NBA’s Most Misunderstood Rules

[Amente]

Explaining The NBA’s Most Misunderstood Rules

Defensive Three Seconds: A defensive player is not allowed inside the key area for more than three seconds unless he is guarding the player with the ball or is actively guarding any opponent. To be considered actively guarding, a defender must be within an arms length of his opponent. If an offensive player moves through the key, the defender must be within an arms length, and also move along with the offensive player. He can not just stand there and put his arms out to get a new three-second count.

Goaltending: When a player shoots the ball, a defender may not touch the ball after it reaches its highest point. If so, the shot shall be ruled successful. A defender also can not touch a shot after it has hit the backboard and is going towards the rim, even if it is going up. Once the ball is on or directly above the rim, a defender can not touch the ball. If the ball is rolling on top of the rim, a defender can not touch the ball or the rim. If an offensive player touches the ball in any of the above circumstances, basket interference shall be ruled and no points can be scored. Once the ball rolls to the outside of the rim, the shot is over and anyone can touch the ball.

Substitutions: During a full timeout all players may be substituted for. During a 20-second timeout, only one player may be replaced by the team calling the timeout. Only then can the other team make a substitution. If the calling team does not replace one player, the opponent may not make a substitution. All players may be removed if the 20-second timeout is called in the last two minutes of the fourth period or last two minutes of overtime. Once a player enters the game he must remain in the game until the ball is legally touched, a foul is committed, there is a change of possession or for administration of the blood rule.

Hand Checking/Forearm Checking: A defender may not place and keep his hand on an opponent unless he is in the area near the basket and the offensive player has his back to the basket. A defender may momentarily touch an opponent with his hand anywhere on the court as long as it does not affect the opponent’s movement (speed, quickness, balance, rhythm). A defender may place his forearm on an opponent’s back near the basket to maintain his position. Any contact with the forearm outside of this area must be considered marginal contact or the forearm must be in contact with one’s own body to avoid a foul being called.

Clear Path to the Basket: If a fast break starts in a team’s backcourt and a defender fouls any offensive player when the team is going to score an easy basket, a clear path foul has occurred. When the foul happens, no defender can be ahead of the ball where he could defend against the easy basket. The offensive team must also have gained possession to get a “Clear Path” foul called.

Flagrant Fouls: These fouls are considered unnecessary and/or excessive. There are two types of flagrant fouls, 1 and 2. A flagrant foul 1 is unnecessary contact. This is usually when a defensive player winds-up and makes hard contact with the offensive player or makes hard contact and then follows through. A flagrant foul 2 has the components of a flagrant foul 1 and is unnecessary and excessive contact. This usually has a wind-up motion, hard contact and a follow through. Both fouls carry a penalty of two free throws and the team that was fouled retains possession. A flagrant foul 2 also results in an ejection of the player committing the foul. A player also is ejected if he commits two flagrant foul penalty 1’s in the same game.

Illegal Screens/Picks: A screen or pick is when an offensive player gets to a legal position on the court in the path of a defender for the purpose of slowing down the defender or making him change direction. An illegal screen/pick is when the defender does not get into a legal position. When picking a stationary opponent from the backside, you must give that player a step to stop and/or change direction since he cannot see you. If he is standing still you can go right next to him as long as he can see you. If the opponent is moving, you must get to your position and give him enough distance to stop and/or change direction. The speed of the player will determine the distance. You cannot just jump in front of a player at the last second.

Blocks/Charge: A block/charge foul occurs when a defender tries to get in front of his man to stop him from going in that direction. If he does not get into a legal defensive position and contact occurs, it is a blocking foul. If he gets to a legal position and the offensive player runs into him it is an offensive foul. In both situations, if the contact is marginal, no foul may be called. To get into a legal position defending against the dribbler, the defender needs to get his torso completely in front of him. On a drive to the basket, the defender must get to his position before the shooter starts his upward shooting motion. For most other cases, the defender must get into position and allow enough opportunity for the offensive player to stop and/or change direction.

Restricted Area: The restricted area (RA) is the area within the arched line on the court located below the rim. Its purpose is to stop secondary defenders from taking a position under the basket in an attempt to draw the offensive foul when a player is driving to the basket. If an offensive player drives past his primary defender on the way to the basket and a secondary defender comes over, he must establish a position outside the RA to be considered in a legal position. If the drive starts inside the Lower Defensive Box (LDB – this is the area from the bottom tip of the free throw circle to the endline between the two 3’ posted-up marks), the secondary defender is legally allowed to be positioned inside the LDB. The restricted area also does not apply if the secondary defender jumps in an attempt to block the shot, the offensive player leads with his leg or knee in an unnatural motion or uses his off arm to prevent the defender from blocking his shot. The RA does not extend from below the backboard to the baseline. Therefore, if a player drives the baseline and is not attempting to go directly to the rim, the RA does not apply.

Traveling: To start a dribble, the ball must be released from a player’s hand before his pivot foot leaves the floor or he has committed a traveling violation. A player who receives the ball while in motion, or upon completing his dribble, is allowed a one-two count after gathering the ball and preparing to stop, pass or shoot. A player who falls to floor while holding the ball or while coming to a stop may not gain an advantage by sliding on the floor. A player who attempts a shot may not be the first to touch the ball if it fails to touch the backboard, rim or another player. A player who receives the ball while moving or ending his dribble may use a two count rhythm in coming to a stop, passing or shooting. If a player comes to a stop on the count of one when both feet are on the floor or touch the floor simultaneously, he may pivot using either foot as his pivot. If he alights with both feet he must release the ball before either foot touches the floor. If a player has one foot on the floor or lands with one foot first to the floor, he may only pivot with that foot. Once that foot is lifted from the floor it may not return until the ball is released. If a player jumps off one foot on the count of one he may land with both feet simultaneously for count two. In this situation, the player may not pivot with either foot and if one or both feet leave the floor the ball must be released before either returns to the floor.

Marginal/Incidental Contact: While some contact may occur, it does not mean a foul has been committed. When performing normal offensive and defensive movements, if the minimal contact is marginal and does not affect the players speed, quickness, balance or rhythm, no foul has occurred. Players are allowed normal body contact with opponents when reaching for a loose ball if they both have the same opportunity to get the ball. This type of play shall be ruled incidental if neither illegally gains an advantage. The hand is considered “part of the ball” when it is in contact with the ball. It is not a foul if a defensive player makes normal contact with a players hand when it is in contact with the ball.

Fumble: A player who is holding the ball and fumbles it out of his control may recover the ball. If his pivot foot moves to recover the ball, he must then pass or shoot the ball. If he fumbles and recovers it without moving his pivot foot and before the ball touches the floor, he retains his status before the fumble. Therefore, when a player jumps to shoot and the ball slips out of his hands, he may recover the ball.

[Jackalope]

nothing about not being able to pull down your opponents shorts while you're guarding him?

[pjjrfan]

And do the refs know this? The problem I see is that each ref has a different interpretation of these rules. Like last year, they called Tony Parker for a 5 second violation like they do in college ball, I've been watching pro ball since 66 and that is the first and only time I've seen them make that call. And the travelling and palming is ridiculous, although, I saw a hi-light of Iverson's crossover,in slow motion and it was still to fast to see if he was palming or not, awesome.

[bnwhuxley]

Restricted area is probably the most misunderstood.

Lots of people were arguing that Nazr was in the restricted area in Game 1 when Ben Wallace crashed into him, so Ben should not have gotten the offensive foul. But Nazr got into position first, and he was the PRIMARY defender.

So the right call was made. I think even Hubie got it wrong.

[ginoman]

Substitutions: During a full timeout all players may be substituted for. During a 20-second timeout, only one player may be replaced by the team calling the timeout. Only then can the other team make a substitution. If the calling team does not replace one player, the opponent may not make a substitution. All players may be removed if the 20-second timeout is called in the last two minutes of the fourth period or last two minutes of overtime. Once a player enters the game he must remain in the game until the ball is legally touched, a foul is committed, there is a change of possession or for administration of the blood rule.

who i didnt know that, thanks amente

[grif]

Here's one you missed:

The Allen Clause: Players must not touch, brush, guard or impede the progress of Ray Allen. This includes: 1) attempting to steal the ball, 2) attempting to block a shot, 3) standing between Ray and the basket, 4) standing between Ray and one of his teammates, 5) putting hands in front of Ray's face, 6) holding hands up while guarding Ray, 7) thinking about or planning any of the above.

This foul results in 1) two free throws, 2) mention in the post-game interviews, 3) a lot of crying and 4) corporal punishment adminstered in the paint by one Danny Fortson

[losman]

How many of these get ignored when Shaq/LeBron/Kobe is in the play

[pjjrfan]

Welll, let's be fair, they give Timmy his little foot shuffle and his hand on the opponents hip when he blocks their shots. This is what got him in foul trouble in the olympics. I still got a problem with the enforcement of the rules though, regardless of this, they should apply to every one, my thinking is that TD is too good not to be able to adjust if and when they start calling him for it.

[Eddy from Austin]

by grif

The Allen Clause: Players must not touch, brush, guard or impede the progress of Ray Allen. This includes: 1) attempting to steal the ball, 2) attempting to block a shot, 3) standing between Ray and the basket, 4) standing between Ray and one of his teammates, 5) putting hands in front of Ray's face, 6) holding hands up while guarding Ray, 7) thinking about or planning any of the above.

This foul results in 1) two free throws, 2) mention in the post-game interviews, 3) a lot of crying and 4) corporal punishment adminstered in the paint by one Danny Fortson

[Spurs Rulez]

Originally Posted by grif

Here's one you missed:

The Allen Clause: Players must not touch, brush, guard or impede the progress of Ray Allen. This includes: 1) attempting to steal the ball, 2) attempting to block a shot, 3) standing between Ray and the basket, 4) standing between Ray and one of his teammates, 5) putting hands in front of Ray's face, 6) holding hands up while guarding Ray, 7) thinking about or planning any of the above.

This foul results in 1) two free throws, 2) mention in the post-game interviews, 3) a lot of crying and 4) corporal punishment adminstered in the paint by one Danny Fortson

Now, that is some funny stuff.

Originally Posted by Amente

Restricted Area:[/b] The restricted area (RA) is the area within the arched line on the court located below the rim. Its purpose is to stop secondary defenders from taking a position under the basket in an attempt to draw the offensive foul when a player is driving to the basket. If an offensive player drives past his primary defender on the way to the basket and a secondary defender comes over, he must establish a position outside the RA to be considered in a legal position. If the drive starts inside the Lower Defensive Box (LDB – this is the area from the bottom tip of the free throw circle to the endline between the two 3’ posted-up marks), the secondary defender is legally allowed to be positioned inside the LDB. The restricted area also does not apply if the secondary defender jumps in an attempt to block the shot, the offensive player leads with his leg or knee in an unnatural motion or uses his off arm to prevent the defender from blocking his shot. The RA does not extend from below the backboard to the baseline. Therefore, if a player drives the baseline and is not attempting to go directly to the rim, the RA does not apply.

I believe the part about the drive from the LDB came into play when Ben and Rasheed were arguing the offensive foul call on Nazr. Since Ben drove from the baseline, the Restricted Area did not come into play...like this rule states.

Good stuff, Amente.

[Jason R]

I saw several five second calls this year, not just on TP.

[ennui30]

The Handcheck rule explains why Rip Hamilton can put his hand on opposing player's foreheads.

[mpgraphix]

Thx for the post - didnt know that about the 20 second TO/substitution rule

[Kobe2Duncan]

don't forget the amare rule

if you knock down tony parker he fouled you

[Jules]

Misunderstood by the fans or the refs?

[SRJ]

One problem with the addition of the restricted area is that many times, officials will make an offensive foul call based solely upon the fact that the defenders feet are outside of the restricted area. Which is all well and good, but just because his feet are clear doesn't mean the defender is in position.