2006-07 NCAA Women’s Basketball RULE INTERPRETATIONS & CASE PLAYS As of 2/21/07
Prepared by Debbie Williamson, Women‟s Secretary-Rules Editor
2/20/07 Monitor Review of Correctable Errors Interpretation: By rule, officials are required to go to the monitor to determine whether a try for goal, at or near the expiration of time in the first half, was released before the reading of zeros on the game clock (2-5.2; 5-7.2.b). In addition, Rule 2-5.1.c permits officials to review the monitor for the following three correctable errors: permitting a wrong player to attempt a free throw (2-11.1.c), permitting a player to attempt a free throw at the wrong basket (2-11.1.d) and erroneously counting or canceling a score (2-11.1.e). When there is any doubt as to whether a reviewable correctable error exists, officials are permitted to revisit the monitor as long as it is done during the correctable error time period.
Play: A1 releases a try for goal at or near the expiration of time in the first half. The officials score the basket on the floor. Following the scoring of the basket, the officials go to the monitor and request a camera angle that shows the game clock but that angle is not provided. The call on the floor stands using the LED lights (5-7.2.b). Upon returning to the floor after intermission, the officials are informed that an additional camera angle that shows the game clock is now available. This new angle clearly shows that the ball was in A1‟s hands when the clock was at zeros. This information, gathered from the monitor, reveals that a basket was counted that should not have been counted. Erroneously counting or canceling a score is one of three correctable errors that are permitted to be reviewed using the courtside monitor (2-5.1.c). The correctable error time period is still in effect during intermission and until the first dead ball of the second half (2-11.1). Had this discovery come as a result of an appeal for a correctable error, the results would be the same.
______
1/25/07 Viewing of Game Clock on the Monitor Interpretation: Rule 5-7.2.b states…”In games with a 10th of a second game clock display and where an official courtside monitor is used, the reading of zeroes on the game clock is to be used to determine whether a try for goal occurred before or after the expiration of time in any period. When the game clock is not visible, the officials shall verify the original call with the use of the red/LED light(s). When the red/LED light(s) are not visible, the sounding of the game clock horn shall be utilized. When definitive information is unattainable with the use of the monitor, the original call stands.”
The intent of the rule is that when officials go to the monitor, they are looking for all zeros on the game clock regardless of where the decimal point (or colon) may be located. All zeros indicates that time has expired. So in fact, the game clock readings may include, but are not limited to, any of the following: 0.00, 00.0, 0.0 or even, 00:0.
1/25/07 Correcting a Timer’s Mistake Interpretation: The following interpretive ruling should replace the ruling in A.R. 120. This ruling was changed to clarify that officials must utilize all available resources and information when making a decision regarding game and/or shot clock time adjustments. Officials may not always know the exact time, as stated in the original ruling, which shall not prohibit them from adjusting the clock(s) appropriately. 2006-07 NCAA Women‟s Basketball Interpretations & Case Plays Page 2
Play: A.R. 120. With a few seconds remaining on the game clock in the first half, A1 makes a throw-in to A2 (game clock not started—official timer‟s mistake). A2 dribbles into the front court and misses the try. B1 recovers the rebound and dribbles the full length of the playing court. As the player passes the bench, the coach of Team A notices that the game clock has not started and calls the mistake to the attention of the official timer, who starts the game clock. With one second left on the game clock in the half, A2 fouls B1. The bonus is in effect. Time expires before the official timer can stop the game clock. Ruling: A2 shall be assessed with a personal foul. The referee cannot correct this official timer‟s mistake unless he or she knows relatively how much time had elapsed while the game clock was stopped. The referee shall conduct a reenactment of the sequential occurrence of the play to determine that relative time. To assist the referee, information may be attained from the official timer or from the use of an official courtside monitor, when one is available. After a conclusion has been reached, the referee shall put the determined time on the game clock Play shall be resumed at the point where the ball was located when play was stopped to correct the timer‟s mistake. In this case, B1 shall be awarded the entitled free throw(s) for A2‟s personal foul and play shall be resumed from that point with the corrected time on the game clock. A correction is only permitted when it falls within the prescribed time frame limit as described in Rule 2-5.1.f and Rule 2-6.1. ______
1/3/07 Timer’s Mistakes and “Do-overs” Play 1: A1 releases a shot near the sounding of the shot clock horn. The try is successful. Team B inbounds the ball and is dribbling the ball when the official blows the whistle to stop play. The officials then determine that a shot clock violation by Team A occurred. Team A‟s basket is cancelled, the time elapsed since the alleged shot clock violation occurred is placed back on the game clock and play is resumed with a throw-in by Team B under Team A‟s basket. Did the officials administer this play correctly?
Ruling 1: No. When the try by A1 was successful and no whistle was blown for a shot clock violation then, in the judgment of the officials, no shot clock violation occurred (9-11.2; A.R. 188). As per Rule 2-14.8 the shot clock horn shall not stop play unless recognized by an official‟s whistle. If a shot clock violation had occurred, then the officials should have stopped play immediately. The officials judged that the shot was released within the shot clock period. When a new shot clock period began with Team B‟s throw-in touching a player inbounds, it was too late to call a violation and/or cancel the basket (2-6.5.a). In addition, a shot clock violation, as with any other violation, is a judgment call of the official and is not reviewable using a monitor with the exception of a reading of 0.00 on the game clock (2-5.2.b and e; 2-5.3.e).
A shot clock violation is not a correctable error and the only time a score can be cancelled is in the case of a correctable error (2-11) or as a result of an obvious mistake by a shot clock operator (2- 6.6). For example, the correctable error of erroneously counting or cancelling a score DOES NOT apply to judgment calls made or missed by officials. Erroneously counting/cancelling a basket pertains to a legitimate basket scored/not scored and the official erred in how he/she scored/did not score the basket (i.e., gave the basket to the wrong team or awarded a three instead of a two or visa versa; 2-11.1.e; A.R. 25 and 26). Whether or not a shot is released within a shot clock period is a judgment call as to whether or not a violation did/did not occur. Violations are not correctable errors. In both cases the error or mistake must be corrected within the prescribed time limits set forth by rule for each.
The only instances when time can be placed back on the game clock are when either a timing mistake or a malfunctioning of the clock occurs and only within the permitted time limits prescribed. When the mistake is by a shot clock operator, that mistake can only be corrected in the shot clock period in which the mistake occurred (2-6.6; A.R. 15). Rule 2-5.1.f outlines the time limits set forth to 2006-07 NCAA Women‟s Basketball Interpretations & Case Plays Page 3 correct a mistake by the game clock operator or malfunctioning clock (2-6.4). According to NCAA rules, there are no „do-overs‟. Officials commit errors and timer‟s make mistakes and only a select few of each are permitted by rule to be corrected. Officials must know which errors or mistakes are permitted by rule to be corrected and what time limits restrict those corrections.
Play 2: With 4 seconds remaining on the game clock, A1 makes a throw-in to A2. The game clock does not start when the throw-in is touched inbounds by A2. The ball is passed twice, a shot is taken and the rebound is tipped out of bounds by B1. Prior to placing the ball at the disposal of A1 for the throw-in, the official realizes that there are 4 seconds on the game clock indicating that the game clock was not started on the previous throw-in.
Ruling 2: Rule 2-6.1 states that when an obvious timing mistake has occurred because of failure to start or stop the game clock properly, the mistake shall be corrected only when the referee has definite information relative to the time involved. The officials have definite information that the game clock did not start. If a monitor were available, the officials would be permitted to go to the monitor to determine the correct time to be placed on the game clock if any time remains (2-5.1.f; A.R. 8). If a monitor were not available, the officials are to confer with each other and/or check with the official timer to determine the correct time to be placed on the game clock or if any time remains in the game. By rule, a decision must be made relative to the time involved. The officials are not permitted by rule to leave 4 seconds on the game clock and repeat the initial throw-in by A1. According to NCAA rules, there are no „do-overs‟.
Play 3: An official tosses the ball for the opening jump ball. Immediately after the ball is legally touched by jumper A1, it falls to the floor and lands between the jumpers. The official blows the whistle to stop play and determines that due to the unusual nature of the situation that the toss should be repeated. The officials put the original time back on the clock and repeat the toss to start the game. Did the officials administer this play correctly?
Ruling 3: No. When the official blew an inadvertent whistle, play should have been resumed at the point of interruption which is a re-jump with no adjustment to the clock since the alternating possession procedure had not been established. There was nothing illegal with the toss, the touch by A1, or the fact that the ball fell to the floor (2-4). Time should not have been placed on the game clock if the game clock started properly when the ball was legally touched by A1 (5-13.2). If the tossed ball is legally touched and the game clock is properly started, then there is no reason to put time back on the game clock even if a violation occurs after the legal touch. The only instances when time can be placed back on the game clock is when a timing mistake or a malfunctioning of the clock occurs only within the permitted time limits prescribed (2-5.1.f; 2-6.6; A.R. 15). According to NCAA rules, there are no „do-overs‟. ______
11/9/06 Headbands/Hair-Control Devices Interpretation: The following interpretation was issued on January 11, 2006 as part of the Women‟s Basketball Coordinators of Officials Teleconference Minutes; it will be applied again this season. The Rules Committee will review the rules pertaining to headbands and hair-control devices at its May rules meeting.
1/11/06: “Players may wear pre wrap to hold their hair back, rubber bands, scrunchies and thin elastic pieces that also hold their hair back. They do not have to be the same color as the uniform. They are not considered head bands and therefore do not fall under the rule. They can be of any color and they do not have to be a single color.” 11/9/06: In addition, these items are not subject to logo restrictions. ______2006-07 NCAA Women‟s Basketball Interpretations & Case Plays Page 4
11/9/06 Airborne Player – Timeout Request Revised Play 1: A1 requests a timeout while she is in control of the ball, airborne and her momentum is carrying her out of bounds. The official (a) inadvertently blows the whistle, (b) blows the whistle and immediately grants a timeout. Ruling 1: In both (a) and (b), the whistle caused the ball to become dead and is an inadvertent whistle. By definition, an inadvertent whistle occurs anytime an official blows the whistle as an oversight and does not have a call to make (4-37). There is no call to make since a timeout may not be granted when A1 is airborne and her momentum is taking her out of bounds. Play will be resumed at the point of interruption. The ball is awarded to Team A for a throw-in at a spot nearest to where A1 was last in control of the ball. In (b), the timeout shall not be granted. (4-37; 4-51.1.a; 7-5.21; 2- 14.7.g; A.R. 41). ______
10/31/06 Airborne Player – Timeout Request Play 2: A1 requests a timeout while she is airborne and her momentum is carrying her out of bounds, she realizes that she cannot call a timeout and attempts to toss the ball to a teammate who is standing inbounds. While the ball is in the air, the official inadvertently blows the whistle. Ruling 2: The whistle caused the ball to become dead. Team A is still in control on this pass and therefore, the ball goes back to the team in control. (4-37; 4-51.1.a; 7-5.21; 2-14.7.g; A.R. 41)
Play 3: A1 requests a timeout while she is airborne and close to the division line, on her way down, B1 bumps her and causes her to land in the backcourt. Ruling 3: If, in the official‟s judgment, A1‟s momentum was NOT taking her into the backcourt, the timeout should be granted. The dead-ball contact by B1 would then be ignored (unless flagrant or intentional). If the official ignored the timeout request judging her momentum to be taking her into the backcourt, and the contact by B1 clearly caused A1 to land in the backcourt, call the foul on B1. (4-37; 4-51.1.a; 7-5.21; 2-14.7.g; A.R. 41) ______
10/31/06 Point of Interruption Play 1: A2 and B2 commit a double personal foul in the lane while (a) A1 is in control of the ball at the division line, or (b) A1 has the ball at her disposal for a throw-in on the sideline. Ruling 1: In both (a) and (b), charge the fouls to the players who committed the acts. Play shall be resumed at the point of interruption and is awarded to Team A, the team in control, at a designated spot nearest to where the ball was last in contact with a player or the playing court when the fouls were committed with no reset of the shot clock. In (a), the throw-in is on the sideline, near the division line. In (b), the throw-in is on the sideline where A1‟s throw-in was originally. (4-51.1.d; 4- 28.3b)
Play 2: A3 and B3 commit a double personal foul while (a) a pass is in flight, (b) a successful try is in flight or (c) an unsuccessful try is in flight. Ruling 2: In all situations, charge the fouls to A3 and B3. Play shall be resumed at the point of interruption. In (a), the ball shall be awarded to Team A, the team in control, at a designated spot nearest to where the ball was last in contact with a player or the playing court with no reset of the shot clock. In (b), the successful goal is the point of interruption. Team B, the team not credited with the score, shall be awarded the ball anywhere along the end line. In (c), the ball becomes dead when the try is unsuccessful. Since there is no team control when the ball became dead, play is resumed using the alternating-possession procedure. The throw-in shall be awarded at a designated spot nearest to where the ball became dead (likely the end line) with a reset of the shot clock. (4- 51.1.d; 4-28.3.b; 7-5.14 and .17)
2006-07 NCAA Women‟s Basketball Interpretations & Case Plays Page 5
Play 3: A2 and B2 commit a double personal foul when the ball is (a) at the disposal of A1 for a free- throw attempt, (b) in flight on her final successful free-throw try, or (c) in flight on her final unsuccessful free-throw try. Ruling 3: In all situations, charge the fouls to A2 and B2. Play shall be resumed at the point of interruption. In (a), since the ball was at A1‟s disposal when the double personal foul was committed, the point of interruption shall be the re-administration of the free throw. In (b), the successful free throw is the point of interruption. Team B, the team not credited with the score, shall be awarded the ball anywhere along the end line. In (c), the ball becomes dead when the free-throw try is unsuccessful. Since there is no team control when the ball became dead, play is resumed using the alternating-possession procedure. The throw-in shall be awarded at a designated spot nearest to where the ball became dead (likely the end line) with a reset of the shot clock. (4-51.1.d; 7-5.14) ______
10/18/06 Intentionally Kicked Ball Interpretation: When an intentionally kicked ball occurs during a throw in with 14 seconds or less remaining, the shot clock shall be set to 15 seconds. When an intentionally kicked ball occurs during a throw in with 15 seconds or more remaining the shot clock shall not be reset. Play: On an inbounds pass by A1, the ball is intentionally kicked by the defense with (a) 7 seconds on the shot clock, or (b) with 18 seconds on the shot clock. Ruling: Intentionally kicking the ball is a violation. In (a), set the shot clock to 15 seconds. In (b), the shot clock shall not be reset. (2-14.6.f; 2-14.7; 9-6.1) ______
10/18/06 Substitutions Interpretation: During free throws for a technical foul, substitutions shall only be permitted after the final attempt. (Exception: 3.4.11; 8-2.3) Play: A technical foul is assessed to Team B and Team A is awarded two free throws. Substitutes for either or both teams report to the table (a) prior to placing the ball at the disposal of the shooter for the first free throw, (b) prior to placing the ball at the disposal of the shooter for the second free throw. Ruling: During free throws for a technical foul, only substitutes allowable by rule shall be permitted to enter the game (sub for shooter, injury, disqualification, blood, contact) before the final attempt. All other substitutes, regardless of when they reported to the table, shall only be permitted to enter the game after the final attempt. (3-4) ______
10/18/06 Excessive Timeouts Interpretation: An excessive timeout carries the additional penalty of the offended team being awarded the ball for a throw-in in all situations. Play: (Women Only) A1‟s first of two free throws is successful. Team B then requests and is granted an excessive timeout. Ruling: Team B is charged with an indirect technical foul for an excessive timeout. Team A may have any player or substitute attempt the free throws for the technical foul. The point of interruption is A1‟s final free throw, which will be attempted with no players along the free-throw lane lines. After A1‟s second free throw attempt, Team A will be awarded a designated spot throw-in on the end line. (4-26.3b; 5-14.1; 7-5.9; 10-3.5; 10-4.1a)