FOR THOSE THAT DON’T KNOW

They have Rules for a reason...

How many times have you seen players, coaches and parents openly complain about a referee’s call? Yet, if the truth were to be known, I would be willing to bet that 95% of those complaining don’t know the rules governing the disputed call to begin with.

I have provided a list of what I think are the 12 Most Misunderstood Rules in Basketball.

The Rules below are straight from the High School Rule Book:

1. A ball that touches a player or official is the same as the ball touching the floor at that location.

2. A ball handler, who dribbles from the backcourt toward the frontcourt, is only in the frontcourt once the ball and both feet pass the half court line.

3. Charging is illegal when there is contact caused by pushing or moving into a player’s torso.

4. High School Basketball Rules state: that “closely guarded” occurs when an offensive players is in possession of the ball and their opponent/defender is within 6 feet of them.

5. When a player attempts a shot and one of their teammates commits a foul, there is no continuous motion if the shot has not been released. If the ball has been released and is in flight, there should be continuous motion on the play.

6. High School Basketball rules state: that a screener that comes up to the defender from behind, the screener needs to give the defender a distance of one normal step backward without contact.

7. When a screener wants to set a screen on a moving defender, they must allow enough time and distance for the defender to avoid the screen.

8. High School Basketball Rules state: that a “legal guarding stance” is when the defender has both feet on the floor and they are facing the ball handler.

9. High School Basketball rules state: that the “principle of verticality” needs to be preceded by a legally defensive guarding position.

10. From a legal defensive stance, a defender my rise or jump vertically (occupying only their vertical plane).

11. The defender’s arm may be raised (only within their vertical plane) as the defender is on the floor or if they jump in the air. (see photo)

12. If the defender moves any part of their body outside of their vertical plane, it should be called a foul. (see photo)