New York State Girl Basketball Officials Association

2009 – 2010 NYS Girls Basketball Points of Emphasis

  1. Contact on and by the Ball Handler/Dribbler
    Illegal contact by defenders on the ball handler/dribbler and illegal contact on the defender by the ball handler/dribbler will once again be a point of emphasis for women’s basketball. Much progress has been achieved in application and consistency in enforcement; however, there remains room for improvement. A ball handler/dribbler is any player with player control (holding or dribbling) outside the lane area, either facing or with her back to the basket; or a player with the ball in the lane area facing the basket. Coaches must teach players proper offensive and defensive techniques to be utilized in this situation. Officials must continue to enforce these guidelines to promote consistency. By doing so, players/coaches adhering to the rules will be rewarded and the desired outcome of a more “free-flowing” and “wide-open” game will be achieved.
    • Contact on the Ball Handler/Dribbler.
      The defender is permitted one touch with one hand (front or back) on the ball handler/dribbler in order to “measure up” – this has been called a “hot-stove” touch. This one-time measure-up is the only defensive touch permitted on the ball handler/dribbler. Previous guidelines will again be enforced for this basketball season. A foul shall be called on the defender when:
      1. She contacts the ball-handler/dribbler: with an arm-bar (contact with the forearm that is away from the body); more than once with the same hand or alternating hands; with two hands; or with one hand and keeps it on.
      2. She uses the hands/arms to hold or push the ball handler/dribbler.
      3. She uses her body to hold, reroute, impede or displace the ball handler/dribbler.
      4. Any holding, pushing or displacement occurs.
    • Contact by the Ball Handler/Dribbler.
      Again, emphasis will also be placed on the illegal actions of the ball handler/dribbler as she attempts to create distance between herself and her opponent, resulting in an advantage that was not intended by rule. A foul shall be called on the ball handler/dribbler when:
      1. She contacts and holds off her opponent by extending the non-dribbling arm or creates space by displacing her defender.
      2. She initiates contact and dribbles (charges) into her legally established defender.
      3. She “backs down” and displaces her legally established defender.
      4. Any holding, pushing or displacement occurs.
  2. Traveling
    This is the third year traveling will be a point of emphasis. Great progress has been made in nearly all aspects of the game that involve traveling; however special emphasis still is needed in two areas: the spin move to the basket and perimeter shooters taking an extra ‘hop’ just after they receive the ball or just prior to releasing the try.
    • Spin Move. A spin move is typically utilized by a ball handler/dribbler in an effort to create separation from her defender and close the distance to the basket. It is an exciting and athletic move; however, the rules regarding traveling must still be followed. When the player gathers the ball – usually with two hands – by rule, she has ended her dribble. When she ends the dribble, she establishes a pivot foot. That pivot foot may be lifted but it must not be returned to the playing court before the ball is released on a pass or try for goal. Many players are performing this move illegally when they gather the ball and establish a pivot foot, spin on the other foot and then return the pivot foot to the court as a ‘plant’ foot before releasing the ball on a pass or try for goal. This is likely done to change the player’s momentum from horizontal to vertical and propel her upward for a jump shot. Once that pivot foot is returned to the court without releasing the ball, a traveling violation has occurred.
    • Shooter’s Hop. When a stationary perimeter shooter receives a pass while in contact with the court a pivot foot has been established. When after receiving this pass the shooter then immediately hops with both feet to achieve a desired shooting position, she has violated the provisions of the travel rule. The shooter may legally perform a jump stop prior to releasing the try if she is moving or dribbling, and with one foot on the court, she jumps off that foot and simultaneously lands on both feet. From that position she may jump and release a try, but may not pivot on either foot.
  3. Sportsmanship — Player/Bench Behavior
    • Player
      Player technical fouls for unsporting behavior have increased.
      1. Players’ taunting and attempting to intimidate opponents with words and/or gestures .
      2. Non-incidental dead-ball contact with/on an opponent. (NOTE: Contact that occurs after a whistle has blown, that is not incidental and cannot be ignored, by rule, must be penalized with a technical foul.)
      3. Opponents’ posturing up or squaring off as if to fight – or actually engaging in a fight
    • Bench
      • Head coaches are expected to stay within the confines of the coaching box.
      • Assistant coaches and all bench personnel are to remain seated while the ball is live.
      • NYS MOD. Zero tolerance policy towards assistant coaches
      • The head coach should be the spokesperson for the team and address officials appropriately with questions and/or concerns.