This rule change establishes that once the ball contacts the backboard, it is automatically considered to be on its downward flight. Therefore, if a player touches the ball after it hits the backboard, and the ball has a possibility of entering the basket, it is ruled as goaltending. This clarification helps protect legitimate shot attempts, reduces rough rebounding situations, and addresses a common rules misconception among coaches and players. It provides officials with a clearer standard for enforcing goaltending in backboard-related plays.

Rationale: This change enhances officiating clarity and protects legitimate shot attempts. It also addresses a common misconception among coaches and players by explicitly defining goaltending, leading to more consistent enforcement.

This rule change updates the definition of a player to clarify that a player is one of the five team members legally on the court at any given time, except during time-outs or intermissions. The change ensures consistency in rule enforcement by recognizing that it is difficult to distinguish between players, substitutes, and bench personnel during time-outs and intermissions. This clarification also supports the accountability of coaches for all team conduct during these periods and helps avoid misapplication of penalties such as technical fouls.

Rationale: This change ensures consistent enforcement of penalties for unsporting conduct by bench personnel. It allows officials to issue technical fouls to bench personnel during time-outs, aligning with the current rules for intermissions. It eliminates confusion and potential misapplication of rules and ensures fair and consistent enforcement of penalties for unsporting behavior, regardless of the
individual’s role.

It is the coach's role to know what the rules allowances and restrictions are, and insure the players are properly informed. The head coach, by rules, must not permit a team member to participate while wearing an illegal uniform, illegal equipment, illegal apparel, etc.  It is, therefore, incumbent on the coach to be sure the rules and restrictions have been reviewed by the team, including, and especially, allowable accessories.

Yes, it is also the officials' role to monitor the players, the uniforms and accessories. However, the head coach must be very much involved. The officials should not be placed in a position where they are often viewed as "being picky/searching for" illegal uniform and apparel items.

By rule, the medical alert medal or bracelet must be taped to the person securely while the medical information is visible.  Regardless of the type of material the medical alert bracelet is of, it must be taped to the arm securely with the medical information visible.  3-5-7

The throw-in and the throw-in count begin when the ball is at the disposal of a player of the team entitled to it.

The throw-in ends when:

a. The passed ball touches or is touched by another player in-bounds.

b. The passed ball touches or is touched by another player out-of-bounds. except as in 7-5-7.

c. The throw-in team commits a violation.

The designated throw-in spot is 3 feet wide with no depth limitation and is established and signaled by the official prior to putting the ball at the thrower's disposal.  Pivot foot restrictions are not in affect for a designated throw-in.  The thrower must keep one foot on or over the designated spot until the ball is released.

• Violation - To leave the designated throw-in spot prior to releasing the ball
• Violation - To not pass the ball directly into the court so it touches or is touched by another player (in-bounds or out-of-bounds) on the court before going out of bounds untouched.
• Violation - To pass the ball so it goes directly out of bounds prior to touching another player.
• Violation - To not release the ball on a pass directly into the court before five seconds have elapsed.

After ruling and signaling a violation, team-control foul, player-control foul held ball or time-out, it is vital that the ruling official, at the site of the ruling, indicate the designated throw-in spot (see Manual page 65, diagram 5-6).

It is a necessity to have game an administration representative to meet with the official crew.  This meeting will allow for communicating the expectations of each group.  The contest officials are there to manage the contest which includes the players and coaches.  It is the expectation that school administration will manage the student body, parents and all other spectators.

Game administration is responsible to be proactive in crowd supervision and control. Administration should address inappropriate spectator behavior before it escalates.

Spectator behavior remains a critical concern. Too often, spectators are using abusive language toward coaches, players and officials. Spectators are also approaching the court, team areas and locker rooms - places that used to be "off limits" - to confront participants.

Game administrators must create and follow security procedures and support efforts to have offending spectators removed from the premises. Proactive policies lead to fewer problems. It is the game administrator's ultimate responsibility to provide a safe environment for coaches, players and officials. Do not wait for the official to point out the problem.