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Basketball

Alternating-Possession Arrow Mistake

Play: While A1 is holding the ball, defender B1 grabs the ball, and a held ball is called by the nearest official. Team A has the possession arrow in its favor, but team B is mistakenly granted the ball for the alternating-possession throw-in. B2 completes the throw-in pass to B3, and (a) while B3 is holding the ball, or (b) after A4 is holding the ball after stealing it from B3, an official realizes team A should have been awarded the alternating-possession throw-in and blows the whistle. Can this mistake be corrected?

Ruling: In NFHS and NCAAM, when the ball is awarded to the wrong team on a throw-in, the mistake must be rectified during the first dead ball after the mistake was made, unless there has a been a change in possession. In (a), since there had been no change in possession, the mistake shall be corrected, and team A shall receive a throw-in with the alternatingpossession arrow changed to be in team B’s favor after the throw-in completes. In (b), since there had been a change in possession, it is too late to correct the mistake. Team B shall receive a throw-in, and the possession arrow shall remain in team A’s favor (NFHS 7-6-6; NCAAM 7-6.13). In NCAAW, when the ball is awarded to the wrong team on a throw-in, the mistake must be rectified before the throw-in ends. In both (a) and (b), the throw-in had ended before the discovery of the mistake, so no correction for that throw-in shall be made. Team B shall receive a throwin, and the possession arrow shall remain in team A’s favor (NCAAW 7-6.13, AR 231).

Softball

Hands Together

Play: On the first pitch to B1, F1 steps onto the pitcher’s plate, takes a signal from F2 and then brings her hands together. F1 keeps her hands together for seven seconds before separating them and delivering the pitch. Ruling: Legal in NFHS, USA Softball and USSSA. In these three codes, the pitcher must bring the hands together for not more than 10 seconds (NFHS 6-1-1c; USA Softball 6A-1-E; USSSA 6-1D). In NCAA, this is illegal as the pitcher may not bring the hands together for more than five seconds. The ball is dead and a ball is awarded to the batter (10.2.3 and Eff.).

Flex Player

Play: In the second inning, team A’s coach announces to the plate umpire the Flex is going to bat for the DP. In the fourth inning, the DP bats and hits a single. Team A’s coach announces to the plate umpire the Flex is going to run for the DP. In the sixth inning, team A’s coach announces to the plate umpire an eligible substitute is going to bat in the DP position in the lineup. After the player singles, team A’s coach announces to the plate umpire the Flex is going to run for the DP. The plate umpire states the Flex has exhausted her re-entry rights and does not allow the Flex to run. Ruling: Incorrect ruling in all codes. In this scenario, the Flex has never left the game, provided the Flex never stopped playing defense. The Flex may be inserted into the batting order to either bat or run for the DP an unlimited amount of times without it counting as a substitution against the Flex. It only counts as a substitution against the Flex if the Flex is replaced on defense (NFHS 3-3-6f; NCAA 8.2.2, 8.2.6; USA Softball 4-3f; USSSA 5-4g).

Baseball

Choice?

Play: With R3 on third and one out, B3 swings, contacts F2’s mitt and hits a deep fly ball to right field. R3 tags up and scores. Ruling: In NFHS and NCAA, the umpire goes to the offensive coach and asks him whether he would like the obstruction enforced (B3 awarded first, R3 returns to third), or the result of the play (B3 out, R3 scores). In pro, the umpire enforces the obstruction (B3 awarded first, R3 returns to third). He will grant the offensive manager the result of the play if the manager requests such, but he does not offer the option (NFHS 8-1-1e; NCAA 8-2e1; pro 5.05b3).

Talk Is Not Cheap

Play: B1 hits a pop up down the first-base line. As F2 settles under the ball well into foul territory, B1 comes up behind him and screams loudly. F2 drops the ball. Ruling: B1 is out and the ball is dead. This is a form of verbal interference. An offensive player is prohibited from impeding or hindering a defensive player in any way. Contact is not necessary (NFHS 2-21-1a; NCAA 2-51a; pro Interference Definition a).

Additional Throws?

Play: With the weather being chilly, the relief pitcher asks for more throws to warm up. Ruling: In NFHS, the plate umpire may grant the request, but the pitcher being replaced may not return to pitch for the balance of the game. In NCAA and pro, the plate umpire cannot legally authorize additional warm-up throws (NFHS 3-1-2, 6-2-2 Exc.; NCAA 9-2i; pro 5.07b).

Pardon Me

Play: With a 1-1 count, B1 takes an outside pitch and steps outside of the box with both feet to take the sign from the third-base coach, causing the pitcher to delay. Ruling: In NFHS and NCAA, B1 is charged with a strike. In pro, unless the batter requests his one timeout, he must be in the box with both feet and alert to the pitcher at the eight-second mark (NFHS 7-3-1; NCAA 7-1d1 Exc.; pro 5.04b).

Well-Dressed Umpire

Play: With R2 on second and a 3-2 count, B2 swings and misses. The ball hits F2’s glove and becomes trapped inside the umpire’s plate coat. Ruling: B1 is awarded first (NFHS 8-3-3d; NCAA 8-3k; pro 5.06b4I).

Football

Late Addition

Play: Fourth and two on team B’s 20 yardline. Team A huddles with 10 players. As the huddle breaks, field-goal kicker A1 enters the field. Ruling: There is no foul in NFHS. There are no restrictions on when a substitute may enter as long as he is within the nine-yard marks before the snap and he does not violate any other rules provision. In NCAA, it is not a foul unless the covering official determines the delay was intended to confuse the opposing team. If a foul is ruled and the penalty is accepted, it is enforced five yards from the previous spot and the down is repeated (NFHS 2-32-15, 3-7-1; NCAA 3-5-2c).

Forced Touching

Play: Fourth and 10 from team R’s 30 yardline. K1’s field goal attempt is short. K2 legally bats the rolling ball at team R’s 10 yardline into R3 and K4 recovers it there. Ruling: In both codes, that is forced touching and R3 is not considered to have touched the ball. In NFHS, K2’s bat is first touching. Team R will start a new series at its 10 yardline. Under NCAA rules, R3 is not considered to have touched the ball. Team R will likely take the ball at the previous spot (NFHS 6-2-4, 6-2-5; NCAA 6-3-4, 8-4-2b-1).

Soccer

Head Down Low

Play: A1 passes the ball in direction of A2. A2 lowers the head well below the waist in an attempt to head the ball. B3, attempting to play the ball, kicks A2 in the side of the head. Ruling: The referee is to stop play and award an indirect free kick for team B. Although B3 made contact with A2, A2 created a dangerous situation by lowering the head (NFHS 12-6-1; NCAA 12.2.9.1; IFAB 12.2).

Advantage, Foul

Play: B1 attempts to trip A2 just outside the penalty area. A2 continues forward and the referee applies and signals advantage. A2 continues forward and is fouled by B1 again inside the penalty area and loses control of the ball. Ruling: The referee stops play and awards a penalty kick. B1 is to be cautioned for persistent infringement of the rules (NFHS 12-8-1B; NCAA 12.4.3.2; IFAB 12.3).

Simultaneous Collision

Play: A1 passes the ball into the penalty area. A2 runs toward the ball and B3, goalkeeper, moves forward to attempt to save the ball. A1 and B3 make contact when they arrive at the ball the same time. The ball rolls forward over the goal line but not into the goal.

Ruling: As long as A1 or B3 did not do anything other than incidental contact, the match is restarted with a goal kick. The referee should make sure neither A2 or B3 are injured as a result of the contact. If the referee felt that A2 attempted to kick or otherwise injure B3, the game would be started with a direct free kick for team B (NFHS 16-1-1; NCAA 16.1; IFAB 16).

Free Kick Signal

Play: The referee awards an indirect free kick for team A. The referee fails to raise the hand to indicate an indirect free kick. A1 shoots and scores directly from the free kick.

Ruling: No goal since the referee