2011-12 NCAA Women s Basketball RULE INTERPRETATIONS As of 2/21/12 Prepared by Debbie Williamson, Women s Secretary-Rules Editor 2/21/12 Flagrant 2 technical foul (10-4.8) The rule is clear that bench personnel are not permitted to leave the bench area when a fight MAY break out or HAS broken out. By rule, the head coach may leave the bench area in this case to prevent the situation from escalating. However, no one else is permitted to leave the bench area. A change to this rule to permit assistant coaches to leave the bench area when a fight may break out or has broken out was discussed by both the men s and women s Rules Committees last May, but the change was not made to this rule. The Rules Committees will discuss this same proposal again in the May, but for now the current rule stands. Te current rule has served to reduce the number of people on the playing court when officials and game management are attempting to manage a fight situation. The penalty for bench personnel who leave the bench area in this situation is a Flagrant 2 foul that results in ejection whether they participate in the fight or not. Officials must pregame a fight situation and the responsibilities of each official during such a case so that proper penalties are assessed. Case Book A.R. 278 is an excellent example of how to appropriately penalize bench personnel who leave the bench area to fight and those who leave the bench area but do not fight. Knowing where the bench area is located is critical to determining if/when this rule is being violated. The bench area is defined as (Rule 4-7): 1. During any timeout or before any extra period, the bench area is an imaginary rectangle formed by the boundaries of the sideline (including the bench), end line and an imaginary line extended from the free-throw lane line nearest the bench area meeting an imaginary line extended from the coaching-box line. 2. At any other point in the game, the bench area is formed from the outer edge of the sideline and an imaginary line extended from the sideline to the back of the team bench and the 28- foot line (coaching box line). 2/21/12 Bench technical foul (Rule 10-4.2) Laptop computers and ipads are permitted to be used on the bench when used legally. Using electronic transmission (including but not limited to headsets, telephones, television, radio, audio or video Internet broadcast, heart monitor devices, computers), or knowledge gained resulting from thereof, for coaching purposes, to communicate to and/or from the bench area or using replay equipment at courtside for coaching purposes is illegal and the penalty is a bench technical foul (Rule 10-4.2). Officials must be certain that electronic devices are being used for these purposes in order to penalize a team. Officials/coordinators may want to inform coaches/teams of what is/is not permitted when using electronic devices on the bench. 2/21/12 Out of bounds (Rule 7-1.2)
The ball shall be out of bounds when it touches a player who is out of bounds; any other person, the floor or any object on or outside a boundary; the supports or back of the backboard; or the ceiling, overhead equipment or supports (Rule 7-1.2). Some tournament sites are using cameras suspended by wires and inflated motorized objects over the court. Be reminded that an overhead camera, wire or inflated motorized objects are considered out of bounds. Per Rule7-2.1, the player who threw a pass or attempts a try which hits the object has caused the ball to be out of bounds and has committed an out of bounds violation. As with any other violation, the ball is to be awarded to the opponent at a designated spot nearest to where the violation (where it went out of bounds) occurred (Rule 9-3.1; 9-15.1). 2/21/12 Throw-in violations (Rule 9-5.1.b) The interpretation of 9-5.1.b has been that when a player is standing on a boundary line or straddling a boundary line when she catches a passed ball from a thrower-in, that player has caused the ball to be out of bounds and the subsequent throw-in would be on the sideline. The following graphic was used in the 2007-2008 clinics to illustrate this interpretation: Throw-in Ends When a player, who is located on the playing court, touches and causes the ball to be out of bounds, This throw-in has ended and the new throw-in spot will be on the sideline The clock does not start This interpretation has been in effect for many years and will remain in effect until the Rules Committee reconsiders its position in May 2012. A recommendation will be made to alter this interpretation, but in the meantime, officials are expected to continue using the current interpretation as illustrated above. This interpretation is not be confused with a situation in which a passed ball from a thrower-in doesn t touch any player who has a foot on the playing court. In that case, the throw-in spot will be the original throw-in spot. 1/12/12 Resumption of Play Warning (Rule 4-57.2) If a team is not ready to play at the second horn during a timeout, officials are instructed to formally warn that team on the first offense. On the second and subsequent offenses, the official shall make the ball ready for play (e.g., put the ball on the floor and begin the count). In the 2011-12 Rules Changes and Intent November posting, the statement was made that, this rules change applies to instances following a timeout only. At any other point in the game (except to begin the second period), the Resumption of Play procedure shall be used. In summary, when an official is ready to resume play for a throw-in or free-throw that does not follow a timeout, no warning is needed before placing the ball at the disposal of the thrower-in or free-thrower. 1/12/12 Resumption of Play Warning (Rule 4-57) and Delay of Game Warning (Rule 4-17)
Warnings: The following provides instruction on when to warn, what type of warning is permitted and when a warning is not permitted or required. 1. Following a timeout: Two types of warnings permitted following a timeout. a. Resumption of play warning (Rule 4-57.2). If, in the official s judgment, either team is not ready to play at the second horn during a timeout, officials are instructed to formally warn that team on the first offense. This particular warning is a resumption of play warning (Rule 4-57.2) and not a delay of game warning. After having received a resumption of play warning for not being ready to play following a timeout, the resumption-of-play procedure is to be used thereafter for that particular team. There is no technical foul penalty for failing to be ready to play following a resumption of play warning. b. Delay of game warning (Rule 4-17.1.e). When a team fails to have the court ready for play following a timeout such as having chairs or water on the floor, then a delay of game warning is to be issued to that team and an administrative technical foul is to follow on the next similar offense (Rule 10-2.5.b). This is the only delay of game warning permitted following a timeout. Keep in mind that officials are not permitted to issue a delay of game warning for huddling (Rule 4-17.1.d) when teams continue to huddle following a timeout. When the timeout is over and the 5 players huddle again and do not appear to be ready to play, the officials must issue a resumption of play, not a delay of game, warning. 2. Not following a timeout: a. Resumption of play procedure (Rule 4-57.1). In situations that do not follow a timeout when a team is not ready to play on a throw-in or free throw, officials are not required to issue any type of warning. In these situations, officials are instructed to use the resumption of play procedure by placing the ball at the disposal of the free-thrower or thrower-in (Rule 4-57.1). b. Delay of game warning (Rule 4-17.1.d). When, in the official s judgment, a team is repeatedly delaying the game by preventing the ball from being promptly put into play, such as delaying the administration of a throw-in or free throw by engaging in a team huddle anywhere on the playing court, officials are permitted to issue a delay of game warning for this and then assess an administrative technical foul on the next similar offense. The following interpretation was issued in 2007 and is still applicable today: 11/21/07 Team Delay Interpretation: There are only four occasions when a team warning for delay is permitted (Rule 4-17.1.d through g). A team must be warned for each of these delays before the particular delay can be penalized with a technical foul. Delaying the game by preventing the ball from being promptly put into play, such as delaying the administration of a throw-in or free throw by engaging in a team huddle anywhere on the playing court requires a warning before assessing a technical foul (Rule 4-17.1.d). However, the resumption-of-play procedure (*Rule 4-57) may also be used in this situation. When a team delays a throw-in or free throw by huddling, an official may choose to either warn for this delay or use the resumption-of-play procedure by putting the ball at the disposal of the player. Keep in mind that, although both are permitted by rule at the specified times mentioned above, if an official chooses to warn for delaying a throw-in or free throw by engaging in a team huddle, he/she should be prepared to assess a technical foul the next time that particular delay occurs. (*denotes 2011-13 reference)
1/12/12 Official game clock designation (Rule 1-18) In several recent games, timing at the end of the game or half has led to questions regarding which timing device is to be used, particularly in facilities where a video board, ribbon board or other display shows the game clock. To be sure the proper devices are determined and used, the Men s and Women s Basketball Rules Committees are issuing the following interpretation: The game clock shall be the official, visible timepiece on which the time remaining in a period shall be displayed and shall show a 10 th -of-a-second display when less than 59.9 seconds remains in a period. The referee, per Rule 2-5.2, shall designate the official game clock. However, when there is a game clock display located on the shot clock it shall be the official game clock. 1/12/12 Six players on the playing court (Rule 10-2.6) Rule 10-2.6 makes clear that a team is not permitted to have more than five players on the court to participate. Officials cannot penalize this infraction with an administrative technical foul UNTIL the ball becomes live. However, the rule book does not stipulate a time limit within which the officials have to recognize and penalize this technical foul. Therefore, the following interpretation is intended to provide clarity as to when an official is permitted to penalize this infraction: Officials must see that there were 6 players on the court during a live ball or have personal knowledge that this infraction did occur in order to penalize it. Officials are expected to penalize this infraction, whether the ball is live or dead, when the infraction is discovered. Play 1: Team A has six players on the playing court when the ball becomes live with five seconds remaining in the game. A1 s successful field goal attempt is in the air when the time expires ending the game. Immediately after the expiration of time and before the officials have left the playing court, one of the officials observes that Team A had six players on the court when the basket was scored. What is the correct ruling? Ruling 1: The field goal shall count because A6 became a player when the ball became live (Rule 3-4.1.c). However, the game has not ended because the officials still have jurisdiction since they have not left the visual confines of the court. The officials shall award Team B two free throws and the game will continue with an overtime period when both free throws are successful (Rule 2-4.4, 5-7.7. and 10-2.6). Keep in mind that a monitor may not be used to count the number of players on the playing court (Rule 2-13.2). 1/12/12 Flagrant 1 personal foul for elbow contact (Rule 10-1.13) The rule and penalty regarding illegal elbow contact above the shoulders of an opponent from a swinging elbow has not changed. When ILLEGAL elbow contact for a swinging (not excessively swung) elbow occurs above the shoulders of an opponent, a minimum of a flagrant 1 personal foul, formerly called an intentional foul, must be called. There is and never has been an option to assess a common foul when a swinging elbow makes illegal contact above the shoulders of an opponent since this rule went into effect last season. Rule 10-1.13 outlines the types of illegal contact by a swinging elbow. Please see the italicized script following the rule for a clarification of this rule: Rule 10-1.13. Illegal contact caused by the swinging of the elbow(s) that:
a. Results from total body movement is a common or flagrant 1 personal foul. This option to call either a common or flagrant 1 personal does not apply to illegal elbow contact that occurs above the shoulders of an opponent. Article c of this rule addresses the illegal contact above the shoulders only. b. Is excessive per Rule 4-36.7 is a flagrant 2 foul. Any illegal elbow contact that involves excessive swinging per Rule 4-36.7 is a flagrant 2 personal foul. c. Occurs above the shoulders of an opponent is a flagrant 1 or flagrant 2 personal foul. This rule clearly states that the only penalty for illegal elbow contact above the shoulders of an opponent is a minimum of a flagrant 1 personal or a flagrant 2 personal. d. Occurs below the shoulders of an opponent is a common, flagrant 1 or flagrant 2 personal foul. Illegal contact below the shoulders bears the same penalty options as any other foul. *Remember that not all elbow contact is a foul regardless of where the contact occurs. Also remember that not all contact to the face is a foul. Officials must determine what is incidental contact as defined in Rule 4-40. 1/12/12 Monitor review for elbow contact (Rule 2-13.2.d.1). The following was posted on November 15, 2011. Please review and note that when officials officiate a play and pass on any contact, they are not permitted to then stop play to review that contact to make a foul call. Rules Changes and Intent Document posted on November 15, 2011 (Rule 2-13.2.d.1): Determine if a flagrant 2 personal or a flagrant 2 contact technical foul occurred or (women) flagrant 1 personal foul for illegal contact with an elbow above the shoulders of an opponent or a contact dead ball technical foul for illegal contact with an elbow above the shoulders of an opponent. When it is determined that a flagrant 2 contact technical foul did not occur but a flagrant 1 personal foul, or contact dead ball technical foul did occur, those fouls shall be penalized accordingly. However, no other infractions may be penalized. *Situation 1: When a foul is called, it can be reviewed until the ball becomes live to determine if the following occurred on the called foul: (1) a flagrant 1 for illegal elbow contact above the shoulders of an opponent; (2) a contact dead ball technical for illegal elbow contact above the shoulders of an opponent; (3) a flagrant 2 foul; or a fight. *Situation 2: When a foul is not observed (not observed is defined as no one having officiated or seen the foul), the officials can review the monitor to determine if flagrant 2 foul or a fight occurred. When a flagrant 2 foul did not occur, but a flagrant 1 personal foul or contact dead ball technical did occur, officials are permitted to correct and penalize these infractions when the act occurred within the time frame outlined in Rule 2-13.2.d.2. *Note: An official cannot use the monitor on his/her own initiative to review contact that he/she passed on to determine if the above mentioned fouls occurred. If the contact was observed by an official and the official chose not to call a foul, that contact cannot be reviewed unless a coach requests a review per Rule 2-13.2.d.1.b.