"That's 3 seconds!"

If video was compiled of the things that coaches say (or yell) to officials, "3 seconds!" would probably be in the top 5 along with "Foul!", "Over the back!", "That's a reach!", and "Call something!"

When a coach yells "3 seconds!" (or some might do you the favor of actually counting aloud for you: "one...two...three!  Call something!", which hits two out of the top things coaches yell), what does it actually mean?  What's the rule and the intent behind the rule?  And how do we, as officials, enforce the 3-second rule, have a patient whistle, and know when it is appropriate to make the call?

To understand the intent or spirit of the rule, we first need to know the rule.  This part is simple: While the team on offense has team-control of the ball and is in the front-court, an offensive player may not remain in the free-throw lane (commonly referred to as the "paint") for more than 3 seconds.  The lane includes the lane lines, end line, and free-throw line.

The rule brings up a few points:

1. When can the 3-second rule start to be enforced?
2. When is a player considered to be in the lane?
3. When is a player considered to be out of the lane?
4. When does the 3-second count stop?

In this blog post, we will dive in the above questions and mention some additional pointers.

(1) When does the 3-second rule start?

When the offensive team brings the ball from the back court and establishes team-control in the front court, this is when the 3-second rule starts.  

What is team-control?  If the ball is being held or dribbled by the offensive player or the ball is being passed from teammate to teammate in the front-court.

While the ball is in the backcourt, the 10-second back court count is in effect so there is no 3-second count.  During this time, the offensive player(s) may stay in the lane for as long as they want without penalty (technically, up to 10 seconds).

Once the ball is established in the front court, then that is when officially, the 3-second rule is in effect. 

(2) When is a player considered to be in the lane (key)?

The offensive player is considered to be in the lane (or key) as soon as one foot of the player steps onto or over the lane. Remember that lane lines are considered to be part of the lane so if a player steps on the lane line, that player is considered to be in the lane. 

The lane is the area on the court under the basket bounded by the endline, the free-throw line, and the freebody lines.

(3) When is a player considered to be out of the lane?

The offensive player is considered to be out of the lane as soon as BOTH feet are completely outside the lane lines. The lane lines extend vertically up, so merely lifting a foot does not mean that the player has left the lane. 

(4) When does the 3-second count stop?

The 3-second count stops when there is no longer any team control of the ball. Team control ends when:

1. A shot is attempt
2. The defense secures control of the ball (i.e. via a steal)
3. A foul or violation occurs

Note that after a shot attempt, the 3-second count starts up when the offense secures control of the offensive rebound.

Officials' Responsibilities

Now that we understand the 3-second rule and when it starts and stops, next we have to determine who is responsible for calling the 3-second violation (in the 2-referee system).  While the short answer to this question is that both officials have authority in making this call, the official that is supposed to be responsible for this depends on the situation.

Let's dive deeper...

 

Remember the areas of responsibility in a 2-referee system.  The "Lead" official (the one on the baseline) has primary responsibility for the lane and the area that extends from the lane to the near sideline.  This area is marked yellow in the diagram to the left. 

The "Trail" official (the one near the top of the key) has primary responsibility for the rest of the court.  This area is marked blue in the diagram to the left.

Situation 1.
With the ball in the lane, while the lead has primary responsibility in making the 3-second call, it is also allowable for the trail official to make the call as well.

However, the trail official should defer to the lead official and let the lead official have first dibs on this call.

Situation 2.
With the ball in the corner by the lead official, the lead official is responsible for keeping track of the ball handler and any fouls/violations that may occur.  The lead official should not be paying attention to the lane as well (and if an official can keep track of both, then the official is either superhuman, or lying).

In this situation, the trail official has primary responsibility in making the 3-second violation call.

Situation 3.
The ball is in the far corner in the area of the trail official.  The lead official is then responsible for keeping track of the 3-second violation.

The trail official should never make the 3-second call if this is the situation (see reasoning under Situation 2).

Situation 4
This situation is much like Situation 3 above.  The trail official is responsible for the ball handler and any violations/fouls that occur there.  The lead official is responsible for keeping track of the 3-second violation.

The trail official should never make the 3-second call if this is the situation.

 

 

Some Additional Notes and Preventative Officiating

Now we can determine the intent of the rule.  The rule exists to protect the defense because the defense cannot be expected to play defense indefinitely against an offensive player in the paint.  However, as officials, this is a good opportunity for us to practice preventative officiating and apply the advantage/disadvantage principle.  We should give the offensive player an opportunity to get out of the lane as well as warning them to get out if they are not actively involved in the play.

Here are some additional notes regarding the 3-second violation:

• If the offensive player is in the lane for 2 seconds, receives the ball, and then makes an immediate attempt for the basket, then the 3-second call shall be suspended.  However, if this player stops and does not immediately get rid of the ball, this player is in violation of the 3-second rule.

• If the offensive player is not actively involved in the play, warn the player (i.e. "keep moving", "get out"), if after a couple warnings, the player still remains in the lane, then call the violation.
• Remember the advantage/disadvantage principle.  Has the player broken the rule?  Yes.  Has there been an advantage gained?  No.  If no, then warn the player to get out and keep moving.  

• If the offensive player is in violation of the 3-second rule, but is actively trying to get out of the lane, then there is no reason to call the 3-second violation unless the player never gets out of the lane.

• In the situation where the ball is being rebounded and then shot back up right away (and rinse and repeat), then there is no 3-second violation.  Remember the count does not smart back up until the offense secures team control of the ball.

Conclusion

The 3-second rule exists to protect the defense, but as officials, we have a lot of leeway in when we make or don't make this call.  It's always a good opportunity to establish good communication between us (the officials) and them (the players) by warning them to get out of the lane.  Remember if we can "prevent" a violation/foul from happening, then we should always take that opportunity.  Especially at the lower age divisions when a 3-second violation occurs just about every other play.

Last word of caution: be consistent in how you enforce this rule.  If you call it against one team, then be consistent and call it against the other team if they commit the violation. 

Hopefully, if you apply this rule correctly, you will be able to count the number of times you hear "That's 3 seconds!" from a coach on one hand.