Scoring and Timing Regulations

Question 1

A.R. 104. 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 a one-and-one. 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.d, 10-1 Penalty c and a[1])

Question 2

A.R. 105. 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, 4-25 and 2-11.6.d)

Question 3

A.R. 106. 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 3

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 4

A.R. 107. 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 his 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 4

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 5

A.R. 108. 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 5

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 6

A.R. 109. 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 endline as after any score by Team B
(earned or awarded). (Rule 5-1.4.a and 7-4.6.a)

Question 7

A.R. 110. 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 7

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 10-1 Penalty b[1] and d[1])

Question 8

A.R. 111. 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 8

RULING 1: Assess B2 with the foul committed against A2. A1’s try for goal shall count when successful. Administer the bonus free throw 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, 10-1 Penalty a[1] and c, and 6-5.1.f)

Question 9

A.R. 112. With two-tenths of a second (.2) remaining in a period on the game clock, 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 his 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 9

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 freethrow, a player may not gain possession of the ball and try for goal. When this situation occurs, the official shall blow his whistle and the period is over unless a flagrant 1 or 2 personal 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 5-1.18 and 11-3.1)

Question 10

A.R. 113. A1 is dribbling the ball and attempts to turn the corner at the top of
the key to drive down the lane. B1 fouls A1 as A1 picks up his dribble. A1 then steps with his right foot and then pushes off with his left foot before beginning to raise his arm(s) or hand(s) to release the ball for a layup. The try is successful.

Answer 10

RULING: The foul occurred before the act of shooting began. Therefore, the goal should not count. Charge B1 with a personal foul and shoot appropriate free throws if Team A is in the bonus. The language of 5-1.10, “The try starts when the player begins the motion that normally precedes the release of the ball,” refers to the hand(s) or arm(s) in preparing to release the ball on a try for goal. Examples of the act of shooting motion include raising the ball with the hand(s) and or arm(s) to shoot a layup or jump shot or the downward motion of the hand(s) or arm(s) in completing a dunk or alley-oop play. This act of shooting motion does not include picking up the dribble, catching (gathering) the ball, or advancing on the court with one or both feet.
(Rule 5-1.10 and 4-8.1)

Question 11

A.R. 114. 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 11

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 using the procedures in Rule 7-3.2. (Rule 5-1.14, 10-1 Penalty a[1] and 7-4.4)

Question 12

While the ball is in flight during a try for a field goal, A1 charges into B1. After this, there is a basket-interference violation by:

1. B2; or
2. A2

Answer 12

RULING 1 and 2: The charging foul by A1 causes the ball to become dead and no points may be scored on A1’s try. B2’s basket interference is ignored. (Rule 5-1.15)

Question 13

A.R. 116. In a game without a courtside monitor available, and with the score
tied near the expiration of time in the second half: 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 to when the official has 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 game 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 and A1 was an airborne shooter, 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 second half (or any period) has
clearly ended, the foul shall be ignored unless the foul was a flagrant 2 or contact dead-ball technical. When the foul was a flagrant 2 or contact dead-ball technical, the offended team shall be awarded two
free throws to begin the extra period and play shall be resumed at the point of interruption, which would be the jump ball to start the extra period, unless the foul was a flagrant 2 or contact dead-ball
technical foul. In such cases, the extra period shall begin with the ball awarded to the offended team at the division line on either side of the playing court. For games with a courtside monitor available, see A.R. 297. (Rule 5-7.3.c.1, 5-7.6 and 6-6.2)

Question 14

A.R. 117. As time for the first period expires and while the ball is in flight during a field-goal try by A1, B2 commits a flagrant 1 personal 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 flagrant 2 technical 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

A.R. 118. Playing time has expired with the score tied, and:

1. A1 is assessed a CLASS A technical foul;
2. A1 is assessed a flagrant 2 technical foul; or
3. A1 is assessed a contact dead-ball technical foul.

Answer 15

RULING 1: The extra period shall start by awarding a player from Team B two free throws for the CLASS A 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 flagrant 2 technical foul that was assessed to A1. Play shall resume with a throw-in for Team B at the division line on either side of the court. 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 contact dead-ball technical foul that was assessed to A1. Play shall resume with a throw-in for Team B at the division line on either side of the court. 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

A.R. 119. After the first half has clearly ended, A1 is assessed a CLASS A
technical foul. Later, B1 taunts A1 and is assessed a CLASS A technical foul.

Answer 16

RULING: When the technical fouls assessed against A1 and B1 occur
at approximately the same time, they are offsetting and no free throws are awarded. When the technical fouls assessed against A1 and B1 occurred as two separate acts (not approximately at the same time), the
second half shall begin by awarding two free throws for A1’s technical foul followed by awarding two free throws for B1’s technical foul (order of occurrence). 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 second period. These fouls shall count toward the team foul count, and toward an individual’s disqualification and ejection. (Rule 5-7.6 and 10-3 Penalty

Question 17

A.R. 120. 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

A.R. 121. When an official on his own initiative stops play to protect an injured
player, should a timeout be charged to the team?

Answer 18

RULING: No. After stopping play, the official should ask the player if the player desires a timeout. When the player does not, play shall be resumed immediately. When the player is not ready to resume
play immediately, a substitution is required or his team may request a timeout. No official has the authority to charge a timeout to himself. (Rule 5-11.2.b, 5-11.6 and 5-14.12.a)

Question 19

A.R. 122. 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 19

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 20

A.R. 123. 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 20

RULING: The referee cannot correct this official timer’s mistake unless he knows 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 throw(s) 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 a flagrant foul. (Rule 5-12.1, 2-7.6 and 2-10.6)

Question 21

A.R. 124. 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 21

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 22

A.R. 125. 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 his 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 his whistle.

Answer 22

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 23

A.R. 126. With four seconds remaining on the game clock, A1 makes a throwin 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 23

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 24

A.R. 127. 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 24

RULING: In all cases in this A.R., the official has definite information that the game clock showed five seconds when he 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 25

A.R. 128. The time on the game clock is 15:30 and the shot clock reads 0:30. 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 14:55 and B2 commits a foul against A2. Now, the officials get together and realize the shot-clock operator’s mistake.

Answer 25

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 26

A.R. 129. Team B is attempting a throw-in and an official reaches four on a throw-in count. The Team B coach requests a timeout. Should the official grant the coach’s request?

Answer 26

RULING: Yes. The rule prohibiting a coach from calling a timeout when the ball is live is intended to eliminate the problems associated with granting timeouts during loose ball scrums on the floor when there
is no player possession. When the ball is live but outside the boundary lines (such as during a throw-in), these problems do not exist. Therefore, the head coach may request and be granted a timeout when the ball is at the disposal of a player of the team entitled to the ball before the ball is
released for a throw-in. (Rule 5-14.1.b and c)

Question 27

A.R. 130. Both teams remain in their huddles after a timeout, even though
the official has alerted them that the timeout has ended. Team A or Team B
indicates it desires a timeout.

Answer 27

RULING: Either team may request and be granted a timeout. (Rule 5-14.1.c)

Question 28

A.R. 131. Team A is in a game involving the electronic-media timeout format with four timeouts that are scheduled to occur at the first dead ball at or after the 16-, 12-, 8-, and 4-minute marks when the game clock is stopped. There has been no stoppage in play since the 9-minute mark. With 3:30 remaining in the game, A1 is fouled on a try for goal. When the foul on A1 occurs, neither the 8-minute nor the 4-minute media timeouts have occurred. When do the electronic-media timeouts occur?

Answer 28

RULING: The 8-minute media timeout shall be taken at the first dead ball which, in this case, is the foul assessed to A1 with 3:30 remaining in the game. The 4-minute media timeout shall be taken at the next dead ball which, in this case, is after the first free-throw attempt by A1. (Rule 5-14.10.c)

Question 29

A.R. 132. After the second half expires with the score tied, A1 is charged with a flagrant 2 technical 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 29

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 30

A.R. 133. 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 either a 60-second timeout in an electronic media game or a 75-second timeout in a non-electronic media game.

Answer 30

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 31

A.R. 134. 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 31

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 32

A.R. 135. Player A1 is airborne and momentum is carrying him 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 32

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 using the procedures in Rule 7-3.2. 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, 4-20, 4-27.1.a, and 7-4.18)

Question 33

A.R. 136. A1 requests a timeout while airborne and in control of the ball, and
A1’s momentum is carrying him 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 33

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 the team in control at a spot using the procedures in Rule 7-3.2.
(Rule 5.15.1.c, 4-20, 4-27.1.a and 7-4.18)

Question 34

A.R. 137. A1, who is in control of the ball, requests a timeout while he is airborne and close to the division line. B1 bumps A1 and causes A1 to land in the backcourt.

Answer 34

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 him 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, 4-20, 4-21, 4-28.1.a and 7-4.18)