Restricted Area Arc, Restricted Area and Secondary Defender
Prepared by Debbie Williamson, Women’s Secretary-Rules Editor
The following are rules and probable rule references regarding the rules changes pertaining to the restricted area arc, the restricted area and secondary defender rules. More educational material on these rules will follow in the coming months. The Restricted Area and the restrictions of the Secondary Defender in that area are in effect for the 2011-2012 season for all NCAA institutions. The floor marking of the Restricted Area Arc is required for NCAA Division I institutions for the 2011-2012 season and not until the 2012-2013 season for NCAA Divisions II and III. NCAA Division II and III institutions are permitted and strongly encouraged to place the Restricted Area Arc marking on the floor either by painting or the use of tape. A diagram of the restricted area arc can be found at http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/rules/mbb/2011/3_FOOT_ARC.pdf.
Rule 1-8 (new) Restricted Area Arc The restricted area arc is a solid single-colored 2-inch line formed by a semi-circle measured from the center of the basket to the outside edge with a radius of 3-feet and extending in a straight line to the front face of the backboard. This arc must be clearly discernible and distinguishable.
Rule 4-35.7 Guarding A secondary defender cannot establish initial legal guarding position in the Restricted Area for the purpose of drawing a player control foul /charge when defending a player who is in control of the ball (i.e. dribbling or shooting) or who has released the ball for a pass or try. When illegal contact occurs within this Restricted Area, such contact shall be called a blocking foul, unless the contact is a flagrant foul. Exception: When the offensive player leads with a foot or unnatural extended knee or wards off with the arm.
This restriction shall not prohibit a defender located within the restricted area from attempting to block a shot.
Rule 4-56 (new) Restricted Area The restricted area is defined as the area bounded by the outer edge of the restricted area arc which has a 3-foot radius measured from the center of the basket and extending to the face of the backboard (See court diagram in Rule 1). A secondary defender is considered to be in the restricted area when any part of either foot is in or above this area.
Rule 4-60 Secondary Defender 1. A secondary defender is a teammate who has helped a primary defender after that player has been beaten by an opponent because he/she failed to establish or maintain a guarding position. A defensive player is beaten when the offensive player’s head and shoulders gets past the defender. 2. A secondary defender is a teammate who double teams a low post player. 3. After an offensive rebound there are no secondary defenders when the rebounder makes an immediate move to the basket. 4. In an outnumbering fast-break situation, any defensive player(s) initially shall be a secondary defender.
Rule 10-1.12 Personal Fouls A secondary defender cannot establish initial legal guarding position in the restricted area for the purpose of drawing a player control foul /charge when defending a player who is in control of the ball (i.e. dribbling or shooting) or who has released the ball for a pass or try. When illegal contact occurs within this Restricted Area, such contact shall be called a blocking foul, unless the contact is a flagrant foul.
a. When illegal contact occurs by the offensive player leading with a foot or unnatural, extended knee or warding off with the arm, such contact shall be called a player- control foul. b. When a player in control of the ball stops continuous movement toward the basket then initiates illegal contact with a secondary defender in the restricted area, this is a player control foul.