Definitions

Question 1

A.R. 64. A1 is in the air on a jump shot in the lane. A1 releases the ball on a try and is fouled by B1, who has jumped in an 
unsuccessful attempt to block
the shot. A1’s try is:
1. Successful; or
2. Unsuccessful

Answer 1

RULING: A1 shall be an airborne shooter when the ball is released until he returns to the floor. An airborne shooter is in the act of shooting. B1 has fouled A1 in the act of shooting. A1 shall be awarded one free throw in (1), and two in (2). (Rule 4-1)

Question 2

A.R. 65. B1 is standing directly behind the backboard before A1 jumps for a layup. The forward momentum of airborne shooter A1 causes A1 to displace B1.

Answer 2

RULING: This is an offensive foul on A1 because A1 is not located in the Restricted Area. (Rule 4-7, 4-15.2.a.1, 4-31)

Question 3

A.R. 66. Team A is not ready to take the playing court after the second signal
sounds indicating the end of the halftime intermission.

Answer 3

RULING: The referee should ask the timer to start the digital device used to time timeouts. When Team A is not ready to play at the expiration of one minute, Team A shall be assessed an administrative technical foul for delay of game. Team B shall be awarded one free throw and play shall be resumed at the point of interruption. When Team A is entitled to the alternating-possession arrow, it shall not lose control of the arrow until the throw-in ends. (Rule 4-10.1.b, 6-3.6 and 10-2.5.a)

Question 4

A.R. 67. A player who has committed a fifth foul (any combination of personal fouls and CLASS A technical fouls) continues to play because the scorers have failed to notify the officials.

Answer 4

RULING: As soon as the scorers discover the mistake, they should sound the game-clock horn as soon as the ball is in control of the offending team or is dead. The disqualified player shall be removed immediately. Any points that may have been scored while such a player was illegally in the game shall count.
(Rule 4-12.1, 2-9.4 and 2-9.14 )

Question 5

A.R. 68. B1 commits a fifth foul (any combination of personal and CLASS A
technical fouls), which results in two free throws for A1. The official scorer and
official timer fail to notify any of the game officials that a fifth foul has been
committed. When the scorers realize the mistake, they inform the official timer
to sound the game-clock horn. The official timer sounds the device as the first
free throw is made or missed. The referee asks the scorers’ table personnel to
explain the problem. The referee is advised that B1 has committed five fouls,
after which the referee advises the coach and player of Team B that B1 has five
fouls. The coach replaces B1.

Answer 5

RULING: Play shall be resumed with the second free throw by A1. There is no additional penalty assessed for the official scorer’s and timer’s mistake in failing to notify the officials of B1’s fifth foul.
(Rule 4-12.3, 2-9.14 and 2-9.4)

Question 6

A.R. 69. A5 is fouled during an unsuccessful try for goal. As A5 goes to the freethrow line, A5 is assessed an unsportsmanlike technical foul, which is A5’s fifth
and disqualifying foul. The scorer:
1. Informs the official that A5 has been disqualified; or
2. Does not inform the official that A5 has been disqualified until after A5
attempts the free throws.

Answer 6

RULING 1: Any Team B player or team member shall attempt the free throws for the technical foul assessed to A5. Play is resumed at the point of interruption and the substitute for A5 would then attempt the free throws awarded when A5 was fouled in the act of shooting.
2: Since A5 and A5’s coach were not notified of the disqualification until after A5’s free throws, the result of A5’s free throws shall stand.
(Rule 4-12.4, 8-3.2, 2-9.4 and 4-28.1.e)

Question 7

A.R. 70. In the frontcourt of Team A (the backcourt of Team B), A1 passes the
ball to A2. B1, in an attempt to secure the ball, deflects it down the playing
court toward B’s basket. The ball bounces several times before B1 can recover it
in B’s frontcourt. B1 dribbles to B’s basket and scores.

Answer 7

RULING: Legal. The deflection of the ball by B1 shall not be considered part of the dribble. B1 does not have control of the ball until securing it after deflecting it.
(Rule 4-13.1)

Question 8

A.R. 71. A1, after:

1. Receiving a pass; or
2. Ending his dribble, passes the ball to A2. Before receiving the pass, A2 leaves the area on a cut to the basket. A1 goes to the area vacated by A2 and recovers the ball.

Answer 8

RULING: In order for a pass to occur, the thrown ball must be touched by another player. This did not occur in (1) or (2). A1’s attempted pass was the start of his dribble. When he recovered the ball and started another dribble, he would have committed a violation. (Had A1, after releasing the pass, which was the start of the dribble, not recovered the ball but rather continued to dribble, it would not have been a violation.)
2: A1 had previously ended a dribble before his attempted pass to A2.
A1’s release of the ball on his attempted pass to A2 was the start of a second dribble. A1 committed a violation after he touched the ball.
(Rule 4-13.2 and 9-7.1.c)

Question 9

A.R. 72. A1 is dribbling the ball when:
1. A1 bats the ball over the head of an opponent, runs around the opponent,
and before the ball touches the playing court he bats the ball again and then continues to dribble; or
2. A1 fumbles the ball after having grasped the ball with both hands and the ball rolls out of reach so that A1 must run to recover it.

Answer 9

RULING 1: Violation, because the ball is touched twice during a dribble, before the ball touches the playing court. 2: It is illegal to continue to dribble, but A1 may recover the ball. (Rule 4-13.3, 4-16.2 and 9-7.1.c)

Question 10

A.R. 73. A1, while advancing the ball by dribbling, manages to keep a hand in
contact with the ball until it reaches its maximum height. A1 maintains such
control as the ball descends, pushing it to the playing court at the last moment;
however, after six or seven bounces, A1’s hands are in contact with the ball and
the palm of the hand on this particular dribble is skyward.

Answer 10

RULING: It is a violation when the ball has come to rest on the hand while the palm and the fingers are facing upward and a player then continues to dribble, because the dribble has ended when the ball came
to rest on the palm when it faced upward.
(Rule 4-13.4.a)

Question 11

A.R. 74. Is a player considered to be dribbling while touching the ball during a
jump, when a pass rebounds from the player’s hand, when the player fumbles
or when the player tips a rebound or pass away from other players who are
attempting to get it?

Answer 11

RULING: No. The player is not in control under these conditions and therefore is not dribbling. (Rule 4-13 and 4-9.1)

Question 12

A.R. 75. A1 dribbles and comes to a stop, after which A1 throws the ball:

1. Against the opponent’s backboard and catches the rebound; or
2. Against the official, immediately recovering the ball and dribbling again.

Answer 12

RULING: A1 has committed a violation in both (1) and (2). Throwing the ball against an opponent’s backboard or an official constitutes another dribble, provided that A1 is first to touch the ball after it strikes
the official or the backboard. (Rule 4-13.4.a and 9-7.1)

Question 13

A.R. 76. After ending a dribble, A1 leaves the playing court to attempt a try for
goal. While airborne, A1 fumbles the ball and:
1. Recovers the fumble while airborne, returns to the floor and dribbles the
ball; or
2. Recovers the fumble after returning to the floor and then dribbles the ball.

Answer 13

RULING: It is a violation in both (1) and (2). A1 is permitted to recover the ball, but after recovering the ball, he is not allowed to start another dribble. However, if a fumble is touched by another player and then
recovered by A1, while airborne or after a return to the floor, A1 is allowed to start another dribble. If A1 had not previously dribbled the ball, and while airborne fumbled and recovered the ball (while airborne or after a return to the floor), he is permitted to start a dribble.
(Rule 4-13.4.a, 4-16.2 and 9-7.1.c)

Question 14

A.R. 77. A1 ends the dribble, passes the ball to A2 and then charges into B2:

1. While the ball is in the air; or
2. After A2 has control.

Answer 14

RULING: The foul on A1 in both (1) and (2) is not a player-control foul since A1 was not holding or dribbling the ball and was not an airborne shooter in either situation. However, in both cases, A1 has committed a team-control foul. When the official is in doubt as to whether the foul occurred before or after the ball was released on the pass, the foul should not be ruled a
player-control foul but shall be ruled a team-control foul. (Rule 4-9.2.a and 4-15.2.a.1 and .2)

Question 15

A.R. 78. A3 and B3 commit a double personal foul, neither of which is a flagrant foul, while:

1. A1’s pass is in flight; or
2. A1’s try is in flight

Answer 15

RULING: Charge the fouls to A3 and B3.
1: The ball shall be awarded to Team A, the team in control, at a designated spot nearest to where the ball was last in contact with a player or the playing court using the procedures in Rule 7-3.2 with
no reset of the shot clock. 2: When the try is successful, Team B, the team not credited with the score, shall be awarded the ball anywhere along the end line. When the try is unsuccessful and since there is no team control, play shall be resumed by using the alternating-possession procedure. The throw-in shall be awarded at a designated spot nearest to where the ball became dead, as a result of the unsuccessful try using the procedures in Rule 7-3.2, with a reset of the shot clock. (Rule 4-9.2.b, 4-9.4.c, 4-27.1.d, and 7-4.9 and .11)

Question 16

A.R. 79. A1 is dribbling the ball in the frontcourt when the ball momentarily
gets away from him. While the dribble is interrupted:
1. A1 pushes B2 while trying to retrieve the ball;
2. A2 is in the lane for four seconds; or
3. A1 calls a timeout.

Answer 16

RULING 1: Team-control foul on A1.
2: Three-second violation on A2.
3: A timeout shall not be acknowledged during an interrupted dribble.
(Rule 4-9.2.d, 4-13.6.b, 9-9.2 and 4-13.5)

Question 17

A.R. 80. B1 commits a common foul against A1 before the bonus is in effect for
either team. The ball is awarded to Team A at a designated spot nearest to where
the foul occurred. During the throw-in but before the clock is started, A2 fouls
B2. Team B is in the bonus.

Answer 17

RULING: A2’s foul is a team-control foul since it occurred during the throw-in. The foul shall be charged to A2 and the ball shall be awarded to Team B at a designated spot nearest to where the foul occurred using the procedures in Rule 7-3.2. (Rule 4-15.2.a.2 and 7-3.1.f)

Question 18

A.R. 81. B1 deflects the ball away from A1 while:
1. A1 is dribbling the ball; or
2. A1 is passing the ball to A2.
A1, in an attempt to recover the ball, fouls B1.

Answer 18

RULING: In (1) and (2), A1 has committed a loose ball foul. The foul shall be charged to A1, and the ball shall be awarded to Team B at ades ignated spot nearest to where A1’s foul was committed using the
procedures in Rule 7-3.2 unless Team B is in the bonus in which case the offended player shall shoot free throw(s).
(Rule 4-15.2.a.3, 4-9.2.a and .b, 7-3.1.f, 4-24 and 10-1 Penalty c.)

Question 19

A.R. 82. After a field goal by B1, Team A leads Team B, 61-60. A1 has the ball for a throw-in with four seconds remaining in the game. While A1 is holding the ball, B2 crosses the boundary line and contacts A1.

Answer 19

RULING: A flagrant 1 personal foul shall be charged to B2. (Rule 4-15.2.c.5 and 10-1 Penalty d[2])

Question 20

A.R. 83. Before a free throw by A1 is in flight, A2 pushes B2, then A3 steps into
the free-throw lane too soon. The bonus is in effect for both teams.

Answer 20

RULING: The foul by A2, which created a false double foul, is a team-control foul and causes the ball to become dead immediately. Consequently, A3’s violation shall be ignored. A1 shall attempt the free
throw(s) with no players on the lane and when the last try is successful, Team B shall have the privilege to run the endline. When the last try is unsuccessful, play shall be resumed by awarding Team B the ball for
a throw-in at a designated spot closest to where the team-control foul occurred. (Rule 4-15.4 and 8-8.1)

Question 21

A.R. 84. A1 is entitled to a one-and-one free throw. Before the ball is handed to
A1, Team A’s coach is assessed a CLASS A technical foul.

Answer 21

RULING: The technical foul creates a false double foul. Team B shall be
awarded two free throws because of the technical foul on Coach A. After
Team B shoots the free throws for the technical fouls, A1 shall attempt
the one-and-one since that was the point of interruption. (Rule 4-15.4 and 8-8.2)

Question 22

A.R. 85. B1 maneuvers to a position in front of post player A1 to prevent A1
from receiving the ball. A pass is made over the head and out of reach of B1.
Post player A1 moves toward the basket to catch the pass and attempt a try for
goal. As the pass is made, B2 moves into the path of A1, in a guarding position.

Answer 22

RULING: B2 has switched to guard a player who does not have the ball.
Therefore, B2 must give A1 enough time and distance (not more than two strides) to avoid contact to be in a legal guarding position. When A1 has control of the ball (provided that A1 is not in the air at the time), time and distance shall be irrelevant.
(Rule 4-17.4 and 4-17.5)

Question 23

A.R. 86. B1 slips to the floor in the free-throw lane. A1 (with his back to B1,
who is prone) receives a pass, turns and, in his attempt to drive to the basket,
trips and falls over B1.

Answer 23

RULING: Foul on B1, who is not in a legal guarding position. (Rule 4-17.4.a)

Question 24

A.R. 87. B1 takes a spot on the playing court before A1 jumps to catch a pass.
1. A1 returns to the playing court and lands on B1; or 2. B1 moves to a new spot while A1 is airborne. A1 comes to the floor on
one foot and then charges into B1.

Answer 24

RULING: In both (1) and (2), the foul shall be on A1. In (1), B1 is entitled to that spot on the floor provided he gets there legally
before the offensive player becomes airborne. However, in (2), when A1 possesses the ball then lands on the floor, no time and distance is required. (Rule 4-17.4.c and .d, 4-17.3 and Exception 4-17.7)

Question 25

A.R. 88. A1 runs toward Team A’s goal and looks back to receive a fast-break
outlet pass. B1 takes a position in the path of A1 while A1 is 10 feet away from B1.
1. A1 runs into B1 before receiving the ball; or
2. A1 receives the ball and, before taking a step, contacts B1.

Answer 25

RULING: In both (1) and (2), A1 shall be held responsible for contact.
B1 took a position in the path of A1 that provided A1 enough time and
distance to avoid contact. While without the ball, A1 was provided the
required time and distance to avoid contact with B1. However, when A1
received the ball, no time and distance were required by the defender.
(Rule 4-17.5.b and 4-17.4.c; Exception 4-17.7)

Question 26

A.R. 89. A1 tries a pump fake and defender B1, who is in legal guarding position:
1. Jumps forward into the air and A1 then jumps forward and makes contact
with B1 in the air; or
2. Jumps straight up in the air and A1 then jumps forward and makes
contact with B1 in the air

Answer 26

RULING 1: Even though B1 established legal guarding position on the floor, his jump forward and toward A1 is not a legal attempt to maintain legal guarding position so that any non-incidental contact with A1 is a personal foul on B1. However, if B1’s jump forward is in a direction that he clearly would not have made contact with the shooter, and the shooter moves sideways to cause the contact, B1 has
not committed a personal foul.
(Rule 4-17.6.e)
2: B1 has again established initial legal guarding position and his jump
into the air is a legal attempt to maintain legal guarding position as
long as the jump is within B1’s own vertical plane. Any subsequent contact by A1 jumping forward and into B1 is either a personal foul on A1 or incidental contact.
(Rule 4-17.6.e)

Question 27

A.R. 90. A1 is in the act of shooting and B1 attempts to defend the try. The official, in anticipation of a foul that was not committed, inadvertently blows his whistle: 1. Before the release of the ball; or 2. After the try for goal was released and hit the ring, but was unsuccessful.

Answer 27

RULING 1: Since A1 did not release the ball and was in control of the ball when the inadvertent whistle was blown, Team A shall be awarded the ball at a designated spot nearest to where the dead ball occurred with no reset of the shot clock.
2: The inadvertent whistle occurred when there was no team control. When the try was unsuccessful, the ball is awarded to the team entitled to the alternating-possession arrow at a spot nearest to
where the try was unsuccessful and the shot clock shall be reset. When the try for goal was successful, the inadvertent whistle shall be ignored and the team not credited with the score shall be awarded
the ball at the end line with that team being entitled to run the end line. (Rule 4-20, 4-28.1.a, 2-11.6.g, 2-11.7.g, 7-3.2 and 7-5.1.a and .d)

Question 28

A.R. 91. After A1’s try is released and is in flight, an official inadvertently blows
the whistle and then the shot-clock horn sounds. How is play resumed when
the shot:
1. Is successful;
2. Does not strike the ring or flange; or
3. Strikes the ring or flange but does not enter the basket?

Answer 28

RULING 1: Count the goal. Ignore the inadvertent whistle, which was blown when there was no team control, and the sounding of the shot-clock horn. The team not credited with the score shall be allowed to run the end line.
(Rule 4-20, 7-4.18 and 7-4.6)
2: Violation. Ignore the inadvertent whistle and resume play by awarding the ball to Team B at the spot nearest to where the shotclock violation occurred. The violation takes precedence over the inadvertent whistle. (Rule 4-20, 9-11.4 and 7-4.1)
3: Play shall be resumed by the alternating-possession procedure and
the shot clock shall be reset.
(Rule 4-20, 4-28.1.a, 7-4.18, 6-4.1.g and 2-11.6.g)

Question 29

A.R. 92. An official is in the frontcourt when he runs into a pass thrown by A1
from Team A’s backcourt. After touching the official, the ball:
1. Goes out of bounds; or
2. Rebounds to the backcourt, where it is recovered by A3.

Answer 29

RULING: Touching the official shall be the same as touching the floor where the official is standing.
1: The ball shall be awarded to Team B for a throw-in at a designated spot nearest to where the out-of-bounds violation occurred.
2: Since A1 was the last player to touch the ball before it returned to the backcourt, A1 caused it to go there. Back-court violation. Award a throw-in to Team B at a designated spot nearest to where the
violation occurred. (Rule 4-23.3, 9-2 and 7-3.1.a

Question 30

A.R. 93. Team A is entitled to the ball for a throw-in after a timeout and after
having previously received a team warning for not being ready to resume play
following a timeout. The referee blows the whistle indicating that the timeout
has ended and Team A is not ready to resume play immediately.

Answer 30

RULING: The official should assess the Team A coach a Class B technical foul and resume play at the point of interruption. (Rule 4-10.2, 4-32.2 and 4-28.1.e)

Question 31

A.R. 94. Team A is entitled to the ball for a throw-in after a timeout and after
having previously received a team warning for not being ready to resume play
following a timeout. The official timer properly sounds a warning signal 15
seconds before the charged timeout expires and then a final signal when the
timeout ends. The official administering the throw-in sounds the whistle to
alert the players that the game shall resume. However, neither team has left its
huddle on the sideline.

Answer 31

RULING: The official shall assess the Team A coach a Class B technical foul and issue Team B an official warning for not being ready to resume play immediately following the end of a timeout. (Rule 4-10.2, 4-32.2.j, 4-28.1.e and 10-4.2.g)

Question 32

A.R. 95. A1 dribbles the ball toward A2 and hands the ball to A2. A1 continues
to move toward B2 who is defending A2 or reverse pivots into B2. The contact
prevents B2 from continuing to guard A2.

Answer 32

RULING: A2’s contact with B2 is a violation of the screening rules. The officials should assess a team-control foul on A2.
(Rule 4-35.1 and .4, and 10-1.17)

Question 33

A.R. 96. A1 makes a cut without the ball and beats defender B1. A2 throws an
alley-oop pass to A1. A1 goes airborne to receive the alley-oop pass and crashes
into the torso of B2 who is grounded on the court and had established initial
guarding position inside the restricted area. The crash occurs:
1. Before A1 gains possession of the ball; or
2. After A1 gains possession of the ball.

Answer 33

RULING 1: Since A1 did not have control of the ball when the contact with B2 occurred, the secondary defender/restricted area rules do not apply. It is a charging/team-control foul when B2 has given A1 enough
time and distance for A1 to avoid contact and has established this position before A1 went airborne. It is a blocking foul when B2 fails to give sufficient time and distance for A1 to avoid contact or fails to establish this position before A1 goes airborne.
(Rule 4-36.1, 4-17.5, 4-9.2.b and 10-1.14)
2: Since A1 had control of the ball when the contact occurred, the restricted area rules apply and a blocking foul should be assessed to B2. (Rule 10-1.14)

Question 34

A.R. 97. As A2 makes a drive to the basket, B1, a secondary defender, establishes initial guarding position within the restricted area. Contact occurs. One official calls a charge while another official calls a block.

Answer 34

RULING: B1 was a secondary defender who illegally established initial guarding position within the restricted area. Consequently, the blocking call against B1 is the correct call. (Rule 4-36 and 10-1.14)

Question 35

A.R. 98. Team B is in a zone defense. A1, who is located on the perimeter
of Team B’s zone, passes the ball to A2. A1 then cuts behind B1, who is the
defender at the top of the zone, and receives a pass from A2 while just outside
the restricted area. After receiving the pass, A1 then crashes into the torso of
defender B2, who has established initial guarding position and is grounded on
the court inside the restricted area. The Lead official calls a blocking foul on B2.

Answer 35

RULING: The official is correct. B2 is a secondary defender because A1 is deemed to have beaten B1 when he cut behind B1 on the perimeter of the zone defense. As a secondary defender, B2 may not establish an initial legal guarding position in the restricted area for the purpose of drawing a player-control/charging foul when defending a player who is in control of the ball or has released the ball on a pass or try.

Question 36

A.R. 99. Low-post player A5 spins and gets by defender B5. B4 comes from the
weak side and establishes initial guarding position within the restricted area. A5
continues to move to the basket and:
1. While airborne and shooting the ball, leans into and makes contact with
B4, who is grounded on the court inside the restricted area; or
2. Stops and, while in control of the ball, leans into and contacts B4.

Answer 36

RULING 1: B4 is a secondary defender and illegally established initial guarding position within the restricted area to stop A5’s try for goal. A blocking foul shall be assessed to B4.
2: When A5 stopped and the try for goal was discontinued, B4 was no longer a secondary defender. A player-control foul shall be assessed
to A5. (Rule 4-36.2 and 10-1.14)

Question 37

A.R. 100. Low post player A5 in possession of the ball is defended initially by
B5. Player B4 comes from the weak side to double team and establishes initial
guarding position (1) inside the restricted area or (2) outside the restricted area.
A5 makes a move to the basket and contacts stationary B4 in the torso.

Answer 37

RULING: In (1), B4 is a secondary defender and may not establish initial legal guarding position inside the restricted area. When illegal contact occurs, a blocking foul should be assessed against B4. In (2), B4 is a secondary defender but established initial legal guarding position outside the restricted area. When illegal contact occurs, a player-control foul should be assessed to A5. (Rule 4-36.2, 4-31 and 10-1.14)

Question 38

A.R. 101. Player A1 attempts a shot, which bounces off the rim.
1. Player A2, who is in the lane area, grabs an offensive rebound and immediately attempts a put back and crashes into the torso of B2, who is grounded on the court within the restricted area; or
2. Player A2, who is located on the wing just inside the three-point line,
gains possession of a long rebound and immediately drives to the basket
with no defender. Player A2 crashes into the torso of B2, who is grounded
on the court within the restricted area.

Answer 38

RULING 1: When A2 rebounds the ball and immediately makes a move to the basket, there is no secondary defender and the restricted area rule is not in effect.
2: When B2 has established and maintained a legal guarding position and illegal contact occurs, it is player-control/charging foul on A2. (Rule 4-36.3, 4-31 and 10-1.14)

Question 39

A.R. 102. Team A is on a 3 on 2 or a 2 on 3 fast break, and any player on Team B takes an initial guarding position (1) within the restricted area with two feet on the floor and facing the opponent, or (2) outside the restricted area with two feet on the floor and facing the opponent, in an attempt to draw a playercontrol/charging foul. A2, after receiving a pass, crashes into the torso of the Team B player, and the official calls a player-control/charging foul.

Answer 39

RULING 1: The official is incorrect. In any outnumbering fast-break situation, all Team B players are initially secondary defenders. The Team B player may not establish initial legal guarding position inside the restricted area, and the illegal contact by B is a blocking foul.
2: The official is correct. Even though the Team B player is initially a secondary defender, he established initial guarding position outside the restricted area. When illegal contact occurs, it shall be a playercontrol/charging foul. (Rule 4-36.4, 4-31 and 10-1.14)

Question 40

A.R. 103. A1 has possession of the ball and is defended by B1 who is positioned
on the side of A1. B1 does not make contact with A1 but does straddle A1’s leg.
A1 attempts to pivot on the foot of the leg straddled by B1 and makes elbow or
shoulder contact with B1.

Answer 40

RULING: A personal foul should be assessed to B1. Even though B1 is permitted to come as close as he wants to A1’s side short of contact, he is not permitted to straddle A1’s leg so that A1 is unable to make a normal basketball move including pivoting. If B1 causes contact while straddling the leg of A1, officials should assess a foul on B1.
(Rule 4-39.1.k)