DEFINITIONS

Section 1: Basket & Backboard
A. The “basket” of a team is the structure formed by the rim, net, backboard and supporting pole. The rim of the basket is the ring that a player attempts to shoot the ball through.
B. The visiting team chooses the basket it wishes to defend in the first half. The teams will change baskets in accordance with Article VI, Section 1.
C. All sides of the backboard are considered in play and in-bounds.

Section 2: Pass
A “pass” constitutes the exchange of ball possession between teammates. A pass can be made by any means, including by hand, foot, body or head. Inadvertent contact shall not be considered a pass, nor shall any ball strike that is not intended to transmit the ball directly to a teammate.

Section 3: Loose Ball
A loose ball means that neither team has possession and each team has an equal right and opportunity to obtain possession. Possession is demonstrated by maintaining full control of the ball in a player’s hands. Any ball in the air (other than a shot) or on the ground is considered a loose ball.

Section 4: Fouls
A. A personal foul occurs when there is illegal physical contact with an opponent during a live play. Any foul occurring after a stoppage of play or expiration of time should be disregarded. Unsportsmanlike conduct can be penalized by a foul both during play and after any stoppage of play.
B. A loose ball foul occurs when a player makes illegal contact with his opponent when neither team has possession.
C. A foul occurring in the act of shooting will be called even if occurring after time has expired, if the shot was released prior to the expiration of time.
D. An offensive foul is a personal foul committed by a player on the offensive team while the offensive team has possession of the ball.
E. A double foul occurs when two opposing players commit personal fouls approximately at the same time.
F. A flagrant foul is excessive contact committed by a player against an opposing player at any point during or after the game.

Section 5: Field Goal Attempt
When a player attempts to shoot the ball into the basket, this is considered a “field goal attempt”, which includes the flight of the ball until touched or dead. In the official’s sole judgment, the act of shooting begins when the player starts his shooting motion and continues until the ball is released and the player re-establishes position on the playing surface. On moving shots toward the basket, the motion of shooting starts when the shooter positions the ball in his/her hands to begin the shooting motion. The ball does not necessarily have to leave the shooter’s hands as long as the shooter demonstrates an intent to shoot the ball. In order to count as a score, the ball must be released prior to expiration of time AND it must go through the ring of the rim and the net.

Section 6: Pivot
A player may pivot with the ball by establishing a stationary foot (plant foot) and moving only the other foot from spot to spot. Failure to maintain a stationary plant foot will constitute traveling. A player may only move his/her plant foot if possession is disrupted by his/her opponent. Throwing a ball off of an opponent to regain possession will not allow pivoting player to move his/her plant foot.

Section 7: Traveling
Traveling occurs when player takes more than two steps while in possession of the ball. In addition, if a player jumps in the air and before releasing the ball (via pass or shot), lands on the ground, a travel will be called.

Section 8: Check-In/ Check-up
A check-up is used to resume play after a form of a stoppage of the game. All check-ups occur at the middle of the court/playing field (the same location as the tip-off). A check-up is performed when the offensive player passes the ball to a defender, who checks to make sure that the remaining defenders are prepared to start, then passes the ball back to the offensive player. The game resumes as soon as the offensive player catches the ball. The purpose of a check-up is twofold:
1. To resume the game in a fast/timely manner
2. To allow the defense to get prepared