THE THREE SECOND RULE

The three‐ second rule is listed under Rule 9‐7 and is very brief. It is the most understood rule for fans that love to shout “Three‐seconds ref”.

The basic rule is very simple. A player may not remain in his/her free‐throw lane area for more than 3 seconds, while his/her team is in control of the ball in the frontcourt.

Step one in understanding “three‐seconds” is to understand “team control”. Team control begins when a player establishes control of a live ball such as player control, holding or dribbling inbounds, passing between teammates and during an interrupted dribble. Team control ends when a try for goal is released or an opponent secures control or the ball becomes dead.

The second step is to know when a player is in the free‐throw lane (paint), or more importantly when a player ceases to be in the lane. To enter the area, all that is necessary is that the player step onto or over the lane (lane lines are considered a part of the lane). To leave the area, the player must move out of the invisible “box” that is the lane extended vertically. Merely lifting a foot does not constitute leaving the area. A player who runs out‐of‐bounds to avoid the call is charged with a violation for leaving the court for an unauthorized reason.

A crucial point, however, is that officials must be aware of the provision for suspending the 3 – second count. If a player has been in the restricted area for fewer than 3 – seconds and immediately moves toward the basket while dribbling to attempt a field goal, the count is suspended to allow for completion of the try. The word was “suspended”, not “ended”. If the player completes the try, there is no violation, but if the player passes or aborts the try and in doing so has spent more than 3 –seconds in the free‐throw area, a violation must be called immediately. Remember, this allowance pertains only to the player with the ball.

If a player who has been in the free‐throw area for fewer than 3 –seconds and is making a serious attempt to leave the area, suspend the count to allow the player to do so. If the player decides not to leave and has gained an advantage by being in the area for more than 3 –seconds, and his/her team is still in control, call the violation immediately.

Another situation that is occurring more frequently, and which is too often not called, is when an offensive player sets a screen in the lane and remains there more than three seconds and many times receives a pass while still in the lane. When the three‐second rule is enforced, rough play is likely reduced. When an offensive player “camps out” in the lane, defenders tend to become frustrated and become more physical leading to rough play.

A final suggestion is to “sneak a peek”. Before calling a 3 –second infraction, take a quick “peek” to see where the ball is. If the try is on the way or about to leave the shooter’s hand, don’t blow the whistle. If there is an interrupted dribble, the 3 – second count is not terminated. One of the most embarrassing things that can happen is for an official to call 3 – seconds after team control has ended or call a 3 – second violation while the ball is in the backcourt. Officials need to be patient with the three‐second call making sure that it is the appropriate call. When the three‐second rule is properly enforced, rough post play is likely reduced. Post defenders cannot be expected to defend and deny an opponent in the lane indefinitely. Attending to and enforcing the rule, when infraction occurs, goes a long way toward assuring fair play and decreasing rough play

Don’t be a three – second addict. Use common sense when applying the three – second rule.

F. Howard Mayo OSAA Basketball State Rules Interpreter