“No way! He was on the floor!” “This is not the NBA!” As an official, how often have you heard these and similar exclamations when you ruled a goal to be good? Have you ever heard “On the floor!” from an official or seen an official pointing to the floor just as an acrobatic and athletic move had the ball going through the goal? Was that official correct? Just what are the rules governing when the act of shooting starts? Are there any differences between high school, college and the NBA?
The continuous motion rule (Rule 4-11 in the NFHS Rules Book) can be a source of discontent and consternation during some high school games. Observers report that inaccurate judgment of when the act of shooting begins is sometimes part of the problem. Are differences between the high school, college and NBA versions of this rule part of the problem?
While there are minor differences in wording, there are absolutely no differences in how each level wants the rule enforced. The main difference in application between the NBA and the other levels has to do with the distances that can be covered from the moment of the foul to the release of the shot. In the NBA this distance is enhanced by the traveling rule difference that, in effect, allows an NBA player to take an extra step beyond what is legal for a high school or college player.
So, by rule, when does the act of shooting start?
The NFHS Rules Book states that the attempt to shoot begins “…when the habitual throwing movement starts a try or with the touching on a tap…” The Rules Book further states that a player who is fouled after starting to shoot “…is permitted to complete the customary arm movement, and if pivoting or stepping when fouled, may complete the usual foot or body movement in any activity while holding the ball.”
Just what does all this mean? How is this applied to the various ways that a player may attempt a shot?
Many rules instructors use the concept of “gathering the ball” to help define when the try and coincidentally the act of shooting begin for a player in motion. In the image #5 in red is about to gather the ball, that is, end her dribble. Using this concept makes it easier to identify when the start of the try may occur.
How does this apply to the different ways a player may attempt a shot? For a layup the “gathering of the ball” coincides with the end of the dribble. The dribble ends when the ball comes to rest in a player’s hand(s). After the dribble ends, all subsequent movement leads directly to the release of the layup. It includes any and all legal foot movements. These are the customary and habitual movements that precede the release of the try. Therefore, the possibility of a continuous motion play begins with the end of the dribble and ends when the ball is released. This is illustrated in the multiple exposure image below. If a foul occurs at any point during this period of time, the player should be allowed to finish his/her movements and, if the ball passes through the goal, it should be counted.
For running one handers or floaters, the concept is the same as the layup. The only real difference is that the try is attempted from further away from the basket. After the player ends the dribble, the possibility of a continuous motion play begins. Any foul committed by an opponent up to the point when the ball is released should lead to a continuous motion foul ruling.
Sometimes, a running one hander or floater happens after catching a pass. Once the player has control of the ball, all subsequent motion leads directly to the release of the try. So a continuous motion play would be possible during this period of time.
Post plays highlight other aspects of the continuous motion definition. This includes a player’s pivoting as part of the habitual throwing motion. Post players often receive the ball with their backs to the basket. They often pivot as a preliminary movement leading to the release of the try. A foul occurring during this movement should be considered as part of the act of shooting if such movements are continuous through the attempted release of the try.
Post players also often take a step as part of their preliminary habitual movements. This could be part of an “up and under” move. It might also be done in order to release a hook shot or jump hook. A defensive foul occurring after the start of such stepping movements should be ruled as occurring during the act of shooting. This is illustrated in the photo sequence below.
Jump shooters bring the need for a different set of judgments. Jump shooters may be stationary before beginning to shoot. They may be dribbling. They may be looking to pass the ball. They may receive the ball on a kick-out pass from a teammate driving to the basket. When does the act of shooting begin? All jump shooters, whether they are great leapers or are basically floor-bound, must bend their knees before shooting. The potential for a continuous motion play starts once the shooter bends his/her knees. This is illustrated in the multiple exposure below.
There are two other types of attempts that need to be discussed, taps and free throws. For a tap the Rules Book clearly defines the period for continuous motion to be from the touching of the ball until the ball is in flight. A foul that occurs before the touching of the ball should be ruled a common foul.
Free throws bring up another concept which will be discussed in Part 2.
In summary, the act of shooting for almost all shots starts on the floor. The concept of gathering the ball is critical to understanding when the act of shooting starts for layups, floaters and running one-handers. Stepping and pivoting can be part of a try particularly for post players. The bending of the knees begins the act of shooting for a jump shot. Officials who apply the concepts shared above will achieve greater accuracy and consistency in ruling on these plays.