The play described below is provided for your review and discussion. The rulings given are based on NFHS rules. NCAA rulings may be different.
A-5 and B-5 line up for the jump ball. Both are in their half of the jump circle. When the official releases the ball on the jump ball, B-5 steps across the division line going around A-5. A-5, who is much taller than B-5, back taps the jump ball. The ball hits the floor and is then recovered by B-5.
Handle the situation.
This is a legal play. Although both jumpers must have both feet in their half of the jump circle prior to the toss, once the ball is released by the official, the jumpers are then required to stay within the jump circle until the ball is touched. All restrictions on the jumpers end when the jump ball ends. In this instance the restrictions ended when the ball hit the floor. Once this happened B-5 was entitled to recover the ball.
(References: Rule 6-3-1, 6-3-7b, 6-3-8)
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