Rule 5 - Scoring and Timing Regulations

Question 1

Scoring/Try for Goal
A.R. 106. A1 becomes confused and shoots the ball at the wrong basket. A1 is fouled while trying to shoot and the ball goes in the basket. Is this a goal? If A1 misses, should A1 be granted two free throws for the foul by the Team B player?

Answer 1

RULING: No goal. The ball became dead when the foul occurred. When a player shoots at the opponent’s basket, it is not a try. When Team A is in the bonus when the Team B player fouls A1, A1 shall be awarded two free throws. When Team A is not in the bonus, the ball shall be awarded to Team A at a designated spot.
(Rule 5-1.1, 6-5.1.f and 10-1 Penalty a[1] and c[1])

Question 2

Scoring/Try for Goal
A.R. 107. A ball passed from behind the three-point line:
(1) Enters the basket from above and passes through;
(2) Is deflected and enters the basket from above and passes through; or
(3) Strikes the side of the ring or the flange.

Answer 2

RULING: (1) A three-point goal shall be counted.
(2) When there is no possibility of the ball entering the basket from above and the deflection causes the goal to be successful, it shall be a two-point goal. However, when a ball is passed in the direction of the basket with the possibility of entering the basket from above and the deflection does not influence its success, a three-point goal shall be counted.
(3) The ball shall remain live. In (1), (2) and (3), when a passed ball hits the ring or flange and does not enter the basket, there is no reset of the shot clock.
(Rule 5-1.1, 5-1.2.a, 5-1.3 and .4, 4-17 and 2-11.6.d)

Question 3

Scoring/Try for Goal
A.R. 108. A1 intercepts a pass and dribbles toward A’s basket for a break- away layup. Near A’s free-throw line, A1 legally stops and ends her dribble. A1 throws the ball against A’s backboard and follows the throw. While airborne, A1 rebounds the ball off the backboard and dunks.

Answer 3

RULING: The play shall be legal since the backboard is located in A1’s frontcourt, which A1 is entitled to use.
(Rule 5-1.1 and .6 and 9-12.1)

Question 4

Scoring/Try for Goal
A.R. 109. A pass or a try for field goal by A1 comes down several feet in front of the basket. The ball strikes the playing court without touching any player and bounces into the basket.

Answer 4

RULING: Two points shall be counted for Team A when not complicated by the expiration of time in a period or by a foul occurring while the ball is in flight. The try for field goal by A1 ends when the ball touches the playing court, but it is customary to credit the two points to A1. A field goal can sometimes be scored when it is not the result of a try. When the ball is in flight as a result of contacting the playing court without touching any player and time expires or a foul occurs, no points shall be scored. Neither the expiration of time nor a foul shall cause the ball to become dead immediately during a try for a field goal. During a pass, the ball shall become dead as a result of the foul or expiration of time.
(Rule 5-1.2 and 6-6.1)

Question 5

Scoring/Try for Goal
A.R. 110. Immediately after a successful goal or free throw by Team A, A1 inbounds the ball to A2, and A2 subsequently throws the ball through Team A’s basket. Can this error be corrected?

Answer 5

RULING: The officials have erred in permitting the throw-in by A1 after Team A’s successful goal. Team B was entitled to the ball for a throw-in following Team A’s successful goal. Therefore, the ball was not live when Team A inbounded the ball. The subsequent goal by Team A is not considered to be erroneously counting a basket since the error was the illegal throw-in by Team A. This error may be corrected in the following manner.
When the error of permitting Team A to complete a throw-in after its own successful goal is detected before the second live ball after the error, the officials shall cancel any activity excluding a disqualifying or unsportsmanlike foul, or any technical foul, put consumed time back on the clock, assess a delay warning for interfering with the ball after a goal, or charge A1 with a player/substitute technical foul when the act is deemed unsporting.
(Rule 5-1.2.a, 4-11.1 and .2, 7-6.3 and 10-12.3.k)

Question 6

Scoring/Try for Goal
A.R. 111. A2 receives the tip by A1 on the jump ball to start an extra period. A2 is confused and dribbles toward the basket that Team A had during the first half and:
(1) Dunks into Team B’s basket; or
(2) Attempts a three-point try, which is successful, at Team B’s basket.

Answer 6

RULING: In both (1) and (2), the goal shall be legal. In both cases, two points shall be awarded to Team B. The ball shall be awarded to Team A out of bounds at the basket of Team B and Team A may put the ball in play from anywhere behind the end line as after any score by Team B (earned or awarded).
(Rule 5-1.4.a and 7-4.6.a)

Question 7

Scoring/Try for Goal
A.R. 112. A1’s throw (pass) from behind the three-point line is deflected while in flight by:
(1) B1; or
(2) A2, both of whom are located inside the three-point line.

Answer 7

RULING: (1) When a ball thrown (passed) in the direction of the basket from behind the three-point line with the possibility of entering the basket from above is deflected by a defender, a three- point goal shall be counted. However, if there is no possibility of the ball entering the basket from above and the deflection caused the goal to be successful, a two-point goal shall be counted.
(2) When a thrown (passed) ball is deflected by a teammate and the goal is successful, two points shall be awarded.
When a passed ball hits the ring and does not enter the basket, there is no reset of the shot clock.
(Rule 5-1.1, 5-1.2.a and 5-1.3 and .4)

Question 8

Scoring/Try for Goal
A.R. 113. As the hand of A1 contacts the ball to tap it toward the basket, B1 fouls A1. The ball is not airborne from the hand of A1.

Answer 8

RULING: The penalty for a foul on a tap is the same as the penalty for a foul on a try. When the tap is successful, one free throw shall be awarded. When the tap is unsuccessful, two free throws shall be awarded.
(Rule 5-1.8 and 10-10 Penalty b[1] and c[1])

Question 9

Scoring/Try for Goal
A.R. 114. A1 is in possession of the ball and in the act of shooting when:
(1) B2 fouls A2 before the release of the ball; or
(2) A2 fouls B2 before the release of the ball.

Answer 9

RULING: (1) Assess B2 with the foul committed against A2. A1’s try for goal shall count when successful. Administer the bonus free throws or award the ball to Team A at a designated spot nearest to where the foul occurred.
(2) Assess A2 with the foul committed against B2. A1’s try for field goal shall not count when successful, since the ball became dead before A1’s release. Award the ball to Team B at a designated spot nearest to where the foul occurred.
(Rule 5-1.10, 10-10 Penalty a[1] and c and 6-5.1.f)

Question 10

Scoring/Try for Goal
A.R. 115. During a try for goal but after A1 returns to the floor, B1 commits a holding foul. The foul occurs before the bonus. The attempt is:
(1) Successful; or
(2) Unsuccessful.

Answer 10

RULING: A personal foul shall be charged to B1 in both (1) and (2) but no free throw shall be awarded to A1 in either case since A1 is not an airborne shooter and Team A is not in the bonus. In both (1) and (2), the ball shall be awarded to Team A at a designated spot nearest to where the foul occurred.
(Rule 5-1.14, 10-10 Penalty a[1] and 7-4.4)

Question 11

A.R.	116. With two-tenths of a second (.2) remaining on the game clock in any period or extra period, Team A is awarded a throw-in at the division line. A1 passes the ball to A2 who:
(1)	Catches the ball with both hands while in the air and throws the ball into her basket; or
(2)	Does not catch the ball but taps it into the basket.
In both (1) and (2), the ball is in the air on the way to the basket when the game-ending horn sounds.

Answer 11

RULING: (1) Illegal. When the game clock displays three-tenths of a second (.3) or less and play is to be resumed by a throw-in or a free throw, a player may not gain possession of the ball and try for goal. When this situation occurs, the official shall blow their whistle and the period or extra period is over, unless an unsportsmanlike or disqualifying foul was committed on the play. Whether the try for goal was successfully attempted before the expiration of time is inconsequential.
(2) Legal. When the player does not possess (catch) the ball but taps it into the basket before the period-ending horn sounds, the official shall use replay equipment, videotape or television monitoring, when available and located at courtside, to ascertain whether the tap (try) that will determine the outcome of the game was released before a reading of zeroes on the game clock.
(Rule 5-1.19 and 11-3.1)

Question 12

Scoring/Try for Goal

A.R. 117. Should an official stop play during the dead ball that follows a made field goal to untangle the net?

Answer 12

RULING: No. The officials are not to stop the game to untangle the net following a successful goal. Game management shall have an individual at each end of the playing court with a device to untangle the net when play moves toward the other end of the playing court.
(Rule 5-2.1.a)

Question 13

Periods — Beginning and End
A.R. 118. In a game without a courtside monitor available, and with the score tied near the expiration of time in the fourth period:
(1) Shooter A1 is fouled in the act of shooting, but time expires before the release of the ball and the try is successful;
(2) Shooter A1 releases the ball, time expires, A1 is fouled while the ball is in flight and the try is unsuccessful; or
(3) Shooter A1 is fouled after time has expired and before the ball was in flight.

Answer 13

RULING: (1) When the official determines that the foul occurred before the sounding of the game-clock horn, and signals for the clock to stop and the timer fails to stop the clock, a timing mistake occurred and the official shall put time back on the clock when they have definitive knowledge as to the time on the clock when the foul was called. The goal shall count. In this case, A1 is awarded one free throw. However, when the official does not have definitive knowledge as to the time on the clock when the foul was called and the timer does not stop the clock, this is not a timer’s mistake and time should not be placed back on the game clock. When the official determines that the foul occurred before the sounding of the game-clock horn, the basket shall not count and A1 is awarded two free throws. When A1 makes the first shot, the game is over. When both free throws are unsuccessful, the game continues with an extra period(s).
On a foul that occurs near the expiration of time, officials must determine that the clock did not stop when the whistle sounded either because a timing mistake occurred or because it was so near the expiration of time that the timer is unable to stop the clock. In the first case, time is put back on the game clock and the game has not ended; in the second case, time is not placed back on the clock and the game has ended. When both free throws are unsuccessful, the game continues with an extra period(s).
(2) Since the try was released before the expiration of time and since the foul occurred after time expired but while the ball was in flight, A1 shall attempt two free throws. When one free throw is successful, the game is over. When both free throws are unsuccessful, the game continues with an extra period(s).
(3) When the foul occurs after the fourth period (or any period) has clearly ended, the foul shall be ignored unless the foul was an unsportsmanlike or contact disqualifying foul. When the foul was an unsportsmanlike or contact disqualifying foul, the offended team shall be awarded two free throws to begin the extra period and the extra period shall begin with the ball awarded to the offended team at the division line opposite the scorers’ table.
For games with a courtside monitor available, see A.R. 355.
(Rule 5-7.3.c.1, 5-7.6 and 6-6.2)

Question 14

Periods — Beginning and End
A.R. 119. As time for the first period expires and while the ball is in flight during a field-goal try by A1, B2 commits an unsportsmanlike foul against A2. A2 is awarded two free throws with no time on the game clock and no players occupying the marked lane spaces. After the ball has become dead and after the last free throw by A2, A3 commits a disqualifying foul against B3.

Answer 14

RULING: A3 shall be ejected. The foul by A3 was committed after the first period has ended so the second period shall begin with the free throws for this foul followed by a throw-in by Team B at the division line. This foul shall count toward the team foul count for the second period. The possession arrow is not reversed.
(Rule 5-7.6)

Question 15

Periods — Beginning and End
A.R. 120. Playing time has expired with the score tied, and:
(1) A1 is assessed a player/substitute technical foul;
(2) A1 is assessed a disqualifying foul; or
(3) A1 is assessed an unsportsmanlike foul.

Answer 15

RULING: (1) The extra period shall start by awarding a player from Team B two free throws for the player/substitute technical foul that was assessed to A1. Play shall resume at the point of interruption, which would be a jump ball.
(2) A1 shall be ejected and the extra period shall start by awarding a player from Team B two free throws for the disqualifying foul that was assessed to A1. Play shall resume with a throw-in for Team B at the division line opposite the scorers’ table. The alternating-possession arrow shall be set towards Team A’s basket when the ball is placed at the disposal of Team B for the throw-in.
(3) The extra period shall start by awarding a player from Team B two free throws for the unsportsmanlike foul that was assessed to A1. Play shall resume with a throw-in for Team B at the division line opposite the scorers’ table. The alternating-possession arrow shall be set towards Team A’s basket when the ball is placed at the disposal of Team B for the throw-in.
These fouls shall count toward the team foul count, disqualification and ejection.
(Rule 5-7.6)

Question 16

Periods — Beginning and End
A.R. 121. After the first half has clearly ended, A1 is assessed a player/substitute technical foul. Later, B1 taunts A1 and is assessed a player/substitute technical foul.

Answer 16

RULING: When the technical fouls assessed against A1 and B1 occur during the same dead-ball period, they are offsetting and no free throws are awarded. Play shall resume at the point of interruption, which in this case, is the awarding of the ball to the team favored by the alternating-possession arrow to start the third period.
These fouls shall count toward the team foul count and toward an individual’s disqualification and ejection.
(Rule 5-7.6 and 10-12.3 Penalty)

Question 17

Periods — Beginning and End

A.R. 122. Playing time has expired with Team A leading Team B 70-69 and anyone on Team A is assessed a technical foul.

Answer 17

RULING: Any Team B player shall shoot the two free throws with no players in the marked lane spaces. These free throws must be administered at this time as if the technical foul had been part of the preceding period because there is no way to determine whether there will be an extra period until the free throws for the technical are administered.
(Rule 5-7.6.a)

Question 18

Starting Game and Shot Clocks
A.R.	123. Team A is awarded the ball for a throw-in with 56.7 seconds remaining in the first period. A1’s throw-in is immediately batted out of bounds by B1. The game clock shows:
(1)	56.7 seconds;
(2) 56.5 seconds;
(3) 56.4 seconds; or
(4) 56.3 seconds

Answer 18

RULING: In (1) and (2), the officials will instruct the timer to set the game clock to 56.4 seconds, as a minimum of 3/10 of a second (.3) must expire on the game clock when the game clock is started and an official immediately signals for the game clock to stop. In (3) and (4), since at least .3 seconds elapsed on the game clock, there will be no adjustment made to the clock.
(Rule 5-10.2.d)

Question 19

Starting Game and Shot Clocks
A.R.	124. A1 has been awarded two free throws with 36.8 seconds remaining in the fourth period. A1’s last free throw is unsuccessful and is rebounded by B1, who immediately requests a timeout. The game clock shows: 
(1)	36.6 seconds; or
(2) 36.2 seconds. 
remaining in the period.

Answer 19

RULING: In (1), the officials shall instruct the timer to set the game clock to 36.5 seconds, as a minimum of .3 must expire on the game clock when the clocks starts and an official immediately signals for the game clock to stop.
In (2), there shall be no adjustment made to the game clock.
(Rule 5-10.2.d)

Question 20

Timing Mistakes and Malfunctions
A.R. 126. During a throw-in by Team A, the timer fails to properly start the game clock. After the clock should have started:
(1) A1 commits a violation; or
(2) A1 is successful with a try for goal.

Answer 20

RULING: (1) A1’s violation caused a dead ball. The timer’s mistake shall be corrected during this first dead ball and before the ball is touched inbounds or out of bounds by a player other than the thrower-in.
(2) The timer’s mistake may be corrected after A1’s successful try for goal and before the ball is touched inbounds or out of bounds by a player other than the thrower-in. When the mistake is not corrected during this first dead-ball period and since the game clock should have been running, the mistake must be corrected before the ball is touched inbounds or out of bounds by a player other than the thrower-in before the second live ball.
(Rule 5-12.1 and 11-2.1.c.1.a)

Question 21

Timing Mistakes and Malfunctions
A.R. 127. With 10 seconds remaining on the game clock in the first half, A1 makes a throw-in to A2, but the game clock is not started because of an official timer’s mistake. A2 dribbles into the frontcourt and misses the try. B1 recovers the rebound and dribbles the full length of the playing court. As the player passes the bench, the coach of Team A notices that the game clock has not started and calls the mistake to the attention of the official timer, who starts the game clock. With one second remaining on the game clock in the half, A2 fouls B1. The bonus is in effect. Time expires before the official timer can stop the game clock.

Answer 21

RULING: The referee cannot correct this official timer’s mistake unless they know relatively how much time had elapsed while the game clock was stopped. The referee shall conduct a re-enactment of the sequential occurrence of the play to determine that relative time. To assist the referee, information may be attained from the official timer, play-by-play, a digital stopwatch, other table officials or from the use of an official courtside monitor, when one is available. When the referee determines that there is time remaining, the referee shall put the determined time on the game clock. A2 shall be assessed with a personal foul and play shall be resumed at the point where the ball was located when play was stopped to correct the timer’s mistake. In this case, B1 shall be awarded the entitled free throws for A2’s personal foul and play shall be resumed from that point with the corrected time on the game clock. A correction is only permitted when it falls within the prescribed time frame limit. When it is determined that there is no time left on the game clock, the first half is ended and the personal foul is not assessed, unless it is an unsportsmanlike or disqualifying foul.
(Rule 5-12.1, 2-7.6 and 2-10.6)

Question 22

Timing Mistakes and Malfunctions
A.R. 128. Team A scores with 58 seconds left to play in the game and, after the successful goal, the timer fails to stop the game clock. After the throw-in by Team B:
(1) B1 commits a violation; or
(2) B1 is successful with a try for goal.

Answer 22

RULING: (1) The timer’s mistake shall be corrected after the violation that created the first dead-ball period. It shall be corrected before the ball touches or is legally touched by an inbounds player or is touched by a player who is located on the playing court who causes the ball to be out of bounds.
(2) The mistake may be corrected after the successful try by B1 and before the throw-in touches or is legally touched by an inbounds player or is touched by a player who is located on the playing court who causes the ball to be out of bounds. In both (1) and (2), to correct the timer’s mistake, the referee shall have definite information relative to the time involved.
(Rule 5-12.1)

Question 23

Timing Mistakes and Malfunctions
A.R. 129. With four seconds left on the game clock, A1 inbounds the ball to A2. The timer incorrectly starts the game clock before the passed ball touches or is legally touched by an inbounds player. The official:
(1) Recognizes the timer’s mistake and immediately blows their whistle while the passed ball is in flight; or
(2) Doesn’t recognize the timer’s mistake until the passed ball is controlled by Team A on the playing court, then blows their whistle.

Answer 23

RULING: Since the timer has made a mistake, the official, with definite information relative to the time involved, shall place the correct time on the game clock. Play is resumed in (1) with a throw-in by Team A from the original throw-in spot; or in (2) with a throw-in to Team A at a spot nearest to where the ball was when the stoppage occurred.
(Rule 5-12.1, 7-3.1.d and 7-4.3)

Question 24

Timing Mistakes and Malfunctions
A.R. 130. With four seconds remaining on the game clock, A1 makes a throw- in to A2. The game clock does not start when the throw-in is touched by A2. The ball is passed twice, a shot is taken and the rebound is deflected out of bounds by B1. Before placing the ball at the disposal of A1 for a throw-in, the official recognizes that there are four seconds on the game clock, indicating that the game clock was not properly started on the previous throw-in.

Answer 24

RULING: When an obvious timing mistake has occurred because of failure to start or stop the game clock properly, the mistake shall be corrected only when the referee has definite information relative to the time involved. The officials have definite information that the game clock did not start. When a monitor is available, the officials are permitted to go to the monitor to determine the correct time, if any time remains, to be placed on the game clock. When a monitor is not available, the officials shall confer with each other and/or check with the official timer to determine the correct time, if any time remains, to be placed on the game clock. By rule, the decision must be made relative to the time involved. The officials are not permitted to leave four seconds on the game clock and repeat the initial throw-in by A1.
(Rule 5-12.1 and 11-2.1.c.1)

Question 25

Timing Mistakes and Malfunctions
A.R.	131. As the official calls a violation, the official sounds the whistle and gives the signal to stop the game clock. The official sees five seconds remaining on the game clock. The game clock is stopped:
(1)	At five seconds;
(2)	At 3.5 seconds;
(3)	At three seconds; or
(4)	The time runs out completely.

Answer 25

RULING: In all cases in this A.R., the official has definite information that the game clock showed five seconds when they blew the whistle.
In (1), there has been no obvious timing mistake. However, in (2), (3) and (4), time has elapsed from the time that the whistle was blown and until the timing device was stopped. The official shall instruct the timer to put five seconds on the game clock.
(Rule 5-12.2)

Question 26

Timing Mistakes and Malfunctions
A.R. 132. The time on the game clock is 5:30 and the shot clock reads 0:25. A1 shoots the ball with five seconds on the shot clock and the ball does not hit the ring or flange. Team A recovers the ball and the shot-clock operator, by mistake, resets the shot clock. No one notices the mistake by the shot-clock operator at this time. The game clock gets to 5:00 and B2 commits a foul against A2. Now the officials get together and realize the shot-clock operator’s mistake.

Answer 26

RULING: When the officials have definite information relative to the shot-clock operator’s mistake, it is permissible to rectify that mistake. In this case, since the officials have definite information relative to the time involved, they shall put five seconds back on the game clock, cancel the foul and award the ball to Team B at a designated spot nearest to where the ball became dead for the shot-clock violation.
(Rule 5-12.4)

Question 27

Timeouts Granted and Charged
A.R. 133. Both teams remain in their huddles after a timeout, even though the official administering the throw-in has alerted them that play shall resume:
(1) Before; or
(2) After the ball is placed at the designated spot, Team A or Team B indicates it desires a timeout.

Answer 27

RULING: (1) Either team may request and be granted a timeout.
(2) Only the team entitled to the throw-in shall be granted a timeout after the throw-in count has started.
(Rule 5-14.1.b)

Question 28

Option to Advance the Ball
A.R. 134. With 51.2 seconds remaining in the fourth period, A1 is called for a traveling violation in her frontcourt. (1) Team A or (2) Team B calls a timeout. Does Team B have the option of putting the ball into play at the 28-foot frontcourt mark on either side of the playing court?

Answer 28

RULING: In (1), Team B does not have the option because the timeout was charged to Team A. In (2), Team B has the option to move the throw-in spot to the 28-foot frontcourt mark on either side of the playing court provided Team B’s head coach informs the officials prior to the timeout being reported to the scorer.
(Rule 5-14.2.a)

Question 29

Option to Advance the Ball
A.R. 135. With 1:01 remaining in the fourth period:
(1) A1 scores a goal and B1 secures the ball and steps out of bounds for the throw in;
(2) B1 secures a defensive rebound and does not advance the ball; or
(3) B1 steals the ball from A1 and does not advance the ball.
With 58.3 seconds on the game clock, Team B calls a timeout. Does Team B have the option to move the throw-in spot to the 28-foot mark in the frontcourt?

Answer 29

RULING: In (1), (2) and (3), Team B has the option to advance the ball when the game clock reads 59.9 seconds or less when the timeout is granted.
(Rule 5-14.2.a)

Question 30

Option to Advance the Ball
A.R. 136. Following a goal by Team A with 35.8 seconds remaining in the fourth period, B1’s throw-in is caught by B2 who begins to dribble the ball in Team B’s backcourt. A1 knocks the ball away from B2 and it goes out of bounds in the backcourt. Team B calls a timeout. Does Team B have the option to move the throw-in spot to the 28-foot mark in the frontcourt?

Answer 30

RULING: Yes. A1’s knocking the ball out of bounds is a floor violation and when Team B calls timeout they have the option to advance the ball provided Team B’s head coach notifies the officials prior to the timeout being reported to the scorer.
(Rule 5-14.2.a)

Question 31

Option to Advance the Ball
A.R. 137. Team A inbounds the ball following a goal with 23.5 seconds remaining in the fourth period. A1 is dribbling the ball in her backcourt when:
(1) B1 fouls A1 before the bonus is in effect;
(2) B1 commits a kick ball violation;
(3) B1 causes a held ball and the alternating-possession arrow favors Team A; or
(4) Play is stopped for an injury, blood situation or a displaced or lost lens.
Team A calls timeout. Does Team A have the option to move the throw-in spot to the 28-foot mark in the frontcourt?

Answer 31

RULING: In (1) and (2), when the defense commits a foul or violation after Team A has advanced the ball and Team A calls a timeout, they have the option to advance the ball provided Team A’s head coach notifies the officials prior to the timeout being reported to the scorer. In (3) and (4), because Team A had advanced the ball prior to the stoppage in play, the option is not available to Team A.
(Rule 5-14.2.a)

Question 32

Option to Advance the Ball
A.R. 138. With 35 seconds remaining in the fourth period, Team A scores. B1’s throw-in is caught by B2 at the foul line in Team B’s backcourt when Team B calls a timeout. Following the timeout, if Team B takes a second timeout, can Team B exercise the option to move the throw-in spot to the 28-foot mark in the frontcourt?

Answer 32

RULING: No. Once the ball has been advanced by Team B in their backcourt, the option to advance the ball is not available to Team B.
(Rule 5-14.2)

Question 33

Option to Advance the Ball
A.R. 139. Team A scores with 45.6 seconds remaining in the fourth period. Team B requests and is granted a timeout. Team B’s head coach chooses not to advance the ball to the throw-in spot 28 feet from the end line in the frontcourt. Following the timeout, Team B has difficulty throwing the ball in and requests a timeout. Team B’s head coach now informs the officials that they wish to advance the ball to the frontcourt for a throw-in opposite the scorers’ table.

Answer 33

RULING: Team A would be permitted to advance the ball. The second timeout was granted under the same conditions that existed when the first was granted (following a successful goal by Team A).
(Rule 5-14.2)

Question 34

Option to Advance the Ball
A.R. 140. Team A scores with 56.0 seconds remaining in the fourth period; however, the timer fails to stop the clock. Team B releases the ball on the throw-in. While the ball is in the air and has not been touched by any player on the playing court, the trail official stops play for the timing mistake. After the timing mistake is corrected, Team B requests a time out and indicates they want to advance the ball. Shall the officials allow Team B to advance the ball?

Answer 34

RULING: Because the ball became dead before the throw-in ended to correct the timing mistake, when Team B is granted a timeout after the timing correction, the head coach of Team B may exercise the option to advance the ball.
(Rule 5-14.2)

Question 35

Electronic-Media Timeouts
A.R. 141. Team A is in a game involving the electronic-media timeout format. At the 7:20 minute mark in the (1) first period or (2) third period, Team A’s coach calls a 30-second timeout and this is the first team-called timeout of the game. Following this timeout, at the 5:00 minute mark A1 commits a travel violation creating the first dead ball at or below the 5-minute mark.

Answer 35

RULING: (1) This coach-called timeout replaces the media timeout at or below the 5-minute mark, so when A1 travels and creates the first dead ball at or below the 5-minute mark there will not be a media timeout. Team A is charged a 30-second timeout because this is the timeout length requested. The official shall first give the media timeout signal then the 30-second timeout signal and communicate to the official scorer that Team A shall be charged a 30-second timeout. Officials shall assume a position on their respective blocks.
Following the travel violation, play will resume with a throw-in to Team B at the designated spot nearest to where the travel violation occurred immediately following this violation.
(2) Since this is the first team-called timeout of the second half, it shall become the length of a media timeout. The official shall first give the media timeout signal then the 30-second timeout signal and communicate to the official scorer that Team A shall be charged a 30-second timeout. Officials shall assume a position on their respective blocks.
When A1 travels at the 5:00 minute mark and creates the first dead ball at or below the 5-minute mark, this shall become the third period media timeout.
(Rule 5-14.10.c)

Question 36

Timeouts Requested Following the End of Regulation
A.R. 142. After the fourth period expires with the score tied, A1 is charged with a disqualifying foul. Either Team A or Team B then requests and is granted a timeout. At the expiration of the timeout, B1 attempts the first free throw, which is either successful or unsuccessful. After the free throw, either Team A or Team B requests and is granted a timeout.

Answer 36

RULING: Illegal. The second timeout is a successive timeout and considered to have occurred immediately after the first timeout, since the period has ended. This successive timeout should not be granted by the official.
(Rule 5-14.13.b)

Question 37

Timeouts Requested Following the End of Regulation
A.R. 143. After the second half expires with the score tied, Team A requests a 30-second timeout. The official grants and reports the timeout to the official scorer. After this timeout, Team A requests a full timeout.

Answer 37

RULING: Because the first timeout was granted and reported to the official scorer, the second timeout request would be a successive timeout and should not be granted by the official.
(Rule 5-14.13.b)

Question 38

Timeouts Requested for a Correctable Error
A.R. 144. Team A’s coach requests a timeout for an official to assess whether a correctable error has occurred. The error is:
(1) Correctable; or
(2) Not correctable.

Answer 38

RULING: (1) When the error is correctable, no timeout shall be charged to Team A.
(2) When the error is not correctable, a timeout shall be charged to Team A. When any portion of that timeout remains after the review of the request has been conducted, Team A shall be entitled to use that time. When the review requires the length of a timeout or longer, play shall resume immediately from the point at which it was interrupted.
(Rule 5-14.15)

Question 39

Excessive Timeouts

A.R. 145. A1’s first of two free throws is successful. Team B then requests and is granted an excessive timeout.

Answer 39

RULING: Team B is granted the timeout and charged with an administrative technical foul for an excessive timeout. A1 will attempt her final free throw with no players along the free-throw lane lines. Team A may have any player or eligible substitute attempt the free throws for the technical foul. Team A will be awarded a designated spot throw-in on the end line.
(Rule 10-12.1, 5-17.1, 7-4.12, 8-6.4 and 10-12.2.g Penalty)

Question 40

Excessive Timeouts
A.R. 146. Must a coach have a timeout left to ask for a review for a possible unsportsmanlike or contact disqualifying foul?

Answer 40

RULING: No. A coach may always request a review for a possible unsportsmanlike or contact disqualifying foul, or a correctable error or scoring, alternating possession, or timing mistake, but if the review does not result in one of those fouls being charged or the official’s ruling for the error or mistake is not reversed, the team is charged with a timeout. When a team has no timeouts remaining, the team is assessed an administrative technical foul for an excessive timeout.
(Rule 5-14.1.d and .e, 5-17.1, and 10-12.2.g)

Question 41

No Timeout Granted
A.R. 147. Player A1 is airborne and momentum is carrying her out of bounds. A1, while airborne and in control of the ball, requests a timeout. The official:
(1) Inadvertently blows the whistle; or
(2) Blows the whistle and immediately grants a timeout.

Answer 41

RULING: In both (1) and (2), the officials shall not recognize this request. The official’s whistle is an inadvertent whistle that caused the ball to become dead. Play will be resumed at the point of interruption by awarding the ball to Team A, the team in control, at a designated spot nearest to where the ball was located. Before placing the ball at Team A’s disposal for a throw-in, the official is permitted to inquire as to whether Team A still wants a timeout.
(Rule 5-15.1.c, 4-16, 4-22.1.a and 7-4.16)

Question 42

No Timeout Granted
A.R. 148. A1 requests a timeout while airborne and in control of the ball, and A1’s momentum is carrying her out of bounds. A1 realizes that a timeout cannot be called and attempts to throw the ball to a teammate who is standing inbounds. While the ball is in the air on this pass, the official inadvertently blows the whistle.

Answer 42

RULING: The inadvertent whistle caused the ball to become dead. Team A is still in control of the ball on this pass and therefore, the ball goes back to Team A at a spot where the ball was last in contact with the passer.
(Rule 5-15.1.c, 4-16, 4-22.1.a and 7-4.16)

Question 43

No Timeout Granted
A.R. 149. A1, who is in control of the ball, requests a timeout while she is airborne and close to the division line. B1 bumps A1 and causes A1 to land in the backcourt.

Answer 43

RULING: The officials shall determine whether the contact by B1 was incidental or illegal. When the contact was determined to be incidental, and it was A1’s own momentum that carried her into the backcourt, a timeout shall not be granted. When the contact is determined to be illegal, a foul shall be called.
(Rule 5-15.1.c, 4-16, 10-2, 4-22.1.a and 7-4.16)