NCAA Women s Basketball RULE INTERPRETATIONS, CLARIFICATIONS & CASE PLAYS As of 2/11/10

2009-10 NCAA Women s Basketball RULE INTERPRETATIONS, CLARIFICATIONS & CASE PLAYS As of 2/11/10 Prepared by Debbie Williamson, Women s Secretary-Rules Editor 2/11/10 Courtside Monitor (2-13.6) The time frame for penalizing a contact flagrant foul that was not observed by officials spans any intermission. When the officials fail to observe a contact flagrant foul at the end of a period and time expires for that period, the foul, with the use of the monitor, may be penalized before the start of the next period when the prescribed time frame to penalize the foul has not been exceeded (2-13.6). In this case, only a contact flagrant foul which leads to ejection shall be penalized. An intentional personal foul (live ball) or a player/substitute technical foul for dead ball contact shall not be penalized in this situation. When it is determined that a contact flagrant foul did occur within the prescribed time frame, two free throws shall be awarded to the offended team and play shall be resumed where the stoppage occurred to review the act. When the contact flagrant foul is discovered before the start of the second half, the second half shall begin with a throw-in to the offended team at the division line opposite the scorers table. This is not an alternating possession throw-in so the team that controlled the alternating possession arrow for the second half shall retain that privilege. When the contact flagrant foul is discovered before an extra period is to begin, the offended team shall be awarded two free throws and the extra period shall begin with the jump ball.. 2/11/10 Correctable error of erroneously counting a basket (Rule 2-12.1.e; A.R. 26) Approved Ruling 26 is a case play in which the official timer provides information to the referee that the shot clock horn sounded before A1 scored a field goal. According to Rule 2-7.6, the officials can use information provided by the official timer to correct errors and mistakes (within the prescribed time frames). In some cases, the official timer may be the only official that has information that can correct an error or mistake and they are instructed to bring that information to the attention of the referee (Rule 2-12.6; 2-10.6). This is similar to other situations in which a fellow official provides another with information and the official chooses to use it to change his/her original call. In this case play, there was no doubt to the official timer that the horn had sounded before the try was released and that the officials erroneously counted the basket. When they consulted with the timer, they were not trying to determine IF a shot clock violation occurred because the official timer KNEW it had occurred. The referee chose to use the knowledge that a shot clock violation did occur so the basket could not count. The sharing of this information could have occurred by an official on the floor and the subsequent basket would have been canceled as well. This is commonly done immediately by an official on the floor, but the official timer is instructed to wait until the ball becomes dead before using the game clock horn to notify officials (2-10.13; 2-12.6). Under current rule, the information provided by the timer that the try was released after the shot clock horn sounded cannot be gathered from the monitor (Rule 2-13.7.d). The determination of whether a shot was released before the sounding of the shot clock horn is solely within the judgment

of the official(s), and the rule is clear that officials are instructed to judge for themselves, without the use of the monitor, whether a shot clock violation occurred (2-13.7.d). The result of that judgment decision determines whether or not a basket was erroneously counted or canceled. The only exception to this rule can be found is when there are zeros on the game clock (Rule 2-13.3.b). It is no mistake that the current rules only permit a monitor review for a shot clock violation when there is a reading of zeros on the game clock regardless of baskets counted/not counted during the course of the game. Lastly, please note the difference between the error of erroneously counting or canceling a basket (2-13.2.b.3) and a missed violation that results in a basket. This case play is not intended to imply that every basket that results from a missed violation can be considered the correctable error of erroneously counting a basket (2-12). Not hearing the horn is not a correctable error. What is correctable is that when we hear the horn, or receive information FROM ANOTHER OFFICAL that tells us the horn DID sound before the release and we DID score the basket anyway. The correctable error of erroneously counting a basket occurs when AFTER we determine a violation occurred, a basket that cannot be scored by rule was scored. The reverse cannot be said. In other words, officials cannot look to see IF a shot clock violation occurred (Rule 2-13.7.d) in order to determine IF a score was erroneously counted. The Note in 2-12.e reinforces this principle and states that erroneously counting or canceling a basket does not involve an error in judgment. What must be noted is that a missed violation that results in a basket is not the equivalent of the correctable error of erroneously counting a score. Examples of erroneously counting a score: 1. Official calls basket interference on the offense but erroneously scores the basket. 2. Official calls a travel, the shooter continues her motion after the whistle, the ball goes through the basket and the official erroneously scores the basket. 3. Official determines that the ball was NOT released after the sounding of the shot clock horn, but erroneously scores the basket. Examples of what is NOT erroneously counting a score: 1. An error in judgment in which an official does not call a violation or a foul and a basket results. 2/11/10 Substitutions (Rule 3-4.2) When the signal sounds to end any period, all players and substitutes become bench personnel and remain so until they become 'players' or 'substitutes' again (Rules 4-8, 4-51, 4-64). The only time a player must retain player status is during timeouts (Rule 4-51) and when they are a free thrower or designated jumper (Rule 3-4.9). Players do not retain player status during intermission and therefore are not required to begin the second period. Substitutes, team members who wish to become a player, between halves are to report to the official scorer before the final horn that ends intermission (4-64; 3-4.2). When they do not report, there is no penalty. Please note that there is no rule support for requiring that the five players that finished the first period be the same five players that begin the second half. Any five players who report to the scorer can begin the second period. 1/25/10- Pink Zone Similar to last year, the following items have been approved, provided they conform to all other uniform and equipment standards as referenced in NCAA Rules 1-15 and 3-7 of the 2010 NCAA Men s and Women s Basketball Rules Interpretations.

Pink Headbands/Wristbands. During the Pink Zone, February 12-21, 2010, the rule requiring headbands and wristbands to be the predominant color of the jersey, white, black or beige shall be expanded to include pink. The rule requiring each team member to be uniform in color shall be maintained and enforced. Teams must comply with all other headband and wristband rules as stated in Rule 3-7. Pink Uniforms. Regardless of color, the game jerseys are to be contrasting in color, so both teams are not permitted to wear predominantly pink jerseys. In addition, the home team is required to wear light game jerseys and the visiting team is required to wear dark game jerseys unless otherwise agreed upon by competing institutions. Pink Shooting Shirts/Socks/Shoelaces. Pink shooting shirts and socks are permitted, provided they bear only one manufacturer or distributor s logo, label or trademark. Pink shoelaces are permitted. The following items are NOT approved: Game Ball. Pink game balls may not be used; however, a ball with an embossed pink ribbon may be used as long as the game ball conforms to Rule 1-15. Pink Nets. Pink nets are not permitted. 1/25/10 Courtside Monitor- Timer s Mistake (2-13.2.c.2) and shot clock violation (2-13.7.d) Play 1- Team A begins a throw-in with 20 seconds remaining in the game and 2 seconds remaining on the shot clock. The throw-in is completed and A2 releases a try for goal. The try is successful and the game clock erroneously continues to run. The officials recognize this timer s mistake and stop play. During this stoppage in play, the officials decide that they will review the monitor to correct the timer s mistake and to determine if the shot was released before the sounding of the shot clock horn since the horn could not be heard above the crowd noise. Ruling 1- The officials are permitted to review the monitor to correct the timer s mistake (2-13.2.c.2). The officials are not permitted to review the monitor to determine if the shot was released before the sounding of the shot clock horn in this play (2-13.7.d). The only time the monitor can be reviewed to determine whether a shot clock violation occurred is when there are zeros on the clock (2-13.3.b). Officials are permitted to review the monitor to determine whether the shot clock failed to properly start, stop, set, or reset or that the shot clock malfunctioned. However, when it is determined that there was no timing mistake or malfunction with the shot clock, officials cannot review the monitor to determine if the shot was released before the sounding of the shot clock horn just because they could not hear the horn. According to A.R. 26, the official timer can provide information to the referee as to whether the shot clock horn sounded before the release of the try when the shot clock horn cannot be heard. Rule 2-7.6 instructs officials to use table officials to correct errors or mistakes within the prescribed time frame(s). However, it is the official s judgment to determine whether to use the information provided by table officials (A.R. 26). 12/18/09 Courtside Monitor Reviewing a flagrant foul (Rule 2-13.2.d) Please see 11/18/09 Courtside Monitor Reviewing a flagrant foul (Rule 2-13.2.d) Play 1 A called flagrant personal foul from the posted interpretations in 11/18/09 to confirm that once a flagrant foul is determined there can be no review of the monitor to verify/review that call. In Play 1 from the posted interpretations in 11/18/09, a flagrant fouled is assessed and while reviewing the monitor to see IF ANOTHER contact flagrant foul occurred, it is discovered that the flagrant foul that was assessed was not a foul at all. This is not a downgrade of a foul. There was not a foul to downgrade because the player was contacted by her teammate.

Play 1 A called flagrant personal foul: The official calls a flagrant foul for contact on A1. While reviewing the monitor to determine IF ANOTHER contact flagrant foul occurred, the officials observe the called flagrant foul on A1 and want to downgrade it to an intentional personal foul. Ruling 1: This foul cannot be downgraded. The intent of Rule 2-13.2.d is not to use the monitor to verify an already determined foul. Rule 2-13.2.d specifically states that the monitor can be used to determine IF a contact flagrant foul occurred. When officials determine that a contact flagrant foul DID occur, then the call stands and that flagrant foul cannot be downgraded. When officials are not sure IF a contact flagrant foul occurred, they are permitted to use the monitor to determine If the contact foul (observed or not observed) was flagrant. Per Rule 2-13.2.d, officials are reviewing the monitor to determine IF a contact flagrant foul occurred and when it is determined that a contact flagrant foul did not occur but an intentional personal or a player-substitute technical foul for dead ball contact did occur, those fouls shall be penalized accordingly. The key is to review the monitor to determine if the foul is flagrant because once it is determined to be flagrant, it cannot be reviewed or downgraded. 12/18/09 (Rule 2-13.6) This rule addresses the foul that was not observed and the time frame for penalizing the foul. The intent of this rule is to reflect Rule 2-13.2.d in the case when a foul was not observed. Therefore, when officials failed to observe a foul and have reason to believe that a contact flagrant foul may have occurred, they can use the monitor to review that foul. When upon review they find that a contact flagrant foul did not occur, but an intentional personal or a player-substitute technical foul for dead ball contact did occur, those fouls shall be penalized accordingly per 2-13.2.d. 12/18/09 (Rule 6-1.4) Editorial changes were made to Rule 6-1.4 to indicate when the ball becomes live. The intent of the editorial change was to address when the ball becomes live on a throw-in after a made basket so an editorial change was also made to the definition of Disposal in Rule 4-19. However, the editorial changes to Rule 6-1.4 seems to have caused some confusion. Therefore, to reflect the intent of the rule, it is necessary to rephrase Rule 6-1.4 as follows: The ball becomes live when: a. On a jump ball, the ball leaves the official s hand. b. On a throw-in, the ball is at the disposal of the thrower-in (See Rule 4-19). c. On a free throw, the ball is at the disposal of the free-thrower. The key to determining when the ball becomes live on a throw-in or free throw is the determination of when the ball is at the disposal of a player. The editorial changes to Rule 4-19 do reflect the intent of the rule that the ball becomes live when (a) the ball is handed to a thrower-in or free-thrower, (b) caught by a thrower-in or free-thrower after it is bounced to her, or (c) placed at a spot on the floor regardless of whether or not the official begins his/her count. Beginning a count will certainly communicate to others that the ball is live, but the count is not necessary for the ball to become live in these three cases. However, the official beginning a throw-in count when the ball becomes available to a player after a goal is necessary to indicate that the ball is live. To reiterate, when the ball becomes available to a player after a goal, the official s throw-in count shall indicate when the ball becomes live. 12/18/09 (Rule 10-2.2) When both teams fail to supply the scorer with names and numbers by the 10-minute mark before the start of the game, they have each violated Rule 10-2.2.a. If both teams make changes to the book

after the 10-minute mark on the game clock before the start of the game and until the game ends, they have each violated 10-2.2.b. The penalty for violating 10-2.2.a is an administrative technical foul. In addition, the penalty for violating 10-2.2.b is an administrative technical foul. When both teams violate these rules, these fouls are not offsetting even if the rules are violated by both teams before the start of the game. The team that violates the rule shall be assessed the appropriate penalty. Play 1: Administrative technical fouls: Both Team A and Team B fail to supply the scorers with the names and numbers of team members and the designated starters before the 10-minute mark is reached on the game clock counting down the time before the start of the game. Ruling 1: An administrative technical foul shall be assessed to both Team A and Team B. These technical fouls are not offsetting. There are no double technical fouls in Rule 10-2. The game shall begin with Team A shooting two free throws. Following the free throws by Team A, Team B will shoot two free throws. Play shall resume with the jump ball. 11/18/09 Equipment (Rule 1) The Playing Rules Oversight Panel (PROP) has delayed the requirement for NCAA Division III institutions to be required to have a red light placed behind each backboard or LED lights placed around each backboard, game clocks that show 10ths-of-a-second display, and shot clocks recessed and mounted behind each backboard until the 2011-12 season. 11/18/09 Courtside Monitor Reviewing a flagrant foul (Rule 2-13. 2.d) Play 1 A called flagrant personal foul: Several players are trying to gain possession of a ball rolling on the floor. During this scramble for the ball, A1 is contacted in the face and begins to bleed. The official charges B1 with a flagrant personal foul for this contact on A1. (a) The officials decide to review the monitor to determine if the called flagrant personal foul on B1 is indeed a flagrant foul or if it could be downgraded to an intentional personal foul. (b) The officials decide to review the monitor to determine if any OTHER flagrant foul occurred during this scramble for the ball. Ruling 1: (a) The officials are not permitted to use the monitor solely to review or verify the foul that they have already determined to be a flagrant personal foul. When officials call a foul for contact they have until the ball becomes live to review that foul to determine if that foul was flagrant (2-13.2.d.1). The intent of this rule is the review of a contact foul to determine IF the foul is flagrant so when the official calls a flagrant foul, then the official has already made this determination and this rule is not applicable. Officials must be certain that a foul is flagrant because once a flagrant foul has been called it cannot be reviewed. However, when officials are not sure whether the foul was a contact flagrant foul, the monitor has been made available for officials to review the severity of the foul they called. (b) Officials are permitted to review the monitor to determine if a contact flagrant foul occurred (2-13.2.d). Upon review of the monitor, it is discovered that A1 was actually contacted in the face by her own teammate and not by B1 who was erroneously charged with a flagrant foul. Since the officials were reviewing the monitor for a reason permitted by rule and since certain fouls are permitted to be changed upon review in order to accurately charge flagrant fouls, the officials are permitted to reverse this call since B1 did not commit a flagrant foul. The officials did not use the monitor solely to review/verify the called flagrant foul, but while reviewing the monitor to see whether an additional flagrant foul may have occurred they discovered that A1 was not fouled, by definition. Keep in mind that there are many facets of the game that may not be reviewed and/or penalized with the use of

the monitor, but when rule permits the use of the monitor then all rules and penalties that apply to the monitor use may be enforced. Play 2 A flagrant foul not observed by the officials: After Player A1 releases her try for goal and the ball is in flight, she flagrantly fouls her defender, B1, and the officials fail to observe this flagrant act. The try subsequently contacts the rim and careens out of bounds. The official blows his/her whistle for this out of bounds violation and the clock is properly stopped. (a) At this time the official notices that B1 is injured and chooses to review the monitor to determine if a flagrant foul may have occurred. (b) Following the out of bounds violation, player B3 is awarded the ball for a throw-in. After the throw-in is completed, the officials notice that B1 is injured and play is stopped to attend to B1. During this stoppage in play, the officials choose to review the monitor to determine if a flagrant foul may have occurred. Ruling 2: The officials are permitted to use the monitor to determine if a contact flagrant foul occurred (2-13.2.d). (a) The officials use the monitor to review play to see if a contact flagrant foul occurred. The officials review the game on the monitor until they discover that A1 flagrantly fouled B1 while the game clock was running. After they discover the flagrant personal foul, they continue to review the game from the flagrant foul forward to determine whether or not they are within the time frame to be able to penalize this flagrant act. Following the flagrant act, the officials determine that the clock was properly stopped for an out of bounds violation. This out of bounds violation created the first dead ball period after the act. The monitor review is being conducted during this same dead ball period. Since the officials discover the flagrant foul during this first dead ball period, then they are permitted to penalize the act according to Rule 2-13.6.b.1. Player A1 is charged with fighting, ejected and subject to suspension. Player B1 is awarded two free throws and the play is resumed with a throw-in to the offended team at a designated spot where play was stopped to review the monitor which is where the out of bounds violation occurred. (b) The officials use the monitor to review play to see if a contact flagrant foul occurred. The officials review the game on the monitor until they discover that A1 flagrantly fouled B1 while the game clock was running. After they discover the flagrant personal foul, they continue to review the game from the flagrant personal foul forward to determine whether or not they are within the time frame to be able to penalize this flagrant act. Following the flagrant act, the officials determine that the clock was properly stopped for an out of bounds violation. This out of bounds violation created the first dead ball period after the act. As they continue to view play, they recognize that the ball was awarded to Team B for a throw-in following the out of bounds violation, thus ending the first dead ball period when the clock was properly stopped after the act. They observe the completed throw-in and then the stoppage in play to attend to the injured player. The officials realize that although they have stopped play to review the monitor and have discovered a flagrant personal foul, they are outside of the time frame to be able to penalize the act according to 2-12.6.b.1. The injury to B1 is addressed by officials and play is resumed at the point of interruption which is a throw-in to Team B at a designated spot nearest to where play was stopped to review the monitor. Play 3 Fouls not observed and fouls observed: The official calls a personal foul on B1 for illegally contacting A1. During the dead ball period following this foul call, B1 contacts A1 and the official assesses a player substitute technical foul to B1 for dead ball contact. While the officials are

discussing penalty administration, they fail to observe B5 flagrantly foul A5. The officials, not realizing that a flagrant foul has occurred, award Team A two free throws for the technical foul against B1. Prior to the throw-in by Team A for the personal foul, the coach from Team A informs the officials that a flagrant foul has occurred. (a) The officials choose to review the monitor to determine if a flagrant foul occurred when they were not looking. (b) The officials choose to review the monitor to review the original personal and technical foul to determine if either of them was flagrant. Ruling 3: The officials MAY use the monitor to determine if a contact flagrant foul occurred (2-13.2.d). (a) The officials MAY use the monitor to determine if a contact flagrant foul occurred, but they do not have to review the monitor just because the coach made that request. Upon review of the monitor, the officials reviewed the game until they discovered that B5 flagrantly fouled A5. This foul occurred when the clock was stopped when the officials assessed the personal and technical foul to B1. Since B5 s flagrant foul against A5 occurred when the clock was stopped and the officials failed to observe the flagrant foul when it occurred, the officials have until the first dead ball after the clock was properly started to penalize the act (2-13.6.a.1). In this play, the clock has not started since B5 s flagrant act because the penalties against B1 are still being assessed. Therefore, the flagrant technical foul by B5 shall be penalized. Player B5 shall be ejected. Team A shall be awarded two free throws for the flagrant technical foul by B5 and awarded the ball for a throw-in at the point of interruption which was the throw-in for the personal foul against A1. (b) The officials may review the severity of either foul against B1 during the dead ball period following the calls (2-13.2.d.1). However, when the ball was placed at the disposal of the free thrower to shoot the free throws for the technical foul against B1, the ball became live. When the ball became live, the period to review the made call(s) ended. The rationale behind this review period is that the official(s) observed the contact, made the foul calls, and chose not to review the foul(s) during the dead ball period following the foul(s) so the original calls stand. 11/18/09 Tights and Long-sleeved Shirts (Rule 3-6) Tights that extend below the game pants are not permitted since NCAA basketball rules do not permit undergarments that extend below the game pants (Rule 3-6.2). Likewise, long-sleeved undershirts are not permitted because they extend below the elbow. When an undershirt is worn, it must not extend below the elbow, must be a color similar to that of the game jersey and cannot have a visible manufacturer s logo (3-6.1). Student-athletes are not permitted to play with illegal undershirts or tights that extend below the game pants. There is no penalty for wearing illegal undershirts or tights that extend below the game pants; however, the student-athlete must remove the illegal garment(s) before she is permitted to play. When long-sleeved undershirts or tights that extend below the game pants are necessary for medical purposes, a request must be submitted to Debbie Williamson, NCAA Secretary-Rules Editor, at williamsondebbie@yahoo.com for review and must be accompanied by a physician s note (on the physician s letterhead) substantiating the need for the undergarment. Should the request be granted due to special circumstances, a grace period/waiver will be issued to permit the student-athlete to wear the garment(s). This written notification will be on NCAA letterhead and is to be kept by the coaching staff and/or medical personnel and made available to game officials. Without this written notification, the items are not permitted.

11/18/09 Held Ball (Rule 4-37) A change has been made by men s basketball to Rule 4-37 to accommodate their interpretation of a held ball. This change does not apply to women s basketball and therefore the change is noted by (men) preceding the change. The following is a variation of A.R. 105 to better illustrate a held ball in women s basketball when the ball is brushed by the defender and never loses contact with the hand of the player in control. (Revised for women s basketball) A.R. 105. A1 jumps for a try for field goal. B1 jumps to defend against the try and: (1) Touches/brushes the ball as A1 is airborne (either on her way up or down) to attempt her try for a field goal and the ball never loses contact with A1 s hand(s) and A1 returns to the floor with the ball; or (2) Touches the ball and causes the ball to lose contact with A1 s hand(s), A1 retrieves the ball while in the air and returns to the floor in possession of the ball and begins to dribble; or (3) Touches the ball and causes the ball to lose contact with A1 s hand(s), the ball touches the floor and A1 recovers the ball and begins to dribble. (4) Touches the ball such that this touch/capping causes the ball to remain in the player s hand by preventing this airborne player from attempting the try and both players return to the floor with their hand(s) on the ball. Ruling: (1) The official shall call a travel violation. When the defender momentarily touches/brushes the ball then removes her hands, and the shooter, who maintained control of the ball, returns to the floor with the ball still in her hands she has traveled. In (2) and (3), the play shall be legal. A1 has gained a new possession in both instances. In (2), when the ball was knocked free by the defensive player, the offensive player has lost control and may recover the ball, without penalty. This begins a new possession. In (3), B1 touches the ball and causes the ball to lose contact with A1 s hand(s) so A1 may be the first to touch the ball. (4) This is a held ball by definition. (Rule 4-37, 4-15.1 and.3 and.5) Note: Both players are not required to have both hands on the ball for a held ball to be called. 11/18/09 Administrative Technical Foul (10-2.2) Play 1: At the 8-minute mark remaining on the game clock that is counting down the time before the start of the game, Team A supplies the names and numbers of their team members and their designated starters. With 1 minute remaining on the game clock that is counting down the time before the start of the game, Team A decides to add a name to the squad list. Ruling 1: Team A has violated two separate rules. First, Rule 10-2.2.a requires that Team A supply the names and numbers of team members and the designated starters by the 10-minute mark before the start of the game. The penalty for not complying with this rule is a maximum of one administrative technical foul. Secondly, Rule 10-2.2.b states that if any changes are made to the book after the 10- minute mark is reached on the game clock that is counting down the time before the start of the game and until the end of the game, then a maximum of one administrative technical foul shall be assessed regardless of the number of infractions. Therefore, each rule bears its own penalty and the result in this play is that Team A shall incur two administrative technical fouls before the start of the game. Team B shall be awarded four free throws and play shall be resumed with the jump ball to start the game. Should Team A make any other changes to the scorebook after they are assessed the one administrative technical for violating 10-2.2.b, they shall not incur another penalty. It is imperative that we understand that we are dealing with two separate rules and with two separate penalties.