The play described below is provided for your review and discussion. The rulings given are based on NFHS rules. NCAA rulings may be different.
During the second quarter of a high school varsity girls’ game, A-1 gets confused and heads towards Team B’s basket. B-1 fouls A-1 as A-1 is attempting to throw the ball into Team B’s goal. Then the ball is released and goes through the goal.
Handle the situation.
One can only have an act of shooting when one is attempting to throw the ball through one’s own goal. So, no act of shooting is present in this play. B-1’s foul is a common foul. As such, the ball becomes dead immediately. No goal can be scored. If Team A is in the bonus, A-1 will attempt bonus free throw(s). If not, Team A will be awarded the ball out of bounds at the spot nearest the foul.
(References: Rule 4-11-1, 4-41-2, 10-7 Penalty 1a, 10-7 Penalty 3)
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Very Interesting Play. Officials need to know the Rules to apply this correctly. Thanks.
It’s the same rule for NCAA also see
“RULE 5—Scoring and Timing Regulations”
“Scoring/Try for Goal
A.R. 111. A1 becomes confused and shoots the ball at the wrong basket. A1 is fouled while trying to shoot and the ball goes in the basket. Is this a goal? If A1 misses, should A1 be granted two free throws for the foul by the Team B player?
RULING: No goal. The ball became dead when the foul occurred. When a player shoots at the opponent’s basket, it is not a try. When Team A is in the bonus when the Team B player fouls A1, A1 shall be awarded a one-and-one. When Team A is not in the bonus, the ball shall be awarded to Team A at a designated spot.
(Rule 5-1.1, 6-5.1.d, 10-1 Penalty c and a[1])”