Continuous Motion, Part 2

“How can that be a continuation play? The foul wasn’t on the shooter!”

In Part 1 the focus was on the actions that defined the beginning of the act of shooting. In Part 2 the focus shifts to some of the finer points involving continuous motion.

Most officials have heard the above statement at one time or another. Under the rules it does not matter whom the defense fouls. Any defensive foul during the act of shooting, even off-ball, gives the shooter the right to complete the try. Perhaps the most frequent occurrence of this is a defensive player trying to block the shot by pushing through a screen. Obviously good communication among the crew is a must for this play to be ruled accurately.

While rare, another possibility for an off-ball foul during the act of shooting is a free throw. Due to the 2014-15 rule change allowing players into the lane upon release of the free throw, it is possible for a defender to foul prior to the release of the free throw. If this happens, the continuous motion rule would apply.

Regardless of the nature of any off-ball defensive foul, the shooter is allowed to complete the try and the goal will count if successful. The officials will then penalize the foul appropriately. Since an off-ball foul is not against the shooter, one must be ready to explain why the ball is being giving back to the offense (or bonus free throws are being awarded) if the goal is scored. Be prepared for disbelief from coaches and players. Only the more astute will understand this finer point of the rule.

“She couldn’t be in the act of shooting. Her feet were still on the floor!” All officials have heard something like this from time to time. Of course, there are some people who would claim that Larry Bird never left the floor when he was shooting.  A key concept that was laid out in Part 1 is that almost all tries whether they be layups, jump shots, post moves or runners, begin on the floor. Any official who yells “on the floor” to indicate that the player had not started the act of shooting is doing a disservice to the game. Conveying this kind of misinformation, that is, that a try cannot start on the floor, to players, coaches and fans makes it more difficult for those officials who correctly rule a continuous motion play when the player is fouled while “on the floor.”

When ruling on these types of plays, that is, whether an attempt may or may not count, officials should use the approved signals. Doing so provides clarity and eliminates potential confusion. If the foul occurs just before the start of the act of shooting, the official should use the “No Score” signal to indicate that a try is not underway. The official could also verbalize “No Score” or “No Goal” to emphasize this fact further.

Proper communication is vital to a smooth flowing game. Unapproved signals such as, pointing to the floor to indicate a foul occurred before the act of shooting began, can lead to confusion and discontent. Several years ago, a Lead official ruled a blocking foul in a block-charge situation. He then pointed to the floor to indicate that the foul occurred before the act of shooting had started. The ball passed through the goal.  A player was injured on the play. After the injured player had been replaced, the official began to resume play with a throw-in. At this point the coach became quite agitated because he claimed he saw the official count the goal. This is the problem with pointing to the floor. It can be confused with the signal for ruling a goal good. The unapproved signal of pointing at the floor should be sent to the same trash heap as the verbiage “on the floor.”

Officials should always use proper signals and should signal in a professional and composed manner. An official should never run onto the court to count a goal. This looks like the official is some kind of cheerleader for the team that scored. Overly emphatic signals should always be discouraged.

Does the player have to release the ball to be in the act of shooting? There are some people who believe this.  However, a player’s arm could be held after the preliminary movement has begun. In the picture #13 is unlikely to be able to release the ball due to the holding foul by #4. This does not negate the fact that #13 was trying to shoot. Also a player could stop as a result of the severity of the contact.

In all of this, it is important to remember that the motion of the try needs to be continuous. If a player stops and resets, the try has ended and the ball is now dead. No further action is possible. If, after stopping, a player then powered up and through to release the try, he/she has released a dead ball. No score is possible at this point.

Continuous motion plays can only come into existence as the result of a defensive foul. A double foul is not a defensive foul.  Rather it consists of a foul on each team.  If a double foul occurs before the try is in flight, the ball becomes dead immediately.  No score is possible.  Continuous motion plays are not possible in a double foul situation.

What is the effect of the whistle sounding during a continuous motion play? In most situations in the game, when the whistle sounds, the clock stops and the ball becomes dead immediately. Here, however, while the clock stops, the ball remains live until the try ends. Defenders may continue to defend. A foul near the floor can be followed by a blocked shot high in the air. Basket interference and goaltending are still possible.  Officials, particularly off-ball officials, must remain alert to these possibilities. In addition, the “shooter” can demonstrate that he/she was not shooting by passing the ball to a teammate.

How can an official get better at ruling on continuous motion plays?  Obviously a thorough understanding of the rule is a necessary 1st step.  Once this is accomplished, video can be a great help.  Reviewing video can help the official to see the moment when the act of shooting begins.  It can help to build the judgment process involved in these plays.  Looking at video of one’s own games can provide needed feedback on the accuracy of one’s own rulings.  Mistakes on these plays can make the difference of several points for each instance.

Summarizing, a thorough understanding of the various ways that a try for goal can be attempted is necessary for an official to make accurate rulings of continuous motion plays. Videos can help officials get better. Proper signaling enhances communication. Off-ball fouls can provide challenges to the correct enforcement of this rule. Officials who apply the concepts shared above will achieve greater accuracy and consistency in ruling on these plays.