The More You Know-Common Officiating Mistakes

Traveling A player can only travel while holding the ball. There can not be a traveling violation when a player is dribbling or fumbling the ball.

The dribble must begin before the pivot foot is lifted from the floor. It is not possible for a player to travel while dribbling.

Pivot Foot A player in possession of the ball may lift their pivot foot prior to releasing the ball when passing or shooting, however, if the pivot foot is lifted prior to the ball being released on a dribble, traveling must be called.

Self-Pass There is no traveling violation for catching a ball that was an attempted shot that is an "air ball". It is perfectly legal for a player to rebound their own air ball, provided the official deemed the shot a legitimate shot.

High Dribble A high dribble is always legal provided the dribbler's hand stays on top of the ball, and the ball does not come to rest in the dribblers' hand.

Three Second Violation This violation can only be called while the team is in continuous control of the ball in its frontcourt. Team control ends whenever a team shoots for the basket. Three seconds cannot be called when a team repeatedly misses shots at the basket. There is no 3-second count between the release of a shot and the control of a rebound, at which time a new count starts.

Kicking the Ball Accidentally kicking the ball is not a violation. A "kicked" ball must be intentional, and contact must be at the knee or below.

Edges of the Backboard Any ball touching any of the supporting structures is considered out of play. The sides, top, and bottom of a rectangular backboard are IN BOUNDS.

Ball Lodged in the Backboard It is a jump ball when the ball lodges on or in the basket support, except during a throw-in or any free throw - these are violations.

Ten Second Half-Court Violation Official "starts" the count once the ball is touched by a player on the court. The count continues until the offense has team control in their frontcourt. Frontcourt status is not established until both feet & the ball has crossed the center court line.

Touching the Boundary Lines The lines surrounding the court are out of bounds when touched by a player on the court. When touched by a player throwing in the ball from outbounds, the lines are still out of bounds and therefore there is NO violation when a player touches (but does not cross) the line.

"3 Feet"

Distance for a throw-in is only required when a thrower cannot back up due to the constraints of the gym.

Reaching Through the Plane A player may not reach through the plane on a throw-in. A warning is given on the first offense to each team. If a player touches the ball while reaching through the plane,it is a technical foul. If the thrower holds the ball over the court area, the defender may touch the ball.

The Tip Off Jumpers may tap the ball simultaneously; may tap the ball twice; and when a legally tapped ball touches the floor, a player other than a non-jumper or (believe it or not) a backboard, the jump ball has ended, and either jumper may recover it!

"Reaching" Reaching is not a foul. There must be contact and the player with the ball must have been placed at a disadvantage.The Ball is Part of the Hand: Striking the ball handler or shooter on their hand, while holding the ball, is not a foul, no matter how noisy or how much it hurts!

"Boxing Out" It is a foul if a player "pushes" or "backs up" and moves another player out of an occupied space. First one to the spot owns it.

"Charging" (Player Control Foul)

If a defender has his feet set & is facing the offensive player, then it is a player control foul. Typically, the official will look for contact in the chest area when determining the defensive player's position. No foul shots are taken even when the team is The Bonus.

When an airborne shooter commits a player control foul, their successful shot cannot be allowed, regardless of whether the try was released before or after the foul! A defensive player does not have to be stationary to take a charge.... they simply must have established a legal guarding position.

"Over the Back"

There is no violation for jumping "over or above" another player to gain a rebound as long no "contact" was made.

There is no such thing as "over the back." There must be contact resulting in an advantage/disadvantage. Do not put a tall player at a disadvantage merely for being tall! "Moving Pick or Screen"

A "moving screen" isn't a violation unless there is contact. If there is contact - it's a "BLOCK", which is a foul. A player may not move into an opponent while trying to set a screen. If a player is setting the pick on the side of the opponent, he can be as close as he wants. If a player sets a pick from behind the opponent, then he must give that player a step backward.

Fouls in General

In order for a foul to be called, the contact in question must give a player an advantage over another player, unless it is a flagrant or intentional foul. When blocking a shot, one of the most common mistakes a player makes is leaning into or following through when "swatting at the ball". Another is the defender holding his hands above the shooter. All players have the right to the space above them (verticality). If the defender holds his arms above the shooter and the shooter jumps into the defender's arms, then it is a foul on the defense.