the whistle.

4. If a player of the awarded team is not available…

a. The ball is placed on the floor and the throw in or free throw count begins.

b. For a throw in, as any throw in, it is a violation if the final count is reached; the

ball is then awarded to the opponent under throw in rules.

c. For a free throw, as any free throw, it is a violation if the final count is reached

or if any member of the free throw team moves into or out of the free throw area,

which ever happens first; play shall then resume under free throw violation rules.

5. If the awarded team is available but the opponent is not.

a. The official shall not wait for the opponent and will provide the ball to the

awarded team.

b. Play continues without them, however, both teams are still subject to violation

and foul rules.

6. Repeated delay results in a technical foul; delay of game rules do not apply in this

situation.

7. The resumption of play rule is designed to encourage player hustle, to focus on the

action by preventing the contest from becoming undesirably stagnant as well as

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preventing abuse of the timeout length; this rule only applies for play resuming after a

timeout, therefore, other delay situations falls under delay of game and/or technical foul

rules.

VII. Correcting errors

A. The correctable error rule is in effect when a team believes an administrative error has

occurred regarding an incorrect, or potentially incorrect…

1. Recording of a score.

2. Recording of a timeout.

3. Recording of a foul.

4. Recording of the alternating possession arrow.

5. Starting or stopping of the game clock.

6. Basket and/or direction the teams are allowed to play to.

7. Team receiving a throw in or free throw incorrectly following a timeout or during the

alternating procedure.

8. Other “bookkeeping” information.

B. The coach may respectfully request a timeout, under timeout rules, for correcting an error, or

potential error.

1. If an error exists and can be corrected, the team is not charged the timeout, and play

shall resume immediately based on the status of the correction.

2. If an error does not exist, or if the error cannot be corrected, then the team is charged

the timeout.

a. If any of the time still remains from the charged timeout, it may be used for

timeout purposes.

b. If no time is left remaining in that timeout, the game must resume immediately

under resumption rules.

3. Additionally, if the team has no timeouts available to charge, the coach shall be

assessed a technical foul; in this situation, the scorekeeper will need to signal the official

that an extra timeout for a correctable error is being requested because the official may

initially ignore a request for an extra timeout.

C. If at any time the scorekeeper realizes an error or potential error has occurred, he/she may

signal the official without prior notice and without notification by a team.

1. Prior to signaling the official, the scorekeeper shall wait for either the ball to be dead,

or to ensure that a loose ball is not occurring during live play, or to ensure that stopping

play would not create a disadvantage to the team in possession.

2. Upon proper signaling, the scorekeeper shall beckon the official to the table for review

of the error or potential error.

D. In all situations, to correct or not correct an error…

a. The officials and the scorekeeper must all agree unless the official designated as

the Referee is aware of, or provided, specific information to make a ruling; in this

situation the Referee has ultimate authority on the correcting or not correcting of

an error.

b. If the officials are not in agreement and/or the official designated as the Referee

is not aware of, or provided, specific information to make a ruling, then the

information recorded in the scorebook shall be the ultimate authority on the

correcting or not correcting of an error.

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E. The correctable error rules are designed in an effort to prevent unsporting behavior directed at

the scorekeeper or otherwise causing distraction from his/her duties; this rule only applies to

administrative errors, therefore, it shall not be used as a method to argue with and/or “overturn” a

judgment made by an official or to “buy” or extend the length of a timeout, therefore, failure to

comply with the rule falls under delay of game and/or technical foul rules.

VIII. Start of play and the alternating possession procedure

A. Players and coaches line up along the sideline in front of the parents for YMCA information

and a prayer prior to each game.

B. The home team chooses direction of play based on the location of its bench.

1. Teams begin the game in the direction opposite of their benches.

2. Teams switch direction at halftime; a team shall play offense in the direction towards

its bench in the second half of play including any overtime period(s).

C. The game, and any overtime period, begins with a jump ball unless a violation or foul replaces

the jump ball under the alternating possession procedure rules.

1. One player from each team stands in the center jump circle and all other players must

be outside the center circle.

2. The official sounds the whistle indicating the ball will be tossed.

3. During the interval between the sounded whistle and the tossed ball being touched by a

jumper…

a. The jumpers may not leave the circle, and non-jumpers may not step into the

circle, or switch positions around the circle, or move up to the circle.

b. The jumpers may touch the ball only after it reaches the height of its toss but

neither shall touch the ball more than twice or catch it until it touches the floor; if

the ball touches the floor without either jumper touching the ball, a re-toss shall

apply and the official shall direct the jumpers to attempt the jump ball.

4. If the touched ball proceeds out of bounds and the officials cannot determine which

team last touched the ball under out of bounds rules, a re-toss shall apply.

D. The team not first gaining possession begins the alternating possession procedure and shall be

identified by a visual signal, typically an arrow at the score table displaying the appropriate

direction of play, as the team to receive the next possession when the procedure is applied.

1. The team whose direction of play corresponds with the arrow shall receive the ball

under the alternating possession procedure for…

a. Each period of play not involving a jump ball.

b. When the ball becomes lodged within the basket ring and the backboard.

c. Situations in which the officials are not able to identify which team last touched

the ball prior to the ball going out of bounds (except during the jump ball tip).

d. A “held ball” between opponents.

i. Play shall be stopped for a held ball when opposing players grasp and/or

possess a live ball in such a way that neither opponent is able to free or

loosen the ball from the other without undue roughness or if, during this

dual possession, either player commits what would normally be traveling.

ii. It is also a held ball when an airborne player in the act of shooting or

passing has the ball blocked by the opponent, while the ball remains in

possession of the shooter/passer, in such a way that the opponent’s

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blocking motion on the ball causes the shooter’s/passer’s momentum to be

pushed down and land back to the floor.

2. The alternating possession procedure may begin with a throw in, and play shall

continue under throw in rules, if a team violates the jump ball rules.

3. The alternating possession procedure may begin with a throw in, and play shall

continue under throw in rules, after the completion of any free throws resulting from an

intentional, excessive, or technical foul occurring prior to the start of any period.

4. The alternating procedure may begin with free throws, and play shall continue under

free throw rules, if a team commits a common foul prior to the start of any period while it

is over its team foul limit.

5. The alternating procedure resets for any overtime period.

IX. Live ball and dead ball

A. The ball becomes live at the moment the ball…

1. Leaves the official’s hand for a jump ball.

2. Is made available by the official for a throw in or free throw.

3. Is available for a throw in following a goal or the last successful common foul free

throw.

B. A team has committed delay of game when it prevents or attempts to prevent the ball being

made live or remaining live through such acts including but not limited to…

1. Purposely interfering with the ball following a goal or free throw.

2. Huddling with the free thrower.

3. Repeated failure to apply the proper defensive scheme according to the points rule.

4. Not immediately providing the ball to the nearest official or other acts the official

determines to be an act of delay not otherwise addressed in other rule sections.

C. The ball becomes dead or remains dead when…

1. A goal or free throw is scored.

2. A violation occurs.

3. An unsuccessful free throw is to be followed by another free throw or throw in.

4. The throwing team violates the free throw.

5. The opponent violates the free throw and the throw is unsuccessful.

6. A held ball between opponents occurs or the ball lodges within the basket or

backboard.

7. A player in possession of the ball or shooting/passing the ball commits a foul.

8. Any other foul occurs unless a try for goal or free throw is in flight prior to the foul or

unless the opponent fouled was in the act of shooting.

9. Time expires for the period unless a try for goal is in flight prior to expiration.

10. The official sounds the whistle to grant a request for a timeout.

11. The official otherwise sounds the whistle for matters judged necessary to do so.

D. The sounding of the official’s whistle does not necessarily cause the ball to become dead; it

merely signals that the official has noted a situation in the rules which has already caused the ball

to become dead, except when the official stops play for other situations.

E. The horn or buzzer never causes the ball to become dead, it merely signals the expiration of

time (or other purposes) which the official then recognizes under proper procedures; additionally,

if the horn or buzzer mistakenly sounds while the ball is live, the official may direct play to

resume immediately without interruption.

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F. No team is ruled to be “in control” of the ball during a dead ball even though a team may be

in possession of the ball during the dead ball.

1. This rule causes immunity from certain violations including backcourt, traveling,

illegal dribble and three seconds in the lane, etc.

2. This rule causes immunity from certain types of common fouls even if a situation

occurs that would normally be a foul during live play; for example, when a dribbler steps

out of bounds and then commits charging, the charging foul is ignored because the ball

was already dead due to the out of bounds violation even though the official’s whistle

might sound at the moment of the foul.

X. Out of bounds

A. The following objects are ruled out of bounds…

1. The boundary lines and the floor, persons, walls, or objects outside the lines.

2. The ceiling, overhead equipment or supports, or any auxiliary sideline goals.

3. The support structure or back face of the backboard.

a. The top, bottom, and side faces of the backboard are inbounds.

b. The ball may bounce, roll, rebound, etc., off the top face of the backboard.

c. It may even fall into play or into the basket off of the top face of the backboard

for a score provided the ball does not touch the support structure

B. Even if the ball does not touch the backboard or support structure, the ball is still considered

out of bounds if the ball…

1. Completely passes over the top of the backboard from either direction.

2. Passes through the support structure behind the backboard.

C. The ball or player is out of bounds when it or a player touches something that is out of

bounds.

D. The ball or player is inbounds when it or a player is not touching something that is out of

bounds, except when a player jumps off of the floor while out of bounds and then touches the

ball prior to returning to the floor inbounds.

E. The team that last touched the ball prior to it becoming out of bounds is considered the team

that caused the out of bounds violation except when an opponent dislodges the ball directly off of

the hands of the player in possession.

F. A player without the ball may be out of bounds and then touch the ball inbounds.

1.The only requirement is the player simply cannot be out of bounds, or remain out of

bounds when jumping into the air, at the instant he/she touches the inbounds ball.

2. The player is not required to have two feet inbounds nor is the player required to first

wait for another player to touch the ball (except for throw ins).

3. An exception is the dribbler cannot be dribbling inbounds, then step out of bounds,

then continue back inbounds and resume his/her dribble.

4. Another exception is when a player leaves the inbounds portion of the court as a

method of deceit or delays his/her inbounds return even without touching the ball.

XI. Throw ins

A. A team is awarded an out of bounds throw in…

1. When an opponent commits a violation.

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2. After a team throws its last free throw for a non-common type foul.

3. After an opponent’s goal or last successful free throw assuming no rule is in effect

awarding the opponent a throw in.

4. When an opponent commits an offensive/”team control” foul.

5. When an opponent commits a common foul before the bonus rule is in effect.

6. When it is a team’s turn to receive the alternating possession during a held ball or other

rule governing the alternating procedure.

7. When both teams commit double fouls or simultaneous fouls and the “point of

interruption” puts that team as the last team in control of the ball.

8. When it is the team in possession of the ball during live play, other than a free throw or

throw in, at the moment a timeout is granted or for any other delay the official judges

necessary to stop play,

B. The spot of the out of bounds throw in shall be nearest the spot where the ball became dead

except…

1. When the throw in is the spot at mid-court opposite the scorer’s table…

a. To start a new period without a jump ball.

b. After a team’s last technical foul free throw.

2. When the spot shall be anywhere along the end line at the opponent’s goal, as in after a

made goal or free throw.

3. When the spot would originate from behind or underneath the goal, or auxiliary

sideline goal, in which case the official shall adjust the spot to provide aerial clearance to

the thrower and limit a potential out of bounds violation.

4. When a throw in does not touch another player prior to going out of bounds again in

which case the opponent shall receive the throw in at the previous spot.

5. When a throw in does not touch another player prior to entering either basket in which

case the opponent shall receive the throw in at the previous spot and no points shall be

recorded.

C. The ball is live, a throw in starts, and a 5 second time limit begins when the official makes the

ball available to the throw in team or the ball is available after a goal or the last successful

common foul free throw; the team performing the throw in must release a pass directly into the

inbounds side of the court within 5 seconds and the count ends upon the release of the pass, not

when the ball touches a player.

D. The thrower must remain out of bounds and have at least one foot remain over the designated

spot until the throw is released.

1. The thrower may step infinitely backwards away from the spot.

2. The thrower may side step one way provided he/she continues to remain over the

designated spot.

3. If the designated spot is anywhere along the end line, the thrower may move along the

end line at will and may also pass the ball to teammate standing out of bounds along that

end line, when the throw in follows…

a. A goal or awarded goal.

b. The last successful common foul free throw.

c. A violation by the team defending the throw in after a or b.

E. Because the boundary line is out of bounds, it is not a violation for the thrower to step on the

boundary line provided no part of the body also touches inbounds.

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F. After legally releasing the throw inbounds, the thrower must not purposely delay entering the

court as a deceitful tactic.

G. It is a throw in violation to touch the ball during a throw in while the ball remains within the

out of bounds side of the boundary line vertical plane.

1. No player shall reach through the vertical plane to touch or catch the

pass until the ball breaks through the vertical plane.

2. Also, the thrower shall not hand the ball to an inbounds teammate as this causes the

teammate to be out of bounds even if the ball is carried into the inbounds side of the

vertical plane.

3. Additionally, the passed/thrown ball shall not contact the out of bounds portion of the

court.

H. The opponent of the thrower shall not reach through or otherwise break the boundary line

vertical plane while guarding the thrower.

1. The first instance of doing so falls under delay of game rules.

2. The second or more instance falls under technical foul rules.

3. Additionally, it is immediately a technical foul if the opponent touches and/or

dislodges the ball from the thrower’s hand(s) while reaching through or otherwise

breaking the boundary line vertical plane; no delay of game penalty is necessary.

4. Or, it is an intentional foul if the opponent commits a common foul towards the

thrower while reaching through or otherwise breaking the boundary line vertical plane;

again, no delay of game penalty is necessary.

I. If the thrower reaches through the boundary line vertical plane with the ball, then the opponent

has the right to play the ball; that opponent is immune from the out of bounds rule as well as the

above intentional and technical foul rule in this particular situation.

J. The official shall direct the throwing teammates and opponents to maintain a distance of at

least three feet away from the boundary line if the thrower does not have at least three feet of

space to step backwards due to, for example, a wall located too near the line.

K. At the moment a throw in resulting from the alternating procedure legally ends, the opponent

is awarded the next alternating possession throw in when the rule is next applied.

1. The team awarded an alternating possession throw in loses its possession if it commits

a violation during the throw in.

2. A team will maintain possession for the next alternating procedure if a foul is

committed by either team before the throw in ends.

L. No team is ruled to be “in control” of the ball during a throw in even though the throw in team

may be in possession of the ball during the throw in.


illegal dribble, three seconds in the lane, etc.

2. This rule allows for free throws to occur when either team commits a foul, including an

“offensive/player control”, while under the bonus free throw rule.

XII. Free throws

A. If the opponent commits a foul, a team shall receive opportunities at a free throw and the

offended player shall be designated to perform the throw when…

1. The player is fouled in the act of shooting.

2. The fouling team has reached its team foul limit.

3. The foul committed is ruled intentional or excessive.

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B. If the player designated to perform the throw(s) is directed by the official to substitute, any

teammate may be designated to replace him/her to perform the throw including the incoming

substitute.

C. If the opponent commits a technical foul, a team shall receive opportunities at a free throw

and any player on the court may be designated to perform any number of the throws available.

1. A player on the throwing team is not required to attempt all of the throws; any

teammate on the court may attempt any number of throws.

2. A player may, for example, attempt one throw and then allow a teammate to attempt

the next one.

D. A team receives two free throws when…

1. Fouled during the act of shooting an unsuccessful two point goal.

2. The fouling team has committed ten or more fouls during that half of play (the double

bonus) and the offended player was not in the act of shooting a successful goal or an

unsuccessful three point goal.

3. The foul is ruled intentional, excessive, or technical, regardless of any act of shooting

whether successful or not; therefore, a team may potentially, for example, score a three

point goal then still receive two more free throws in this situation.

E. A team receives three free throws when fouled during the act of shooting an unsuccessful

three point goal.

F. A team receives one free throw when…

1. Fouled in the act of shooting a successful goal, regardless whether the goal is two or

three points.

2. The fouling team has committed its seventh, eighth, or ninth foul during that half of

play and the player fouled was not in the act of shooting.

a. If the one free throw attempt is successful, the player shall receive an additional

throw (bonus throw or “1 and 1”).

b. If the one free throw attempt is unsuccessful, play shall resume under live/dead

ball rules.

G. A team does not receive free throws…

1. When opponents commit double fouls.

2. When the offense commits a foul when “in control” of the ball.

3. When a coach is assessed a technical foul, unless the technical foul causes his/her team

to be over the team foul limit.

H. The act of shooting is the normal movement a player makes when attempting to try or tap for

goal.

1. The act may begin with steps or movement while the player is in contact with the

floor; therefore being “on the floor” is irrelevant when determining the act of shooting

except that the act of shooting ends when an airborne shooter returns to the floor.

2. The act may include normal movement after the ball leaves the shooter’s hand(s).

3. Additionally, if a player is fouled while in the act of shooting, he/she may still be ruled

in the act of shooting even if he/she then passes, dribbles, or otherwise acts in a non-

shooting way; the original act of shooting takes precedence, not the changed act that a

foul may have influenced the shooter to take.

I. Under the following situations, non-shooting foul rules apply.

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1. If an airborne shooter scores and is fouled after returning to the floor but while the ball

is still in the air, the score counts and his/her team shall retain the ball under non-shooting

foul rules.

2. If a non-shooting player is fouled after the ball leaves a shooting teammate’s hands and

the try is successful, the score counts and his/her team shall retain the ball under non-

shooting foul rules.

3. If a non-shooting offensive player fouls the opponent after the ball leaves a shooting

player’s hand and the try is successful, the score counts but the opponent shall be

awarded the ball under non-shooting foul rules.

J. If an airborne shooter and/or a player in the act of shooting commits a foul and scores, or vice

versa, the score is canceled even if the foul occurred after the score and/or the act of shooting

ended.

K. During free throw situations not involving intentional, excessive, or technical fouls, the

official shall direct the players to take positions within the designated spaces along the lane lines

and the free throw line.

1. The free throw shooter shall position him/herself within the free throw half circle;

however, a free thrower in the 4th

and 5th

divisions may take a position at a maximum

distance of 3 ft in front of the free throw line(no further than half-way between the last

lane space).

2. The opponent shall occupy both spaces above the block; the space between the block

and end line shall remain empty.

3. Teammate(s) of the free thrower may occupy the next adjacent space(s).

4. The opponent may occupy the remaining two adjacent spaces.

5. Only the team designated to occupy the space shall do so.

a. If a team chooses not to occupy a space, the space shall remain empty.

b. However, the opponent must occupy both of the first spaces and the free throw

shooter must occupy the free throw half circle to avoid any delay of game,

resumption of play, or technical foul procedures.

6. All other players must remain outside the three point arc and also above the imaginary

extension of the free throw line.

L. The officials shall then…

1. Designate the number of free throws available and...

2. Make the ball available to the free thrower and...

3. Begin the ten second count in which the thrower shall release the ball for the throw.

M. Until the released throw touches the rim, no player(s) shall…

1. Extend his/her body into the lane and/or an opponent’s lane space in an attempt to

block an opponent’s entrance into the lane to rebound.

a. A player must not be allowed to extend his/her arm in front of, and into the lane

space of, his/her opponent.

b. If the offended player reacts by also committing this violation back to the

original violator, that original player shall be penalized.

c. However, if both opponents violate and the result is a repeated “patty-cake”

action, a double foul may be appropriate.

2. Move out of the space he/she occupies, even when attempting to go behind an

opponent.

3. Enter the lane including touching the line; this includes the shooter.

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a. For the 4th

and 5th

girls, the shooter may already be in the lane at a

maximum distance of three feet in front of the line.

b. The shooter may not move closer beyond the three feet distance until the ball

touches the rim.

c. The shooter has committed a violation if, for example, he/she takes a position at

the three foot distance and during the release and prior to the ball touching the

rim, lands and/or steps closer beyond that distance.

d. It would not be a violation if, for example, the shooter takes a position at the

normal free throw line (or one or two feet distance), and during the release and

prior to the ball touching the rim, lands and/or steps closer so long as he/she does

not do so closer than the three feet distance.

4. Enter the three point arc or imaginary extension of the free throw line if that player’s

position did not originate in a lane space.

N. During free throw situations involving intentional, excessive, or technical fouls, the official

shall direct the players, except the thrower, to take positions behind the midcourt line.

O. A player also shall not attempt to deceive and/or disconcert an opponent through such acts

including, but not limited to…

1. Faking to enter the lane or faking releasing the throw.

2. Waving his/her arm and/or hand within the thrower’s field of view.

3. Initially remaining still but then suddenly motioning as the thrower attempts to release.

P. No member of a team, even those on the bench such as substitutes, coaches, etc., shall act in

any other manner that is intended to distract and/or intimidate the free thrower, whether

physically or verbally, through such acts including, but not limited to…

1. Stomping a foot and/or clapping hands.

2. Verbal distraction such as words and/or noises.

3. Initially remaining quiet but then suddenly vocalizing faux “instructions” and/or

“directions” to teammates as the thrower attempts to release.

Q. The free throw attempt must at least touch the rim, therefore, a throw that touches anything

except the rim, such as the backboard or net only, or nothing at all, is a violation.

R. If the last free throw to be taken during a series of free throws is successful, play continues

with a throw in to the opponent or to the shooting team, depending upon the type of foul

warranting the free throw.

S. If the first free throw of a single bonus foul, or the last free throw during a series of throws for

a common foul, is unsuccessful, play continues with rebounding action as in an unsuccessful try

for goal.

T. If the opponent violates a free throw rule, the officials shall silently designate the violation

and…

1. The violation is ignored if the free throw is successful.

2. The free throw is repeated if the free throw is unsuccessful.

U. If the free throw team violates, the ball becomes dead and the free throw is canceled if

successful.

V. If both teams violate or one team causes the other to violate, the first team is considered to be

responsible for the violation and is penalized accordingly.

W. No team is ruled to be “in control” of the ball during a free throw even though a team may be

in possession of the ball during the free throw.

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illegal dribble, and three seconds in the lane, etc.

2. However, it is still possible to commit basket interference or goaltending during a free

throw; also, in this situation the penalty for goaltending falls under technical foul rules.

XIII. Violations (those not previously covered)

A. Violations are types of rules infractions that are not fouls because violations do not involve

bodily conduct between opponents or unsporting behavior.

B. If an official stops play for a violation, he/she shall encourage the offending player or team by

providing information about the violation if it is possible or practical to do so.

C. If the official judges a player and/or team is obviously in need of further instruction and/or is

obviously being dominated, that player or team may be granted more violation leniency in the

form of increased encouragement and continued play without disruption.

D. It is a violation and an awarded throw in, repeated free throw opportunity, or an appropriate

number of points to the opponent, dependent upon the type of violation, when a team violates the

rules regarding free throws, throw ins, out of bounds, jump ball, resumption of play, and the

other provisions previously described and also described below.

E. Backcourt: a team has committed a violation when it is the first to touch the ball in the

backcourt after being touched last by the ball prior to it going into the backcourt.

1. For example, in addition to accidentally stepping into the backcourt or on the mid-court

line with the ball, or passing it into the backcourt for a violation, or jumping from one

court without the ball then landing in the other with the ball, the defense may also deflect

the ball off of the offensive opponent and into the backcourt causing a violation if the

opponent is the first to touch it in the backcourt.

2. Both feet and the dribbled ball must all simultaneously contact the frontcourt to obtain

frontcourt status; therefore the dribbler may step in and out of the frontcourt, or dribble in

and out of the frontcourt if at least one or both foot/feet and/or the dribbled ball maintains

backcourt status.

3. However, this rule does not apply to a player holding the ball because he/she has

obtained frontcourt status the instant he/she has no part of the body contacting the

backcourt; therefore, he/she would be committing a violation if, while holding the ball

and contacting both sides of the court, he/she raised the foot that was in contact with the

backcourt while the other foot was in contact with the frontcourt, but was to re-touch

his/her foot back into the backcourt.

4. This rule is dependent upon which team was last considered “in control”; therefore,

this rule does not apply during throw in situations, rebounding action from a missed try

for goal or free throw, etc., even if a player touches the ball, in these situations, on one

side of the court and then lands and/or touches the ball in the other.

5. Also, this rule does not apply when the defense deflects the ball away from the offense

into its own backcourt, or gains possession while airborne over one side of the court and

lands in the other, or gains possession in its frontcourt and its momentum of a step or two

touches its backcourt.

F. Basket interference: either team has committed a basket interference violation, and the

opponent is awarded a throw in, when a player touches the ball or basket (the net or the ring)

while the ball is on or within the basket or within the imaginary vertical cylinder (with the ring as

its base).

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1. Also, a player shall not touch the ball while reaching through the basket from below, or

grasp the rim and touch the ball, or cause the ball to be touched by a moveable rim while

the rim springs back into its original position.

a. The grasping of the ring during a dunk does not constitute basket interference

unless done so with the non-dunking hand or other means to gain leverage.

b. A dunking player shall not continue to grasp and/or hang onto the ring; this

may be a technical foul.

c. However, the continued grasping by the dunker may be ignored if another

player is underneath the dunking player or the dunking player’s momentum is

such that he/she would potentially fall and land precariously.

2. Additionally, a team shall not contact the goal (basket, backboard, or supports) in such

a way as to cause it to vibrate and render a try unsuccessful even if done so

unintentionally.

a. It is not basket interference when an opponent strikes the backboard during a

legitimate attempt at defending a shot.

b. If a player strikes the backboard with no legitimate attempt at defending a shot,

or as an “exclamation” to a dunk, it may be a technical foul.

3. Further, if the defense commits basket interference, the offense is awarded the

appropriate number of points dependent upon the type of try attempted when the basket

interference was committed.

4. However, if the offense commits basket interference during a successful score, the

points scored shall be canceled.

G. Delay of game: a team has committed a violation when it does so as previously described

including the points rule.

1. However, a team’s first violation is signaled and noted then play continues from the

moment it was interrupted.

2. Any additional violation(s) during that half results in a technical foul.

3. This penalty resets in the second half of play but does carry over into any overtime

period.

H. Double dribble: a team has committed a violation when a player, while in control of the ball,

begins a dribble after his/her first dribble has ended.

1. A player has begun a dribble only by intentionally pushing, batting, throwing, or

otherwise purposefully releasing the ball to the floor.

2. A dribble has ended when the dribbler catches, palms, carries, or otherwise causes the

ball to come to rest in his/her hand, or traps the ball against his/her own body, or

simultaneously touches the ball with both hands.

3. This rule is dependent upon the definition of a dribble; therefore, the player has not

begun a dribble by slapping the ball during a jump ball, rebounding/muffing an incoming

pass off his/her hand, fumbling the ball by accidentally/unintentionally dropping it or

allowing it to slip from his/her grasp and touch the floor, batting or deflecting the ball

away from another player attempting to get it or vice versa such as during loose ball

action, or touching the ball to the floor while holding the ball and standing still.

4. For example, a player may fumble the ball, recover it, begin a dribble (assuming he/she

hasn’t already done so), end the dribble, then fumble the ball and recover it again because

only one deliberate dribbling act took place.

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5. A player could not begin and end a dribble, fumble and recover, then begin a

subsequent deliberate dribble because of the first legal dribble (not because of the fumble

and recovery).

6. This rule is also dependent upon the team considered by rule to be “in control” of the

ball; therefore, this rule does not apply even when a player is in possession of the ball

during a throw in, free throw, after a try for goal or free throw is in flight or any

subsequent rebounding action, or if the ball is deflected by another player, or the ball

becomes dead.

I. Excessively swinging arms or elbows: a team has committed a violation when a player, without

other normal bodily movement while playing the ball or pivoting, excessively swings his/her arm

or elbow.

1. The arm or elbow does not need to make bodily contact with an opponent for this act to

be penalized because it is a violation, not a foul.

2. If bodily contact with an opponent occurs during the violation, the act falls under foul

rules.

J. Five seconds closely guarded: a team has committed a violation when it is the team in control

of the ball and it allows an opponent or any combination of opponents to actively guard the

dribbler within a distance no greater than six feet for five consecutive seconds.

1. The rule allows the dribbler to end the count if he/she is able to distance him/herself

more than six feet, even for a moment, prior to the fifth second in which the official

designates this situation with a specific visual signal.

2. Also, the count resets if the dribbler is holding the ball while closely guarded and then

begins a legal dribble prior to the fifth second, and/or is dribbling while closely guarded

and then discontinues the dribble prior to the fifth second.

3. The dribbler must be in possession of the ball by dribbling or holding it for the count to

begin or continue; therefore, the count stops or does not begin if the defense deflects or

dislodges the ball or the dribbler loses possession or his/her dribble is otherwise

interrupted.

4. The six foot guarding rule is not limited to one opponent as any combination of

opponents may guard the dribbler; therefore, the count begins or continues uninterrupted

if the dribbler is guarded by at least one opponent within the six foot distance even if the

opponents switch guards, provided the new guard was able to maintain the six foot

distance.

5. This rule is dependent upon which team is “in control”; therefore, this rule does not

apply during a throw in, free throw, or after a try for goal or free throw is in flight, or any

subsequent rebounding action, etc.

6. Also, this rule does not apply while the dribbler is in the backcourt, but may be started

immediately upon obtaining frontcourt status if the dribbler is closely guarded at the

moment the frontcourt status is established.

K. Goaltending: the opponent has committed a goaltending violation when it touches the ball

while it is completely above the height of the rim, including its imaginary horizon, and while the

ball is in its downward flight during a legitimate, and potentially successful, try for goal.

1. The offense is awarded the appropriate number of points dependent upon the type of

try.

2. Goaltending and basket interference are not the same acts even though the penalty for

defensive basket interference is the same as goaltending.

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3. Only the defense has the ability to commit goaltending.

L. Kicking/striking the ball: a team has committed a violation when it deliberately kicks the ball

with the leg or foot, or deliberately bats the ball with the fist.

1. This rule is dependent upon intent; therefore, simply contacting the ball with the leg,

foot, or fist is not a violation such as when a player is chasing after a loose ball and

accidentally steps into it, or when the ball is thrown into the leg of a player and that

player made no intent to play it with the leg.

2. However, a player has still committed a violation if the ball is thrown into his/her foot

or leg while that body part is extended out of his/her vertical space such as when

protruding the leg up to defend a potential post pass.

M. Palming the ball: a team has committed a violation when a player dribbles, then causes the

ball to come to rest in his/her hand by allowing the hand to sit underneath the ball, and then

continues to dribble, and in doing so attempts to beat the opponent’s guarding position.

1. The period of rest need only be a moment; however, this is the only definition of

palming and therefore it is not illegal to dribble with the hand underneath the ball, or to

dribble with extra ball action and/or movement, or to dribble the ball above the shoulders

or in a rounded trajectory, or to simply dribble the ball with lack of coordination.

2. Additionally, the official must first judge the palming created an advantage against the

defender to rule it illegal such as when the dribbler “freezes” the opponent by palming the

ball and/or bringing it to rest during a hesitation move.

N. Ten seconds in the backcourt: a team has committed a violation when it continues to be the

team in control of the ball in its own backcourt for ten consecutive seconds.

1. The team is considered “in control” until the opponent secures possession; therefore,

the count continues even when the opponent simply touches or deflects the ball provided

the ball remains in the backcourt.

2. When a team in control obtains front court status, the count ends.

3. The ball is in the backcourt until it touches the floor, player, or object in the frontcourt

except that a player dribbling the ball in the backcourt is ruled to be in the backcourt, and

the count continues, even when that dribbler has part of his/her body or the dribbled ball

contacting the frontcourt (see backcourt violation).

O. Three seconds in the lane: a team has committed a violation when it occupies any part of its

lane area at its basket, including the lane line, for more than three consecutive seconds while it is

the team in control of the ball.

1. This rule is dependent upon which team is “in control”; therefore, this rule does not

apply during a throw in, or after a try for goal or free throw is in flight, or any subsequent

rebounding action, etc.

2. Additionally, there is no count when the team has control of the ball in their backcourt

or when, while in the frontcourt, the dribbler’s possession is interrupted as in a fumble or

defensive deflection.

3. Further, the rule allows players to vacate the lane if he/she began a legitimate effort to

directly vacate the lane prior to the final count, or began a legitimate effort to directly

attempt a try for goal prior to the final count, even if the final count is reached while the

player is in the lane.

4. For the 4th

and 5th

girls division, if the three second count is reached while the

offending player is in the lane and is not making an attempt to vacate the lane, typically

due to lack of “lane awareness” at this division, the official may verbally direct the player

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to vacate the lane; if the player then makes a legitimate attempt to directly vacate the lane

and does not participate in the play, play will continue without interruption even though

the amount of time inhabiting the lane was more, or considerably more, than three

seconds.

P. Traveling: a team has committed a violation when a player, while holding the ball, moves a

foot/feet in excess of the very specific limits prescribed by the rules (except a 4th

and 5th

girls

division player is allowed to “settle” his/her feet and/or momentum when attempting to stop,

provided he/she does not gain significant distance during and/or because of the “settle”; see

below for clarification).

1. This rule is dependent upon the player holding the ball while the team is considered to

be “in control” of the ball; therefore, this rule does not apply during dribbling, fumbling,

or trying for goal (not even rebounding one’s own “air ball”- that’s an NBA rule),

regardless of the movement or momentum of the player or his/her feet, regardless if the

player is on his/her feet, in the air, or he/she is grounded by his/her body touching the

floor other than the hand or foot even if he/she is sliding, or when opponents travel while

simultaneously holding the ball as in a held ball situation.

2. This rule is also dependent upon the team considered being “in control”; therefore, in

addition to the above, this rule does not apply during a throw in, free throw, jump ball,

after a try for goal or free throw is in flight or any subsequent rebounding action, etc.

3. When a player catches the ball with both feet on the floor…

a. Either foot may be the pivot (the foot that must remain in contact with the floor

while the other foot is allowed to be lifted).

b. When one foot is lifted, the other foot is the pivot.

4. When a player catches the ball while both feet are off the floor and simultaneously

lands on both feet, either foot may be the pivot.

5. When a player catches the ball while both feet are off the floor and lands on one foot,

the player may jump off that foot and then simultaneously land on both feet, but now

neither foot may be a pivot.

6. When a player catches the ball while both feet are off the floor and lands on one foot

followed by the other, the first foot to touch is the pivot.

7. For the 4th

and 5th

girls division, the dribbler’s momentum may come to a stop with a

“settling” of the feet (instead of a jump-stop).

a. When a player catches the ball and/or ends his/her dribble, whether in the air or

already in contact with the floor, that player’s pivot shall not be determined until

after his/her feet have settled and come to a stop; the “shuffling” of the feet and/or

number of steps taken is irrelevant so long as the settling of the feet is done so

to help the player halt his/her momentum.

b. After both feet have settled and the player’s momentum has halted, either foot

may now be the pivot under pivot rules.

c. This rule is only valid to allow the player to halt his/her momentum instead of

requiring a jump-stop; therefore, if the player “shuffles” his/her feet but continues

on, to start a dribble for example, without first coming to a stop, then normal

travel rules apply.

d. This rule is also not valid when the player’s momentum or settling of his/her

feet causes the player to gain an extended distance, especially if the extended

distance gained creates separation from the opponent.

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8. When a pivot foot is established or when neither foot is allowed to be the pivot, the

foot may not be lifted prior to releasing the ball to begin a dribble.

9. However, the player may lift the foot prior to releasing the ball for a pass or try for goal

provided he/she releases the ball prior to returning the foot to the floor.

10. This is why a player typically gets “two steps” for a lay-up, for example, because the

first foot to touch is the pivot, the second foot to touch may be lifted/re-touched and is

irrelevant, then the actual pivot may be lifted to shoot or pass because the ball only needs

to be released for the pass or shot before the pivot returns to the floor; therefore, in

reality, a player gets “three steps” with the third step causing the violation.

11. However, the player may not lift the pivot (or non-allowed pivot) prior to releasing

the ball on a pass if that pass touches no player other than the passer re-touching it,

because, this causes that pass to become a dribble and therefore that prior lifted pivot

causes a travel.

12. But this is irrelevant if the player lifts the pivot prior to releasing a try for goal that

touches no player other than the shooter re-touching because a legitimate try for goal

causes the player and his/her team to lose its control of the ball and therefore the travel

rule does not apply in high school rules.

13. A player may not become grounded (touch the floor with a part of the body other than

the hand or foot) while holding the ball but the rule is dependent upon the player holding

the ball then becoming grounded; therefore, a player becoming grounded while dribbling,

or fumbling a loose ball, or diving for the ball and catching it while going to the floor

would be irrelevant.

14. When a player is grounded and is holding the ball he/she may not attempt to get up or

stand; however, the player may begin a dribble under legal dribble rules, may pass or

shoot, or call a time-out.

15. Additionally, if the player is on his/her back while holding the ball, the player may sit

up; however, a player holding the ball while grounded and lying on his/her back, side, or

front, may not roll over.

16. Further, the travel rules do not apply to a player sliding on the floor; therefore, a

player sliding on the floor even while holding the ball is irrelevant assuming he/she

became legally grounded initially.

XIV. Legal position, screening, and “time and distance”

A. Guarding is the legal act of a defensive player placing his/her body in the path of an opponent

with the intention of obstructing and/or impeding that opponent.

1. When guarding an opponent with the ball, the defender must establish, or re-establish

“legal guarding position”.

a. He/she shall do this by placing his/her body in the path of an approaching

opponent and…

b. Refrain from moving in a direction that is forward and/or towards that opponent

and…

c. Be facing his/her torso towards that opponent and…

d. Remain inbounds and…

e. Not extend his/her body and/or appendage out of his/her vertical space;

however, the mere act of “reaching in” towards an opponent, including the

dribbler, is not a foul without at least bodily contact.

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2. After establishing or re-establishing legal position, the defender may move to shift and

maintain “legal guarding position” relative to the path of the opponent including…

a. Side-to-side and/or obliquely with that opponent, with or without “both feet on

the floor”, provided the defender does not allow the opponent to get “head and

shoulders” past him/her; movement of this nature may still be illegal if the

defender’s side-body contacts the opponent even if the opponent “initiated the

contact”.

b. Ensuring to establish or re-establish legal guarding position on an opponent

prior to that opponent becoming airborne, or ensuring the position provides an

airborne opponent the allowance to land before contact if the position was taken

after the opponent became airborne.

c. Backwards and/or away from that opponent, not moving forwards and/or

towards the opponent at the moment of contact; this includes the torso, “bellying

up”, and using the knee, however, an otherwise vertical defender may still be

illegal if moving forwards toward the opponent even if the opponent “initiated the

contact”.

d. Standing, reaching, and/or jumping directly up and within his/her own vertical

space; therefore, for example, jumping is not illegal unless contact is made by a

defender jumping forward and/or sideways towards the opponent even if he/she is

otherwise vertical.

e. Continuing not to extend his/her body and/or appendage(s) out of his/her

vertical space; even if a defender has met all of the above requirements, his/her

contact via an extended body and/or appendage(s) may still be illegal even if the

opponent “initiated the contact”.

f. Continuing to remain in front of, or relative to, the opponent’s path; when a

defender is running behind the dribbler, for example, he/she is responsible for

contact if their feet become entangled, or if the dribbler stops and is then run into

by the defender even if the dribbler stops on purpose.

g. Continuing to face his/her opponent and/or “taking contact” into his/her torso; a

defender taking contact into his/her side-body may still be illegal even if the

opponent “initiated the contact” unless the defender is in legal guarding position

and is simply turning and/or rotating his/her body to brace him/herself from

impending contact by the opponent.

3. When guarding a player without the ball, all of the above remains true; however, the

opponent must also provide “time and distance”.

4. During “loose ball” situations, teams are under other similar provisions, including but

not limited to, the following provisions.

a. Players shall not contact into and/or through an opponent’s back to get to the

ball as typically seen during rebounding action or when defending a post player;

however, the act of “going over the back” is not a foul without contact, plus

contact resulting from opponents reaching and/or jumping vertically to attain the

ball may be legal.

b. Players shall not contact into and/or through an opponent when that opponent

has attained a more favorable path to attain the ball as typically seen during a

scramble for the ball; however, when both opponents’ paths are nearly identical in

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trajectory towards the ball, any resulting body contact and/or crashing may be

legal.

c. Players shall not contact into and/or through an opponent through the use of an

extended body and/or appendages as typically seen during a scramble for the ball;

however, when opponents are legitimately reaching to attain a loose ball, the

resulting contact with hand(s) and/or arm(s) may be legal.

B. Screening is the legal act of an offensive player placing his/her body in the path of an

opponent with the intention of obstructing and/or impeding that opponent from defending his/her

teammate(s).

1. A player is entitled to an inbounds spot on the court provided he/she…

a. Establishes or re-establishes the spot and/or moves out of the established spot

with “time and distance” to the opponent.

b. Is not moving out of or into the spot at the moment of contact.

c. Is also otherwise meeting the requirements for “legal positioning”, including

extended body and/or appendage(s), except that a screener is not required to face

his/her opponent.

2. An illegal screen is a screen that does not meet the above requirements at the moment

of contact; therefore, for example, the act of moving and screening is not illegal until

there is contact.

3. A player may be moving and screening when a screener and his/her opponent are

moving in the same direction; to circumvent this situation, the player being screened must

establish legal guarding position towards the moving screener.

4. However, a screener may still be responsible for contact even when “picking and

rolling” if the “rolling” motion into the moving opponent’s path causes contact with that

opponent due to time and distance rules.

5. Contact resulting from the bodily impact between an opponent and a legal screener

may be legal, even when crashing, provided neither player commits a foul under

previously described legal position and extended appendage rules

C. “Time and distance” is the reasonable opportunity given to a moving opponent to avoid

contact.

1. The opponent’s speed determines the amount of time and distance

necessary; the time and distance necessary can be compared to two full strides when that

opponent is covering distance at full speed.

2. If the opponent is stationary, then time and distance on that opponent is just short of

contact if, for example, a screen is set within the opponent’s visual field.

3. If the opponent is stationary, but the screen being set is not in an opponent’s visual

field, such as a “back screen”, the screen must be set with enough space from that

opponent to allow him/her to at least take a step backwards without contact.

4. A defender is not required to give time and distance to an opponent with the ball and

may establish, re-establish, or maintain legal guarding position just short of contact

provided he/she otherwise meets the positional requirements.

5. A defender is required to give time and distance to an opponent without the ball and

must first establish or re-establish legal guarding position within the appropriate

requirements; however, the defender becomes immune to the time and distance rule if

his/her opponent attains possession of the ball, even if the defender did not initially meet

the time and distance requirement.

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D. The defense is afforded much more immunity from foul responsibility than commonly

understood.

1. For example: a moving defender is commonly misunderstood to be illegal when

contact occurs while guarding a dribbler (before the dribbler becomes airborne) and that

the defender must be “set”; by legal guarding position rules definitions, this is false.

2. Regardless, the concept is to promote and develop fundamental defense: moving

quickly with the feet, maintaining a relative position to the opponent without the use of

extended hands/arms nor forward motion towards the opponent, and positioning self in a

vertical/straight up position when contesting a shot, and “taking contact” in the chest

and/or torso from the dribbler or shooter when legally positioned, legally moving, and/or

legally jumping.

3. In a very simplified manner of speaking, if the official determines the above to be true

at the moment contact between opponents occurs, then based on the rules definitions, the

official cannot judge the defender as being responsible for a foul (for example, when a

shooter’s arms contacts the body of a legally vertical defender) regardless of the resulting

contact even if it is perceived aggressive or severe (for example, when a dribbler is

tripped and falls to the floor after getting his/her feet entangled with a legally moving

defender).

4. Further, it is impossible by rules definitions to foul an opponent without contact. For

example: it is not a foul to “reach in”, or go “over the back”, or to be “moving” while

screening. In fact, the rulebooks specifically point out why these “myth fouls” are false:

because they must at least involve bodily contact between opponents.

E. For the offense, the concept is to promote and develop fundamental skills: dribbling with the

head up and maintaining a reasonable amount of bodily control, passing the ball or changing

course rather than attempting to dribble through and/or between opponents, attacking the basket

without an extended arm(s) and/or leg(s) to thwart the opponent, getting one’s head and

shoulders past a defender’s torso, and playing through bodily contact from the opponent rather

than shying away from it.

1. In a very simplified manner of speaking, if the official determines the above to be true

while the defender’s fundamental is not, then and only then should the official judge the

defender to be responsible for any bodily contact that may occur.

2. However, by incidental contact rule, if the official determines that the fundamentals for

both opponents were true at the moment bodily contact occurred, then he/she cannot

judge either opponent to be responsible regardless of perceived aggressiveness or

severity. The same could be likewise if neither opponent’s fundamentals were true at the

moment of contact or, in some cases, a double-foul (one for each individual opponent

involved) may be called if necessary.

XV. Fouls (those not previously covered) A. Fouls are types of rules infractions that are not violations because fouls must involve, at

minimum, bodily contact between opponents or unsporting behavior.

B. Each player receives five total individual fouls for the entire game and all fouls, including

intentional, excessive, and technical, earned by that player counts toward that total.

1. The player is disqualified for the remainder of the game upon earning a fifth foul, or

two excessive fouls, or two technical fouls, or a combination of either, whichever comes

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first; therefore, for example, a player shall be disqualified if he/she earns a technical foul

and then earns an excessive foul, or vice versa.

2. Each team receives six total team fouls in each half before the opponent enters the

bonus free throw rule.

3. All fouls count towards that total.

4. The total team foul limit resets in the second half; however, the total team foul limit in

the second half carries over into any overtime period.

C. If a foul is called, the official will encourage the offending player or team by providing

information about the foul if it is possible or practical to do so.

D. If the official judges a player and/or team is obviously in need of further instruction and/or is

obviously being dominated, that player or team may be granted increased verbal alerts that a

similarly potential fouling situation may occur in order to prevent that player or team from

committing repeated fouls.

E. A common personal foul, the most typical foul occurring in a game, is any live ball foul that is

not a…

1. “Player control” or “team control” foul because these fouls never award free throws to

the opponent; they only award the ball.

2. Double foul because these fouls never award free throws to the opponent, plus play

resumes at the point of interruption.

3. Intentional foul, excessive foul, or technical foul because these fouls always award free

throws, except when they occur as a double foul, plus the ball to the opponent.

F. Blocking/pushing: a team has committed a foul when it fails to meet the requirements of legal

guarding position at the moment of contact.

1. A blocking foul is noted for the failure to legally establish or re-establish legal

guarding position, or the failure to properly maintain legal guarding position.

2. A pushing foul is noted for the same, except that it is specific to the movement that is

forward and/or towards the opponent (a pushing foul has no connection to the act of using

the hands or arms in a pushing motion).

G. Illegal use of hands/holding/hand check: a team has committed a foul when it fails to meet the

requirements of an extended appendage at the moment of contact.

1. An illegal use of hands foul is noted for general contact caused by an opponent when

the contact results from an extended appendage outside of his/her vertical space.

a. This foul is typically seen during guarding actions when, for example, a

defender reaches forward with an arm or hand and contacts a dribbler’s or

shooter’s arm, or when the dribbler runs into a defender’s side-stretched arm.

b. A player also shall not extend an arm to create separation from an opponent

and/or to move an opponent from his/her spot such as “pushing off/away” from

the ball.

c. However, a defender contacting a shooter’s hand(s) and/or arm(s) while that

defender maintains vertical position, is an example of legal contact.

d. Additionally, a defender making contact with a dribbler or shooter’s hand while

the ball is in contact with that hand is legal.

e. Also, a defender making “follow through” contact with a dribbler or shooter’s

arm, after having initially made legal contact with the ball, is legal.

2. A holding foul is noted for grasping an opponent with the hand and/or arm, or for

shielding/warding off an opponent with the arm(s).

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a. A player shall not hold the opponent, including the opponent’s clothing.

b. A player shall not “hold off” the opponent by using the arm as a means to

prevent the opponent from moving into a desired pathway.

c. Entangled arms resulting from opponents legitimately attempting to gain a

loose ball is legal.

3. A hand check foul is noted for placing a hand with an extended arm onto a dribbler as a

means to maintain position on the dribbler and/or to “steer” the dribbler.

a. The mere act of placing a hand on the dribbler, such as when bracing for

contact, or when a hand with a non-extended arm is momentarily placed on the

dribbler but then immediately removed, is legal provided the placement does not

interfere and/or impede the dribbler; however, a hand placed on the dribbler with

a non-extended hand may still be illegal if the hand remains on the dribbler, such

as when the dribbler is driving to the basket, with little to no effort in removing

the hand.

b. Placing a hand on the back of a dribbler or post-player with an extended arm is

illegal.

c. Placing two hands on the back of a dribbler or post-player, even with non-

extended arms, is illegal; additionally, using one’s knee as a means to brace, push,

separate, hold, or otherwise steer or move a post-player or dribbler is illegal.

d. Placing a non-extended forearm on the back of a dribbler or post-player, as a

means to brace for contact, is legal provided the placement does not result in

pushing and/or “steering”; however, the forearm falls under the above rules at the

moment the dribbler or post player faces the defender and/or “makes a move” to

get by him/her.

4. A defender is allowed to position his/her hand in the view of the dribbler or shooter as

a means to prevent him/her from easily surveying the court and/or attempting an

uncontested try, or in the view of the dribbler’s teammate as a means to contest a pass.

a. However, a defender shall not repeatedly and/or continually maneuver, poke,

and/or “twiddle” his/her finger(s) at the opponent’s eyes.

b. Also, the defender shall not reach around from behind an opponent and position

his/her hand(s) and/or finger(s) in front of the opponent’s eyes as a means to block

his/her view of an incoming pass.

c. This type of faux defense is a technical foul.

H. A player or team control foul is a live ball foul similar to a common foul, except it is enforced

to the team defined as being “in control” of the ball, i.e. the offense (with some exception);

however, a team or player “in control” is still subject to the rules of legal position and/or

extended body/appendage(s).

1. A player shall not use an extended arm to contact a defender as a means to prevent

him/her from challenging the ball or a pass, or to move him/her out of his/her space.

2. A player shall not “knock off” and/or “wipe away” an opponent’s hand and/or arm that

has been placed on that player, even if the placement is perceived to be illegal.

3. A player in the act of shooting or otherwise airborne, shall not lead and/or use an

extended arm or leg including a knee or foot, as a means to create separation from a

defender, or to prevent him/her from challenging the shot, or to move him/her out of

his/her space.

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I. Charging/pushing: a team “in control” has committed a foul when it fails to meet the

requirements of legal position at the moment of contact.

1. A charging foul is a form of pushing in that it involves the forward movement of the

fouling player towards his/her opponent; generally, a player without the ball pushes, a

player with the ball charges.

2. A defender may use the rules of legal guarding position to cause an opponent to foul

when that opponent is unable and/or unwilling to stop his/her movement into the

defender.

3. A dribbler may also be ruled for charging when he/she attempts to move through

and/or between two or more legally positioned opponents even though, in this situation,

the resulting contact is on the side-body of the defender.

4. Contact from a charge must displace the defender or move him/her from his/her spot;

therefore, a dribbler may not be ruled for charging when he, for example, contacts a legal

defender but bounces and/or spins off and the defender is able to maintain his/her spot, or

the defender is moving backwards and/or “giving ground” to the dribbler.

J. Illegal screen: a team has committed a foul when it fails to meet the requirements of screening

at the moment of contact; a “moving screen” is not illegal until contact resulting from the illegal

screen occurs.

K. If a foul is committed by the player “in control” of the ball, i.e. the dribbler or shooter (with

some exception), during a successful score, the points scored shall be canceled.

1. The points shall be canceled even if the foul was committed after the ball was released

from the shooter’s hands, or even if the foul occurred after the ball entered the basket.

2. The canceling of points covers the shooter until he/she is no longer in the act of

shooting, and/or returns to the floor (if airborne), and/or his/her momentum from the act

of shooting and/or returning to the floor is spent, and/or while the try is still in flight.

L. A double foul is any live or dead ball foul that may occur as any other type of foul, and is

committed by opponents…

1. Simultaneously.

2. When a player’s illegal action causes and/or results in an opponent’s immediate illegal

reaction.

M. An intentional foul may occur during a live or dead ball and is perceived to deliberately…

1. Stop the opponent’s obvious advantage.

2. Stop the clock with little to no effort to defend the ball.

3. Be blatantly committed with no intention of legal play.

N. An excessive foul may occur during a live or dead ball and results from excessive contact.

1. The resulting contact may be perceived as excessive when it is…

a. Unnecessarily and/or gratuitously rough.

b. Dangerously reckless and/or potentially injurious.

c. Forcefully applied with historically residual tenacity.

2. The resulting contact does not need to be intentional to be applied; additionally, in our

league the penalty and substitution for an excessive foul falls under technical foul rules,

except the ensuing throw, after the awarded free throws, shall be at a spot nearest to

where the foul occurred.

3. A player is not required to be substituted for an intentional foul, but is required to be

substituted for an excessive foul.

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O. A technical foul may occur during a live or dead ball and results from actions previously

described such as delaying the game, failing to comply with bench decorum rules, illegally

striking the backboard, unnecessarily hanging on the rim, etc., as well as any other unsporting

acts (described further below).

P. If a coach, spectator, or player lose their way and behave in a manner viewed and/or heard by

the official to be unsporting, the official shall encourage the offender to stop the behavior, if

possible or practical to do so, and the acts do not need to be directed to any specific individual to

be accountable.

Q. Unsporting conduct may be any actions viewed and/or heard (see examples below) by the

official to be (including but not limited to, and in no particular order)…

1. Creating or causing superfluous and/or distracting attention to one’s self. (Examples:

dunking and/or cheering during warmups, repeatedly pounding one’s chest and/or crying

out, “showing” or pulling at one’s jersey or taking off the jersey)

2. Deceitful, fraudulent, and/or dishonest in tactics or strategy. (Examples: knowingly be

the incorrect player/team taking a throw in/free throw, perceptibly pretending to be fouled

or injured or other “theatrics”, “staging” a “performance” as a means to run a play)

3. Extended or premeditated in celebration. (Examples: anything other than normal,

spontaneous, of-the-moment, reactionary acts of merriment)

4. Instigating and/or inciting other’s unsporting conduct. (Examples: intentionally or

unintentionally arguing and/or gesturing in a manner that incites and/or seeks to incite

similar actions by other players and/or spectators, behavior directed to the opponent that

causes the opponent to negatively react back in similar fashion)

5. Retaliating and/or extending an opponent’s confrontation. (Examples: any context that

displays a player’s unwillingness to “back off” from an opponent’s unsporting behavior;

in other words, the player that didn’t “start it” is in no way entitled to attempt to “finish

it” or even “stand his/her ground” during an unsporting confrontation; there is no

immunity simply from “being provoked” in returning the unsporting behavior.

6. Overtly gestured and/or confrontationally displayed. (examples: spiking or throwing

the ball away or throwing/slamming/striking other equipment, continually raising up arms

or “air slapping/air punching” or “waving off” as a negative response, repeatedly slapping

one’s hand or arm to “show everyone where the foul occurred”)

7. Persistently and/or demonstratively dissentious. (Examples: repeatedly and/or

continually arguing and/or questioning with or without “subtlety”, vehemently arguing

and/or questioning or otherwise “showing up” an official)

8. Taunting, threatening, and/or intimidating in nature. (Examples: pointing/staring/

standing over a person, “trash talking”, gesturing in a way to mimic a weapon/fist/elbow)

9. Unable and/or unwilling to curb one’s otherwise legal spontaneously negative reaction.

(examples: continuing to show displeasure after enough immediate time has elapsed,

negatively rehashing a previous situation that may or may not be related to any current

situation)

10. Vulgar and/or using profanity. (Examples: any context that would be prohibited in

church… while sitting next to grandma… in the front row)

11. Any other acts otherwise viewed and/or heard to be abusive, disrespectful,

inappropriate, malicious, rude, obnoxious, and/or ridiculous.

R. If a player’s conduct does not cease or cannot go unpenalized…

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1. The official shall assess a technical foul and direct that player to the sideline to be

immediately replaced if substitutes are available, or to remain on the sideline if the

penalized player is a substitute.

2. The player assessed the technical foul may not re-enter until the next substitution

opportunity that follows after all of the appropriate penalties are enforced.

a. For example, a player is assessed a technical foul and the opponent is awarded

the appropriate free throws and then the ball for a throw in.

b. After the ball becomes live following the completion of the throw in, the player

assessed the technical foul may then report to the score table for substitution.

c. If no substitutes are available, the player assessed the technical foul may report

to the score table for substitution after the appropriate free throws are completed.

d. The above provisions also apply for excessive contact fouls.

3. Further misconduct results in a second technical foul, therefore flagrant, and

disqualification for the remainder of the game, and the player must leave the property;

this provision also applies for excessive contact fouls, or a combination of excessive and

technical fouls.

S. If a coach’s conduct does not cease or cannot go unpenalized, the official shall assess a

technical foul and direct the coach to remain seated for the remainder of the game under the

bench decorum rules.

1. Further misconduct results in a second technical foul, therefore flagrant, and

disqualification for the remainder of the game, and the coach must leave the property.

2. In both coaching situations, the game will resume from the point of interruption,

without free throws and turnover of possession, so that the youth participants will not be

penalized due to the adult coach’s ridiculous behavior.

3. Additionally, the coach may be ruled responsible, and therefore penalized, for any

unsporting conduct of bench personnel including substitutes, other coaches, assistants,

representatives, etc.

T. If a spectator’s conduct does not cease or cannot go unpenalized, the coordinator shall direct

the spectator to leave the property.

1. There are no technical fouls assessed to spectators.

2. The game will resume from the point of interruption, without free throws and turnover

of possession, so that the youth participants will not be penalized due to a spectator’s

ridiculous behavior.

U. A flagrant foul may occur during a live or dead ball and results automatically when a player

has earned his/her limit of technical and/or excessive fouls, or when his/her single foul is

perceived to be severely unsporting, and/or unmanageable, and/or violent.

1. A player or coach may be assessed a flagrant foul, resulting in immediate

disqualification for the remainder of the game; the disqualified individual must also

immediately leave the property.

2. A player or coach may be assessed an immediate single flagrant foul without prior

encouragement.

Documents

Central Florida Youth Basketball Rules Summary 4 – High ...d13ynksnjelk36.cloudfront.net/Downloads/4339/4339... · Central Florida Youth Basketball Rules Summary 4th – High School