Clear Lake Falconhoops

 This section presents:

1. a summary of the 2010-11 rules changes

2. major editorial changes

3. comments on the rules revisions, and

4. points of emphasis.

It is important to read all sections to fully understand the revisions to the rules.

  

2010-11 NFHS BASKETBALL RULES CHANGES

2-8-5; 3-3-8 Changed the guidelines and procedures for identifying and removing a player who exhibits
signs, symptoms and/or behaviors consistent with a concussion.

3-5-3a  The list of permissible headband and wristband colors was changed to include any single solid
school color.

10-3-6i; 10-5-5  Specific rules were added to address the unsporting acts of a player leaving the playing court
for an unauthorized reason to demonstrate resentment, disgust or intimidation and team
members leaving the bench area and/or playing court for an unauthorized reason.

 

2010-11 MAJOR EDITORIAL CHANGES

3-3-1a NOTE;  4-34-2

Clarified that when a substitute is not properly reported, the players in the game at the
conclusion of the quarter/when the time-out was granted shall begin play for the new
quarter/after the time-out. During an intermission, all team members are bench personnel for
the purpose of penalizing unsporting behavior.

3-4-2d  Clarified that a school or conference logo/mascot may be located at the apex/opening of the
neckline, in the corresponding area on the back of the jersey and/or in the either side insert.

3-5-2  Clarified the requirements for guards, casts and braces and that a protective face mask shall be
worn molded to the face.

4-4-7d  Clarified that the ball is at the disposal of a player when it is available after a goal and the
official begins the throw-in count.

7-6-6  Clarified that when the ball is awarded to the wrong team, the mistake must be rectified
before the throw-in ends.

 

 COMMENTS ON THE 2010-11 RULES REVISIONS

CONCUSSION PROCEDURE REVISED (2-8-5; 3-3-8): Any player who exhibits signs, symptoms or
behaviors consistent with a concussion must be immediately removed from the game and shall
not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional. The previous rule
directed officials to remove an athlete from play if “unconscious or apparently unconscious.”
The previous rule also allowed for return to play based on written authorization by a medical
doctor. The new rule requires that any player who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors
consistent with a concussion, such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion or
balance problems, shall be immediately removed from play and shall not return until cleared by
an appropriate health-care professional. Officials, coaches and administrators should be looking
for signs of concussion in all athletes and should immediately remove any suspected concussed
athlete from play and make every effort to ensure a concussed athlete does not continue to
participate.

LIST OF LEGAL HEAD/WRISTBAND COLORS EXPANDED (3-5-3a): In 2008-09 the rules stated
headbands and wristbands must be a single solid color of white, black, beige or a color similar
to the torso of the jersey. The rule has been revised to state that headbands and wristbands
shall be white, black, beige or a single solid school color, provided all team members are
wearing the same color for each item for all participants. This rule change will now allow team
members to wear headbands and wristbands of school colors.

 

PLAYERS AND TEAM MEMBERS REQUIRED TO REMAIN ON THE COURT/IN THE BENCH AREA
WHILE THE GAME IS IN PROGRESS (10-3-6i; 10-5-5): A player leaving the court for an
unauthorized reason to demonstrate resentment, disgust or intimidation will be added to the
list of unsporting behaviors by a player with a technical foul penalty assessed. The committee
hopes this rules change will further reduce the likelihood of individual players demonstrating
unsporting behavior. In addition, a similar rule will be added requiring team members to
remain on the court and in the bench area while the game is in progress until each quarter or
extra period has officially ended. This includes free-throw attempts by an opponent with no
time remaining on the clock. Since the Head Coach is ultimately responsible for the conduct of
all team members, the penalty will be a technical foul assessed directly to the Head Coach.

2010-11 POINTS OF EMPHASIS

1. Rules Enforcement
2. Sportsmanship
3. Perimeter Play
4. Closely-guarded Situations
5. Principle of Verticality

1. RULES ENFORCEMENT. There appears to be continued movement away from consistent
enforcement of NFHS playing rules. Personal interpretations of the rules by individual
officials have a negative impact on the game. The rules are written to provide a balance
between offense and defense, minimize risk to participants, promote the sound
tradition of the game and promote fair play. Individual philosophies and deviations from
the rules as they are written and interpreted by the NFHS, negatively impact the basic
tenets and fundamentals of the game. Illegal tactics that are permitted – are promoted.
When officials allow players to use illegal tactics without penalty, the behavior is
condoned and consequently encouraged. When officials consistently enforce the playing
rules as intended, players and coaches are able to make the proper adjustments –
promoting skill development and a level playing field.

2. SPORTING BEHAVIOR. Teams entering the gymnasium prior to the contest should not
run through the area occupied by the opposing team or under the basket where
opponents are warming up. Teams should only enter, jog and warm up on their half of
the court. Gatherings intended to motivate a team after the warm-up period, during or
following player introductions and post-game celebrations should be performed in the
area directly in front of the team bench. If during the pre-game or half-time warm-up
period one team leaves the floor, the other team may not use the entire court; teams
may only warm up on their half of the court. Only authorized personnel (cheerleaders,
athletic trainers, managers, administrators, etc.) should be permitted on the floor; all
spectators should be in designated areas.

3. PERIMETER PLAY. Two illegal actions are taking place on the perimeter of the court that
are particularly problematic. First, defensive players are illegally using their hands to
“check” the ball handler/dribbler. Secondly, offensive players are palming the ball to
elude the defender. Both of these illegal tactics are going uncalled, which in turn,
promotes further illegal actions (see Point of Emphasis #1).
A. Hand checking.
1) Hand checking is any tactic using the hands or arms that allows a player, on
offense or defense, to control (hold, impede, push, divert, slow or prevent) the
movement of an opposing player.
2) Hand checking is a foul and is not incidental contact.
3) Defensive players shall not have hand(s) on the offensive player. When a player
has a hand on, two hands on or jabs a hand or forearm on an opponent, it is a
foul.
4) When a player contacts an opponent with his or her hands as an aid in starting,
stopping, driving around, defending a screen, controlling or anticipating the opponent’s next move, it is a foul. Players may not place their hands on an
opponent with or without the ball.

5) Much of the roughness in the interscholastic game today is a direct result of not
assessing the proper penalty when illegal contact with the hand(s) occurs.

B. Palming.
1) When the hand is in contact with the ball and the palm of the hand is beyond the
perpendicular position (more than a handshake), tilted in a skyward position so
the ball has come to rest on the hand, the dribble has ended.
2) When the player then pushes the ball to the floor, he or she is starting another
dribble (illegal dribble), which is a violation.

4. CLOSELY-GUARDED SITUATIONS. Well officiated closely-guarded situations provide for
better balance between offense and defense. When closely-guarded rules are not
followed, there is a significant advantage for the offense. The following areas are to be
emphasized:
A. Rule basics. A closely-guarded situation occurs when a player in control of the ball in
his or her team’s frontcourt, is guarded by an opponent who is within 6 feet of the
player who is holding or dribbling the ball; the defensive player must obtain a legal
guarding position. A player shall not hold the ball for five seconds or dribble the ball
for five seconds while closely guarded in his or her frontcourt. A player can legally
hold the ball while closely guarded for four seconds, dribble the ball for four seconds
and hold the ball again for four seconds before violating.

B. Measuring 6 feet. Officials must define and have a clear image of the 6-foot
guarding distance necessary. Too frequently, officials require the defensive player to
be within 3 to 4 feet prior to the count being initiated. Good visual examples of this
distance can be found on the court as: the distance between the free-throw line and
the top of the semi-circle; from the division line to the jump circle; two adjacent
marked lane spaces. Failure to properly judge the 6-foot distance and require the
defender to be within 3 or 4 feet of the dribbler before beginning the count puts the
defensive player in an unfair position.

C. Ending the count. A closely-guarded count ends when no defensive player is within
6 feet. The count also stops when a closely-guarded player: completes a dribble
anywhere in the team’s own frontcourt; starts a dribble in the team’s own
frontcourt and ends it anywhere in the frontcourt (a new five-second count will start
if the player holds the ball); loses possession of the ball for any reason in the team’s
own frontcourt; or has his or her dribble interrupted. If a closely-guarded player
beats the defender(s) by getting head and shoulders past the defensive player, the
count has ended.

D. Multiple defenders. The count should continue even if there is a defensive switch,
provided the 6-foot distance is maintained. There is no requirement for the
defensive player to remain the same during the count as long as the offensive player
is closely guarded throughout.

E. Counting mechanics. The official begins a visible count when the 6-foot distance is
established and must switch arms when going directly from one counting situation
to another.

5. PRINCIPLE OF VERTICALITY. The committee is concerned that the principle of verticality
is not being applied consistently, especially in situations that involve blocked shots.
Verticality applies to a legal position. The following are the basic components of the
principle of verticality:
A. Legal guarding must be obtained initially and movement thereafter must be legal.
B. For this position, the defender may rise or jump vertically and occupy the space
within his or her vertical plane.
C. The hands and arms of the defender may be raised within his/her vertical plane
while on the floor or in the air.
D. The defender should not be penalized for leaving the floor vertically or having
his/her hands and arms extended within his or her vertical plane.
E. The offensive player, whether on the floor or airborne, may not “clear out” or cause
contact within the defender’s vertical plane; this is a foul.
F. The defender may not “belly up” or use the lower part of the body or arms to cause
contact outside his or her vertical plane; this is a foul.
G. The player with the ball is to be given no more protection or consideration than the
defender in judging which player has violated the rules.
H. Misunderstanding of this rule generally results in the defensive player being charged
with a foul when actually his or her vertical plane has likely been violated.

 

UIL/Texas Exceptions to NFHS Rules (applies to officials) 

Six-foot coaching box centered on either the first or second seat nearest the division line (Sub-Varsity and Middle School Coaches Only).

1. Foul reporting area:  Clear the players and go above the free throw line extended outside the 3 point line.   (Both 2 & 3 person)
2. Lead official administers sideline throw-ins below the free throw line extended on either side of the court. Lead official has count and chop to start the clock. Trail will mirror (chop) all throw-ins administered by the Lead official. (2 person)
3. Officials should only switch on shooting fouls and the calling official will go table side.  If calling official is already on table side their will be no switch. (2 person)
4. Time out procedure in both 2 & 3 person during a 30 second time out, go to the top of the 3 point circle.  On full time outs go to free throw lane blocks opposite the bench area.  In 3 person one official stays with the in bounds spot or at the end line that free throws will be taken.  In 2 person put the ball on the floor at in bound spot or on the free throw line if free throws are going to be attempted.