Referee.com Basketball Case Play of the Day

Day 25- Illegal Substitution

PLAY

Following an out-of-bounds violation by team A, team member A6 leaves the team bench and runs onto

the floor without reporting to the table or being beckoned onto the floor to replace player A1. The

officials do not notice and administer the throw-in to team B. At this point, team B’s head coach makes

the officials aware that A6 illegally entered the playing court. Shall A6 be penalized?

RULING

Although A6’s entry into the game is illegal, A6 became a legal player when the ball became live when

the throw-in was administered to team B. Because the discovery of the illegal substitution came after

the ball became live, the illegal entry by A6 shall be ignored (NFHS 3-3-2, 3-3-3, 6-1-2b).

Day 24- Correctable Error

PLAY A1 is fouled while dribbling the ball, and team A is in the bonus. The officials fail to award A1 bonus free

throws. Instead, team A is awarded a throw-in. Team A completes the throw-in and A2 scores a basket.

Team B inbounds the ball, moves the ball down the court and the ball is deflected out of bounds by A3.

The timer sounds the horn as team A’s coach has made an appeal to the official scorer to have the error

corrected. Can the error be corrected?

RULING When the officials erred by failing to award a merited free throw, the error is correctable, but the error

must be recognized and corrected no later than the first dead ball after the game clock properly started.

The first dead ball was after A2’s successful goal. Once team B had the ball at its disposal for the ensuing

throw-in, it is too late to correct the error. In NFHS, one 60-second timeout or one 30-second timeout,

when all 60-second timeouts have been used, shall be charged to team A (2-10-1a, 2-10-2, 5-8-4, 5-11-

4).

Day 23- Reaching Through the Boundary Line

PLAY A1 is holding the ball for a throw-in along the endline in team A’s frontcourt. A1 attempts to pass the

ball to A2, who is on the other side of the lane along the same endline. After A1 has released the ball,

but prior to the ball crossing the boundary line, B3, who is defending A2, reaches through the endline

and intercepts the throw-in pass. Is B3’s catch of the throw-in legal since it was caught on the out-of-

bounds side of the boundary line?

RULING In NFHS, no opponent of the thrower-in shall have any part of his or her person across the inside plane

of the boundary line until the ball has been released on the throw-in pass. Since A1 had released the ball

on the throw-in, B3 can legally reach through the boundary line and catch the throw-in (NFHS 7-6-4).

Day 22- Running out of Bounds

PLAY B1 hits a one-hopper near third base. F5 snares the ball with his cap, then fires the ball to first in time to

retire B1.

RULING B1 is awarded three bases (NFHS 8-3-3c1).

Day 21- Substitution

PLAY A1 commits a traveling violation in the frontcourt, and substitute A6 enters the game for A1. The game

clock shows 25 seconds. B1 completes the ensuing throw-in to B2. B2 starts to dribble, when the officials

realize the timer failed to start the game clock. The trail official had a backcourt count of three seconds

when play was stopped. May the officials correct the game clock? May substitute A1 re-enter the game

even though the clock did not start?

RULING When an obvious timing mistake has occurred because of the failure to start or stop the game clock

properly, the mistake shall be corrected by the referee using definite information. In this case, since the

official had a backcourt count of three, the clock shall be corrected to 22 seconds. A player who has

been replaced by a substitute may re-enter the game at the next opportunity to substitute, provided

that the game clock has been properly started after the withdrawal or replacement. Although the game

clock did not “properly start,” time did legally expire from the game clock after the referee corrected the

timing mistake (NFHS 3-3-4, 5-10, 5.10.2).

Day 20- Ball Striking an Official

PLAY A1 is dribbling the ball in team A’s backcourt and attempts a long pass to A2, who is standing along a

sideline in team A’s frontcourt. Before the ball reaches A2, the ball ricochets off an official, who is

standing inbounds in team A’s frontcourt near the division line. The ball bounces back into team A’s

backcourt without touching the floor or any player in team A’s frontcourt. A3 is the first to get to the

basketball and recovers it in team A’s backcourt. Has any violation occurred? If not, how much time

does team A have to get the ball into its frontcourt?

RULING When the ball touches an official who is on the playing court, play shall continue as if the ball touched

the floor at that official’s location. Therefore, the ball gained frontcourt status when it touched the

official. Since A1 was the last player to touch the ball before it returned to the backcourt, A1 caused it to

go there. It is a backcourt violation when A3 is the first to touch the ball in team A’s backcourt (NFHS 4-

4-2, 4-4-4, 9-9-2).

Day 19- Free-Throw Mistake

PLAY A1 is fouled on an unsuccessful try and is awarded two free throws. A1’s first free throw is unsuccessful,

players A4 and B5 forget A1 has an additional free throw, and both try to gain the rebound. B5 grabs the

ball, and A4 fouls B5 by grabbing his or her arm. At this point the officials blow the whistle to halt play.

How shall play resume? Shall A4’s foul be ignored?

RULING

Failing to award the second merited free throw is a correctable error. When the officials fail to stop play

immediately to award the second free throw, any points scored, time consumed and additional activity

shall not be nullified. A4 shall be charged with the foul. A1 shall be awarded the second merited free

throw with no players lined up in the marked lane spaces, and then play is resumed at the point of

interruption, which would be free throws for B5 if team B were in the bonus, or a throw-in to team B if

not in the bonus (NFHS 2-10-1a, 2-10-5, 2-10-6).

Day 18- Delaying Return to Floor

PLAY

A1 has the ball for a throw-in on the endline in team A’s frontcourt. A1 completes the throw-in to A2,

but A1 remains out of bounds for a few seconds after releasing the ball. A1 then runs along the endline

while still out of bounds, runs past A5 who is inbounds and is screening A1’s defender. A1 then re-enters

the playing floor, receives a pass and shoots an uncontested shot. Has any infraction occurred?

RULING

It is a technical foul if a player purposely delays his or her return to the playing floor after being legally

out of bounds. This is exactly what A1 did after releasing the ball on the throw-in, and A1 gained a

significant advantage by remaining out of bounds. In NFHS, a player technical foul is assessed to A1 (10-

4-2, 10.4.2A).

Day 17- Causing Basket to Vibrate

PLAY

A1 is driving parallel to the endline and, after reaching the basket, attempts to bank in a lay-up.

Defender B2 attempts to block the shot, but misses the ball. B2’s hand strikes the backboard during the

follow-through of the blocked shot attempt, which causes the backboard and rim to vibrate while the

ball is (a) touching the backboard, or (b) on the rim. A1’s shot is not successful. Has any infraction

occurred?

RULING

Since B2’s striking of the backboard was the result of an attempted blocked shot, it shall not be ruled an

intentional act, and therefore, does not result in a technical foul on B2. In NFHS, there is no rule that

causing the backboard and rim to vibrate results in either goaltending or basket interference. Therefore,

B2’s incidental striking of the backboard is not a violation, and A1 cannot be awarded the basket (NFHS

4-6, 4-22, 10-4-4b, 10.4.4).

Day 16- Alternating-Possession

PLAY Team A has the alternating-possession arrow in its favor. Following a held ball, the officials mistakenly

award the ball to team B for the throw-in. Team A is playing excellent defense during the throw-in and

thrower-in B1 is having trouble completing the throw-in. Right before the administering official reaches

the five-second count, B1 calls for and is granted a timeout. During the timeout, the officials realize

team A should have received the alternating-possession throw-in. Who shall receive the throw-in

following the timeout?

RULING

A throw-in mistake of awarding the throw-in to the wrong team can be corrected up until the throw-in

has ended. The throw-in does not end until the passed ball is legally touched by another player and B1

called a timeout before team B’s throw-in ended. Therefore, the mistake shall be rectified and team A

shall receive the throw-in after the timeout has ended (NFHS 4-42-5, 7-6-6).

Day 15- Crossing Free Throw Lane

PLAY Team A is down two points with four seconds remaining in the game. A1 is shooting the second of two

free throws, and is going to intentionally miss in an attempt to get an offensive rebound and score a

field goal to tie the game. A1 throws the ball toward the backboard and basket, and the ball first hits the

backboard, then strikes the rim, and bounces off the rim for an unsuccessful try. After releasing the ball

on the free-throw try, A1 ran across the free-throw line after the ball struck the backboard, but before

the ball touched the rim. A1 successfully retrieved the rebound of the unsuccessful try. Did A1 violate?

RULING In NFHS, the free-thrower shall not have either foot beyond the vertical plane of the edge of the free-

throw line which is farther from the basket until the ball touches the ring. A1 has violated, and team B

shall receive a throw-in on the endline (9-1-3e Pen. 1.a).

Day 14- Throw Off the Backboard

PLAY A1 drives toward team A’s basket, picks up the dribble, and throws the ball against team A’s backboard.

A1 then takes two steps, jumps, catches the ball after it has banked off the backboard, and proceeds to

lay the ball into the basket while still airborne. Is this play legal?

RULING Yes. Throwing the ball off the opponent’s backboard is considered a dribble, but that is not the case

when throwing the ball off your own backboard. A1 can use its team’s backboard in this manner, and it

does not result in a double dribble, travel or any other kind of violation. The goal is counted (NFHS 4-4-5,

4-15-1, 4.15.1C).

Day 13- Faking During Free Throw

PLAY During A1’s second attempt of two free throws, A4, in a marked lane space, purposely fakes entering the

lane in an attempt to cause a team B player to violate. Nobody from either team steps in the lane. A1

shoots the second free throw and it is successful. Has any violation occurred?

RULING In NFHS, a purposeful fake by a teammate of the free-thrower is a violation regardless whether anyone

steps into the lane. The purposeful fake by A1 results in a violation, the free-throw attempt is canceled,

and team B is awarded a throw-in on the endline (NFHS 9-1-3b Pen. 1).

Day 12- Stepping Across Boundary Line

PLAY Team A scores, and B1 grabs the ball and steps out of bounds to begin team B’s throw-in anywhere

along the endline. A2 is inbounds standing in front of B1 and is defending the throw-in. While A2 is

aggressively waving his or her arms and jumping around while defending the throw-in, and before B1

releases the ball, A2 accidentally steps out of bounds, but does not make contact with the ball or with

B1. What is the result?

RULING In NFHS, opponents of the thrower-in shall not have any part of their person beyond the vertical inside

plane of the boundary line before the ball has crossed that boundary line. The result is a violation, and

team B shall receive another throw-in. A team warning for delay shall be given to the offending team

and reported to the scorer (NFHS 9-2-10).

Day 11- Goal or Not

PLAY A1 steals the ball from B2 and has a break-away scoring chance. As A1 approaches the basket, A1

attempts to dunk the ball, but after the ball passes through the ring, it gets caught up in the net and

pops back out through the ring. At no time did the ball pass through the net, nor did any player make

contact with the ball to cause it to be propelled back out of the basket. Does the goal count?

RULING A goal is made when the ball enters the basket from above and remains in or passes through the basket.

The basket includes the ring, its flange and braces, and the net. Since the ball did not pass through nor

remain in the net, the goal shall not count, and play shall resume uninterrupted (NFHS 1-10-1, 5-1-1).

Day 10- Re-Entering Substitute

PLAY With 45.2 seconds remaining in the game, B1 commits a traveling violation. Team A’s head coach sends

in A6 to substitute for A2, and the officials complete the substitution. During team A’s throw-in, team A

is unable to inbound the ball within five seconds and is assessed a throw-in violation. Team A’s head

coach wishes to substitute A2 back into the game for player A3, but the officials correctly do not allow

the substitution. Team A calls a timeout. May A2 now enter the game since team A was granted a

timeout?

RULING A player who has been replaced by a substitute may re-enter the game at the next opportunity to

substitute, provided the game clock has properly started after the player had been replaced. Regardless

whether or not team A is granted a timeout, the clock must run, and therefore, A2 is not allowed to

enter the game until the clock has properly started (NFHS 3-3-4).

Day 9- Taped Wrists

PLAY Team A is wearing blue uniforms with gold trim. During pregame warmups, the officials notice A1 has

red pre-wrap around one wrist with white athletic tape wrapped around it. Additionally, there is writing

on the athletic tape that says, (a) “34,” which is A1’s number, or (b) “Go Bobcats,” which is in reference

to team A’s mascot. Are the pre-wrap, athletic tape and writing legal?

RULING The rules do not specifically address the color of pre-wrap around a team member’s wrist, or writing of

any sort that exists upon athletic tape. Therefore, as long as the writing is not offensive or otherwise

unsporting, the wrapped wrists with writing shall be allowed (NFHS 3-5).

Day 8- Interfering with the Ball After a Goal

PLAY Following a made goal by team A in the first half, A1 slaps the ball away so that team B is not able to

make a throw-in immediately after the goal. The nearest official blows the whistle and issues a delay-of-

game warning against team A for interfering with the ball after a goal. Later in the game, following

another made goal by team A, A2 slaps the ball away to allow team A to set up a full-court press. What is

the result?

RULING A repeated delay by interfering with the ball after a goal results in a technical foul. In NFHS, a team

technical shall be assessed (4-47-3, 10-2-1e, 10.2.1D).

Day 7- Saving Ball Back Inbounds

PLAY A1 makes an errant pass toward A2, and the ball sails well over A2’s head and is heading out of bounds. A2 runs

toward the ball, leaps from inbounds, grabs the ball while airborne, and throws it back onto the court inbounds. A2

lands out of bounds, re-enters the playing court, and A2 is the first to the ball and (a) grabs and holds it, or (b)

dribbles it. Has A2 violated in either scenario?

RULING The play is legal in both cases. When A2 secured the ball in the air after jumping from inbounds, he or she remains

inbounds while airborne, and throwing the ball to the floor starts a dribble. After A2 legally returned to the floor,

the player may grab the ball to end the dribble as in (a), or continue the dribble as in (b). Furthermore, this play is

not an example of a violation where a player steps out of bounds for an unauthorized reason as A2 did not

intentionally step out of bounds to gain an advantage (NFHS 4-15-1, 9-3-3]).

Day 6- Correctable Error

PLAY A1 is fouled by B2 while dribbling the ball prior to team A being in the bonus. The officials erroneously award A1

bonus free throws for B2’s personal foul. A1 makes both free throws. Team B completes the subsequent throw-in,

B3 dribbles the ball into team B’s frontcourt, and B3 is fouled by A4. Team B is in the bonus. During this dead ball,

the officials realize A1 should have never received free throws for B2’s personal foul. Can this error be corrected?

RULING Awarding unmerited free throws is a correctable error. When such an error occurs, it must be recognized and

corrected by an official during the first dead ball after the game clock has properly started. The clock properly

started after team B completed the throw-in following A1’s successful free throws, and A4’s foul created the first

dead ball following the starting of the clock. Therefore, the officials are within the timeframe to correct the error.

When the error is for unmerited free throws, the free throws and all activity during it, except for intentional,

flagrant and technical fouls shall be canceled. Thus, A1’s two successful free throws are canceled. Time consumed

and additional activity that occurred before the recognition of the error shall not be nullified. Thus, since A4’s

personal foul did not occur during A1’s unmerited free throws, but instead occurred afterward and prior to the

recognition of the error, A4’s foul shall not be canceled. When the error is corrected, play shall resume at the point

of interruption to correct the error, which would be B3’s bonus free throws (NFHS 2-10-1b, 2-10-2, 2-10-4, 2-10-5,

2-10-6).

Day 5- Thrown-in Awarded to Wrong Team

PLAY A1 is called for a traveling violation near the division line, and team A’s head coach requests and is granted a

timeout. Following the timeout, the officials mistakenly award the throw-in to team A. The officials realize the

mistake (a) while thrower-in A1 is holding the ball, (b) while the thrown ball is in the air, but prior to it being

touched inbounds, or (c) after the thrown ball has been caught inbounds by A2. Can the mistake be rectified?

RULING The mistake of awarding a throw-in to the wrong team can be rectified at any time before the throw-in ends. In (a)

and (b), the throw-in has not ended, and the official shall blow the whistle and correct the mistake by

administering a throw-in to team B. In (c), when A2 touched the ball, the throw-in ended, and the mistake cannot

be corrected. The officials shall allow play to continue (NFHS 7-6-6, 7.6.6).

Day 4- Ball Entering Basket From Below

PLAY A1 attempts to pass the ball to a teammate who is in the lane area in team A’s frontcourt. Post player (a)

A4, or (b) B5, who is very near the basket, inadvertently deflects the thrown ball upward such that it

cleanly enters and passes through the basket and cylinder from below. The ball is caught by A2 after it

passed through the cylinder and returned to the floor. Has any infraction occurred?

RULING

It is a violation for a player to cause the ball to pass through the basket and the cylinder from below. In

(a), a violation shall be called on A4 as A4 last touched the ball and thus caused it to pass through the

basket from below. Team B shall receive a designated-spot throw-in at the spot nearest the violation. In

(b), the violation is on B5 for causing the ball to pass through the basket from below, and team A shall

receive the designated-spot throw-in nearest the violation (NFHS 7-4-1, 9-4, 9.4; NCAA M/W 7-3.1.a, 9-

6.1).

Day 3- Disqualified Player

PLAY A1 is fouled during an unsuccessful try. After the whistle, A1 taunts B2 and is assessed a technical foul.

The foul is A1’s fifth, and he or she is disqualified, but the scorer does not make the officials aware of

A1’s disqualification. After A1 has attempted both free throws for being fouled during the unsuccessful

try, and both attempts were successful, the officials are notified of A1’s disqualification. Is this a

correctable error, and shall the free throws be canceled?

RULING This is not a correctable error situation. When the officials are not notified of a player’s disqualification,

all points scored by A1 or any other player and time consumed are not nullified. A1’s free throws shall

count, and A1 shall be replaced upon notice of the disqualification (NFHS 4-14, 4.14.1D).

Day 2- Teammate Catching Throw-in Across Boundary

PLAY

A1 is holding the ball for a throw-in along the endline in team A’s frontcourt. A2 is closely guarded by B3,

and cuts toward the endline on the opposite side of the lane in an attempt to receive the throw-in pass.

A2 gets to the endline, and A1 releases the throw-in pass to A2. The ball is in flight on the out-of-bounds

side of the boundary line, A2 reaches through the boundary line with his or her arms, and catches the

ball prior to it ever crossing the boundary line. Is A2’s catch of the throw-in legal given the ball never

crossed the boundary line and was caught on the out-of-bounds side of the boundary line?

RULING In NFHS, the thrown ball shall not be touched by a teammate of the thrower while the ball is on the out-

of-bounds side of the throw-in boundary line. When A2 caught the ball on the out-of-bounds side of the

endline, the result is a throw-in violation by team A (9-2-3).

Day 1- Throw-in Violation

PLAY

A1 has the ball for a designated-spot throw-in along the endline in team A’s frontcourt. A2 breaks to the

ball and becomes open near the endline on the opposite side of the free-throw lane from A1. A1 makes

a bounce pass toward A2. A1’s pass bounces on the endline prior to A2 catching it. Is this throw-in legal?

RULING

The thrower-in shall pass the ball directly into the playing court so that it touches another player who is

on the playing court. When A1’s throw-in first touched the endline, it was not passed directly into the

playing court, and the result is a throw-in violation by A1 (NFHS 9-2-2).