Statement: During the throw-in players other than the thrower-in shall not have any part of their bodies over the boundary line.

Before the thrower-in releases the ball, it is possible that the throwing-in motion could cause that player’s hands with the ball to move over the boundary line separating the inbounds area from the out-of-bounds area. In such situations, it continues to be the responsibility of the defensive player to avoid interfering with the throw-in by contacting the ball while it is still in the hands of the thrower-in.

Example: In the third quarter, team A is awarded a throw-in from its backcourt. While holding the ball

(a) thrower-in A1 moves the hands over the boundary line so that the ball is above the inbounds area. B1 grabs the ball from A1’s hands or taps the ball out of A1’s hands without any physical contact against A1.

(b) B1 moves the hands over the boundary line towards thrower-in A1 to stop a pass to A2 on the court.

Interpretation: In both cases, B1 interfered with the throw-in and therefore delayed the game. The referee calls a delay of the game violation. In addition, a verbal warning shall be given to B1 and also communicated to the team B head coach. This warning shall apply to all team B players for the remainder of the game. Any repetition of a similar action by any team B player may result in a technical foul. The team A throw-in shall be repeated. Team A shall have 24 seconds on the shot clock.

Example: In the third quarter, team A is awarded a throw-in from its frontcourt. Thrower-in A1 is holding the ball when B1 moves the hands over the boundary line, with

(a)    7 seconds

(b)    17 seconds

on the shot clock.

Interpretation: This is a throw-in violation by B1. In addition, a verbal warning shall be given to B1 and also communicated to the team B head coach. This warning shall apply to all team B players for the remainder of the game. Any repetition of a similar action by any team B player may result in a technical foul. The team A throw-in shall be repeated. Team A shall have

(a)    14 seconds

(b)    17 seconds

on the shot clock.

Statement: When the game clock shows 2:00 or less in the fourth quarter and in each overtime, the player of the defensive team shall not move any part of the body over the boundary line to interfere with the throw-in.

Example: With 54 seconds on the game clock in the fourth quarter, team A is entitled to a throw-in. Before handing the ball to thrower-in A1, the referee shows to B1 the warning with an ‘illegal boundary line crossing’ signal. B1 then moves the body towards A1 over the boundary line before the ball was thrown-in over the boundary line.

Interpretation: B1 shall be charged with a technical foul.

Example: With 51 seconds on the game clock in the fourth quarter, team A is entitled to a throw-in. Before handing the ball to thrower-in A1, the referee does not show the warning ‘illegal boundary line crossing’ signal. B1 then moves the body towards A1 over the boundary line before the ball was thrown-in over the boundary line.

Interpretation: As the referee did not show the warning ‘illegal boundary line crossing’ signal before handing the ball to A1, the referee shall blow the whistle and B1 shall now be given a warning. This warning shall also be communicated to the team B head coach. The warning shall apply to all team B players for the remainder of the game. Any repetition of similar action by any team B player may result in a technical foul. The throw-in shall be repeated, and the referee shall show the ‘illegal boundary line crossing’ signal.

Statement: The thrower-in must pass the ball (not hand the ball) to a team-mate on the court.

Example: Thrower-in A1 hands the ball to A2 on the court.

Interpretation: This is a throw-in violation by A1. The ball must leave A1’s hands on the throw- in. Team B shall be awarded a throw-in from the place of the original throw-in. 

Statement: During a throw-in, other player(s) shall not have any part of their bodies over the boundary line before the ball is passed on to the court.

Example: After an infraction, thrower-in A1 receives the ball from the referee and A1

(a) places the ball on the floor after which the ball is taken by A2.

(b) hands the ball to A2 in the out-of-bounds area.

Interpretation: In both cases, this is a violation by A2 for moving the body over the boundary line before A1 passes the ball over the boundary line.

Example: After a team A successful goal or a successful last free throw, team B is granted a time-out. After the time-out, thrower-in B1 behind the endline receives the ball from the referee. B1 then

(a) places the ball on the floor after which the ball is taken by B2, who is also behind the endline.

(b) hands the ball to B2, who is also behind the endline.

Interpretation: In both cases, this is a legal play by B2. After a successful goal or a successful last free throw, the only restriction for team B is that its players must pass the ball on to the court within 5 seconds.

Statement: If a time-out is granted to a team that is entitled to possession of the ball from its backcourt when the game clock shows 2:00 or less in the fourth quarter and in each overtime, the head coach, after the time-out, has the right to decide whether the throw-in shall be administered from the throw-in line in the team’s frontcourt or from the team’s backcourt.

After the head coach has made a decision, it is final and irreversible. Further requests of both head coaches to change the throw-in place, after additional time-outs during the same game clock stopped period, shall not lead to a change of the original decision.

After a time-out following an unsportsmanlike foul or disqualifying foul or fight, the game shall be resumed with a throw-in from the throw-in line in the team’s frontcourt.

Example: With 35 seconds on the game clock in the fourth quarter, A1 dribbles in the backcourt when a team B player taps the ball out-of-bounds at the free-throw line extended. Team A is granted a time-out.

Interpretation: After the time-out at the latest, the crew chief shall request the team A head coach’s decision as to where the throw-in shall be administered from. The team A head coach shall say loudly in English ‘frontcourt’ or ‘backcourt’ and at the same time show with the arm the place (frontcourt or backcourt), where the throw-in shall be administered from. The team A head coach’s decision shall be final and irreversible. The crew chief shall inform the team B head coach of the team A head coach’s decision.

The game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in only when the positions of the players of both teams on the court show their understanding of where the game shall be resumed from.

Example: With 44 seconds on the game clock in the fourth quarter and with 17 seconds on the shot clock, A1 dribbles in the backcourt when a team B player taps the ball out-of-bounds at the free-throw line extended. A time-out is then granted

(a) to team B.

(b) to team A.

(c) first to team B and immediately after to team A (or vice-versa).

Interpretation:

(a) The game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in from the free-throw line extended in its backcourt. Team A shall have 17 seconds on the shot clock.

(b) and (c) If the team A head coach decides on a throw-in from the frontcourt, the game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in from the throw-in line in its frontcourt. Team A shall have 14 seconds on the shot clock.

If the team A head coach decides on a throw-in from the backcourt, team A shall have 17 seconds on the shot clock.

Example: With 57 seconds on the game clock in the fourth quarter, A1 attempts 2 free throws. During the second free throw A1 steps on the free-throw line and a violation is called. Team B is granted a time-out.

Interpretation: After the time-out, if the team B head coach decides on a throw-in from

(a) the throw-in line in the frontcourt, team B shall have 14 seconds on the shot clock.

(b) his backcourt, team B shall have 24 seconds on the shot clock.

Example: With 26 seconds on the game clock in the fourth quarter, A1 dribbles for 6 seconds in the backcourt, when

(a) B1 taps the ball out-of-bounds.

(b) B1 is charged with the third team B foul in the quarter. Team A is granted a time-out.

Interpretation: After the time-out:

In both cases, if the team A head coach decides on a throw-in from the throw-in line in the frontcourt, team A shall have 14 seconds on the shot clock.

If the team A head coach decides on a throw-in from the backcourt, team A shall have

(a) 18 seconds

(b) 24 seconds on the shot clock.

Example: With 1:24 on the game clock in the fourth quarter, A1 dribbles in the frontcourt when B1 taps the ball to the team A backcourt where any team A player starts to dribble again. B2 now taps the ball out-of-bounds in the team A backcourt with

(a) 6 seconds

(b) 17 seconds

on the shot clock. Team A is granted a time-out.

Interpretation: After the time-out:

If the team A head coach decides on a throw-in from the throw-in line in the frontcourt, team A shall have

(a) 6 seconds

(b) 14 seconds on the shot clock.

If the team A head coach decides on a throw-in from the backcourt, team A shall have

(a) 6 seconds

(b) 17 seconds on the shot clock.

Example: With 48 seconds on the game clock in the fourth quarter, A1 dribbles in the frontcourt when B1 taps the ball to the team A backcourt where A2 starts to dribble again. B2 now fouls A2, this is the third team B foul in the quarter with

(a) 6 seconds

(b) 17 seconds

on the shot clock. Team A is granted a time-out.

Interpretation: In both cases, if after the time-out the team A head coach decides on a throw- in from the throw-in line in the frontcourt, team A shall have 14 seconds on the shot clock. If from the backcourt, team A shall have 24 seconds on the shot clock.

Example: With 1:32 on the game clock in the fourth quarter, team A is in control of the ball for 5 seconds when A1 and B1 are disqualified for punching each other in the team A backcourt. Team A is granted a time-out.

Interpretation: The disqualifying foul penalties shall cancel each other. The game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in from its backcourt. However, if after the time-out the team A head coach decides on a throw-in from the throw-in line in the frontcourt, team A shall have 14 seconds on the shot clock. If from the backcourt, team A shall have 19 seconds on the shot clock.

Example: With 1:29 on the game clock in the fourth quarter and with 19 seconds on the shot clock, team A is in control of the ball in its frontcourt when A6 and B6 are disqualified for entering the court during a fight. Team A is granted a time-out.

Interpretation: The disqualifying foul penalties shall cancel each other. After the time-out, the game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in in its frontcourt, from the place nearest to where

the ball was located when the fight has started. Team A shall have 19 seconds on the shot clock.

Example: With 1:18 on the game clock in the fourth quarter, team A is awarded a throw-in from its backcourt. Team A is granted a time-out. After the time-out, the team A head coach decides on a throw-in from the throw-in line in the frontcourt. Before the throw-in is administered, the team B head coach requests a time-out.

Interpretation: The original decision of the team A head coach to administer a throw-in from the frontcourt is final and irreversible and cannot be changed within the same game clock stopped period. This shall be valid also if the team A head coach takes a second time-out, following the first one.

Statement: At the start of all quarters other than the first quarter and at the start of each overtime, a throw-in shall be administered at the centre line extended, opposite the scorer’s table. The thrower-in shall have one foot on either side of the centre line extended. If the thrower-in commits a throw-in violation, the ball shall be awarded to the opponents for a throw- in from the centre line extended.

However, if an infraction occurred on the court directly on the centre line, the throw-in shall be administered from the frontcourt at the place nearest to the centre line.

Example: At the start of a quarter thrower-in A1 commits a violation at the centre line extended.

Interpretation: The game shall be resumed with a team B throw-in from the place of the original throw-in at the centre line extended, with 10:00 on the game clock and 24 seconds on the shot clock. The thrower-in shall be entitled to pass the ball to any place on the court. The direction of the alternating possession arrow shall be reversed in favour of team B.

Example: At the start of a quarter thrower-in A1 at the centre line extended passes the ball to A2 who touches it before it goes out-of-bounds in the team A

(a) frontcourt.

(b) backcourt.

Interpretation: The game shall be resumed with a team B throw-in from the place nearest to where the ball went out-of-bounds in its

(a) backcourt with 24 seconds

(b) frontcourt with 14 seconds on the shot clock.

The team A throw-in ends when A2 touched the ball. The direction of the alternating posses- sion arrow shall be reversed in favour of team B.

Example: The following infractions may occur at the centre line on the court:

(a) A1 causes the ball to go out-of-bounds.

(b) A1 is charged with a team control foul.

(c) A1 commits a travelling violation.

Interpretation: In all cases, the game shall be resumed with a team B throw-in from its front- court at the place nearest to the centre line. Team B shall have 14 seconds on the shot clock.

Statement: A throw-in resulting from an unsportsmanlike foul or disqualifying foul shall always be administered from the throw-in line in the team’s frontcourt.

Example: A1 is charged with an unsportsmanlike foul against B1 during the interval of play between the first and second quarter.

Interpretation: Before the start of the second quarter, B1 shall attempt 2 free throws with no line-up. The game shall be resumed with a team B throw-in from the throw-in line in its frontcourt. Team B shall have 14 seconds on the shot clock. The direction of the alternating possession arrow shall remain unchanged.

Statement: During a throw-in, the following situations may occur:

(a)    The ball is passed over the basket and a player of either team touches it by reaching through the basket from below. This is an interference violation.

(b)    The ball lodges between the ring and the backboard. This is a jump ball situation.

Example: Thrower-in A1 passes the ball over the basket when a player of either team touches it by reaching through the basket from below.

Interpretation: This is an interference violation. The game shall be resumed with a throw-in by the opponents from the free-throw line extended. If a defensive team commits the violation, no points shall be credited to the offensive team as the ball was released from out-of-bounds.

Example: Thrower-in A1 passes the ball towards the team B basket and it lodges between the ring and the backboard.

Interpretation: This is a jump ball situation. The game shall be resumed according to the alter- nating possession procedure:

•    If team A is entitled to the throw-in, the game shall be resumed with the team A throw-in from behind the endline in its frontcourt, nearest to but not directly behind the backboard. Team A shall have 14 seconds on the shot clock.

•    If team B is entitled to the throw-in, the game shall be resumed with the team B throw-in from behind the endline in its backcourt, nearest to but not directly behind the backboard. Team B shall have 24 seconds on the shot clock.

Statement: After the ball is placed at the disposal of the thrower-in, that player may not bounce the ball so as the ball touches the inbounds area and the thrower-in then touches the ball again before it has touched or been touched by another player on the court.

Example: Thrower-in A1 bounces the ball which touches

(a) the inbounds area

(b) the out-of-bounds area and A1 then catches it again.

Interpretation:

(a) This is a throw-in violation by A1. After the ball leaves A1’s hands and the ball touches the inbounds area, A1 shall not touch the ball before it touches or was touched by another player on the court.

(b) If A1 did not move more than a total of 1 meter between bouncing the ball and catching it again, A1’s action is legal. The 5-second restriction to release the ball shall continue.

Statement: The thrower-in shall not cause the ball to touch the out-of-bounds area, after it

was released on the throw-in.

Example: Thrower-in A1 passes the ball from the

(a) frontcourt

(b) backcourt

to A2 on the court. The ball goes out-of-bounds without touching any player on the court.

Interpretation: This is a throw-in violation by A1. The game shall be resumed with a team B throw-in from the place of the original throw-in, if from the

(a) backcourt with 24 seconds

(b) frontcourt with 14 seconds on the shot clock.

Example: Thrower-in A1 passes the ball to A2. A2 catches the ball with one foot touching the boundary line.

Interpretation: This is an out-of-bounds violation by A2. The game shall be resumed with a team B throw-in from the place nearest to where A2 touched the boundary line.

Example: Thrower-in A1 from behind the sideline,

(a)    in the backcourt close to the centre line is entitled to pass the ball to any place on the court.

(b)    in the frontcourt close to the centre line is entitled to pass the ball only to a team-mate in the frontcourt.

(c)    at the centre line extended at the start of a quarter or each overtime is entitled to pass the ball to any place on the court.

With the ball in the hands A1 takes one normal lateral step, therefore changing the position regarding the frontcourt or backcourt.

Interpretation: In all cases, this is a legal play by A1. A1 shall keep the initial throw-in position with the right to pass the ball either to the frontcourt or to the backcourt according to the initial status.

Statement: After a successful goal or successful last free throw, the thrower-in behind the endline may move laterally and/or backwards and the ball may be passed between team-mates behind the endline, but the throw-in period shall not exceed 5 seconds. This is also valid after a time-out is taken by either team or when an illegal interference with the throw-in violation by the defensive team during the throw-in is called and therefore the throw-in shall be repeated.

Example: After an opponents’ successful goal or last free throw in the second quarter, A1 has the ball in the hands for a throw-in from behind the endline.

(a) B2 moves the hands over the boundary line before the ball is thrown-in on the court.

(b) A1 passes the ball to A2 who is also behind the endline. B2 moves the hands over the boundary line and touches the ball on this pass.

Interpretation: B2 shall be given a warning for delaying the game. B2’s warning shall also be communicated to the team B head coach and shall apply to all team B members for the remainder of the game. Any repetition of a similar action may result in a technical foul. Any team A player shall keep the right to move along the endline before releasing the ball or passing it to a team-mate.

Example: After an opponents’ successful goal, A1 has the ball in the hands for the throw-in from behind the endline. After the ball is thrown-in on to the court, B2 kicks the ball close to the endline.

Interpretation: This is a kick ball violation by B2. The game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in from behind its endline, except from directly behind the backboard. As B2’s kick ball violation occurred after the throw-in, team A thrower-in shall not have the right to move along the endline from the designated throw-in place before releasing the ball on to the court.

Example: After an opponents’ successful goal, A1 has the ball in the hands for a throw-in from behind the endline. A2 jumps from out-of-bounds behind the endline and while airborne catches the ball from A1’s throw-in. After that

(a) A2 passes the ball back to A1 who is still out-of-bounds behind the endline.

(b) A2 passes the ball to A3 who is on the court.

(c) A2 returns to out-of-bounds behind the endline.

(d) A2 lands on the court.

(e) A2 lands on the court and passes the ball back to A1 who is still out-of-bounds behind the endline.

Interpretation:

(a), (b) and (c) This is a legal play by team A.

(d) and (e) This is a throw-in violation by A2.

Statement: After the free throw resulting from a technical foul, the game shall be resumed with a throw-in from the place nearest to where the ball was located when the technical foul occurred, unless there is a jump ball situation or before the start of the first quarter.

If a technical foul is called against the defensive team, and the throw-in shall be administered from its backcourt the offensive team shall have 24 seconds on the shot clock. If from its frontcourt, the shot clock shall be reset as follows:

• If 14 seconds or more are shown on the shot clock, it shall continue with the time remaining on the shot clock.

• If 13 seconds or less are shown on the shot clock, it shall show 14 seconds.

If a technical foul is called against the offensive team, that team shall have the time remaining on the shot clock, regardless of whether the throw-in shall be administered from its backcourt or from its frontcourt.

If a time-out and a technical foul are called during the same game clock stopped period the time-out shall be administered first, followed by the administration of the technical foul penalty. After a free throw(s) resulting from an unsportsmanlike foul or a disqualifying foul, the game shall be resumed with a throw-in from the throw-in line in the team’s frontcourt. The team shall have 14 seconds on the shot clock.

Example: A2 dribbles in the

(a) backcourt

(b) frontcourt

when A1 is charged with a technical foul.

Interpretation: Any team B player shall attempt 1 free throw with no line-up. In both cases, the game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in from the place nearest to where the ball was located when the technical foul occurred. Team A shall have the time remaining on the shot clock.

Example: A2 dribbles in the

(a) backcourt

(b) frontcourt

when B1 is charged with a technical foul.

Interpretation: Any team A player shall attempt 1 free throw with no line-up. The game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in from the place nearest to where the ball was located when the technical foul occurred. If in its

(a) backcourt, with 24 seconds on the shot clock.

(b) frontcourt, with the time remaining on the shot clock, if 14 seconds or more are shown on the shot clock and with 14 seconds on the shot clock, if 13 seconds or less are shown on the shot clock.

Example: With 1:47 on the game clock in the fourth quarter, A1 dribbles in the frontcourt and is charged with a technical foul. Team A is granted a time-out.

Interpretation: After the time-out, any team B player shall attempt 1 free throw with no line- up. The game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in from the place nearest to where the ball was located when the technical foul occurred. Team A shall have the time remaining on the shot clock.

Statement: When the game clock shows 2:00 or less in the fourth quarter and in each overtime, if a technical foul is called against the offensive team and that team is granted a time-out, the offensive team shall have the time remaining on the shot clock, if the throw-in shall be administered from its backcourt. If from the throw-in line in its frontcourt, the shot clock shall be reset as follows:

• If 14 seconds or more are shown on the shot clock, it shall show 14 seconds.

• If 13 seconds or less are shown on the shot clock, it shall continue with the time remaining on the shot clock.

Example: With 1:45 on the game clock in the fourth quarter, A1 dribbles in the backcourt and is charged with a technical foul. Team A is granted a time-out.

Interpretation: After the time-out at the latest, the team A head coach shall inform the crew chief of the throw-in place (frontcourt or backcourt). After the time-out, any team B player shall attempt 1 free throw with no line-up. The game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in according to the team A head coach’s decision.

If the team A head coach decides on a throw-in from the throw-in line in the frontcourt, team A shall have 14 seconds, if 14 seconds or more are shown on the shot clock or the time remaining on the shot clock, if 13 seconds or less are shown on the shot clock.

If the team A head coach decides on a throw-in from the backcourt, team A shall have the time remaining on the shot clock.

Example: With 1:43 on the game clock in the fourth quarter, A1 dribbles in the backcourt and is charged with a technical foul. Any team B player shall attempt 1 free throw with no line-up. Team A is granted a time-out.

Interpretation: After the time-out at the latest, the team A head coach shall inform the crew chief of the throw-in place (frontcourt or backcourt). The game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in according to the team A head coach’s decision.

If the team A head coach decides on a throw-in from the throw-in line in the frontcourt, team A shall have 14 seconds, if 14 seconds or more are shown on the shot clock or the time remaining on the shot clock, if 13 seconds or less are on the shot clock.

If the team A head coach decides on a throw-in from the backcourt, team A shall have the time remaining on the shot clock.

Example: With 1:41 on the game clock in the fourth quarter, A1 dribbles in the backcourt when B1 taps the ball out-of-bounds. Team A is granted a time-out. Immediately after, A1 is charged with a technical foul.

Interpretation: After the time-out at the latest, the team A head coach shall inform the crew chief of the throw-in place (frontcourt or backcourt). Any team B player shall attempt 1 free throw with no line-up. The game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in according to the team A head coach’s decision.

If the team A head coach decides on a throw-in from the throw-in line in the frontcourt, team A shall have 14 seconds, if 14 seconds or more are shown on the shot clock or the time remaining on the shot clock, if 13 seconds or less are shown on the shot clock.

If the team A head coach decides on a throw-in from the backcourt, team A shall have the time remaining on the shot clock.

Example: With 58 seconds on the game clock in the fourth quarter, in A1’s backcourt

(a) B1 deliberately kicks the ball.

(b) B1 fouls A1. This is the third team B foul in the quarter.

(c) B1 taps the ball out-of-bounds.

With 19 seconds on the shot clock, team A is granted a time-out.

Interpretation: The team A head coach shall decide whether the game shall be resumed with a throw-in from the throw-in line in the frontcourt or from the backcourt.

In all cases, if from the throw-in line in its frontcourt, team A shall have 14 seconds on the shot clock.

(a) and (b) If from its backcourt, team A shall have 24 seconds on the shot clock.

(c) If from its backcourt, team A shall have 19 seconds on the shot clock.

Statement: Whenever the ball enters the basket, but the goal or the last free throw is not valid, the game shall be resumed with a throw-in from the free-throw line extended.

Example: A1 in the act of shooting commits a travelling violation and then the ball enters the basket.

Interpretation: A1’s goal shall not count. Team B shall be awarded a throw-in from the free- throw line extended in its backcourt. Team B shall have 24 seconds on the shot clock.

Example: A1 attempts a shot for a goal. While the ball is on its downward flight, A2 touches the ball which then enters the basket.

Interpretation: A1’s goal shall not count. Team B shall be awarded a throw-in from the free- throw line extended in its backcourt. Team B shall have 24 seconds on the shot clock.