NCAA Men’s Basketball
2009-10 POINTS OF EMPHASIS
Proposed May 2009 by the Men’s Basketball Rules committee; approved June 2009 by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel.
Prepared by Ed Bilik, NCAA Men’s Basketball Secretary-Rules Editor
1. Charge/Block/Player Control Fouls.
The charge, block and player control foul situations that occur at the basket area are points of emphasis. The expectation is that any illegal contact that occurs at the basket area by either offensive or defensive player, (block, charge, or player control fouls) shall be penalized as prescribed by the rules.
To discourage a secondary defensive player from attaining initial guarding position under the basket with the sole purpose of drawing a charge rather than making a legitimate attempt to play the offensive player, the Rules Committee passed a rule which calls for such an action to be ruled a block on the defensive player. A secondary defender has been defined as a teammate who has helped a primary defender who has been beaten by an opponent because he failed to establish or maintain a guarding position.
This rule change does not discourage team defense in that the “help” by the secondary defensive player may be established anywhere on the playing court other than under the basket.
2. Excessive Swinging of the Elbows.
Last year, there were increases in excessive swinging of the elbows. This action should not be ignored because of the associated danger to another player. Contact resulting from an illegally thrown elbow can cause serious injury. Consequently, excessive swinging of the elbow(s) is a point of emphasis.
When the arm and elbow, with the shoulder as a base (pivot) are swung with a speed that exceeds the rest of the body as it rotates on the hips or on the pivot foot, that action is considered to be excessive. Contact, after such an action, shall not be ignored but shall be called a flagrant foul. When the player’s arm(s) and elbow(s) are swung excessively but without contact, a violation has been committed.
When the arms and elbows and the rest of the body move with the same or similarly generated speed and contact occurs, that contact is not considered to be excessive. However, the contact is illegal and a foul shall be assessed.
3. Player(s)/Team Member(s) Interactions.
A concern of the Rules Committee is the developing relationship between players and team members that demonstrates a lack of mutual respect. A goal of the “Rules of the Game” is to provide a safe environment where players can execute their individualistic skills. Important to the attainment of that goal is that players and team members develop a positive respect for each other through their involvement and display acceptable forms of sportsmanlike behavior..
Basketball is a competitive game which by its very nature, may lead to adversarial relationships between opponents. However, the relationship should not foster a negative interaction. Taunting, baiting, ridiculing, finger pointing, trash talking or inappropriate gestures, (obscene, provoking, and intimidating) are unacceptable forms of unsportsmanlike behavior. Individuals should employ a behavior that respects the skill level of an opponent and should not create an atmosphere that negatively influences the attitude of the game.
Since sportsmanship in the behavior of players and team members is a core value, appropriate measures must be taken to control any demeaning and/or degrading action.
ADDITIONAL MAJOR CONCERNS
The Rules Committee has identified the following as other major concerns that need to be addressed during the 2009-10 basketball season because of their increased incidence of occurrence:
1. Disconcertion.
By Rule, no opponent shall be permitted to disconcert (e.g. taunt, bait, gesture or delay) the free thrower after the ball has been placed at his disposal. A free throw is a penalty for a committed infraction and any disconcertion that interferes with the completion of that penalty shall be properly addressed. Special attention shall be directed to the act of raising the arms by an opponent, along the lane, while the free thrower is in his habitual motion of attempting his try. This act of disconcertion is unsportsmanlike and must be called.
2. Three-second Rule.
The Rules Committee is concerned with uncalled three-second violations. The basis for this concern is that these uncalled infractions provide a distinct advantage for the offensive team
As a reminder, a player is not permitted to have any part of his body in the three-second lane for more than three consecutive seconds while the ball is in control of his team in his front court. (Exception 9-9.1.a).
A three second count shall be suspended when a player who has been in the lane for fewer than three seconds has made a conscientious effort to leave the lane, usually by taking the shortest distance out of the area. When the player decides not to leave the area and has been in the lane for more than three seconds, he has committed a violation.
When a player, who has been in the lane for fewer than three seconds, immediately dribbles or makes a move to try for a goal, the three second count shall be suspended to allow for the completion of the try. However, when the player passes the ball or aborts his try for goal, the suspended count shall continue. When that player is in the lane for more than three seconds, a violation has been committed.