2007-08 PRE-SEASON BASKETBALL MEMO

 

November 1, 2007

 

 

With practice ready to begin next week and the first games only a couple weeks away, it is time to get the first pre-season memo on-line.  I will quickly review several of the changes from last year, explain the changes for this year, and  highlight several points of emphasis or editorial changes.

 

07-08 CLASSIFICATION---The tentative classification is on-line currently.  Please check it carefully to make sure that your school is listed, your BEDS enrollment is correct, and if in a co-op agreement that we have it listed and figured correctly.  Please notify the State Office immediately if there is any error.  Reminder---if any schools are considering entering into a last-minute co-op agreement, that must be filed with and approved by our office by the end of the first week of practice.

 

06-07 CHANGES:

TEAM CONTROL FOUL---when the foul is committed by the team in control of the ball  (no free throws)

Reminder---there is no team control (1) during a throw-in, (2) during a jump ball, and (3) while the ball is in flight on a try for goal.  Free throws will be shot for fouls in those situations when the opposing team is in the bonus situation.

 

HEADBANDS/WRISTBANDS---Must be the color of the uniform jersey or white.  It is permissible to have one manufacturerÕs logo or team logo/mascot.

 

LAG TIME ELIMINATED---An official may have the time on the clock corrected if he has definite knowledge of a timing error.  The exact amount of time is placed on the clock---there is no longer a deduction of one second due to lag time.

 

DELAYS---A team is allowed one total warning for the game to cover all four possible warning situations (1)Reaching across the plane; (2)Delaying the administration of a free throw; (3)Interfering with the ball following a made basket; and (4) not having the court ready for play.

 

UNDERSHIRTS---If worn, these must be the same color as the predominant color of the uniform jersey.  Junior high coaches need to do a better job of educating their players regarding the legal color to buy prior to the season.  It places the official into a very difficult situation when they notice a team wearing red jerseys with white t-shirts underneath.  The official should never have to be placed into a situation like this if the coaches are doing their job correctly.

 

07-08 CHANGES

REPLACED PLAYER---A team has 20 seconds to replace a disqualified or injured player or a player asked to leave the game.  After proper notification, a coach is given five seconds, then a warning horn sounded, then a final horn sounded fifteen seconds later if the replacement has not already been completed.

 

WARNING HORNS---All warning horns shall now be sounded 15 seconds prior to the end of the time allowed regardless whether a 20, 30, or 60 second situation.

 

ENDING A DRIBBLE---Changed that a dribble ends when loss of control by the dribbler is caused by an opponent touching, or being touched by the ball.

 

THROW-IN ENDS---Changed that a throw-in ends when the throw-in pass is legally touched by another player.

 

NEW SIGNAL ADDED---Added a signal (spreading of the arms with open palms) to indicate  that a defender is not in a closely-guarding position.

 

LEGAL SCREENING POSITION---Screener must be within her vertical plane with a stance approximately shoulder width apart.  This is intended to clarify an illegal screen when an arm or knee is extended outside the normal stance causing contact.

 

BENCH DECORUM RULE---The girls and boys now have the same exact bench decorum rule.  Hopefully this will eliminate any misunderstanding or misapplication previously caused by having different rules.  There are a couple of basic changes for girlsÕ coaches.  One coach no longer has the liberty to stand the entire time while the game is in progress.   A coach will now be allowed to stand and confer with a player(s) whenever the clock is not running.  Communication with the player(s) only shall be done in a positive manner and shall take place directly in front of where the coach was seated.  Once the ball is back in play and the clock running, the coach must be seated.  The same allowances remain in effect as before regarding being able to stand up to call a time out, care for an injured player, coach during a time-out or intermission, go to the scorerÕs bench for a correctable error, to replace a disqualified player, and to cheer a great play by their team—but then must return immediately to the bench.  While replacing a disqualified player, the coach is now allowed to walk along the team bench to get a player selected to substitute into the game for the disqualified player.

This is a 7-12 grade rule.  There will obviously be some preventative officiating done especially early in the season as we transition into this new rule.  However flagrant or repeat offenses need to be called.  This is not intended to be a time to stand and criticize officials.  If standing, the coach shall be coaching their kids.  Once seated again, most officials will be willing to move into an area where normal conversation can occur.

 

07-08 POINTS OF EMPHASIS

1) LEGAL UNIFORMS

2) ROUGH PLAY DURING FREE THROWS

3) DISPLACEMENT BY OFFENSE OR DEFENSE BEING CALLED A FOUL

4) TRAVELING

5) PALMING

 

The referee may now designate which official will toss any jump ball.  It does not necessarily have to be the referee.  The referee shall continue to put the ball into play at the center division line after the quarter breaks.

 

EJECTIONS---Officials need to be 100% certain prior to ejecting anyone.  If an ejection occurs, remember that the school must file the ejection report form with the State Office (including a written statement by the person ejected) the following day and the Official must submit a report of the incident in writing to the State Office the following day.

 

FAN MISCONDUCT---Officials must be certain regarding the circumstances and people involved.  Get the host administration or event manager and allow them to handle the problem.  For gosh sakes, make sure you are having the correct person reprimanded or removed.  DonÕt guess and unjustly embarrass and victimize someone just for being in the area but  not the person causing the disturbance.

 

Hopefully all head varsity coaches have attended a rule meeting to meet the requirement.  LetÕs get the season off to a great start by everyone working together and doing the best job possible.  Remember that CONDUCT COUNTS!

 

MIKE DICK

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR