INDIANAPOLIS---The NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Rules Committees, meeting May 3-6 in Phoenix, recommended procedural adjustments to the game officials' use of courtside television monitors to better clarify last-second shots. These recommendations, along with others listed on the attachments, would become rules for 2004-05 if approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel in early June.
If not approved then, they would be forwarded to the divisional governing bodies, meaning the soonest they could become rules would be the 2005-06 season.
These recommendations regarding use of the monitor clarify game- and period-ending situations that caused confusion among fans, coaches and media during last season.
The first addresses the proper reference order for judging the release of a last-second shot. For games being played with a 10th-of-a-second game clock at which a courtside television monitor is present, when officials are required by Rule 2-5.2 to view the monitor after making an initial call on a shot that occurs near the end of a period, the determining factor as to whether the ball was released before time expired shall be when the game clock shows 0.0, provided that the game clock is visible on the monitor. If the game clock shows 0.0 before the shot leaves the shooter's hand, the period has ended and the shot shall not count. When the clock is not visible on the monitor, the red or LED light shall be the determining factor, then the sounding of the horn. If definitive information is not available from the monitor, the original ruling that was based on a call using the red or LED lights and then the sounding of the horn shall stand. The rationale is that using the reading of 0.0 when it's visible on the monitor, which indicates that the game has ended, factors out the time lag that occurs when that reading sends an impulse that triggers the mechanisms in the light and the horn.
The second recommendation addresses the initial call that must be made by officials on last-second shots, which is the final ruling for games at which there is no 10th-of-second game clock or courtside monitor. The recommended clarification is that for game- or period-ending last-second shots, the red light or LED lights (one of which is required for Division I but not for Division II or III), when present, shall be used as the indicator for the expiration of playing time. This signal shall terminate player activity. The sounding of the horn shall be used as a backup or when the red or LED lights are not available in Division II or III.
Under another monitor-related recommendation, officials would be permitted to use a courtside television monitor when there is uncertainty as to who should shoot an awarded free throw.
"The committees continue to try to balance limiting interruptions in the game to look at the monitor with ensuring that the correct call is made," said Lynn Hickey, chair of the women's committee and director of athletics at Texas-San Antonio. "In the first situations, the last-second shot is viewed as the most important shot of the game. In the free-throw situation, the ball is already dead, so minimal time is added to the game."
One other time-related common recommendation of the two committees attempts to limit electronic-media timeouts from happening too close together. Under the recommendation, in such games, when a foul is committed that causes the ball to become dead at one of the specified time marks on the game clock for an electronic-media timeout, that electronic-media timeout shall be taken, then the free throw(s) shall be taken after that electronic-media timeout. If the timeout is taken after the free throw(s) and the last free throw is missed, the opportunity for the electronic-media timeout is lost until the next dead ball. Currently, the free throw(s) are taken before the electronic-media timeout, which may result in electronic-media timeouts being used in close proximity of each other.
In a men's committee action that requires no further approval, all certified games (previously known as "exempt" games) that occur before January 1, 2005, will be required to use an experimental free-throw lane that is 1 ? feet wider on each side, a three-point line that is extended to 20 feet, 6 inches, and an arc drawn 2 feet from the center of the hoop to assist with charge/block calls.
"We already have experimented with the international trapezoid and the NBA lane," said Willis Wilson, chair of the men's committee and coach at Rice University. "The results of our annual rules survey show a trend of growing support for widening the lane in some fashion. This is a width that we have not tried that is a compromise between the two we've tried before that may be best for the collegiate game. This experimental lane also preserves the current 12-foot width at the elbow (free-throw line) by placing a diagonal line from the lane space farthest from the basket to the free-throw line. It may offer the best of both previous experiments while eliminating some of the negatives of each."
Wilson said that the goal of a wider lane is to better spread the floor to reduce rough play near the basket and to allow periphery players easier access on their penetration to the basket. The extension of the three-point line is part of that desire, not an effort to make the shot more difficult.
"Our research from past experimental rules shows that moving back the line does not affect the number of three-point shots taken or the percentage made, but we believe it's a necessity if we widen the lane," Wilson said, "plus, the survey shows greater support for moving back the line than ever before."
The women's committee did not approve any experimental rules for the coming season. Last season, the women's committee recommended a rules change for moving back the three-point line to 20 feet, 6 inches, the same recommendation as the men's committee; the men's committee recommended moving back the three-point line and instituting a trapezoid free-throw lane. The recommendations were not approved by the NCAA's governance structure.
"Our committee is not in favor of moving back the three-point line at this time," Hickey said. "But we also recognize that the men's game needs to explore ways to improve play and that the best way to do that may be for them to change court markings. We support that, but we believe that if and when that happens, we don't necessarily need to change the women's markings at the same time but might do so later on, when our game is ready, much as we did with the three-point line.
"People need to remember that our game is much younger than the men's - we only started playing five-on-five in 1969-70, so even though we play essentially the same game we are at different points in our history and have different needs."
Wilson said the men's committee supported the women's position.
"It's good for our rules to be the same in many cases, but we support the women's desire to maintain current differences or create new ones where they think it's important," he said. An independent part of the men's experiment is a temporary charge/block restraining arc being drawn under the basket for the certified games. This experiment answers a common request of coaches and officials who have expressed the need for a more identifiable reference point to assist officials in making this difficult judgment when defenders attempt to establish guarding position under the basket for the purpose of drawing an offensive foul. With the experimental arc, an offensive player should not be charged with an offensive foul when a defensive player has established position with one foot inside the restraining arc near the basket unless the defensive player is making a legitimate attempt to play defense and not attempting to draw a charge.
These experimental rules also could be used in exhibition games occurring before January 1, 2005, by schools in any division. The committee encourages schools in all divisions to use these experimental court markings for as many games as possible, especially in Division II and III, since they have few games in which their use is required.
"We would like to get feedback on these experiments from as many schools as possible," Wilson said. "In the past we've gotten very little input from Division II and Division III and from Division I teams that do not play in certified games. The rules are common for all divisions, so for us to get good information from which to judge whether to make a change, we need to hear from all divisions."
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2004
ANNUAL MEETING MEN'S BASKETBALL RULES ACTIONS
| Rule | Page | Rules change recommended |
| 2-5.2 | 88 | For games with a courtside television monitor and a 10th-of-a-second game clock, when officials are required by Rule 2-5.2 to view the monitor before making a final ruling, the determining factor as to whether the ball was released before time expired shall be when the game clock shows 0.00, provided that the game clock is visible on the monitor. When the game clock shows 0.00 before the shot leaves the shooter's hand, the period has ended and the shot shall not count. When the clock is not visible, the red or LED light shall be the determining factor, then the sounding of the horn. If definitive information is not available from the monitor, the original ruling that was based on a call using the red or LED lights and then the sounding of the horn shall stand. Rationale: This clarifies game-ending situations. Using the reading of 0.00, which indicates that the game has ended, factors out the time lag that occurs when this reading sends an impulse that triggers the mechanisms in the light and the horn. |
| 2-12.12 5-7 | 45 88 | For game- or period-ending last-second shots, the red light or LED lights (one of which is required for Division I), when present, shall be used as the indicator for the expiration of playing time. This signal shall terminate player activity. The sounding of the horn shall be used as a backup or when the red or LED lights are not available in Division II or III. Rationale: Using the red light provides a consistent measure that terminates player activity. |
| 2-5.1 | 35 | Officials shall be permitted to use a courtside television monitor, when there is uncertainty as to who should shoot an awarded free throw. Rationale: To get the call correct in these rare situations. Since the ball is already dead, minimal time will be added to the game. |
| 10-3.15 | 128 | A player who steps out of bounds of his own volition and then becomes the first person to touch the ball after returning to the court shall be charged with a violation rather than an indirect technical foul. Rationale: This places a more consistent penalty of the offended team being awarded a throw-in rather than free throws for this rules infraction. |
| 4-42 | 76 | The following definition shall be added: A jump stop is executed when a player catches the ball while moving or dribbling with ... 1. One foot on the playing court, jumps off that foot and lands simultaneously on both feet (no pivot foot). 2. Two feet off the playing court, lands on one foot, jumps off that foot and lands simultaneously on both feet (no pivot foot). A jump stop may also be executed when the dribbler has one foot on the playing court, initiates a jump off that foot, ends the dribble with both feet off the playing court and lands simultaneously on both feet (either foot can be established as the pivot foot). Rationale: Adds clarity to a commonly misunderstood term. |
| 4-33 | 72 | The following definition for guarding shall be added: Guarding shall be the act of legally placing the body in the path of an offensive opponent. The guarding position shall be initially established and then maintained in bounds on the playing court. To maintain a legal guarding position after the initial position has been attained, the guard ... 1. is not required to continue having the torso face the opponent. 2. is required to have either one foot or both feet on the playing court. 3. may shift to maintain guarding position in the path of the dribbler, provided that the guard does not charge into the dribbler or otherwise cause contact as in Rules 2-21.2 and 10-21.3. 4. may move laterally or obliquely to maintain position provided such a move is not toward the opponent when contact occurs. 5. may raise the hands or may jump within his or her own vertical plane. 6. may turn or duck to absorb shock when contact by the dribbler is imminent. In such a case, the dribbler shall not be absolved from the responsibility of the contact. Rationale: The current rule does not describe how a player may maintain guarding position. The definition provides clarity. |
| Equip. Rules Supple-ment | 22 | Change the dates for compliance with Division I men's ring-testing requirement from "once before the season and once before the postseason" to "once after July 1 and, if postseason games are being held at a site, once after March 1 but before any initial postseason game." Division I coaches would be required to sign off that this has happened on the form that tracks viewing of the required video clinic and game management would be required to certify with conference offices that testing has occurred. Rationale: To better track compliance with the Division I men's ring-testing requirement, which was approved last year and becomes effective in 2004-05. |
| 2-13.7.e | 47 | For all double fouls, return ball to the team that had control at the time of the fouls at a designated spot without a reset of the shot clock. Rationale: This administers all double personal fouls in a consistent manner because of the inclusion of double flagrant personal fouls and double intentional personal fouls. |
| 5-6.1 | 87 | For men's NCAA championship tournament games, halftimes may be extended to 20 minutes in length for first- and second-round games and for all regional games. Rationale: Previous rule permitted this only for regional finals and Final Four games. The change would allow consistency for the participants. |
| 5-10.4 | 92 | The electronic-media format may be used for all Division II men's championship tournament games, regardless of the presence of media. Rationale: This allows for consistency for the tournament participants. |
| Equipment Rules Supplements | | Free-throw lane space marks and blocks and coaching box lines do not have to be a contrasting color of any other lines on the court as required previously. Rationale: Allows schools more flexibility when painting courts. |
| 5-10.6 | 94 | In games involving electronic media, when a foul is committed that causes the ball to become dead at one of the specified times marks on the game clock for an electronic-media timeout, that electronic-media timeout shall be taken, then the free throw(s) shall be taken after that electronic-media timeout. Rationale: Allows for better flow by requiring electronic media to use their timeouts at the specified marks and preventing timeouts from being used in close proximity of each other. |
MEN'S EXPERIMENTAL RULES
| Court Diagram | 24 | Move the three-point line back 9 inches to 20'6" and employ an "experimental lane," which would be 1 ½ feet wider on either side, but angled after the end space to preserve the current 12-foot width at the free-throw line (elbow) and not allow players in the first two lane spaces on each side of the lane to stand on the 12-inch neutral zone or block. This rule must be used in all certified games occurring before January 1 and could be used in any exhibition games occurring before January 1 for Division I, II and III. Rationale: Rules questionnaire results show a trend of growing support for widening the lane in some fashion and extending the three-point line. This experiment allows for game experience using dimensions that may be best suited for the collegiate men's game. |
| Court Diagram | 24 | Employ an arc on the court underneath the basket a length of 2 feet from the center of the ring. An offensive player should not be charged with an offensive foul when a defensive player has established position with one foot inside the restraining arc near the basket unless the defensive player is making a legitimate attempt to play defense and not attempting to draw a charge. This rule must be used in all certified games occurring before January 1 in Divisions I, II and III. Rationale: The arc may give the officials a clear point of reference to assist with such calls. This experimental rule would have to be used in all certified games occurring before January 1 and could be used in any exhibition games occurring before January 1. |
MEN'S POINTS OF EMPHASIS
| n/a | | Bench decorum. Acceptable forms of behavior for coaches and other bench personnel is again a point of emphasis with particular attention to the use of profanity. |
| 10-3.11 | BR-127 | Hanging on Ring. Players should not be permitted to hang on the basket ring in an excessive or emphatic manner during dunks when there is no possibility of a resulting injury occurring. |
| 4-64 | BR-81 | Palming or Carrying the Ball. This places the defender at a distinct disadvantage and gives the dribbler a sizable advantage, which is not within the spirit and intent of the rules and shall be enforced. |
| 4-26 10-10 | BR-67 BR-138 | Rough Play. Enforcement of rough play and illegal contact in offensive and defensive low-post play with an without the ball, hand- and body checking |
2004 ANNUAL MEETING
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL RULES ACTIONS
| Rule | Page | Rules change recommended |
| 2-5.2 | 88 | For games with a courtside television monitor and a 10th-of-a-second game clock, when officials are required by Rule 2-5.2 to view the monitor before making a final ruling, the determining factor as to whether the ball was released before time expired shall be when the game clock shows 0.00, provided that the game clock is visible on the monitor. When the game clock shows 0.00 before the shot leaves the shooter's hand, the period has ended and the shot shall not count. When the clock is not visible, the red or LED light shall be the determining factor, then the sounding of the horn. If definitive information is not available from the monitor, the original ruling that was based on a call using the red or LED lights and then the sounding of the horn shall stand. Rationale: This clarifies game-ending situations. Using the reading of 0.00, which indicates that the game has ended, factors out the time lag that occurs when this reading sends an impulse that triggers the mechanisms in the light and the horn. |
| 2-12.12 5-7 | 45 88 | For game- or period-ending last-second shots, the red light or LED lights (one of which is required for Division I), when present, shall be used as the indicator for the expiration of playing time. This signal shall terminate player activity. The sounding of the horn shall be used as a backup or when the red or LED lights are not available in Division II or III. Rationale: Using the red light provides a consistent measure that terminates player activity. |
| 2-5.1 | 35 | Officials shall be permitted to use a courtside television monitor, when there is uncertainty as to who should shoot an awarded free throw. Rationale: To get the call correct in these rare situations. Since the ball is already dead, minimal time will be added to the game. |
| 3-4.6 | BR-52 | With 59.9 seconds remaining in the game, substitutions will only be allowed for a timeout, violation or foul. |
| 10-3.15 | 128 | A player who steps out of bounds of her own volition and then becomes the first person to touch the ball after returning to the court shall be charged with a violation rather than an indirect technical foul. Rationale: This places a more consistent penalty of the offended team being awarded a throw-in rather than free throws for this rules infraction. |
| 4-26.3-12 | BR-67-69 | After any technical foul or double-technical foul, the ball will be put back into play at the point of interruption to create consistency. One exception to the rule is that for a single flagrant technical foul, the ball will be put in play at half court. |
| 4-42 | 76 | The following definition shall be added: A jump stop is executed when a player catches the ball while moving or dribbling with ... 1. One foot on the playing court, jumps off that foot and lands simultaneously on both feet (no pivot foot). 2. Two feet off the playing court, lands on one foot, jumps off that foot and lands simultaneously on both feet (no pivot foot). A jump stop may also be executed when the dribbler has one foot on the playing court, initiates a jump off that foot, ends the dribble with both feet off the playing court and lands simultaneously on both feet (either foot can be established as the pivot foot). Rationale: Adds clarity to a commonly misunderstood term. |
| 4-33 | 72 | The following definition for guarding shall be added: Guarding shall be the act of legally placing the body in the path of an offensive opponent. The guarding position shall be initially established and then maintained in bounds on the playing court. To maintain a legal guarding position after the initial position has been attained, the guard ... 1. is not required to continue having the torso face the opponent. 2. is required to have either one foot or both feet on the playing court. 3. may shift to maintain guarding position in the path of the dribbler, provided that the guard does not charge into the dribbler or otherwise cause contact as in Rules 2-21.2 and 10-21.3. 4. may move laterally or obliquely to maintain position provided such a move is not toward the opponent when contact occurs. 5. may raise the hands or may jump within his or her own vertical plane. 6. may turn or duck to absorb shock when contact by the dribbler is imminent. In such a case, the dribbler shall not be absolved from the responsibility of the contact. Rationale: The current rule does not describe how a player may maintain guarding position. The definition provides clarity. |
| 2-13.7.e | 47 | For all double fouls, return ball to the team that had control at the time of the fouls at a designated spot without a reset of the shot clock. Rationale: This administers all double personal fouls in a consistent manner because of the inclusion of double flagrant personal fouls and double intentional personal fouls. |
| Equipment Rules Supplements | | Free-throw lane space marks and blocks and coaching box lines do not have to be a contrasting color of any other lines on the court as required previously. Rationale: Allows schools more flexibility when painting courts. |
| 5-10.6 | 94 | In games involving electronic media, when a foul is committed that causes the ball to become dead at one of the specified times marks on the game clock for an electronic-media timeout, that electronic-media timeout shall be taken, then the free throw(s) shall be taken after that electronic-media timeout. Rationale: Allows for better flow by requiring electronic media to use their timeouts at the specified marks and preventing timeouts from being used in close proximity of each other. |
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
| Points of Emphasis | Displacement, including hand-checking, post play, screening, cutting and rebounding, will remain a point of emphasis for the second year. The principle of verticality will also be a point of emphasis for 2004-05. |
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