2003-2004 Rule Changes
Mechanics Changes
Points
of Emphasis
Rules
Changes
2002-2003 Rule Changes
Rule 3-3-5 and 3-3-6: Permits a player who is required to leave the game for blood or injury to remain in the game if the team calls a time-out and the situation can be corrected by the resumption of play.
Rule 4-12-1: It shall not be considered player control when, during a jump ball, a jumper catches the ball prior to the ball touching the floor or a non-jumper. Penalty will be the offending team will lose the ball however, the possession arrow is set in their favor.
Rule 4-19-9: Changed the definition of a simultaneous foul to include personal fouls.
Rule 9-1 Penalty: Only the first lane violation during free throws will be penalized. If violations occur simultaneously then the alternating procedure will be used.
Rule 9-7: Deletes the requirement for the three-second count to be terminated during an interrupted dribble.
Rule 9-13: Excessively swinging the arms or elbow(s) is again considered a violation (no longer a technical foul).
Rule 10-3-11: Basket Interference during a free throw is no longer a technical foul.
2001-2002 Rule Changes
Rule 1-13: By state association adoption, an optional coaching box may be authorized. If used, the optional coaching box may be a maximum of fourteen feet (14').
Rule 1-17: Requires an “X” on the floor in front of the official scorer.
Rule 1-18: Regulates the playing of music/sound effects shall be only permitted during pre-game, time-outs, intermission and post game. The use of artificial noisemakers shall be prohibited.
Rule 2-2-4: The jurisdiction of the officials' is terminated and the final score is approved when all officials leave the visual confines of the playing area.
Rule 3-3-1: A substitute who desires to enter shall report to the scorers, giving his/her number only.
Rule 3-4-6: NOTE Recommends that the home team wear light-colored uniforms and the visiting team wear dark.
Rule 3-4-16: Permits a commemorative/memorial to be worn on the jersey provided it is not a number and it is worn above the neckline or in the side insert.
Rule 3-5: The referee shall not permit any "team member" to wear equipment or apparel which, in his/her judgment, is dangerous or confusing to other players or is not appropriate. This includes the pre-game warm-up period.
Rule 4-34-4: Defines a "team member" as a member of bench personnel who is in uniform and is eligible to become a player.
Rule 5-12-5: Players shall remain standing during a 30-second time-out.
Rule 7-5-7: Permits a team to run the end line on a throw-in when the scoring team, immediately following a made basket or during the ensuing throw-in commits either a violation or foul.
The establishment of a full time-out signal was added to the signal chart
2001-2002 Points of Emphasis
Bench Decorum
Coaching Box - Coaches must stay within the confines of the coaching box and are only permitted to give instructions to players and substitutes.
Bench Personnel including assistant coaches, team members, managers, etc. must remain seated unless spontaneously responding to an outstanding play.
Assistant Coaches are not authorized to go to the scorers' table at any time! A team manager or statistician may obtain information from the scorer's table when the clock is stopped and the ball is dead. The head coach is permitted to go to the scorers' table to request a 60-second time-out to confer with personnel regarding a correctable error, or to prevent or rectify a timing or scoring mistake/error or an alternating possession mistake.
Replacement of Players - The head coach is the only person who can replace players when they are directed to leave the game by officials. The substitution must be made within the time specified. During this period, assistant coaches and/or other team members are not authorized to stand.
Disconcertion During Free Throws - May occur through hand and arm movements, and verbal outbursts during the attempt. If persistent or deemed unsporting, the team/player may be penalized with a technical foul.
Uniforms, Apparel, Equipment
Uniforms - Players not conforming to the uniform rule shall be directed to leave the game until the requirement is met.
Jerseys designed to be worn inside the pants must remained tucked in the pants
Pants shall be worn above the hips.
Undershirts must be the same color as the predominant color of the jersey.
Compression shorts may be worn, above the knee and single color similar to predominate color of the uniform shorts.
Uniform jerseys must be the same color; home uniforms should be light colored.
Players not wearing the uniform properly should be removed from the game.
Jewelry
No "team member" may wear jewelry.
The prohibition on jewelry now applies to the pre-game warm-up period.
One primary reason for the emphasis is risk minimization.
For purposes of risk minimization and to reduce liability, it is suggested coaches not permit jewelry to be worn during any practice session
Hand-Checking, Rough Play
Hands off
Defenders are not permitted to have hands on the dribbler!
No displacement of a cutter.
The measuring up of an opponent (tagging) is hand-checking, is not permitted, and is a FOUL.
Use of forearm, regardless of the duration of the contact is A FOUL.
Hand checking is not incidental contact; it gives a tremendous advantage to the person illegally using their hands.
This applies to both offensive and defensive players.
Principles involved in incidental contact apply.
Post-play - The key work is DISPLACEMENT! If a player is displaced, it is a foul.
This applies to both offensive and defensive players, whether or not it is a knee or the "swim" maneuver.
When the offensive player uses a swim move, elbows, and pins or forearms the opponent it is a foul on the offensive player.
When the defensive player holds, undercuts, displaces by a knee or a forearm in the back, it is a foul.
Displacement applies to both offensive and defensive players.
Principles involved in incidental contact apply.
Screens
Moving screens
1. The screener must be stationary upon contact.
2. It is not a moving screen unless there is contact.
The screened player is expected to stop or attempt to stop on contact and move around the screen. Excessive contact or "pushing through" the screen is illegal.
Protecting the Shooter - Officials must stay with the shooter, until he/she returns to the floor, to ensure no illegal activity has occurred. Contact that does not permit the shooter to return to the floor in their entitled vertical space is illegal.
Closely Guarded - The defense must be within six (6) feet. Too frequently, officials require the defensive player to be within three (3) to four (4) feet prior to the count being initiated. Examples can be found on the court of six-foot measured distances:
The distance from the free throw line to the top of the semi-circle.
The radius of the center circle.