NFHS Case Book

SITUATION A:

Seven minutes before the scheduled starting time for the game, Team A presents its team roster and its starting lineup to the scorer and then, at six minutes prior to the game starting time, Team A presents two additional names to the scorer for the team list.

RULING: Team A is assessed one technical foul for the violation of not presenting its team member list nor designating its starting lineup at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled game starting time. Team A is also assessed one technical foul for the two names which were added to its team roster six minutes prior to game starting time. (10-1-1, 10-1-2)

SITUATION B:

A1, who is designated as a starter 10 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time of the game, becomes ill or is injured before the game starts.

RULING: A1 may be replaced without penalty as illness or injury is considered to be an extenuating and unavoidable situation which permits a substitution. A1 would be permitted to enter the game later. (10-1-2a)

SITUATION A:

Team A properly submits its team member list and designates its five starters. However, the number for each team member is incorrect. The error is not detected until after the game has started.

RULING: Only one team technical foul is charged regardless of the number of players and substitutes not wearing the number indicated in the scorebook. Each player must wear the number indicated in the scorebook or change the scorebook number to that which he/she is wearing. Any substitutes who become players and require the changing of the number indicated for them in the scorebook will not result in a penalty as the one maximum technical has already been charged to the team for an administrative infraction. (10-1-1 PENALTY)

SITUATION B:

Three minutes before the game starts, it is discovered: (a) two Team B members have wrong numbers in the scorebook; or (b) two Team B team members are wearing the same number.

RULING: In (a), if either or both team member’s number is changed in the scorebook, one technical foul is charged to Team B. If there is no request for change or if neither becomes a player, thus avoiding the change, there is no penalty. In (b), a technical foul is charged to Team B upon discovery of the identical numbers. Only one team member may wear a given number; the other must change to a number not already in use before participating. (10-1-2)

SITUATION C:

Team A substitute No. 25 reports to the table for the first time with approximately one minute remaining in the second quarter and is beckoned onto the court. In (a), the ball is put in play by a throw-in from A1 to A2. The horn sounds and the scorer informs the officials that No. 25 is not listed in the scorebook. In (b), No. 25 plays the remainder of the second quarter. During halftime intermission, the official scorer realizes No. 25 is not listed in the scorebook and informs the officials when they return to the court before the start of the third quarter.

RULING: In (a), No. 25 is currently in the game and became a player when he/she legally entered the court. Since his or her name and number must now be entered into the scorebook, a technical foul is charged to Team A. In (b), no penalty is assessed since No. 25 is not currently in the game. If No. 25 attempts to enter the game in the second half, his or her name and number will be added to the scorebook and a technical foul charged to Team A. (3-2-2b, 10-1-2b)

SITUATION D:

Team A properly submits its team member list and designates the five starters as required at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start of the game. Anytime thereafter, either before the game starts or during the game, the coach asks the scorer to change a number in the scorebook: (a) so it corresponds to what the team member is wearing; (b) because a player’s shirt has excessive blood on it; or (c) because a player’s shirt is torn.

RULING: In (a), a technical foul is charged to Team A. In (b) and (c), the shirt is changed and the number change made in the scorebook without any penalty.

SITUATION E:

Team A designates No. 32 as a starter by the 10-minute timeframe prior to the game. In (a), as the teams take the floor for the opening jump ball, the scorer recognizes that No. 34 is on court instead of No. 32 for Team A and notifies the officials. In (b), following about two minutes of play in the first quarter, a time-out is called. The scorer notifies the officials that although Team A No. 32 was a designated starter, No. 34 started instead and is still in the game.

RULING: In (a), if Team A’s coach replaces No. 34 for the correct designated starter, No. 32, no penalty is assessed. If Team A’s coach elects to start the game with No. 34 instead of No. 32, a technical foul is assessed to Team A for changing a designated starter. In (b), no penalty is assessed. The infraction had to be discovered and penalized before the ball became live to start the game. Once the ball became live, it was too late to penalize for this specific infraction. (3-2-2a, 10-1-2a PENALTY)

SITUATION A:

During a 30-second time-out, A6 goes to the scorer to substitute for A1: (a) before the 15-second warning signal; (b) after the 15-second warning but before the time-out is over; or (c) as the players break the huddle and take their positions on the court just prior to the signal ending the time-out.

RULING: The substitution will be allowed in (a), but denied in (b) and (c). As with a 60-second time-out, substitutions must be made before the warning signal is given.

SITUATION B:

A time-out is granted to Team A with play to resume by administration of a free throw. A6 reports to enter after the timer’s warning signal has sounded. Since A6 has reported too late to enter, could he/she enter if: (a) either team is granted a time-out; (b) the resumption of play is delayed because a player is injured getting into position for the free throw; or (c) Team A is willing to put A6 into the game with a technical foul?

RULING: Permissible in (a) and (b), but not in (c).

SITUATION C:

Substitute A6 reports to the scorer just after the warning signal is sounded during a time-out. The scorer advises A6 that he/she will not be allowed to enter until the next opportunity for substitution. The Team A coach beckons A6 to return to the bench.

RULING: This is permissible. The substitute is not obligated to remain at the table. However, A6 would have to report again before being allowed to enter the court. If A6 remains at the table, he/she may actually replace any player.

SITUATION D:

Intermission has concluded and play is about to resume in the third quarter when the scorer notifies the officials that no Team A substitutes reported prior to the warning horn.

RULING: The third quarter begins with the same five Team A players that concluded the second quarter. (3-3-1a NOTE)

SITUATION E: 

B6 has properly reported to the scorer to enter the game. A1 is then fouled in the act of a three-point try. Prior to the first attempt, A1 is discovered to be bleeding: (a) B6 and A6, who is replacing bleeding A1, enter prior to the first free-throw attempt; (b) substitutes A7 and A8 report to the scorer’s table after B6 and A6 enter the game; or (c) all substitutes in (a) and (b) enter the game when time-out is requested by B3. 

RULING: In (a), A6 must replace bleeding- player A1 before the free throw is administered, B6 may also enter because he/she had legally reported to the table and another player had been directed to leave the game by the official. In (b), A7 and A8 must wait until prior to the last remaining free throw to enter the game. In (c), the time-out by B3 cannot be honored until the substitute for A1 has properly reported and entered. Once the time-out is granted, all substitutes may enter. A1 may remain in the game if Team A requests and is granted a time-out.

SITUATION F:

Substitutes A6, A7 and A8 report only their own numbers to the scorer for entry. The substitutes are beckoned into the game by an official and enter the court. Before their replacements leave the court, a fight breaks out with five (of the eight on-court) players from Team A and three players from Team B involved.

RULING: Substitutes become players when they legally enter the court; in this case, when the official beckoned them onto the court. The players being replaced by A6, A7 and A8 were not known at the time of the fight to determine what players would be classified as “bench personnel.” The officials and scorer shall make an effort to determine who substitutes A6, A7 and A8 were replacing when the fight broke out. If the players being replaced by the substitutes cannot be determined, the only recourse the officials have to determine what penalties to assess the head coach for the involvement of bench personnel is to assess the maximum penalty. Of the five Team A players involved, assume three were bench personnel and assess three indirect technical fouls to the head coach, which results in ejection. Team B would also be awarded four free throws (two for each additional player involved in the fight). All participants are disqualified for flagrant fouls. Play would be resumed with a Team B throw-in from the division line opposite the scorer’s table. (2-3, 10-4-9 PENALTY, 10-5-1h PENALTY)

SITUATION A:

A1 is injured during a play in which A1 has been fouled. As a result, A1 cannot attempt the free throw awarded to him/her. Substitute A6 replaces A1 and attempts the free throw which is successful. Substitute A7 replaces A6 before the clock starts.

RULING: The substitution is legal. (8-2)

SITUATION B:

Team B is charged with a technical foul for an excess time-out. During this stopped-clock interval, A1 is replaced by A6. A1 then returns to the game and attempts the two free throws which are: (a) both successful; (b) both unsuccessful; or (c) one is successful and one is not.

RULING: Once A1 re-entered, even illegally, and the ball became live, A1 was a legal player at that point. The resulting action in (a), (b) and (c) stands. The situation does not come under the provisions of the correctable-error rule, nor is there any provision for penalizing either Team A or A1. (3-3-4, 8-3)

SITUATION A:

B1 fouls A1. Just before A1 goes to the line for a one-and-one, the official observes: (a) A1 pull the jersey out of his/her pants; or (b) A1’s pants being worn below the hips.

RULING: In both (a) and (b), A1 will be directed to put the jersey in the pants or pull up the pants, and must leave the game immediately following his/her last free throw(s). The lane is cleared for the free throw and Team B is awarded the ball for a throw-in, whether or not the last free throw is successful.

COMMENT: A charged time-out by Team A does not alter the requirement for A1 to leave the game.

SITUATION B: 

A1 is directed to leave the game because his/her jersey is not tucked into the game pants. The official notifies the Team A coach that a replacement is required. The official then instructs the timer to begin the 15-second replacement interval because a substitute is not made available immediately. Team A’s head coach then requests a time-out to keep A1 in the game. 

RULING: Team A’s time-out request may only be granted after A1 is replaced by a substitute. A time-out is not permitted to keep a player in the game who has been directed to leave for not wearing his/her uniform properly. Once A1 is replaced by a substitute, Team A may request and be granted a time-out, if desired. (2-12-5, 3-3-5, 5-8-3b)

SITUATION A:

A1 is injured and play is stopped to permit the athletic trainer or physician to administer aid. (a) A1 is removed from the court and replaced within less than one minute; or (b) the injury is such that the physician will not allow A1 to be removed from the court until being certain it is prudent to do so. After approximately five minutes, A1 is moved from the court.

RULING: No time-out is charged in either (a) or (b), regardless of the amount of time involved. The intent of the rule is to require an injured player to be removed without charging a team with a 60-second time-out, regardless of how much time is consumed prior to removal. A team may call a time-out if they wish to keep the player (if able) in the game provided the replacement interval for the substitution has not begun. (5-8-2a)

SITUATION B:

A1 appears to be injured and an official properly halts play and the Team A coach rushes onto the court to check A1. However, A1 is OK and seems ready to play within a few seconds.

RULING: A1 must be removed as the coach came onto the court. A1 may remain in the game if the coach does not come on the court and A1 is ready to play immediately. If the coach or other bench personnel have come onto the court, the player must be replaced. There is no set amount of time as to what is “immed­iately,” but it should not involve more than a few seconds and it must be without the coach, athletic trainer or doctor being beckoned and/or entering the court. The coach may also call a time-out to keep the player in the game provided the replacement interval for the substitution has not begun. (10-5-2)

SITUATION C: 

A1 is injured and bench personnel are beckoned onto the court. Once A1 has been removed from the court, the official notifies Team A’s head coach that a replacement is required. The coach acknowledges the notification and the official then instructs the timer to begin the 15-second replacement interval because a substitute is not made available immediately. Team A’s head coach then requests a time-out to keep A1 in the game. 

RULING: The time-out request must be made when the official informs the coach that a replacement is required. Once the 15-second interval has begun and A1’s replacement is pending, a time-out shall not be granted. Once A1 is replaced by a substitute, Team A may request and be granted a time-out, if desired. (2-12-5 NOTE, 3-3-6 NOTE 2, 5-8-3b)

SITUATION D:

A5 is injured as the horn sounds to end the first quarter and the coach is beckoned by an official on to the court to attend to A5.

RULING: The intermission should begin when A5 is removed from the court. No substitute is required if A5 is ready to play to start the second quarter. When A5 is not ready, a substitute should report before the warning horn or a time-out may be requested by Team A to keep A5 in the game. (2-12-5 NOTE)

SITUATION A:

B1 is directed to leave the game because of excessive blood on his/her uniform jersey. Team B does not have any extra jerseys. (a) The coach asks one of the substitutes to give his/her jersey to B1; or (b) Team A is able to find a jersey which B1 can wear although it is not exactly the same color or style of the Team B jersey. The jersey will, however, clearly identify B1 as a member of Team B and will not be confusing to either team or the officials.

RULING: Acceptable procedure in both (a) and (b). In both situations the scorer will make necessary changes in the scorebook without penalty.

COMMENT: The spirit and intent of the rule is to do everything possible to allow the player to use a different jersey and return without penalty. However, identical numbers shall not be allowed on the same team.

SITUATION B:

A1 discovers she is bleeding and intentionally wipes blood on the arm of the both B4 and B5. In (a) neither the referee or umpire observes the bleeding or the action of A1; (b) U1 observes that A1 is bleeding from a cut on her arm; (c) U1 observes B4 and B5 with blood on their arm; or (d) U1 observes A1 bleeding, and observes A1’s action of wiping blood on the arm of B4 and B5.

RULING: In (a), A1 must leave the game when the bleeding is discovered; (b) A1 must leave the game when bleeding is observed; (c) B4 and B5 must leave the game when blood is observed on their person; (d) A1, B4 and B5 must leave the game and, A1 is charged with a technical foul for an unsporting act. If in the judgment of U1 the actions of A1 were flagrant, A1 would be disqualified from further competition. Any player or legally entering substitute may attempt the two free throws, after which B will have the ball for a division line throw-in. In all situations, a team may call a time-out to keep a player in the game.

SITUATION C:

Officials discover blood on players A1 and B1 simultaneously and direct both players to leave the game. After notification by the officials, (a) Team A chooses to call a time-out to keep A1 in the game, while Team B elects to substitute B6 for B1; (b) both teams request a time-out to keep A1 and B1 in the game.

RULING: In (a), B6 must enter the game prior to the official granting the time-out for Team A. A1 must be ready to play by the end of the time-out. B1 may not re-enter the game until the next opportunity to substitute after time has run off the clock. In (b), both teams are charged a time-out and the time-outs run concurrently. If one team requests a 60-second time-out and the other a 30, the duration shall be 60 seconds. Both A1 and B1 must be ready to play by the end of the time-out.

SITUATION A:

The competing teams in a tournament setting enter the court for warm-ups both wearing dark jerseys. The tournament manager indicates that (a) Team A was aware of the home-team designation and failed to comply with wearing the required white jersey; (b) neither team was notified of the proper home/away designation. However, Team B has both sets of jerseys available.

RULING: In (a), the Team A head coach receives a direct technical foul. The game starts with two free throws followed by a division line throw-in awarded to Team B and loss of the coaching box for the Team A head coach for the remainder of the game. In (b), Team B should be given ample time to change into its white uniforms. No penalties are assessed. (10-6-4)

SITUATION B:

Team A has white home jerseys with black and red trim around the neckline and armholes and a black and red-patterned design in the side panel. Team member A15 is from the Junior Varsity team and will participate in the Varsity game. A15’s jersey is white, but has (a) no trim around the neckline and armholes; (b) only red trim in the side panel; (c) no trim whatsoever.

RULING: Legal jersey in (a), (b) and (c); A15’s jersey has not violated the uniform rules.

SITUATION A:

Team B is wearing jerseys which have: (a) a small basketball patch with a No. 12 on it attached to the upper right front; or (b) a black 2-inch wide band attached around the shoulder strap. Both items are in memory of an injured teammate.

RULING: The shirts in (a) are illegal. The penalty is a technical foul charged directly to the head coach. The shirts in (b) are legal. (10-6-4)

SITUATION B:

Team A members are wearing white jerseys which have (a) a manufacturer’s logo in the apex of the neckline; (b) a manufacturer’s logo in the side seam.

RULING: The jerseys in (a) are illegal. The penalty is a technical foul charged directly to the head coach. The jerseys in (b) are legal.  (3-4-2a, 10-6-4)

SITUATION A:

Team A team members are wearing white jerseys. The numbers are: (a) solid red with a ¼-inch border of green and another of blue; (b) solid blue with a ¼-inch border of white and another of red; or (c) solid blue with a ¼-inch border of yellow and another of blue.

RULING: The color combinations are all legal. It is permissible to use three colors – a solid color in contrast with the shirt color and two different solid-color borders. In (b), the white border is legal and must be counted as one of the two allowable borders. The color/style of the numbers must be the same on front and back.

SITUATION B:

A7 reports to the official scorer to enter the game wearing a jersey with the No. 7, which is the number listed in the scorebook. A7 (a) enters the game and participates; (b) changes into a legal jersey and enters the game later; or (c) goes back to the bench and never enters the game.

RULING: In (a), a direct technical foul is charged to the Team A head coach for the illegal uniform. Team B is awarded two free throws and a division-line throw-in, and the Team A head coach loses his/her coaching-box privileges. In (b), a number must be changed in the scorebook. Therefore, Team A is assessed a team technical foul when the change occurs, but the coach does not lose his/her coaching-box privileges. In (c), no penalty is assessed when the player never enters the game and the scorebook is unaltered. (10-1-2c, 10-6-4)

SITUATION C:

Starter, A1, has brought the wrong uniform and with eight minutes on the clock prior to the start of the game, switches with A15 and now is wearing a legal jersey but a new number. With two minutes on the clock prior to the start of the game, it is discovered that starter, B1, is wearing a different jersey than indicated in the scorebook. It is confirmed that a wrong number was provided to the official scorer and a change is made to reflect the correct number in the scorebook.

RULING: Both Team A and B are charged with a technical foul for changing a number in the scorebook and will begin the game with one team foul toward the bonus. No free throws are awarded and the game will begin at the point of interruption, which is the opening jump ball.

COMMENT: When each team is assessed one technical foul prior to the game, a double technical foul has occurred, as this is considered “approximately the same time.”  (4-19-8b, 4-36-2c, 10-1-2)  (See 6.4.1 SITUATION A)

Team A is wearing jerseys which have: (a) the school name below the numbers with the lettering starting in the front and continuing around the side to the back; or (b) the school name above the number and the mascot name below the number; or (c) illegal names/logos on the front or back. 

RULING: The jerseys in (a) and (c) are illegal and the penalty is a technical foul charged directly to the head coach. Legal in (b) with two identifying names on the front of the jersey. (10-6-4)

Prior to the jump ball to start the game, the officials observe that the five Team B starters are all wearing pants which have (a) a manufacturer’s logo and a school’s mascot which meets the proper dimension limitations; or (b) a manufacturer’s logo that exceeds the limitation of 2¼ square inches by 2¼ square inches in any one dimension.

RULING: Legal uniforms in (a). In (b), illegal pants. The Team B head coach is charged directly with a technical foul. (3-6-2, 10-5-4)

SITUATION A:

The officials are on the court prior to the game observing the team warm-ups. One official notices that a member of Team A is wearing a decorative necklace.

RULING: The official should inform the team member to remove the jewelry immediately. Upon compliance, the team member may continue to warm up with his or her teammates and may start the game without penalty.

SITUATION B:

May a team member wear: (a) shoes which have a light mechanism or have lights which are activated by heel contact with the floor; or (b) gloves?

RULING: No, in both (a) and (b). In (a), the shoes may be worn if the lights are deactivated. In (b), gloves are not needed to play the game and are not considered to be appropriate.

SITUATION A:

Before the game, officials are watching Team A warm up and notice A3 is wearing a black compression sleeve and white tights.

RULING: Illegal because the rule requires individual players to wear the same color sleeves and tights. A3 will not be allowed to participate while wearing the different color items. No penalty is involved. A3 simply cannot participate until the color restriction is corrected. (3-5-3)

SITUATION B:

Substitute A6 reports to enter the game to replace A1. A5, already in the game, is wearing a beige compression sleeve on his/her arm and leg. A6 is wearing a black headband and wristbands.

RULING: A6 is not allowed to enter because the rule requires all teammates to wear the same allowable color sleeves, headbands and wristbands. No penalty is involved. A6 simply cannot participate until the color restrictions are corrected. (3-5-3)

SITUATION A:

Team A’s school colors are blue and gold and the predominant color of Team A’s jerseys are white. Prior to the game, an official notices that several Team A members are wearing (a) blue headbands and blue wristbands; or (b) beige pre-wrap around the entire head and blue wristbands.

RULING: IIlegal in (a). Illegal equipment in (b); the headband colors do not match the wristband color requirements. The official shall inform the player and the head coach that these items are illegal and may not be worn during the game because they do not meet the color requirements.

SITUATION B:

An official notices members of Team A are wearing headbands that have extensions.

RULING: Illegal. The coach should be informed that the headbands with extensions are illegal and the players will not be allowed to enter the game wearing them.

Prior to the opening jump, an official notices (a) A1 is wearing an undershirt with sleeves cut off and hemmed at the shoulders. A2 and A3 are both wearing undershirts with normal length sleeves; (b) A4 is wearing an undershirt with a visible manufacturer’s logo/trademark.

RULING: All players are wearing legal apparel. (a) The rule does not require all players to wear the same length sleeves on their undershirts, but each individual player must have sleeves the same length on his/her undershirt when worn; (b) A visible manufacturer’s logo/trademark is permitted on the undershirt as long as it meets the logo requirements in 3-6.

Substitute A6 is beckoned and enters the court to replace A1. A6 is wearing: (a) a bracelet, (b) an earring covered with tape or (c) earhole spacer.

RULING: The items in (a), (b) and (c) are illegal and considered jewelry and A6 will not be allowed to participate while wearing the items. No penalty is involved. A6 simply cannot participate until the illegal items are removed. (3-5-7)

A6 enters the game with an excessive manufacturer’s or school’s logo on his/her: (a) socks, (b) wristbands or (c) jersey.

RULING: Legal in (a). In (b) and (c), A6 may not participate and is directed to return to the bench until legally equipped.

COMMENT: The restriction on visible manufacturer’s or school’s logo size is in effect on jerseys, pants/skirts, compression shorts, wristbands and headbands. The shoes and socks are not considered part of the uniform for purpose of visible logo size.