2008 - 2009 NFHS Basketball Rule Changes
Rule 3-5-3 - Any item that goes around the entire head
(elastic strips/bands, pre-wrap, headbands, etc.) shall meet the rule
requirements regarding color, maximum size, logo restrictions and team
uniformity. Black and beige have also been added to the colors a team
is permitted to wear.
Rationale:
This change makes the rule more consistent in application and
enforcement. The additional colors will provide student-athletes with
the same low-cost options, while maintaining team uniformity.
Rule 8-1, 4a, 4b, 4c - During
a free throw, all players will move up one marked lane space, leaving
the two spaces closest to the end line vacant. A new mark (2 inches by
8 inches) must be reapplied to the lane line near the free-throw line
to designate the last 3-foot marked lane space.
Rationale:
This rules change may reduce rough play during free-throw situations
while maintaining defensive rebounding percentages within an acceptable
range.
Rule 10-5-5 (new) - A
maximum of one technical foul shall be charged directly to the head
coach when a participant wears an illegal jersey, illegal pants/skirt
or an illegal number.
Rationale: This rules change reduces the penalty from one technical foul assessed to each starter and each substitute
to a maximum of one technical foul assessed directly to the head coach.
There has been a proliferation of illegal uniforms worn by teams within
the last several years. This change reduces the penalty, but puts the
responsibility for illegal uniforms where it ultimately belongs – with
the head coach – not the participant.
2008-09 POINTS OF EMPHASIS
1. LEGAL UNIFORMS.
Improvement has been made in the ordering and purchasing of legaluniforms, including the mandatory white home uniform. The NFHS is also working with manufacturers to improve compliance with NFHS uniform design specifications (3-4). Schools/teams are encouraged to review these design specifications prior to ordering and purchasing new uniforms. In part because of last year’s emphasis on legal uniforms, the penalty for wearing an illegal uniform has been changed for 2008-09 (see Comments on the Rules Revisions). Officials should also continue to enforce proper wearing of the uniform and direct players to leave the game when a uniform is not being worn properly. Team members are also prohibited from playing if wearing items such as jewelry, illegal undershirts (including a visible manufacturer’s logo) or undergarments that extend below the pants/skirt. Players in violation of those rules may not enter or shall be directed to leave the game.
2. ROUGH PLAY.
For the fifth time in the past eight years, rough play is a point of emphasis. The committee continues to be concerned with the increasing level of physical play being permitted. Officials and coaches are charged with promoting good sportsmanship, encouraging fair play and minimizing the risk of injury to student-athletes. Rough play creates
onflict between players and increases the opportunity for injuries.
A. Post play.
The key word is displacement. If a player is displaced, it is a foul! Offensive players creating space by “backing down” a defender, or a defender moving an offensive player off his/her spot on the floor, are examples of post-play fouls that must be called.
B. Hand-checking.
Defenders are not permitted to have hands on the dribbler or offensive players away from the ball. Hand-checking is not incidental contact; it gives a tremendous advantage to the person using illegal hands/tactics. An offensive player who uses his/her hands or body to push off in order to create a more favorable position has committed a foul. Regardless of
where it happens on the floor, when a player:
1) Continuously places a hand on the opposing player – it is a foul.
2) Places both hands on a player – it is a foul.
3) Continuously jabs a hand or forearm on an opponent – it is a foul.
C. Loose balls.
Rough play and excessive contact while attempting to secure a loose ball continue to be a concern. Coaches, players and officials must understand that a loose-ball situation is not consent for a player to “jump on” an opponent on the floor in an attempt to create a held ball. Likewise, merely because a player is “going for the ball” does not give that player permission to “take out” an opponent who is in a more advantageous position. Incidental contact (4-27) allows for contact when players are in equally favorable positions.
3. TIME-OUTS. The proper granting of time-outs continues to be of great concern. During live-ball situations, it is imperative that officials ensure player control before granting a time-out. Additionally, officials must ensure that the time-out request is coming from a player or the head coach of the team in control. Coaches must realize that officials have other responsibilities to the game that require their immediate attention. As a result, coaches must understand that just because a time-out was requested does not mean that a time-out will be granted. During loose-ball situations, when there is doubt as to which player has obtained control, officials should not grant a time-out, but rather rule a held ball.
4. SLAPPING THE BACKBOARD. The incidents of players slapping the backboard are increasing throughoutthe country. The rules specify that “intentionally slapping or striking the backboard” is a technical foul (10-3-5). The spirit and intent of that rule is to penalize a player for drawing attention to him/herself or as a means of venting frustration. A player who strikes thebackboard in a legitimate attempt to block a try for goal should not be penalized. Basket interference cannot be ruled in either of the above situations. Basket interference only occurs if the ball is interfered with while in the cylinder above the basket ring or by touching either the ball or any part of the basket while the ball is on or within the basket (4-6).
5. OFFICIALS’ MECHANICS AND SIGNALS. Communication and consistency remain the most important elements of good officiating.
It is essential for officials to be familiar and comfortable with proper NFHS officiating mechanics and signals. The primary reasons for utilizing only approved NFHS mechanics and signals are:
(1) Effective court coverage related to Primary Coverage Areas.
(2) Effective communication between officiating partner(s).
(3) Provide immediate information and feedback to coaches, players, scorers, timers and fans.
Signals
are used to communicate and should never be used to call attention to the official. The majority of signals are used to indicate what has or is happening. Approved NFHS signals are dignified, informative and meaningful. The use of unauthorized signals frequently confuses, because the meaning is unknown. Problems are also created when officials engage in “hit and run” officiating. This occurs when an official blows the whistle and immediately leaves the area without taking the time to follow the proper procedures for calling the foul or violation. Signals should be given in a manner that is calm, under control, unhurried and professional.
2007-08 NFHS BASKETBALL RULES CHANGES
2-12-4; 5-11-2: Changed the warning horn for a 30-second time-out to be sounded with 15 seconds remaining.
2-12-5: Changed the replacement interval for a disqualified player to 20 seconds, with a warning horn sounded with 15 seconds remaining.
4-15-4d; 9-5-2: Changed that a dribble ends when loss of control by the dribbler is caused by the opponent touching, or being touched by, the ball, rather than an intentional batting of the ball.
4-42-5: Changed that a throw-in ends when the throw-in pass is "legally" touched by another player.
Signal Chart: Added a signal (spreading of the arms) for when a defender is not in a closely-guarding position.
COMMENTS ON THE 2007-08 BASKETBALL RULES REVISIONS
30-SECOND TIME-OUT WARNING HORN CHANGED (2-12-4, 5-11-2): The warning horn for a 30-second time-out will now be sounded with 15 seconds remaining. With that change, the sounding of all warning horns will be uniform for intermissions, time-outs and the replacement interval for a disqualified/injured player.
PLAYER REPLACEMENT INTERVAL REDUCED (2-12-5, 10-5-3): The interval to replace a disqualified or injured player, or a player directed to leave the game, has changed to 20 seconds. A warning horn will be sounded with 15 seconds remaining in the interval (five seconds into the interval). That timeframe was often used as an "unofficial" time-out. By reducing the replacement interval and sounding the warning horn after five seconds, coaches are encouraged to replace the player in a more timely fashion.
WHEN A DRIBBLE ENDS CLARIFIED (4-15-4d, 9-5-2): The definition of when a dribble ends was changed to when the loss of control by the dribbler is caused by the opponent touching, or being touched by, the ball rather than an intentional batting of the ball. The illegal dribble violation was also edited to reflect this rules change. The rules were changed because a long-standing interpretation had been that any touching of a dribble by a defender (intentional or otherwise, by the hand or otherwise) ends the dribble. The way the rule was previously written implied that the touching must be by the hand and must be intentional. The new rule is now consistent with that long-standing interpretation and current enforcement. 4.15.4 SITUATION: While A1 is dribbling in A’s backcourt, the ball legally touches B1’s leg, causing it to bounce away from A1. A1 quickly recovers the ball with two hands and then starts another dribble. RULING: Legal. The touch by B1 ended the original dribble and A1 could then recover and dribble again. However, the touch by B1 did not end team control and the 10-second backcourt count continues. (9-5-2)
WHEN A THROW-IN ENDS CLARIFIED (4-42-5): The word "legally" was added to the definition of when a throw-in ends. It now states, "The throw-in ends when the passed ball touches, or is legally touched by, another player who is either inbounds or out of bounds." The previous rule could possibly reward a defensive team for committing a violation, especially during an alternating-possession throw-in. 4.42.5 SITUATION: Team A is awarded an alternating-possession throw-in. A1’s throw-in pass is illegally kicked by B2. RULING: As a result of B2’s kicking violation, Team A is awarded a throw-in at the designated spot nearest to where the violation occurred. Since the throw-in was not contacted "legally," the throw-in had not ended. Therefore, the arrow remains with Team A for the next alternating-possession throw-in. (6-4-4)
NOT-CLOSELY-GUARDED SIGNAL ADDED (Signal Chart): A new signal (spreading of the arms) was added to the signal chart to communicate that a defender is not in a closely-guarded situation. The new signal clearly communicates that the official is aware that the defender is attempting to obtain a closely-guarded count, but has not met the six-foot distance requirement or that the six-foot distance necessary for continuing the count has been broken. It is intended to be used as a means of communication and does not need to be used in obvious situations, such as when an offensive player speeds past a defender or when there is significant distance between the player with the ball and the defender.
2007-08 MAJOR EDITORIAL CHANGES
3-4-6b New: Implementation date reached requiring the home team to wear white jerseys. The note will be removed and a new sub-article will be added stating this requirement.
3-5-2 & New: Added that guards, casts, braces and compression sleeves must be worn for medical reasons.
3-5-3d: Clarified that hard items worn on the head, such as barrettes and bobby pins, are prohibited.
4-48: Clarified when the resumption-of-play procedure is in effect.
4-40-2d: Added to the definition of a legal screen that the screener must stay within his/her vertical plane with a stance approximately shoulder width apart.
7-5-2 thru 7-5-11: Articles reordered for better understanding and application.
10-3-3: Clarified that a technical foul shall be called when a player purposely and/or deceitfully delays his/her return to the court after legally being out of bounds.
10-6: Section reorganized for better understanding and application.
2007-08 MAJOR MECHANICS CHANGES
211; 321: The referee may designate the official to administer the jump ball to start the game or overtime.
273; 275; Diagram 29: Crew of Two Only: Change the time-out and intermission positions so that the administering official will stand where play will be resumed and the non-administering official will stand, facing the table, on the division line (on the circle nearest the table for a 30-second time-out and on the circle furthest from the table for a 60-second time-out or intermission).
273; 378: During a time-out or intermission, the administering official may set the ball down on the floor where play will be resumed if movement is necessary away from the spot to communicate with the table/partner(s).
