THE 2015 basketball season commenced yesterday with traditional tournaments taking centre stage in the northern and southern regions.
With the new rules in place, the basketball fraternity will have to acclamatise to the adjustments and in this, we continue with second and last part on the highlights of the new regulations governing the game.
Shot clock
At any level, the Shot clock will continue to be a full reset to 24 seconds. “After the ball has touched the ring of the opponents’ basket, the shot clock shall be reset to 14 seconds, if the team which regains control of the ball is the same team that was in control of the ball before the ball touched the ring.” Before, it was a full reset to 24 seconds once the ball touched the ring on a shot.
Article 29-34 (page 22)
In the 2014 FIBA Official Interpretation document, this article provides the following example. A1 shoots for a field goal with (a) 4 seconds (b) 20 seconds remaining on the shot clock.
The ball touches the ring, rebounds and A2 gains control of the ball. Interpretation: In both cases the shot clock shall be reset to 14 seconds regardless of whether A2 gains control of the ball in the frontcourt or in the backcourt.
Numbers
Players must use shorts of the same dominant colour front and back, but not necessarily of the same colour as the shirts. The shorts must end above the knee and that the teams shall use numbers 0 and 00 and from 1 to 99.
Players who have been designated by their coach to start the game or who receive treatment between free throws may be substituted in the event of an injury. In this case the opponents are also entitled to substitute the same number of players, if they so wish.
Ball possession
A held ball occurs when one or more players from opposing teams have one or both hands firmly on the ball so that neither player can gain control without undue roughness.
For instance, ?1 jumps with the ball and is legally blocked by B1, both players then return to the playing court with both of them having one or both hands firmly on the ball. Interpretation: A held ball shall be called.
A team is in control of a live ball in their frontcourt:
If a player of that team is touching his frontcourt with both feet while holding, catching or dribbling the ball in his frontcourt, or the ball is passed between the players of that team in their frontcourt.
If a team in control of a live ball in the frontcourt has caused the ball to be illegally returned to their backcourt if a player of that team is the last to touch the ball in his frontcourt and the ball is then first touched by a player of that team, who has part of his body in contact with the backcourt or after the ball has touched the backcourt of that team.
The change means that the team must gain control of the ball in the frontcourt before a violation can occur.
For example, one may that player A1 receives a pass from his backcourt with one foot completely in his frontcourt and the other foot touching both the frontcourt and the mid-court line, can Team A establish control of the ball in the frontcourt? The answer is No! Touching must be interpreted as having both feet COMPLETELY in the frontcourt.
In 2011, Canada Basketball put forth three points of emphasis to promote the application of certain rules in a manner which better reflects their basic spirit and intent.
The three points of emphasis are: (1) travelling, (2) illegal contact, especially on cutters off ball and in post play, (3) communication between coaches and officials. These points of emphasis are still in effect and officials should be reminded to pay special attention to these areas of the rules.
Referees signals
Stop clock for Foul One clenched fist (Changed) No more “Bird Dogging” / Pointing at Player with other arm.
Charged Time-Out Form T, show index finger (Changed).
Held ball / Jump ball Situation Thumbs up followed by pointing in direction of alternating possession arrow (Changed).
Technical Foul Form T, showing palms (Changed).
Illegal Use of Hands Strike wrist (Changed. See Illegal Contact to the Hand) NOTE: Normally used on contact at the waist level or below.
Illegal Contact to the Hand Strike the side of the hand/fist towards the other forearm (NEW Signal – See Illegal Use of Hands) NOTE: Normally used when contact occurs on the arm during the act of shooting.
Hand checking Grab palm and forward motion (NEW Signal)
Fouls / Hit to the Head Indicate the contact to the head (NEW Signal)
Fouls / Foul in the Act of Shooting One arm with clenched fist, followed by indication of the numbers of free throws.
Fouls / Foul on the no Act of Shooting One arm with clenched fist, followed by pointing to the floor.
Player Numbers 00 and 0 Both hands show 0 Right hand shows 0 (NEW Signals)
Player Numbers one to five. Right hand shows number one to five (one to three NEW Signals)
Player Numbers six to 10. Right hand shows number five, left hand shows number one to five (Same Signals)
Player Numbers 11 to 15 Right hand shows clenched fist, left hand shows number one to five (Same Signals)
Player Numbers 16, first reverse hand shows number one for the decade digit, then open hands show number six for the units digit (NEW Signal – Reversing the Hand is Completely New)
Player Numbers 24, first reverse hand shows number two for the decade digit, then open hand shows number four for the units digit (NEW Signal – Reverse the Hand. Use Same Hand)
Player Numbers 40, first reverse hand shows number four for the decade digit, then open hand shows number Zero for the units digit (NEW Signal – Reverse the Hand. Use Same Hand)
Player Numbers 78, first reverse hands show number seven for the decade digit, then open hands show number eight for the units digit (NEW Signal – Reverse the Hands. Use Same Hands).
All the best to the Zambia Basketball Association (ZBA) as they conduct sessions to sensitise stakeholders on the new developments in the sport.
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