1.3.1 - Center Restraining Circle
Team A’s court has a center restraining circle that (a) is a solid color different than the natural color of the court; (b) has a 2-inch-wide shadow-bordered line; (c) has a ¼-inch wide solid line.
RULING: Legal in (a), (b) and (c).
1.3.2 - Shadow Line
A team mascot logo is painted in the center restraining circle. The host school used multi-colored paint for the continuous lines over the team mascot logo in the center restraining circle.
RULING: The area within these lines need not be of one color, but the continuous line must be clearly visible.
1.9.1 - Rectangular Backboard Padding Specifications
What are the rule requirements for padding on rectangular backboards?
RULING: The rule provides that all rectangular backboards shall be padded with material at least 2 inches thick on the bottom and side edges and extend a distance of 15 inches up the sides from the bottom. The edges of the board on front and back must be padded on the bottom and 15 inches up the sides with at least 1-inch-thick padding that extends ¾ inch up or in from the edge. The padding may be any single, solid color, but shall be the same color on both backboards.
1.12.3 - Game Ball
The game ball supplied by the home team does not have the NFHS Authenticating Mark. The visiting team does have a ball with the NFHS Authenticating Mark. Must the referee accept the visitor’s approved ball for game use?
RULING: Yes, the home shall provide a ball that meets specifications in order for it to be used. The referee shall be the sole judge of the legality of the ball and may select a ball provided by the visiting team. A current list of NFHS Authenticating Mark balls can be found on the NFHS Website.
1.13.1 - Team Bench Location
Upon arrival on the court, the visiting team is advised its team’s substitutes will have to go considerably farther than the home team to reach the reporting area. The visiting coach complains to the referee.
RULING: The referee has no authority to move the location of either bench, unless it involves player safety. Obviously, it is intended that the benches be on the floorlevel seats or bleachers and that the team benches be approximately the same distance from the table whenever possible. The referee should report the unusual bench location to the state association office.
1.13.2 - Coaching Box Location
SITUATION A:
Safety regulations prevent the adopted 28-foot coaching box from reaching the end line. May the coaching box be located 32 feet from the end line to give the full 28 feet allowed for the coaching box?
RULING: No, with state association approval, the coaching box may be located at a spot different from the prescribed 28 feet from the end line. The coaching box cannot be any farther than 28 feet from the end line and may not extend beyond the end line.
SITUATION B:
Safety regulations prevent the adopted 28-foot coaching box from reaching 28 feet from the end line. May the coaching box be located: (a) 26 feet from the end line and extend 28 feet toward the end line; (b) 14 feet from the end line and extend to the division line?
RULING: No in (a), the coaching box may not extend beyond the end line and may not be longer than 26 feet; and in (b), the coaching box may start less than 28 feet from the end line and extend to the end line. With state association approval, the coaching box may be located at a spot different from the prescribed 28 feet from the end line. The coaching box cannot be any farther than 28 feet from the end line and may not extend beyond the end line.
SITUATION C:
Officials arrive at a contest with a court length of less than 84 feet. There are no lines on the floor for the coaching box. Where should the coaching box be marked?
RULING: On a court of less than 84 feet, the coaching box should be marked from the division line 14 feet toward the end line. The coaching box will extend from that mark toward the end line based on the state association’s permitted coaching box length. In this case, because the court is not 84 feet, the box may be shorter than 28 feet. On a court that is 84 feet in length or more, the coaching box will be marked from the end line 28 feet toward the division line. A mark off the court on the sideline is placed at the 28-foot line and another mark off the court at the end line will indicate the end of the coaching box if the state association adoption is a 28-foot coaching box.
1.18 - Music/Noise/Sound Restrictions
In (a), the band from the home team is playing during a live ball; (b) the electronic scoreboard is playing broken-glass sound effects just after an opponent’s missed field-goal attempt; or (c) fans from the visiting team are using artificial noisemakers during an opponent’s attempted free throw.
RULING: All situations are prohibited by rule. The officials should notify game management in (a) to instruct the band to only play during the permitted times; in (b) to instruct the scoreboard operator to cease the prohibited acts; and in (c) to have a public-address announcement made stating that the use of any artificial noisemakers is prohibited at all times. In all situations, if the problem continues it may result in a technical foul being assessed to the team supporter(s).