Basketball The Most Misunderstood Rules in Basketball

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It seems to me that basketball rules are some of the most misunderstood and most argued by fans in the stands every year, compared to other sports. My annual list, with a few updates reflecting some changes directed by the NFHS

These are NFHS (high school) rules and not to be confused with NCAAM, NCAAW, NBA, WNBA or FIBA, which all have their own interpretations.

It is important to know the intent and purpose of a rule so that it may be intelligently applied in each play situation. A player of a team should not be permitted an advantage which is not intended by rule. Neither should play be permitted to develop which may lead to placing a player at a disadvantage not intended by a rule.

1) A player cannot touch the ball, ring or net while the ball is on the ring or within the basket. A player cannot touch the ball if it is in the imaginary cylinder above the ring. These are examples of basket interference. It is legal to touch the ring or the net if the ball is above the ring and not touching the ring, even if the ball is in the imaginary cylinder above the ring. It is legal to hang on the ring if a player is avoiding an injury to himself/herself or another player. Exception to basket interference is allowing a player to touch only the net while the ball is on or within the basket provided that the contact with the net did not affect the ball.

2) The backboard has nothing to do with goaltending. Goaltending is when a player touches the ball during a try, or tap, while it is in its downward flight, entirely above the basket ring level, outside the imaginary cylinder above the ring, and has the possibility of entering the basket. On most layups, the ball is going up immediately after it contacts the backboard, and in this situation it is legal for a defender to touch the ball if it is not in the imaginary cylinder above the basket. Slapping or striking the backboard is neither basket interference, nor is it goaltending, and points cannot be awarded. A player who intentionally or deliberately slaps or strikes a backboard, during a tap, or a try, so forcefully that it cannot be ignored because it is an attempt to draw attention to the player, or as a means of venting frustration, may be assessed a technical foul. When a player simply attempts to block a shot, and accidentally or incidentally slaps the backboard, regardless of how much it causes the backboard to shake or vibrate, it is neither a violation nor is it a technical foul.

3) The front, top, sides and bottom of the backboard are all in play. The ball cannot legally pass over a rectangular backboard in either direction. The back of a backboard is out of bounds, as well as the supporting structures.

4) The traveling rule is one of the most misunderstood rules in basketball. To start a dribble, the ball must be released before the pivot foot is lifted. On a pass, or a shot, the pivot foot may be lifted, but may not return to the floor before the ball is released. A player may slide on the floor while trying to secure a loose ball until that player's momentum stops. At that point, the player cannot attempt to get up or rollover. A player securing a ball while on the floor cannot attempt to stand up unless that player starts a dribble. A player in this situation may also pass, shoot or request a timeout. If the player is flat on his/her back, that player may sit up without violating.

5) A player must be holding the ball (with rare exception) in order to travel. A player can't travel while dribbling, while tapping the ball, or while fumbling it. During a fumble, the player is not in control of the ball, and therefore, cannot be called for a traveling violation. A fumble is the accidental loss of player control when the ball is unintentionally dropped, or slips from the player's grasp. After a player has ended a dribble and fumbled the ball, that player may recover the ball without violating. Any steps taken during the recovery of a fumble are not traveling, regardless of how far the ball goes, and the amount of advantage that is gained. It is always legal to recover a fumble, even at the end of a dribble; however that player cannot begin a new dribble, which would be an illegal dribble violation. A player who fumbles the ball when receiving a pass may legally start a dribble.

6) A player holding the ball may not touch the floor with a knee or any other part of the body other than hand or foot. After gaining control while on the floor and touching with anything other than hand or foot, a player may not attempt to get up or stand. If flat on back, such a player may sit up without violating. It is also traveling if said player on the floor puts the ball on the floor, then rises and is first to touch the ball.

7) A shooter can retrieve one's own airball if the official considers it to be a legitimate shot attempt, or if the ball hits the backboard. It is not a violation for that player to start another dribble at that point.

8) If a defender puts a hand(s) on a ball controlled by a shooter (or passer) who is airborne, such that the airborne player is unable to release the ball, it is a held ball. If, in another similar situation, the airborne player loses control of the ball because of the touch, then this is simply a blocked shot. It is not a violation for that player to start a dribble at that point. If, in a similar situation, the defender simply touches the ball, and the airborne player chooses not to release the ball and returns to the floor holding the ball, it is a traveling violation.

9) Palming, or carrying, is when the ball comes to rest in the dribber's hand, and the player either travels with the ball, or illegally dribbles a second time. There is no restriction as to how high a player may bounce the ball, provided the dribbler's hand stays on top of the ball, and the ball does not come to rest in the dribbler's hand. Steps taken during a dribble are not traveling, including several that are sometimes taken when a high dribble takes place. It is not possible for a player to travel during a dribble. It is not a dribble when a player stands still and holds the ball and touches it to the floor once or more than once.

10) A player inbounding the ball may step on, but not over the line and onto the court. The traveling rule and pivot foot restrictions are not in effect for the inbounder. During a designated spot throw-in, the player inbounding the ball must keep one foot on, or over, the three-foot-wide designated spot. An inbounding player is allowed to jump, or move one or both feet. A player inbounding the ball may move backward as far as the five second time limit, or space allows. If a player moves outside the three-foot-wide designated throw-in spot, it is a throw-in violation, not traveling. In gymnasiums with limited space outside the sidelines, and endlines, a defensive player may be asked to step back no more than three feet. A player inbounding the ball may dribble the ball on the out of bounds area prior to making a throw-in. The illegal dribble rule is not in effect during a throw-in.

11) After a goal, or awarded goal, the team not credited with the score shall make a throw-in from any point outside the end line. A team retains this "run the endline" privelege if a timeout is called during the dead ball period after the goal. After a goal, or an awarded goal, any player of the team may make a direct throw-in, or may pass the ball along the end line to a teammate outside the boundary line.

12) The defender may not break the boundar plane during a throw-in until the ball has been released on a throw-in pass. If the defender breaks the boundary plane during a throw-in before the ball has been released on a throw-in pass, the defender's team will receive a team delay warning, or if the team has already been warned for one of the other delay situations, this action would result in a team technical foul. If the defender contacts the ball after breaking the boundary plane, it is a player technical foul and a team delay warning will be recorded. If the defender breaks the boundary plane, and fouls the inbounding player, it is an intentional personal foul, and a team delay warning will be recorded. It is an intentional personal foul if the defender fouls the inbounding player, even without breaking the boundary plane, however, in this specific case, there is no delay of game warning because the defender did not break the boundary plane.

13) The inbounding player does not have a plane restriction, but has five seconds to release the ball, and it must come directly onto the court. The ball shall not enter the basket before it is touched by another player, nor may it become lodged between the backboard and ring or come to rest on the flange before it is touched by another player. The ball can always be passed into the backcourt during a throw-in. This situation is not a backcourt violation. It is a technical foul for a player to purposely or deceitfully delay returning after legally being out of bounds.

 

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14) A player who steps out of bounds under the player's own volition and then becomes the first player to touch the ball after returning to the playing court and has gained an advantage has committed a violation (exception for loss of team control or advantage negated by time). A player whose momentum causes that player to accidentally go out of bounds may be the first to touch the ball inbounds if such player immediately returns inbounds. That player must have something in, and nothing out. It is not necessary to have both feet back inbounds.

15) It is a technical foul for a player to leave the playing court for an unauthorized reason to demonstrate resentment, disgust or intimidation. It is a technical foul for a player to purposely or deceitfully delay returning after legally being out of bounds.

16) To be out of bounds, a player must touch the floor, or some object, on or outside a boundary line. People are not considered to be objects, so a player inadvertently touching someone who is about of bounds (another player, a photographer, a coach, an official, a cheerleader, etc.) without gaining an advantage, is not considered to be out of bounds. A player is out of bounds if contact by a person outside a boundary line provides an advantage, allowing the player to remain inbounds.

17) A dribbler has committed a violation if they step on or outside a boundary, even though the dribbler is not touching the ball while they are out of bounds. Out-of-bounds violations do not apply to players involved in interrupted dribbles.

18) A moving screen is not in and of itself a foul; illegal contact must occur for a foul to be called. If a blind screen is set on a stationary defender, the defender must be given one normal step to change direction, and attempt to avoid contact. If a screen is set on a moving defender, the defender gets a minimum of one step, and a maximum of two steps, depending on the speed, and distance of the defender. Players setting screens must have both feet inbounds.

19) It is legal use of the hands to accidentally hit the hand of the opponent when it is in contact with the ball. This includes holding, dribbling, passing, or even during a shot attempt. Striking a ball handler, or a shooter, on that player's hand (in contact with the ball) that is incidental to an attempt to play the ball is not a foul.

20) Reaching is not a foul. There must be illegal contact to have a foul. The mere act of reaching in is, by itself, nothing. If illegal contact does occur, it's probably a holding foul, an illegal use of hands foul, or a hand-check foul. When a player, in order to stop the clock, does not make a legitimate play for the ball, holds, pushes or grabs away from the ball, or uses undue roughness, the foul is an intentional foul.

21) The following acts constitute a foul when committed against a ball handler, this would include a player in a post position: Placing two hands on the player; placing an extended arm bar on the player; placing and keeping a hand on the player; contacting the player more than once with the same or alternating hands.

22) "Over the back" is not a foul. There must be illegal contact to have a foul. A taller player may often be able to get a rebound over a shorter player, even if the shorter player has good rebounding position. If the shorter player is displaced, then a pushing foul must be called. A rebounding player, with an inside position, while boxing out, is not allowed to push back, or displace, an opponent, which is also a pushing foul.

23) A defensive player does not have to remain stationary to take a charge. A defender may turn away, or duck, to absorb contact, provided the defender has already established legal guarding position, which is both feet on the playing court, and facing the opponent. The defender can always move backwards, or sideways, to maintain legal guarding position, and may even have one or both feet off the floor when contact occurs. That player may legally rise vertically. If the defender is moving forward, then the contact is caused by the defender, which is a blocking foul. If the opponent with the ball is airborne, the defender must have obtained legal position before the opponent left the floor.

24) The mere fact that contact occurs does not constitute a foul. Incidental contact is contact with an opponent which is permitted and does not constitute a foul. Contact, which occurs unintentionally in an effort by an opponent to reach a loose ball, or contact which may result when opponents are in equally favorable positions to perform normal defensive, or offensive, moves, should not be considered illegal, even though the contact may be severe. Contact which does not hinder an opponent from participating in normal defensive, or offensive, movements should be considered incidental.

25) A ten-second backcourt count continues when the defense (without gaining control) deflects, or bats, the ball in the backcourt. When a dribbler is advancing the ball into the frontcourt, the ball maintains backcourt status until both feet, and the ball, touch entirely in the frontcourt. On a pass from the backcourt into the frontcourt, the ball still has backcourt status until it is touched by someone with established frontcourt status.

26) The four elements for having a backcourt violation are: 1) there must be team control (and initial player control coming from a throw-in); 2) the ball must have achieved frontcourt status; 3) the team in team control must be the last to touch the ball before it goes into the backcourt; and 4) that same team must be the first to touch the ball after the ball has been in the backcourt.

27) During a throw-in, even under a team's own basket, if the throw-in is deflected, tipped, or batted by an offensive player in the frontcourt to an offensive player in the backcourt; or after a missed field goal attempt, or a missed foul shot attempt, if the ball is deflected, tipped, or batted by an offensive player in the frontcourt to an offensive player in thie backcourt; these are not backcourt violations.

28) During a throw-in, or jump ball, any player, or a defensive player in making a steal, may legally jump from his or her frontcourt, secure control of the ball with both feet off the floor, and return to the floor with one, or both feet in the backcourt. The player may make a normal landing, and it makes no difference whether the first foot down is in the frontcourt or the backcourt. These three situations are not backcourt violations.

29) The closely guarded rule is in effect in the frontcourt only, when a defender is within six feet of the ball handler. Up to three separate five second counts may occur on the same ball handler: holding, dribbling and holding. The count continues even if defenders switch. The five second count ends when a dribbler gets his or her head and shoulders ahead of the defender. Five second closely guarded dribbling counts are ignored in many states that use a shot clock (this does not apply to Nebraska).

30) The intent of the three-second rule is to not allow an offensive player in the lane to gain an advantage. There is no three second count between the release of a shot, and the control of an offensive rebound, at which time a new count starts. There is no three second count during a throw-in. There is not three second count while the ball is in the backcourt. There is a three second count during an interrupted dribble. There is a three second count while an offensive player has one foot in the lane and one foot outside the lane, and the three second count continues if this player lifts the foot in the lane so that neither foot is touching inside the lane. To stop the count this player must have both feet touch the court outside the lane. It is a violation for a player to step out of bounds for an unauthorized reason in an attempt to avoid a three second violation. Allowance shall be made for a player who, having been in the lane area for less than three seconds, or moves immediately to try for goal. The subsequent throwin after the three second violation goes to the closest spot to the violation (in the lane).

 

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31) The head coach may request, and be granted, a timeout if his or her player is holding, or dribbling the ball, or during a dead ball period. A player saving the ball in the air can ask for, and be granted, a timeout even if that player is going out of bounds. The key is whether or not the player has control of the ball.

32) An injured player must be removed from the game (unless a timeout is requested by, and granted to, the team) if the coach is beckoned by an official, whether the coach enters the playing area or not, or if bench personnel enters the court without being beckoned by an official. If an official stops the clock to check on an injured player, and the coach or bench personnel are not beckoned by an official, and do not come onto the court, and if the player is ready to play immediately, that player may remain in the game and no timeouts need to be requested, and granted. 20 seconds are allowed for a player to address any minor blood on the body or uniform without leaving the game or the coach requesting a timeout.

33) On free throws, there is a maximum of two offensive players, and four defensive players, in the six marked lane spaces. The defnese must be in the first marked lane spaces, above the neutral zone marks, on all free throws. The offense must not occupy the first marked lane spaces, above the neutral zone marks. For fhree throws when there are no rebounders in the marked lane spaces (technical fouls, intentional fouls), the nine nonshooters shall remain behind the free throw line extended, and behind the three point arc.

34) Players in marked lane spaces must not move into the lane until the ball is released by the free throw shooter. The shooter, and the players behind the three point arc, must wait until the ball hits the ring, before entering the lane, or penetrating the three-point arc. On release of the ball by the free throw shooter, the defender boxing out teh free throwers shall not cross the free throw line until the ball hits the ring. In addition, the free throw shooter must cause the ball to enter the basket, or touch the ring, before the free throw ends. During a free throw, no opponent, including bench personnel, may distract the free thrower.

35) A held ball occurs when opponents have their hands so firmly on the ball that control cannot be obtained without undue roughness. It is a violation for a player to excessivley swing his or her arms or elbows, even without contacting an opponent. Action of arms, and elbows, resulting from total body movements as in pivoting or moving to prevent a held ball, or loss of control, shall not be considered excessive.

36) Kicking the ball is intentially striking it with any part of the leg or foot. An unintentionally kicked ball is never illegal, regardless of how far the ball goes, and who recovers it.

37) A player who has been replaced, or directed to leave the game, shall not re-enter (with rare exceptions) before the next opportunity to substitute after the clock has been started properly following his or her replacement. In other words, a player who has been replaced must sit a tick of the clock; however a player doesn't have to play a tick of the clock.

38) Players may not participate or even warm up while wearing jewelry (safety issue). Medical alert medals and religious medals are not considered jewelry. A medical alert medal must be taped, and may be visible. A religious medal must be taped, and worn under the uniform. Players are permitted to wear head coverings for religious reasons.

39) Shorts on teammates, while allowing for different styles, must be of the same color. Players are required to tuck in jerseys that are designed to be tucked inside the shorts.

40) Undershirts must be a single solid color similar in color to the torso of the uniform jersey, and shall not have frayed edges. Undershirts worn by a visiting team may be black, or a single solid coler similar to the torso of the jersey. Undershirts shall be the same color for all members of a team who choose to wear them. Undershirt sleeves shall be the same length. Note that this rule does not require all players to wear the same length sleeves on their undershirts, but each individual player must have sleeves the same length on the undershirt when worn.

41) Headbands, wristbands, arm sleeves, knee sleeves, lower leg sleeves, compression shorts and tights, shall be the solid color black, white, beige or the predominant color of the jersey. All of these items shall be the same color as worn by each player. Additionally, all of these items shall be the same color for all members of a team who choose to wear them. Anything worn on the arm, and/or the leg (except a knee brace), is defined as a sleeve, including knee pads and elbow pads and must be the solid color black, white, beige or the predominant color of the uniform jersey. Only a single headband may be worn on the head, and headbands are not allowed to have extensions or tails, even if the extensions are tucked in. Wearing pre-wrap tied in the back as a headband is legal provided it meets all the guidelines for a headband. Only one moisture absorbing wristband is permitted to be worn on each wrist, and each wristband must be worn on the arm below the elbow. One visitible manufacturer's logo or school logo is permitted on wristbands, headbands, compression shorts, undershirts, and are and leg compression sleeves. The size must be limited to 2 1/4 square inches.

42) Rubber, cloth or elastic bands of any color may be used to control hair. Hair control devices and adornments made of hard matierial (such as, but not limited to, barrettes, bobby pins and beads) of any color are permitted provided they are securely fastened close to the head and do not present an increased risk to the player, teammates or opponents. Headbands go around the entire head (and must be the solid color black, white, beige or the predominant color of the uniform jersey), while hair control devices only go around hair and are under no color restrictions.

43) Officials are not required to explain judgement calls, but they may explain some calls if approached by the head coach in a respectful manner. Officials have been instructed to call technical fouls for profanity, unsporting acts, excessive complaints or verbal abuse.

44) New this year, is the allowance of the use of a school logo or mascot image to be centered directly above the uniform number in place of an identifying name. Also, numbers on the jersey can no longer be the same color as the jersey (like blue number outlined in white on a blue jersey). The numbers on the jersey must now be in high contrast with the jersey color and be of a single, solid color. If gray is used for a uniform color choice, it must be used as an away uniform and must be closer to black by at least 70%. Light colors (i.e. yellow or gold) that do not clearly contrast with white, are not compliant away uniform colors. Legal numers are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 00, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55. There shall not be both a 0 and a 00 on a team roster list.

45) The primary duty of officials is to ensure fair play, safety, and good sportsmanship. Officials are on the court to be the only neutral unbiased arbiters of the game and are not concerned with who wins or loses. Everyone else in the gym cares about winning, and therefore, cannot look at the game objectively. Players commit fouls and violations; officials view those infractions, judge the action, and then apply the rules of the game to what they had observed. The rules then determine the penalty.

 

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46) There are five cases that would cause a team warning for delay. Any second warning for delay for any of the instances below, result in a team technical foul being issued. Warning for delay may be issued for 1) Throw-in plane violations; 2) Huddle by either team or contact with the free thrower that delays the administration of a free throw; 3) Interfering with the ball following a goal; 4) Failure to have the court ready, following a timeout; and 5) Failure to immediately pass the ball to the nearer official on a dead ball situation.

47) New in 2024-25 are warnings and technical fouls for Faking Being Fouled. Faking being fouled is defined as: 1) overtly embellishing the impact of incidental contact on block/charge plays or attempted tries for goal; 2) using a "head bob" to simulate illegal contact or 3) using other tactics to create an opinion of being fouled and therefore gaining an advantage.

A warning will now be issued for the first instance. A technical foul will be assessed to the team for each subsequent occurrence. The following examples are how this will be adjudicated.

In the examples below, Team A is always on offense and Team B is always on defense.

1. Offensive player A1 is dribbling the ball and fakes being fouled by the defender. This is described in the rules as using a "head bob" to simulate illegal contact. In this play the team that is faking being fouled is on offense and there is player control of the ball.

- As soon as the official identifies behavior that rises to the level of faking being fouled, the whistle should be blown and the faking signal should be displayed. For a first infraction, with Team A in control of the ball, the official will report a warning to the scoretable, notify the head coach and then go to the point of interruption. If A1 is in Team A's frontcourt, Team A will have a throw-in at one of the four designated spots closest to where the faking being fouled occurred. If A1 is in the backcourt, the throw-in will be from the spot out of bounds closest to where faking being fouled occurred. For subsequent infractions, a team technical fouls is charged to Team A. Team B will get two free throws and possession of the ball at the division line opposite the scorer's table.​

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2. Offensive Player A1, after releasing a shot, goes to the floor without contact or after incidental contact. This is described in the rules as "overtly embellishing the impact of incidental contact on an attempted try for goal." In thi splay, the team that is faking is again on offense, however, there is NO team control since the ball was released on a try for goal.

- First infraction (sucessful try) - There is no team control, so when the try is successful, the basket will count, the official will report the warning to the table, notify the head coach, and Team B will be awarded the ball on the endline. Team B may move along the endline as after any successful try.​

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- First infraction (unsuccessful try) - There is no team control, and since the try was unsuccessful, the bal became dead when the try ended. There is NO rebounding on this play. The official will report the warning to the table, notify the head coach and the ball will be awarded based on the possession arrow. If Team A retains possession in its frontcourt, the throw in will be from one of the four designated spots nearest to where the faking being fouled occurred. If Team B gains control in its backcourt, the throw-in will be from the spot out of bounds closest to where the faking being fouled occurred.​

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- Subsequent infraction - A team technical foul is charged to Team A. Team B will shoot two free throws and get the ball for a division line throw-in opposite the scorer's table.​

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3. Defensive player B1, attempting to "draw a charge" goes to the floor with no or incidental contact. This is described in the rules as "overtly embellishing the impact of incidental contact on block/charge plays." In this play, the team faking being fouled is on defense and thus the offended team (Team A) has team control.

- In this scenario, the official should signal faking being fouled as soon as the official identifies behavior that, in their opinion, rises to the level of faking being fouled. The official should withhold the whistle so as not to penalize the offensive team for actions of the defense.​

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- First infraction: The team that is faking being fouled is on defense. The official will display the faking being fouled signal but will withhold the whistle until (a) Team A scores -- repeated attempts at the basket are allowed; or (b) Team B gains control of the ball. Once Team A scores OR Team B gains control, the official will sound the whistle, report the warning to the table, and notify the head coach.​

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- On a successful try, the basket will count and Team B will be awarded the ball on the endline and may move along the endline just as after any other successful try.​

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- On Team B gaining control, Team B is awarded a throw-in from the spot out of bounds closest to where they gained control.​

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- On second and subsequent infractions of faking by the defensive team, on a successful try by Team A, the basket will count and a team technical foul is charged to Team B. Team A will shoot two free throws and get the ball for a division line throw-in opposite the scorer's table. On second or subsequent faking infractions where Team B gains control, a team technical foul is charged to Team B and Team A is awarded two free throws and gets the ball for a division line throw-in opposoite the scorer's table.​

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