At lower levels, the type of athleticism captured in the accompanying photo is rarely evident. Therefore, officials who are unaccustomed to working such games do not get much practice in understanding how to officiate these types of plays when they do occur. At more advanced levels, these types of plays develop quickly, leaving officials to make immediate judgments on activity where the “start, develop and finish” happens in a flash.
Start With Definitions
So what do we have in the photo? Let’s start with definitions and break it down from there.
Goaltending
According to NFHS rules, goaltending occurs when a player touches the ball during a try or tap for field goal while the ball is in its downward flight entirely above the basket ring level, has the possibility of entering the basket in flight and is not touching the basket cylinder, or a player touches the ball outside the cylinder during a free-throw attempt (4-22).
The NCAAM and NCAAW definitions of goaltending are quite similar to the NFHS version, but feature important distinctions both from that rule and from one another.
In NCAAM play, goaltending occurs when a defensive player touches the ball during a field-goal try, the ball is on its downward flight and the ball is above the level of the ring and has the possibility, while in flight, of entering the basket and is not touching the cylinder (9-15.3.a). Also, when the ball contacts the backboard and any part of the ball is above the rim during a field-goal attempt, it is considered to be on its downward flight. In such a case, it is goaltending when the ball is touched by a player as long as it has a possibility of entering the basket (9-15.3.c).
In NCAAW play, the rule mirrors the NCAAM rule except that for goaltending to occur the entire ball must be above the level of the ring and have the possibility, while in flight, of entering the basket and not touching the cylinder (9-15.3.a.2).
And when the entire ball is above the level of the ring during a field-goal try and contacts the backboard, it is considered to be on its downward flight (9-15.5).
In both NCAAM and NCAAW, it is goaltending to touch the ball outside the cylinder during a free throw, regardless of whether the free throw is on its upward or downward flight (NCAAM 9-15.3.b; NCAAW 9-15.4).
What The Photo Shows So Far
Armed with this knowledge and taking a look at the accompanying photo, it is clear the requirements for goaltending are not yet present on this play in any of the three rule codes. The offensive player is still in possession of the ball, therefore, it is not yet a try or tap and does not have a downward flight. However, the ball is clearly above the ring, which leads us to a new set of definitions.
Basket Interference
According to NFHS rules, basket interference occurs when a player touches the ball or any part of the basket, including the net, while the ball is on or within either basket (4-6-1); touches the ball while any part of the ball is within the imaginary cylinder which has the basket ring as its lower base (4-6-2); touches the ball outside the cylinder while reaching through the basket from below (4-6-3); or pulls down a movable ring so that it contacts the ball before the ring returns to its original position (4-6-4).
However, there is a key exception listed in the NFHS code. In 4-6-1 and 4-6-2, if a player has his or her hand legally in contact with the ball, it is not a violation if such contact with the ball continues after it enters the imaginary cylinder or if in such action, the player touches the basket. Dunking or stuffing is legal and is not basket interference (4-6 Exc.).
The NCAAM and NCAAW definitions, again, are very similar to the NFHS version. With one small exception, they are identical to one another. Also important to note is they offer key information not found in the NFHS rulebook regarding the definition of the cylinder.
Basket interference occurs when a player touches the ball or any part of the basket while the ball is on or within the basket (9-15.2.a.1); touches the ball while any part of it is within the cylinder that has the ring as its lower base (9-15.2.a.2); reaches through the basket from below and touches the ball before it enters the cylinder (9-15.2.a.3); pulls down a movable ring so that it contacts the ball before the ring returns to its original position (9-15.2.a.4); and causes the basket or backboard to vibrate when the ball is on or within the basket or the backboard and/or is on or in the cylinder (9-15.2.a.5). The one difference between NCAAM and NCAAW is that NCAAM article 9-15.2.a.1 includes this language: If the touching of the basket involves contact with the net only, the official must determine if the touching had any effect on the ball which would rise to the level of basket interference.
The NCAAM and NCAAW definitions also include the following: The cylinder is the imaginary geometric figure that has the ring as its base and is formed by the upward extension of that ring (9-15.2.b); the ball shall be considered to be within the basket when any part of the ball is below the cylinder and the level of the ring (9-15.2.c); and a player may have a hand legally in contact with the ball, when this contact continues after the ball enters the cylinder or when, during such action, the player touches or grabs the basket (9-15.2.d).
Apply The Rules To The Play
Armed with all of this rule information, take another look at the photo. Is either the offensive or defensive player guilty of basket interference?
The ball does not appear to be on the basket, but it does appear to be in the cylinder. Therefore, it meets one of the requirements for basket interference. However, all three rule codes spell out that a player may have a hand legally in contact with the ball, and when this contact continues after the ball enters the cylinder, it is not basket interference.
While the rule, especially the NFHS version with its exception language, appears to be targeted specifically toward allowing an offensive player to legally dunk or stuff the ball, in this instance, the defensive player is also protected. His hand is in legal contact with the ball. As the ball enters the cylinder, this contact is legally allowed to continue. To this point on this particular play, neither player has committed basket interference.
“Again, basketball officials are taught to allow plays to start, develop, and finish before making any type of ruling.”
Let The Play Finish
Again, basketball officials are taught to allow plays to start, develop and finish before making any type of ruling. At the moment the accompanying photo is captured, it’s fair to say this play is in the second of those three steps and is still developing. When ruling on this type of play, we need to be cognizant of such, understanding that in a blink of an eye, the situation may change and more information may become available that requires an official to make a different ruling.
At this particular point and time captured in this photo, the gym should be full of noise from excited fans oohing and aahing about a highlight-reel type of play. There should not be a whistle for goaltending or basket interference adding to that cacophony.
