The play described below is provided for your review and discussion. The rulings given are based on NFHS rules. NCAA rulings may be different.
Player A3 fumbles the ball while dribbling in the front court. While attempting to gain control of the fumbled ball, the trail official sounds an inadvertent whistle, anticipating a violation.
The play is ruled dead due to the inadvertent whistle. The officials use the AP arrow to resume play and the ball is given back to Team A due to the fact that it was Team A’s possession according to the AP arrow. Were the officials correct?
The officials were NOT correct. Although the ball is loose, team control has not ended. As such, Team A should have been awarded the ball under the point of interruption rule (4-36). The throw-in should have been from the point nearest to where the ball was located when the whistle was sounded. (References: Rule 4-36-1, 4-36-2a)
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