BASKETBALL

Players will have more options for hair adornments for the 2022-23 season due to a rule change approved by the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee. In addition to headbands and hair ties, players can now wear hard items such as beads, barrettes and bobby pins, so long as

they are securely fastened to the head. Chris Riddle, Winterville, N.C.

APPROVED TO ADORN

NFHS Alters Guidelines for Hair Beads, Barrettes

By Scott Tittrington

High school basketball players will be allowed some extra creativity and flexibility when it comes to hair styles starting with the 2022-23 season due to a rule change approved by the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee during its annual April meeting.

The committee met in person for the first time since the spring of 2019, and while doing so approved one rule change and a series of minor editorial changes to the NFHS rulebook, while also crafting three points of emphasis for the season.

Referee thanks Lindsey Atkinson, NFHS director of sports and staff liaison to the rules committee, for reviewing this information.

Team Members’ Equipment, Apparel (3-5-4d)

A change to the rule regarding

A Illegal B Legal

C Illegal D Legal

In PlayPic A, the player cannot participate with the hair adornments worn in the current position since the adornments are not securely fastened to the head. PlayPic B shows how those adornments could be made legal by securely fastening them to the head. The hair adornments in PlayPic C similarly could be made legal by securely fastening them to the head as shown in PlayPic D.

hair adornments now allows for players to wear items provided they are securely fastened close to the head and do not present an increased risk to game participants.

Rule 3-5-4 begins with the following: “Wristbands and headwear shall meet the following guidelines,” and the fourth clause, 3-5-4d, now reads as follows:

“Rubber, cloth or elastic bands may be used to control hair. Hard items, including, but not limited to, beads, barrettes, bobby pins and other adornments in the hair that are securely fastened to the head and do not present an increased risk to the player, teammates or opponents are allowed. Hair-control devices are not required to meet color restrictions.”

Play 1: During team warmups, the officials notice a team A player is wearing beads in the hair. The hair is (a) wrapped with elastic hair ties, keeping the beads tight to the head, or (b) free flowing allowing the hair to sway back and forth and the beads are on the end of the hair. Ruling 1: In (a), the beads would be legal as they are securely fastened to the head and there is no danger to other players. In (b), the beads would be illegal as the beads are not tightly secured and could cause injury to other players as the hair moves around.

Play 2: During team warmups, the officials notice A1, A2 and A3 wearing beads in the hair. For all three players the hair is wrapped with elastic hair ties, keeping the hair tight to the head. A1 is wearing red beads, A2 is wearing white beads and A3 is wearing blue beads. Team A is wearing uniforms that are red and white. Ruling 2: The beads are legal for all three players, as they are securely fastened to the head and there are no color restrictions on haircontrol devices. THEY SAID IT “I love the fact that Dallas’ bench is energetic and talking trash and into it. I think that’s what fans want to see. They want to see a team that cares … but when it interferes with the game, that’s when it crosses the line.”

— Golden State head coach Steve Kerr, about his team’s Western Conference Finals opponent, which the NBA fined three times for bench-decorum violations during the 2022 postseason

SOURCE: AUDACY.COM

BY THE NUMBERS

The number of NBA Finals appearances for each member of the 2022-23 Finals officiating crew, who worked the series between the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors: 15 — Scott Foster 11 — Tony Brothers, James Capers, Marc Davis 9 — Zach Zarba 6 — John Goble 5 — David Guthrie 4 — Kane Fitzgerald, Eric Lewis 3 — Josh Tiven 2 — Courtney Kirkland, James Williams

SOURCE: NBA.COM

TEST YOURSELF

In each of the following, decide which answer or answers are correct for NFHS, NCAA men’s and NCAA women’s rules, which might vary. Solutions: p. 81.

1. Which of the following results in a three-second violation? a. A5 is in the key for more than three seconds during team A’s throw-in. b. A5 is in the key for more than three seconds during A1’s interrupted dribble. c. A5 is in the key for more than three seconds after B2 knocks the ball away from dribbler A1. d. A5 is in the key for more than three seconds when team B has control of the ball in team B’s backcourt. e. Both b and c.

2. Which results in a violation during A1’s throw-in? a. A2 jumps from team A’s frontcourt, catches the ball and passes the ball to A3, who is in team A’s backcourt. b. A2 jumps from team A’s frontcourt, catches the ball and lands in team A’s backcourt. c. B2 is in team A’s frontcourt, fumbles the ball into team A’s backcourt and A3 recovers the ball. d. A2 is in team A’s frontcourt, fumbles the ball into team A’s backcourt and A3 recovers the ball.

3. After team A had earlier been given a delay-of-game warning for interfering with the ball after a made goal, following A1’s successful try, A2 knocks the ball away. What is the result? a. Administrative technical foul. b. Team technical foul. c. Technical foul charged to A2. d. Technical foul charged to the head coach.

4. Which of the following result in a throw-in violation to thrower-in A1? a. A1’s throw-in pass touches A2, who is inbounds, then A1 steps inbounds and grabs the ball. b. A1’s throw-in pass touches B2, who is inbounds, then A1 steps inbounds and grabs the ball. c. A1’s throw-in pass touches B2, who is standing with one foot out of bounds. d. A1’s throw-in pass touches an official who is inbounds, then A1 steps inbounds and grabs the ball.

E

Points of Emphasis

Unsporting behavior in educationbased athletics has increased across all sports and as a result, the NFHS has again made sportsmanship its primary point of emphasis (POE) for the 202223 season. Reducing illegal contact (hand checks, post play, off-ball play) and use of the pregame meeting to address illegal uniforms, equipment and apparel round out the three POEs. • Sportsmanship. Good sporting behavior is one of the fundamental ingredients to the continued success and enjoyment of education-based high school sports and activities. NFHS playing rules are written to encourage sportsmanship, and participation in these programs should promote respect, integrity and sportsmanship.

There must be a collaborative, working relationship between game officials and game administration to promote good sportsmanship and safely conduct the game. Everyone has their roles to play in creating a positive, sportsmanlike atmosphere at games.

Officials should focus on the actions of players, coaches and other bench personnel. A positive, open line of communication between officials and coaches ultimately results in a better game for everyone involved. Officials should not, however, engage with spectators who are exhibiting unsporting behavior (PlayPic E). Once the game begins, school administration is responsible for dealing with unruly spectators. A proactive approach by school administration includes monitoring the behavior of spectators and intervening as needed. If spectators are using demeaning or profane language at officials, or others in the stands, those individuals should be removed from the contest by school administration.

The use of demeaning language, or hate speech, by students, parents and other fans must cease. High schools must establish a culture that values the worth of every single person — both players on the school’s team and players on the opposing team. There must be a no-tolerance policy regarding behavior that shows disrespect for another individual. • Reducing illegal contact. The NFHS Basketball Rules Committee expects officials to adhere to the playing rules for high school contests as written. Of particular concern for the committee is the growing number of individual interpretations by game officials of certain plays that are increasing the amount of illegal contact being allowed.

Officials need to remember the simple concepts of rule 10-7-12 that prohibit defensive players from placing two hands, an extended arm bar, keeping a hand on an opponent

F

or contacting an opponent more than once with the same hand or alternating hands. It’s critical for officials to keep these principles related to “hand checks” in mind and rule on them when they occur.

While freedom of movement has generally improved, there is still a need for officials to pay attention to play in the post (PlayPic F). A review of national injury data shows more injuries occur in the post than any other place on the floor, and officials need to monitor play in the post, whether the ball is involved or not. Players who either illegally carve out space for themselves or defenders who repeatedly push, knee or otherwise attempt to knock offensive players off balance need to be penalized for their actions.

Finally, keeping eyes on off-ball plays is also necessary to help reduce physicality in the game. Officials need to keep their focus on their primary coverage area and trust their partners will handle plays in their areas. Of particular concern are screening plays that involve illegal contact. • Pregame meeting, addressing

illegal uniforms, equipment and

apparel. NFHS rule 2-4-5 requires game officials verify with each head coach, prior to the start of a game, the teams’ uniforms and equipment are legal and will be worn properly. Before and after this meeting, game officials should monitor players and notify the head coach if they notice anything that needs to be addressed (PlayPic G), including uniform colors, undershirts, jewelry and items worn in the hair. Officials should allow head coaches to address any items of concern with the player(s) and never directly address the player(s) themselves.

Game officials should also know who the game administrators are in case they are needed. This will

G

allow officials to confidently execute their duties should any behavior or sportsmanship issues arise. Scott Tittrington is an associate editor at Referee. He officiates college and high school basketball, college and high school baseball, and high school football. 

Hone Your Way to a Smoother Game

By Tim Sloan

In past articles, I’ve regularly stressed the need to keep ahead of the game when officiating. Don’t just show up and make the calls, relying on the table and game administration to do their part to avoid pickles. Work out a way of monitoring what these people are doing so that you’re ready if they slip up when it would hurt the most: Trust but verify, as Ronald Reagan used to say.

In that connection, through some combination of trial and error, hard knocks and shameless mimicking of other officials, our crew has come up with some helpful solutions to avoid unfortunate occurrences. You won’t find these suggestions in any mechanics manual, but they might make life simpler for you, if practiced. I might use the first person a lot here, but it’s something my two crewmates practice, as well.

Check the book in the presence

of the visiting scorer. Most of the time, the visiting scorer is a nice person — perhaps the bus driver, too — who is asked to do something useful to relay pertinent info to the coach. Very occasionally, he or she is a Lothario, suspicious of everyone and forgiving of no one. Whatever the case, it’s good practice to make sure the two scorers are elbow-toelbow if possible. What I do during the pregame is take the official book and read the rosters and starters to the visiting scorer for that person to confirm both books tell the same story. I then put a little mark below the last filled name space, initial it and tell both scorers that anyone else showing up below my initials will cost a technical foul. In addition to being a triple-check against administrative T’s, it also gets the two scorers working with each other and reassures the visiting scorer

CASEPLAYS

Double Foul During Try

Play: While A1’s try is in flight, A2 and B2 are in the lane area trying to get rebounding position and are making illegal contact against each other. The nearest official blows the whistle and calls both fouls. What is the result? Ruling: When two opponents commit personal fouls against each other at approximately the same time, the result is a double foul, no free throws are shot and the game is resumed at the point of interruption. If A1’s try is successful, team B shall be awarded the ball for a non-designated spot throw-in anywhere along the endline. If A1’s try is unsuccessful, since there is no team control, play shall resume with a throw-in to the team that has the alternatingpossession arrow in its favor. In NCAAM/W, if team A is entitled to the ball, the shot clock shall be reset to 20 seconds when the try strikes the ring or flange or is not reset when it fails to strike the ring or flange. If team B is entitled to the ball, the shot clock shall be reset to 30 seconds (NFHS 4-19-8a, 4-36-3, 10-7 Pen. 1.c, 4.19.8C; NCAAM 2-11.6.b.4, 2-11.6.d.4, 4-9.4.c, 7-3.1.i, 7-3.2.a, 7-4.10, 10-1 Pen. f, AR 270; NCAAW 2-11.6.b.4, 2-11.6.d.4, 4-8.4.c, 7-4.10, 10-11.1, AR 324).

Backcourt Violation

Play: A1 secures a defensive rebound in team A’s backcourt. A1 throws a long outlet pass to A2, who is just past the division line in team A’s frontcourt. B1, who is defending A1, jumps from team A’s backcourt (team B’s frontcourt), catches the ball while airborne and lands while holding the ball in team A’s frontcourt (team B’s backcourt). Has B2 committed a backcourt violation? Ruling: No. There is an exception to the backcourt violation rule in which a defensive player shall be permitted to secure control of the ball while both feet are off the playing court and land in the team’s backcourt (NFHS 9-9-3; NCAAM 9-12.9, AR 245; NCAAW 9-12.9, AR 285).

During the pregame, it’s always a good idea to check the scorebook of both the official scorer and the visiting team to make sure everything matches up regarding names,

numbers and starters. Brandon Bubar, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

he or she matters: Good proactive officiating.

Watch the auxiliary scoreboard

during introductions. OK, so far, I know the two scorebooks are accurate. While introductions are taking place, I’ll quickly compare the 10 starters in the book to the 10 starters on the auxiliary board. If there are any discrepancies, I’ll ask the coach why 52 was introduced but 42 is on the board. That gives him or her a chance to fix the problem. You don’t have a technical foul, yet; that only occurs when the “wrong” player comes out on the floor and attempts to play. Coach has a choice to put the correct player out there, correct the number in the book or let the incorrect player play. The latter two choices cost an administrative technical and the game begins with free throws. Paranoia, you say. My crew’s caught it twice in the past two seasons.

Carry a spare whistle and use it

to track the possession arrow. I carry a spare lanyard with me, too, because it’s the thing that more likely will fail me. Anyway, we all keep the spare whistle in a front pants pocket so that when we face the table it’s in our right pocket when the alternatingpossession arrow points to the right or left when left. The direction of the arrow is the most likely thing to be wrong — even among the most dedicated of scorers — for a host of reasons. When an AP call occurs, I check the arrow, confirm my pocket agrees and then move my whistle to the other pocket ahead of the throw-in because I might be busy later. (In the one-in-500 case where the arrow remains the same, I’ll have lots of time to put it back.) If I check the arrow and the whistle’s in the wrong pocket, my quizzical expression usually matches the two of my partners who are walking up, tapping their upper thighs, too. The fun starts when the scorer — for reasons known only to him or her — switches the arrow after it’s been properly set and checked. Actively using the spare whistle in this way keeps everyone on top of it.

Thumbs up. At the start of a quarter or after any timeout, the crewmate managing the throw-in looks to the other two officials for a positive-but-discrete thumbs up, signifying the proper number of players are on the floor, the clock looks correct, the cheerleaders are off the court and all is right with the world. As a bonus, the team-side umpire doesn’t raise a hand to chop the clock for the opening jump ball until confirming the table is ready to rock.

Confirm what your partner reports against what changes on

the scoreboard. While one official is reporting, another is collecting the ball. The third should be auditing the

scoreboard to make sure the team fouls, player foul, timeout count, score and/or possession arrow is changing properly.

Never turn your back on the

players. While you’re confirming the scoreboard as in the previous point, be positioned where you have the players in your gaze. If you’re the crewmate retrieving the ball, forget about it if you have any inkling of unrest. Get among or between the players, interact, communicate, soothe — whatever you need to suggest they picked the wrong night to give up sportsmanship.

Onesy-twosy. We all check the scoreboard after fouls. When a team foul count becomes six or nine, one of us wiggles one or two fingers at waist level, pointing at the team who will be getting the bonus free throw(s) on the next foul. That reminds all of us it’s even more important to have a potential fouler and shooter after every foul.

Verbally state the shooter’s number to your partners prior

to any free-throw attempt(s). It precludes any shenanigans and helps everyone remember who it will be in the event of a timeout before one or both throws are taken. Personally, I’ve only ever assessed a technical foul to one player in 20 years for attempting to shoot someone else’s free throws … it can happen, “by accident.”

Draw your partners’ attention

to time remaining. Everyone gives a last-minute signal to crewmates. What I find even more helpful is to gesture toward the clock for any throw-in or free throw inside of about 10 seconds in the period. It’s amazing how you can get swept away in the game only to be surprised by the sound of the horn in the middle of a play. On our crew, that warning alerts one official to maneuver into a view of both the thrower and the clock to assure the latter starts properly. If it doesn’t start properly, the official keeps a mental count of how many seconds run off before the whistle is blown (which might be variable) and adjustments are made.

Thank people. It is more than just polite to thank the table, the AD, the cheerleaders (for staying out of your way) and anyone else for assisting you — even if it didn’t feel much like assistance some nights. Nothing helps “next time” go better than finishing up “this time” on a high note.

Some of these practices seem far more likely than others to be truly necessary, but that’s not the point. Any successful practitioner, in any profession or avocation, has a routine they follow, acting as an insurance policy. To my basketball crew, these tips keep us methodical and help ensure that we’re on the same page when there’s no room for error.

It’s a good place to be. Tim Sloan, Davenport, Iowa, is a high school football, basketball and volleyball official, and former college football and soccer official. 

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