2018-19 NFHS Rule Changes

Taken from the NFHS website (http://www.nfhs.org/sports-resource-content/basketball-rules-changes-2018-19/)

2018-19 NFHS Rule Changes

1-12-1c: It shall have a deeply-pebbled, granulated surface, with horizontally shaped panels bonded tightly to the rubber carcass.

Rationale: The additional words give manufacturers a better sense of what a deeply-pebbled cover should look like.

9-9-1: A player shall not be the first to touch the ball after it has been in team control in the frontcourt, if he/she or a teammate last touched or was touched by the ball in the frontcourt before it went to the backcourt. EXCEPTION: Any player located in the backcourt may recover a ball deflected from the frontcourt by the defense.

Rationale: To ensure that a team is not unfairly disadvantaged on a deflected pass.

2017-18 NFHS Rule Changes

Taken from the NFHS website (http://www.nfhs.org/sports-resource-content/basketball-rules-changes-2017-18/)

2017-18 NFHS Rule Changes

1-13-2: The coaching box shall be outlined outside the side of the court on which the scorer's and timer's table and team benches are located. The area shall be bounded by a line drawn 28 feet from the end line towards the Division line. At this point a line drawn from the sideline toward the team bench becomes the end of the coaching box going towards the end line.

Note: State Associations may alter the length and placement of the 28 foot (maximum) coaching box.

Effective Immediately. Tape may be used to extend the 14-foot line to 28 feet.

Rationale: The restriction of the coaching box penalizes the level of communication between coach and player. Allowing a coach freedom to move within the new box between the 28’ mark and the end line provides a coach more access to coach his/her players.



2-9-1: When a foul occurs, an official shall signal the timer to stop the clock. The official shall verbally inform the offender, then with finger(s) of two hands, indicate to the scorer the number of the offender and the number of free throws.

Rationale: To minimize foul reporting errors, that occur between the officials and the scorekeepers when the information gets lost in the translation. Two handed reporting is easier for the scorekeepers to see and comprehend in addition to being less confusing.



3-4-1d: There are no color/design restrictions in the area of the team jersey from the imaginary line at the base of the neckline to the top of the shoulder and in the corresponding area on the back of the jersey. There are restrictions on what identifying names may be placed in this area (see Article 3-4-4).

Rationale: Provide guidance on the forthcoming restrictions for this area of the jersey.



3-4-4: Identifying name(s) shall adhere to the following:

a. If used, lettering with school name, school’s nickname, school logo, player’s name and /or abbreviation of the official school name shall be placed horizontally on the jersey.
b. The panel in the shoulder area of the jersey on the back may be used for placing an identifying name as well.

Rationale: Provide guidance to persons purchasing uniforms in determining what wording should go onto the jersey.



4-48 NEW: Warning for Coach/Team Conduct
A warning to a coach/team for misconduct is an administrative procedure by an official, which is recorded in the scorebook by the scorer and reported to the Head Coach:
Art. 1 . . . For conduct, such as that described in rule 10-5-1a,b,d,e,f; 10-5-2; 10-5-4 the official shall warn the head coach unless the offense is judged to be major, in which case a technical foul shall be assessed. Note: A warning is not required prior to calling a technical foul.
Art. 2 . . . For the first violation of rule 10-6-1, the official shall warn the head coach unless the offense is judged to be major, in which case a technical foul shall be assessed. Note: A warning is not required prior to calling a technical foul.

Rationale: Stopping play and making sure that the bench and the coach know that an official warning has been given, sends a clear message to everyone in the gym and impacts the behavior of the coach, and in some cases the behavior of the opposing coach. This change in behavior creates a better atmosphere and many times avoids the need to administer a technical foul.

2016-17 NFHS Rule Changes

Taken from the NFHS website (http://www.nfhs.org/sports-resource-content/basketball-rules-changes-2016-17/)

2016-17 NFHS Rule Changes

1-20 NEW: Non-playing personnel, e.g., spirit participants, media, shall remain outside of the playing area during a 30-second or less time-out during the game.  Non-playing personnel shall stand outside the free throw lane lines extended toward the sidelines throughout the game.

Rationale: Making officials aware of the standards set for the spirit participants allows the official to manage them when they may not be in an appropriate place.

2-12-5: Sound a warning signal to begin the 15 seconds (maximum) permitted for replacing a disqualified or injured player, or for a player directed to leave the game.

Rationale: The amount of time presently given is too long and allows for gamesmanship to be deployed.

3-5-6: Undershirts shall be a single solid color similar to the torso of the jersey and shall be hemmed and not have frayed or ragged edges. If the undershirt has sleeves, they shall be the same length. See 3-6 for logo requirements.

Rationale: This would now allow all extra apparel that is worn to have one logo. Last year we simplified the color requirements to be consistent on all sleeves, tights, wristbands and headwear. This would be one more step to assist our officials in simplifying the enforcement of the uniform rules.

3-5-7: Removed the compression shorts rule; add compression shorts to Rule 3-5-3 which means compression shorts now must meet the guidelines outlined in this rule.

Rationale: This rule is no longer needed and would simplify the enforcement of the uniform rules for our officials. Compression shorts will be added to rule 3-5-3.

9-1-3h NEW: Players occupying marked free-throw lane line spaces may not enter the free-throw semicircle until the ball touches the ring or until the free throw ends.

Rationale: The addition of this information makes the rule complete and easy to understand.



2016-17 NFHS MAJOR EDITORIAL CHANGES

3-5-3 Note; 9-1 Penalties 4b; 10-5-3


2016-17 NFHS POINTS OF EMPHASIS

•     Acknowledging and Granting Time-out Criteria
•     Technical fouls
•     Replacing a Disqualified or Injured Player
•     Protecting the Free Thrower
•     Post Play

2015-16 NFHS Rule Changes

Taken from the NFHS website (http://www.nfhs.org/sports-resource-content/basketball-rules-changes-2015-16/)

2015-16 NFHS Rule Changes

10-6-12: The following acts constitute a foul when committed against a ball handler/dribbler.  A player becomes a ball handler when he/she receives the ball.  This would include a player in a post position.

• Placing two hands on the player.
• Placing an extended arm bar on the player.
• Placing and keeping a hand on the player.
• Contacting the player more than once with the same hand or alternating hands.

Officials Signal Chart and Officials Manual: Establish a signal to be used after a basket is made and there is a stoppage in play.  The signal is used by the officials to indicate the team inbounding the ball may run the baseline.

The signal will be executed by extending the arm laterally, bending the elbow at a 90-degree angle, moving the hand and forearm from the elbow in a waving motion horizontally along the end line.  A new picture will need to be added to the signal chart.

2015-16 NFHS Major Editorial Changes

3-4-2c: By state association adoption one commemorative/memorial patch may be worn on the jersey. The patch shall not exceed 4 square inches, shall not be a number and must be located above the neckline or in the side insert.

3-5-3c: All sleeves/tights shall be the same solid color and must be the same color as any headband or wristband worn.

3-5-4a: Headbands and wristbands shall be black, white, beige or the predominant color of the jersey and the same color for each item and all participants. They must be the same color as any sleeve/tights worn. See 3-6 for logo requirements.

2015-16 Points of Emphasis

1. Post Play
2. Rebounding
3. Free Throw Shooter
4. NFHS Signals and Mechanics

Comments on the 2014/15 NFHS Rule Changes

Click here to read the rule changes effective for the 2014/15 season.

Free Throw Provisions

By far the biggest rule change for this season, the NFHS rule is now identical to what is enforced at the NCAA levels.  This rule allows the players in a marked lane space (maximum of 6 players: 4 defensive and 2 offensive) to enter the lane on the release of the free thrown.

Under the old rule, all players must wait until the ball hits the rim, backboard, or the free throw ends.

Please note that this new rule applies only to the 6 players in the lane space.  The shooter and the remaining 3 players (who must be past the free-throw line extended) must wait until the ball hits the rim or backboard.

Any violation of this rule results in either an offensive or defensive lane violation with the appropriate enforcement.

Contact

The NCAA made this rule change for the 2013-14 season in order to protect the player with the ball.  The aim of this rule change is to cut down on the illegal contact, reduce physicality, and encourage a more open style of play.

When this rule was first implemented in the NCAA ranks, a lot of people predicted that the number of fouls and foul shots will rise dramatically.  While the number of fouls did rise, albeit by an average a 2 additional fouls per game, the game actually got cleaner.  A good article about it can be found on ESPN.

Remember to remind the players of this rule during the Captain's Meeting prior to the start of the game and practice preventative officiating when possible.  A simple "Hands off!" is a good reminder for them to play defense with their feet.  

A good rule of thumb is that if the contact affects the "RSBQ" of the ball handler, then fill your whistle and make the call!

RSBQ stands for:

• Rhythm
• Speed
• Balace
• Quickness

If any of these have been affected, then the defense has gained an advantage illegally....the definition of a foul.

Excessive Contact and Intentional Fouls

This is an expansion on the rule regarding intentional fouls and should reduce the subjectivity in determining "intent".  If a player makes excessive contact with an opponent regardless of whether that opponent has control of the ball, that may be called as an intentional foul.

Player Equipment/Apparel

Under the old rule, the player must demonstrate medical verification for arm and leg compression sleeves.  That requirement has now been removed.  Players may now wear tights and sleeves as long as the apparel matches the following color requirements:

• black
• white
• beige
• predominant team color

If multiple players choose to wear sleeves, then they must all be of the same color.

2014/15 NFHS Rule Changes

Taken from the NFHS website (http://www.nfhs.org/sports-resource-content/basketball-rules-changes-2014-15/)

2014-15 NFHS Rule Changes

3-5-3: Arm sleeves, knee sleeves, lower leg sleeves and tights are permissible:

a. Anything worn on the arm and/or leg is a sleeve, except a knee brace, and shall meet the color restrictions.

b. The sleeves/tights shall be black, white, beige or the predominant color of the uniform and the same color sleeves/tights shall be worn by teammates.

c. All sleeves/tights shall be the same solid color.

d. Meet the logo requirements in 3-6. Note: In general, a brace is defined as anything that contains hinges and/or straps or an opening over the knee cap.

4-19-3d: Intentional fouls include but are not limited to: Excessive contact with an opponent while the ball is live or until an airborne shooter returns to the floor.

9-1-4g: A player occupying a marked lane space…may enter the lane on the release of the ball by the free throw shooter.

10-6-12 NEW: The following acts constitute a foul when committed against a ball handler/dribbler:

a. Placing two hands on the player.

b. Placing an extended arm bar on the player.

c. Placing and keeping a hand on the player.

d. Contacting the player more than once with the same hand or alternating hands.

2014-15 NFHS Major Editorial Changes

1-12-1a: The ball…its solid color shall be Pantone Matching System (PMS) Orange 151, Red-Orange 173 or Brown 1535, effective 2019-20.