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Emrys asks "If a player takes off with his right foot,catches the ball in mid air,lands on his left foot, then puts his right foot down. How can he/she avoid a travel? Which is the pivot foot? Is it a travel if he/she moves the right foot while holding on to the ball?Is it a travel if he/she moves the right foot while holding on to the ball?
Gens replies " Left foot will be the pivot foot. Hence it is not a travel when the player moves his right foot while holding the ball.
- If a player while in air catches a live ball and lands on one foot,then that foot becomes the pivot foot.If a player jumps off that foot and comes to a stop landing on both feet simultaneously, then neither foot is a pivot.
- If a player while in air catches a live ball and lands on both feet simultaneously,either foot can be the pivot foot. The movement the player lifts one foot,the other foot becomes the pivot foot.
Jacob asks "How does a charge work? What is a charge and how can you avoid being placed with a charging foul?
Gens replies "Charging is illegal personal contact, by pushing or moving into an opponent’s body (torso).
When judging a block/charge situation involving a player with the ball, an official shall use the following principles:
- The defensive player must establish an initial legal guarding position by facing the player with the ball and having both feet on the floor.
- The defensive player may remain stationary, jump vertically, move laterally or move backwards in order to maintain the initial legal guarding position.
- When moving to maintain the initial legal guarding position, one or both feet may be off the floor for an instant, as long as the movement is lateral or backwards, but not towards the player with the ball.
- Contact must occur on the torso, in which case the defensive player would be considered as having been at the place of contact first.
- Having established a legal guarding position the defensive player may turn within his cylinder to cushion any blow or to avoid injury.
In the event of any of the above situations, the contact shall be considered as having been caused by the player with the ball.
John asks " what should happen if a player jumps up and hangs off the ring just for fun in a game?"
Gens replies "It is a technical foul when a player hangs on the ring in such a way that the weight of the player is supported by the ring, unless a player grasps the ring momentarily following a dunk shot or, in the judgment of the official, is trying to prevent injury to himself or to another player."
The "Captain" asks "A 4 attempting the 2 nd (final) free throw. Before A 4 releases the ball, B 5 enters the restricted area (violation by B 5). Referee does not blow his whistle as he waits for the outcome of the free throw by A 4. Thereafter A 4 continues his shot and releases the ball. Now a foul occurs and referee calls a foul by B 6 (after A 4 releases the ball). Basket is not count.What is the decision?" Will it be a rethrow for A 4 without line up (for violation by B 5) + throw from endline once again to team A to penalise foul by B 6 (if it is not a team penalty situation?)?????
Gens Replies "Disregard the violation by B5 & penalise the foul by B6. According to the Team Foul Penalty situation, give either a throw-in or 2 free throws to team A."
The "Captain" asks again "A 4 attempting the 2nd (final) free throw. Before A 4 releases the ball, B 6 enters the restricted area (violation by B 6). Referee does not blow his whistle as he waits for the outcome of the free throw by A 4.Thereafter A 4 continues his shot and releases the ball. Now a foul occurs and referee calls a foul by A 5 (after A 4 releases the ball). Basket is not count. What is the decision?? Will it be a jump ball situation??? Violation by B 6 and foul by A 5??"
Gens replies "Disregard the violation by B6 & penalise the foul by A5.According to the Team Foul Penalty situation, give either a throw-in or 2 free throws to team B."
The "Captain" continues with his questioning "A 4 dribbling in front court - 22 seconds over when B 5 grabs the ball and a held ball situation is approaching? Before Referee can call held ball, 24 - sec hooter sounds. What is the decision?? Held Ball or 24 - second violation??"
Gens replies "This is a 24-second Violation by Team-A. Team A was still in team control of the ball."
The "Captain" keeps em coming "A 4 dribbling the ball. B4 grabs ball. Before Referee can call held ball, A5 fouls B 5. Is it team control foul??
Gens replies "This is an offensive foul by Team-A. Team A was still in team control of the ball."
The Captain tries again "A 4 Commits Double Dribble Violation. Before Ball Is At Disposal For Team 'B' For Throw In, B 6 Fouls A 6.
- What Is The Decision If Team 'B' Is Not In Team Foul Penalty Situation ??
- What Is The Decision If Team 'B' Is In Team Foul Penalty Situation??"
Gens replies " In Both Case The Foul Is A Team Controlled Foul By Team B .So Cancel The Equal Penalties i.e., Throw-In For Both Teams & Will Be A Jump Ball Situation.
John asks "The last time we played there was an argument over whether the top of the basket was out when the ball hit the top. The other team shot and hit the top of the basket and then the ball bounced in play, they retrieved the rebound and scored. Somehow I always thought that the top of the backboard was out with possesion going to the other side and that the side of the basketball was in play."
Gens replies "Thanks for the question John. The ball is not out-of-bounds when it touches the edges of the backboard.Hence in this situation ball is not out-of-bounds. Ball is out-of-bounds when it touches the backboard supports & back of the backboards."
Goa asks "If players are named on a score sheet, with or without numbers, I understand that they can commence playing after half time. When does a player who has not shown up for the start of a game lose his eligibilty to play? Must he take the court at the beginning of the second half?
Gens replies "Before the beginning of the game, each coach or his representative shall
give the names & corresponding numbers of the players who are eligible to play in the game. As long as player's name is written in the score sheet before the beginning of the game, they are entitled to play at any time even after they arrive late after the beginning of the game. At the beginning of the game referees must cross off the unused empty columns where the players names are entered.This will help the referees to identify the late entries
Hemanshu asks "We are having an argument at our weekly game where a couple of American players say that it is legal to clap hands in front of
a shooter. Is this legal?"
Gens replies "Baiting an opponent player or obstructing his vision by waving his hands near his eyes is a Technical Foul. If the player scores the basket a warning must be given to the defensive player & if he misses the shot a technical foul must be charged.
Chooka "Lefty" Watson asks "I was fouled as I was shooting during a game. After the whistle and while the ball was on its way to the basket, an opposition player grabbed the ring and the ball bounced off after he released the ring. The ref did not award 2 points for a goal tend and I got two free throws. Was this correct?"
Gens replies "This is a basket interference violation by defensive player. 2 points must be awarded & an additional free-throw for the shooter."
Peter asks "In a game recently, I went out of bounds while the ball was still in bounds. A team mate passed me the ball and I caught it with one foot on the court and one leg in the air. I was called out of bounds. Was that a correct call ?
Gens replies "If your foot was inbounds while in contact with the ball, then your were
not out of bounds"
Seldon asks " In an adult pickup game a player shot and the ball went over the basket without touching anything. The shooter caught the ball on the other side of the basket. An argument ensued. One side said a shooter can't catch his own ball if it touches nothing. The other said that on a legitimate shot try the ball doesn't need to touch anything to be a live ball for the shooter. Who's right?"
Gens replies "If this is a genuine attempt for a field goal, the player can catch the ball. The player control & team control ends when the ball has left the player's hand on a shot for a field goal.
The enigmatic "G" asks "When players line up for free throw does non shooting team player get to occupy the space below the block, or can they stand on the block up to the edge closest to the free throw line, or has this changed so no player occupies the space below the block - meaning the the closest space for a non shooting team player is the space above the block - they can not stand on the block.??"
Gens replies "In Australia we follow FIBA rules. The two defensive players will be lined up in the free-throw rebound places near to the basket,two offensive players in the middle, then one defensive player and then the free-throw shooter.All other players must remain behind the free-throw line extended and behind the three-point field goal line. Please see the picture below-Team-B is Defensive Team & A is Offensive Team.
Seldon chips in again with "In our adult pick-up game, a player took a shot near the basket. It was blocked cleanly, the blocker's hand on top of the ball. The ball never left the shooter's hands, and he came down with all three hands securely on the ball; the shooter cama away with the ball and attempted to play on. Argument ensued: 1) simple blocked shot--play on, 2) held ball, 3) traveling--shooter went up and down with ball still in hand. Which is right?
Gens considers the question "If the defensive player had only one hand on the ball then it is a travelling violation by the offensive player. If the defensive player had two hands on the ball then it is a jump ball.
Dan asks "If a defender attempts to block a pass by extending both his arms an legs and blocks the ball with his hand, but the ball deflects into his leg --- is it a kick?? Since it accidentally struck the leg, I would think it is not a kick "
Gens replies " From your question it should be understood that the defender was extending his legs to block the ball. To deliberately kick or block the ball with any part of the leg is violation.If the defender was trying to block the ball with his hands & the ball accidentally touches the leg is not a violation."
Pauls ponders "When a player is on the ground with the ball, is it travelling if they get up with the ball while trying to dribble?"
Gens replies " It is a violation if a player lying or sitting on the floor attempts to stand up while holding the ball. While lying or sitting on the floor a player can start the dribble before attempting to stand up/standing up,provided this player has not committed any other violations for example, carrying the ball ,illegal movement of pivot foot etc...."
Bills asks "Is the hand a part of the ball? I know in the NBA it is considered apart of the ball unless shooting and this seems to be the common interpretation here in Australia. What concerns me is that I can find no reference to it in the rules or the official FIBA interpretation documents. The way they are both written you would have to assume that the hand is NOT a part of the ball and any contact on it should be called a foul. Please help!"
Gens replies " You are right Bil, this is not explained in detail in the official documents. When a player is holding the ball,the fingers that is in contact with the ball is considered to be part of the ball.If there is a clear steal/tap/blocked shot from the defensive player, referees must reward good defensive play & no fouls must be called.When the player is shooting and there is a fifty-fifty situation, referees are told to call a foul & protect the shooter."
Mark asks "Is it a foul when a player blocks a shot and then contacts the shooter?"
Gens replies "This is a foul unless the contact was incidental/slight & no advantage( not for local games) has been taken."
Jeff asks "If a player saves the ball from going out of bounds by tapping it back into the court and their momentum takes them out of bounds can they then be the first to touch the ball after establishing both feet inbounds?"
Gens says "Yes this player can touch the ball first, after establishing both feet inside."
Jason muses "Is it a travel when two players on the same team grab a rebound together and one of the players take steps prior to one of them obtaining sole possession of the ball?"
Gens declares " My opinion is this depends on who obtained possession of the ball. If the
player who had taken steps obtained the sole possession of the ball, a violation must be called but if the possession was still with other player who is legal after grabing the rebound, I think we must not call any violation.
Glenn asks "In senior domestic competition, the player with the ball is trapped by two or more defenders and cannot find a clear path to give off a pass to a team mate. Can he call a timeout at that point to retain safe possession? Does it matter if he signals for timeout verbally or with hands (difficult with hands trying to defend ball) and does it matter if the
ball is in front court or back court?"
Gens rules " In FIBA Basketball & for domestic competion player time-outs are not allowed."
A pumped up Sean asks "During the game player 30 was fouled but player 33 stepped to the line to shoot for player 30 knowing full well the correct shooter should have been 30. I said something to the ref bc it was 1 on 1 and if he missed they would not of been able to know who the correct shooter was and how could i of stopped play so i said something before the player recieved the ball. With NCAA rules should that of been a technical foul. The next play they scored on a break and the player that made the lay up layed on the ground and the second player held the ball so we could not advanve it i tried to grab it from him and he would not give it up. So i pushed him into the basketball support. I was issued a technical foul and all he got was a warning for a delay of game"
Gens steadies the ship
"1st Situation:
According to FIBA Rules, this is a correctable error, permitting the wrong player to attempt free throws. The free throws attempted shall be cancelled & the ball shall be awarded to the defensive team for a throw-in from the free throw line extended.
2nd Situation:
This should have been an Unsportsmanlike foul called on you and a Technical foul on the other player for delaying the game by preventing a throw-in being taken promptly. "
Coach Brian asks " Whistle was blown with 2:10 in the game after a 3 point attempt by my player had already gone through the net. I am not now nor did I dispute the call at the time. The ref, waved off the basket and took away the points. His explanation was "that he saw the foul occur and admittedly it took him 1-2 seconds to blow his whistle, he is human and that sometimes happens but he is certain that the foul occurred before the release."
Question: Does the basket count?
Question: If yes can't I be awared those points even after the game? Note: we lost by 1.
Gens replies "I will answer your second question 1st. Points cannot be awarded after the game unless there was a scorekeeping error.
To judge whether basket counted or not , it is important to know when does the "act of shooting" and a continous movement in the act of shooting begins & ends .
The act of shooting:
• Begins when the player starts the continuous movement normally preceding the release of the ball and, in the judgement of the official, he has started an attempt to score by throwing, tapping or dunking the ball towards the opponents' basket.
• Ends when the ball has left the player’s hand(s) and, in case of an airborne shooter, both feet have returned to the floor.
The player attempting to score might have his arm(s) held by an opponent, thus preventing him from scoring, even though he is considered to have made an attempt to score. In this case it is not essential that the ball leaves the player's hand(s).
A continuous movement in the act of shooting:
• Begins when the ball has come to rest in the player's hand(s) and the shooting motion, usually upward, has started. This may include the player's arm(s) and/or body movement in his attempt to shoot for a field goal.
• Ends when the ball has left the player’s hand(s), or if an entirely new act of shooting is made.
Randy asks "In a high school game, A1 goes up for a last second shot. A1 is fouled by B1 before the horn, however, he double clutches and gets the shot off before hitting the floor, but after the horn. If the shot goes in, does the shot count? Clearly this basket would count if not for
the horn. What is the rule here?"
Gens replies "This basket is not counted but A1 will get 2 or 3 Free-throws. Since the ball was still in A1's hand when the horn sounded the ball become deadbimmediately. If the ball had left A1's hand before the horn sounded,the basket should count."
Shelley asks " In an offensive foul situation, if the basket goes in does it count or is it up to the ref? Secondly, In a non shooting offensive foul situation and also in the bonus situation, does the defensive player(the one who got fouled)get to shoot?"
Gens replies "1st Question~If the offensive player had already released the ball for a shot, then basket will count & this is a push & defensive team will get a throw-in or free- throws depending on the team foul penalty situation .
2nd question-This is team controled foul & the regardless of the bonus situation,defensive team will only get a throw-in."
Steve asks "To clarify traveling ruling during layups: Is it correct that a player establishes control of the ball the instant it is held in both hands, and it is only after this instant that the player is limited to two steps? Does this mean it is irrelevant whether the final dribble of the ball strikes the ground before or after the foot of the final dribble step? How do the rules allow for a step into a two foot jump layup? Must both feet strike and / or leave the ground simultaneously on the step / jump layup?"
Gens replies "I will answer your question step by step.
Control of the ball.
A player establishes control of the ball when he/she holds the ball in one or both hands.
Lay up shot.
In a lay up shot a player cannot take 2 steps after establishing control of the ball.
The 1st step in the lay up shot is collecting the ball with one foot forward (this foot becomes the fivot foot) normaly following the final dribble & the 2nd step is lifting the pivot foot & going for a shot. The ball must be released from the hands before the pivot foot touches the floor again.
Pivot Foot.
It is very important to know about the legal movement of a pivot foot. To start a dribble a player may not lift the pivot foot before the ball is released from the hands.A player may lift the pivot foot for a shoot or a pass,but this foot may not be returned to the floor before the ball is released from the hand(s)
I assume your last question is about step & shot.While moving,to pass or shoot for a field goal, the player may jump off the pivot foot & land on one foot or both feet simultaneously.After that,one or both foot may be lifted from the floor but neither may be returned to the floor before the ball is released rfrom the hand(s)."
Gabe asks "I was wondering about shooting over the backboard. During a UCLA game this year, the winning basket was shot legally from the side of the basket, kind of over the basket. From my playing days, I thought that this was legal, but I keep hearing that it should have been called out of bounds. I have looked through the NCAA and NBA rule books and I can not find a true answer. Can you help me out?"
Gens replies "A player can shot over the backboard provided he/she may not cause the ball to hit out of bounds including the backboard supports,the back of the backboard or any object above the playing court."
Callum asks "When the ball hits a referee during the game and rolls out of court what should the call be? Jump Ball? or given to the other team form the sideline?"
Gens replies "This is not a jump ball situation. The ball is caused to go out of bounds by the last player to touch the ball before going out of bounds. Hence the ball will be given to the opponents."
