RULE CHANGES FOR WINTER 2009

From Chris Hastings Referee Coordinator

From the beginning of the winter season 2009, there will be several new rules applied. Please be aware of the following major rule changes to avoid any confrontation with referees!

TRAVEL

A player may now legally fall to the floor and slide whilst in possession of the ball. Once the player has come to a stationary position on the ground, any rolling motion or attempt to stand up without dribbling will be deemed a travel.

CROSS COURT

When a player is dribbling the ball from the back court to the front court, the ball is only deemed to be in the front court once both feet and the ball have touched the front court. This only applies to a player as they are dribbling. If there is no dribble, the existing cross court rule applies.

Additionally, it will not be a cross court violation anymore if a player who intercepts a pass jumps from the front court and lands in the back court while in possession of the ball.

UNSPORTSMAN—LIKE FOUL

This new rule has been introduced to prevent teams from intentionally fouling to prevent a fast break.

Therefore, a referee may call an unsportsman-like foul on a fast break if:

1. A defensive player fouls an opponent from behind or laterally;

2. The foul occurs at the start of the fast break and (i.e. first one or two dribbles);

3. There is no opponent between the player with the ball and their basket

Any contact that does not meet this criteria will be judged by the referee and called accordingly.

TECHNICAL FOUL

A technical foul may now be called for excessive swinging of the elbows that does not result in contact, yet is deemed unsafe by the referee. If contact does occur, an unsportsmanlike foul may be called.

Please remember to support referees in their decision making, as your support assists referees in doing the best job possible!