CHANGES TO LGP NOW AFOOT

Last Foot on Floor Key to Airborne Player Contact Rulings

By Scott Tittrington

One of the most hotly debated rules in men’s college basketball in recent seasons — the establishment of legal guarding position and how it relates to block/charge rulings — received a significant tweak this summer as part of a series of rule changes that will be implemented for the 2023-24 season.

The following rule changes were crafted and submitted by the NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee in May and approved by the NCAA’s Playing Rules Oversight Panel in June. They appear in perceived order of importance. Referee thanks Jeff O’Malley, secretary-rules editor for NCAA men’s basketball, for reviewing this information.

Legal Guarding Position (4-17.4.d)

In order for a defensive player to establish legal guarding position on an airborne shooter, the defender must establish legal guarding position, as defined in rule 4-17, before the airborne shooter places his last foot on the floor before becoming airborne. Previously, the defender needed to establish legal guarding position before the airborne shooter left the playing court.

The rule change is designed to reduce the number of charges and collisions that occur around the basket by allowing the offensive player more time to adjust to defensive movements.

Play 1: A1 is driving to the basket in the free-throw lane. B2 attempts to establish legal guarding position

Does this defender have legal guarding position? According to a rule change approved for NCAA men’s basketball for the 2023-24 season, the answer to that question is yes if he has established a legal position before the airborne shooter places his last foot on the floor before becoming airborne.

(a)while A1 is still dribbling the ball, (b) after A1 ends his dribble but before he makes a final step and goes airborne, or (c) after A1’s last foot is on the floor but before he becomes airborne. Ruling 1: A player-control charging foul against A1 in both (a)and (b), so long as all other requirements for the establishment of a legal guarding position have been met. In (c), it’s a blocking foul against B2 as the defender has attempted to establish a legal guarding position after the ballhandler has placed his last foot on the floor.

Timeout (5-15.1.c)

As seen in the PlayPic on page 36, a player may now be granted a timeout when he has possession of the ball even if he is airborne. This had been allowed in the past before a rule change removed that provision. The rules committee has again concluded if a player has possession of the ball, he should be entitled to request a timeout.

Play 2: After a try for goal, there is a long rebound headed out of bounds. A1 jumps from the playing court, secures the ball and, while holding the ball, audibly requests a timeout before landing out of bounds. Ruling 2: This is a legal timeout request. Once A1 secures the ball, he has player control and is allowed to request a timeout.

Play 3: A1 makes an errant pass in the frontcourt. As the ball is airborne over the division line, A2 jumps from the frontcourt and catches the ball. A2 requests a timeout while in the air. Ruling 3: This is a legal timeout request.

Play 4: A1 throws a full-court pass toward teammate A2 in an attempt to break a full-court press. The ball hits the playing court, bounces high in the air and is over the opposite endline when A2 jumps from the playing court and catches it. While A2 is airborne, team A’s head coach requests a timeout. Ruling 4: This is only a legal timeout request if it occurs during the last two minutes of the second half or any overtime period, which is the window in which a coach may request a live-ball timeout.

Shot Clock Reset (2-11.6.b, 2-11.6.c)

Any time the ball hits the rim (pass, try, deflection) and the offense retains possession in its frontcourt, the shot clock will reset to 20 seconds. Any time the ball hits the rim and the offense retains possession in its backcourt, the shot clock will reset to 30 seconds.

The change makes it easier for officials on the floor as they no longer need to determine whether the action is a legal try for goal or a pass.

Play 5: A1 attempts an alley-oop pass to A2. The pass hits the rim, bounces over airborne A2’s hands, hits the backboard and is then secured by A3 in the (a) frontcourt, or (b) backcourt. Ruling 5: Once A3 has possession, the shot clock should reset to 20 seconds in (a) and 30 seconds in (b).

Play 6: A1 attempts a three-point try that hits the ring, misses and, following rebounding action, is finally secured by B1 on the opposite side of the division line in team B’s frontcourt. Ruling 6: The shot clock should be reset to 30 seconds as soon as team B secures possession.

Timeouts Granted and Charged (5-14.1)

When a coach requests an outof-bounds play to be reviewed with under two minutes remaining in the second half or in the last two minutes of any overtime period, that team will be charged a timeout if the original call is not overturned. If that team is out of timeouts, the coach may still request a review but will be charged an administrative technical foul if the call is not overturned.

The out-of-bounds review request had been the only one that did not result in a charged timeout if not overturned.

Play 7: With 40.1 seconds remaining in the second half, the officials rule A1 was the last player to touch the ball before it went out of bounds. Team A’s head coach requests a video review. Team A has (a)one 60-second timeout remaining, (b)one 30-second timeout remaining, or (c) one 60-second and one

Sideline

EuroLeague Officials Get Shot at NBA Summer League

Two of Europe’s top professional basketball officials had the opportunity to gain NBA officiating experience this summer when they were invited to work in the 2023 NBA Summer League, July 7-17, in Las Vegas.

Gytis Vilius of Lithuania made his third appearance at the event, having also traveled to Las Vegas in 2017 and 2022. Mehdi Difallah of France made his first appearance this summer. The two also worked as partners in this year’s EuroLeague championship game, May 21, between Olympiacos (Greece) and Real Madrid (Spain) in Kaunas, Lithuania.

They Said It

“Refereeing, I loved it. I loved the way I felt physically after a tough game, being soaking wet and nobody said a word. I also liked getting that check and taking it home.”

— New York Mets manager Buck Showalter, on his previous life as a high school and smallcollege basketball official

SOURCE: THEATHLETIC.COM

By The Numbers

The number of NBA Finals appearances for the 12 officials selected to work the 2023 Finals between the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat:

16 — Scott Foster

12 — Tony Brothers, Marc Davis

10 — Zach Zarba

8 — Ed Malloy

7 — John Goble

6 — David Guthrie

5 — Bill Kennedy

4 — Josh Tiven

3 — Courtney Kirkland, James Williams

1 — Kevin Scott