9 Basketball Rule Myths

• Most of the following are misunderstood by players, coaches and fans. Some are even misunderstood by officials!

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• Having a clear understanding and the ability to explain these concepts will help you survive as an official.

Myth #1�The Defense Has to Be Stationary to Take a Charge

• Once a player establishes legal guarding position he/she does not have to remain stationary to take a charge.

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• What is legal guarding position?

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• Two feet on the floor, facing the opponent.

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• The defender can always move backwards or sideways to maintain a legal guarding position and may even have one or both feet off the playing court when contact occurs.

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• If the contact is on the torso it is a charge.

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• If the contact is on the shoulder or hip it is a block.

Myth #2�A Player Can’t Be in the Key For More Than 3 Seconds��

• If a player has been in the key for less than 3 seconds and receives a pass he/she may make a move to the basket and finish the try.
• Any 3 second count is suspended on a shot or rebound.
• The intent of the three-second rule is to not allow an offensive player to gain an advantage.

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• If the ball is out high a player standing with one foot in the key is not gaining much of an advantage, nor is a 5’9” offensive player who is in the lane being guarded by a 6’8” defensive player.
• Know where the ball is before you blow your whistle.
• Do not call 3 seconds while a shot is in the air.

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Myth #3�Over the Back is a Foul

• Over the back is not a foul.
• The term is nowhere to be found in any rulebook.
• A taller player may often be able to get a rebound over a shorter player, even if the shorter player has good rebounding position.
• Do not penalize a player for being tall.

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Myth #4�Reaching In is a Foul

• Reaching in is not a foul. As with “over the back” there is no such rule.
• The mere act of reaching in, by itself, is nothing. The player should be disadvantaged.
• If illegal contact does occur, it could be either a hold, a push, or a hit.

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Myth #5�A High Dribble is a Violation

• There is no restriction as to how high a player may bounce the ball, provided the ball does not come to rest in a player’s hand.
• Steps taken during a dribble are not traveling, including several that are sometimes taken when a high dribble takes place.
• It is not possible for a player to travel during a dribble unless the ball comes to rest in the hand.

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Myth #6�Moving While Fumbling the Ball is a Travel

• A player may always recover his/her fumbled ball. A fumble is not a dribble. Any steps taken during recovery are not traveling, regardless of progress made and/or advantage gained.

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• Theoretically, a player could fumble/juggle the ball from one end of the floor to the other, and no violation would have occurred.

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Myth #7�All Moving Screens Are Illegal

• For a moving screen to be illegal there must be contact.
• If the screener violates any of the screening provisions and contact results the player has committed a personal foul.
• If the screened player goes around the screen without contacting the screener it is not an illegal screen no matter how close the screen is set.

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Myth #8�Assistant Coaches Can Question Officials

• If the head coach is seated the assistant may stand.
• While standing the assistant may coach, encourage his/her team.
• The assistant may not address the officials, argue calls, question decisions, etc.

Myth #9�A Shooter Cannot Retrieve An Air Ball

• The release of a shot ends team control.
• It is legal for a player to rebound/catch his/her own air ball, provided the official deems the shot a legitimate try.
• The player may then start another dribble, pass, or shoot.

• In the future when coaches, players and fans complain (yell) at you about the above and they will, remember these myths.

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• Be confident in your decisions which are based on the rules, not what others think the rules are.