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-1 attempts a 3-point try but it falls short (air ball) and the ball hits inbounds. The ball is headed out of bounds. A-2 saves the ball by catching it while airborne from inbounds and throwing the ball back into the court. The ball bounces in front court and then in the backcourt without being touched. A-3 recovers the loose ball in the backcourt. The official ruled a legal play. Was the official correct?
The official was NOT correct. When A-2 caught the ball while airborne, he started player control and team control. Such control was in the front court since A-2’s last point of contact had been in the front court. So A-2 was the last to touch the ball while it was in Team A’s control in the front court. A-3 was the 1st to touch the ball after it went backcourt. This is a backcourt violation. (References: Rule 4-12-1, 4-12-2a, 9-9-1)
Have you seen an unusual play? Let all officials benefit from it by sending it to Play of the
Day