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Comments on the Rules

by -Oswald Tower

The following statements supplement the rules by discussing some features
in greater detail than is possible or desirable in the rules themselves. They
do not replace or alter any part of the rules.

Suggestions to Architects

Although the rules specify that basketball courts constructed hereafter
shall be not less than 42 feet by 74 feet, the Committee urges architects to
bear in mind that these dimensions are not ideal for all purposes. If pos-
sible, the plans should provide for a court of maximum dimensions, 94 feet
by 50 feet, with ample allowance for out of bounds and spectators. This
permits the court to be subdivided crosswise for practice and for other
indoor games, and makes it available to many more players than would be
possible on the smaller court. The room should have a height of at least 20
feet, and more than this, if possible, for good ventilation.

Drawing Fouls

Everyone will agree that the average basketball game produces enough
fouls without adding thereto those infractions which result from deliberate
attempts to draw fouls. Some coaches maintain that it is ‘‘smart’ basket-
ball; yet an excess of fouls destroys interest, causes ill feeling, and places an
additional burden upon officials. It is not merely unethical and contrary to
the spirit of fair play; fundamentally, it is an attempt to simulate a foul
when none has occurred, in the hope of profiting thereby; it is deceit rather
than an honest plan of offense. No coach who is worthy of his position will
instil that attitude in his boys.

Personal Contact

Although basketball is theoretically a ‘‘no-contact game,’ it is obvious that
personal contact cannot be avoided entirely when ten players are moving
with great rapidity over a limited playing space. For instance, the ball is
free; two opponents start quickly for the ball and collide. The personal
contact may be serious, yet if both were in favorable positions from which
to get the ball, and were intent only upon getting it, an unavoidable acci-
dent, and not a foul, occurs. On the other hand, if one player is about to
catch the ball, and an opponent behind him jumps into his back in an
attempt to get the ball, the opponent commits a foul even though he is
“playing the ball.’’ In this case, as in ‘‘guarding from the rear,’’ the player
behind is usually responsible for the contact because of his unfavorable
position relative to the ball and to his opponent. In short, if personal contact
results from a bona fide attempt to play the ball; if the players are in such
positions that they could reasonably expect to gain the ball without contact:
and if they use due: care to avoid contact: such contact may be classed as
accidental and need not be penalized.

Blocking

A player is entitled to take any position on the court not occupied by
another player, provided that:

(1) This position is not so close to an opponent (less than approximately
three feet) that contact ensues when the opponent makes normal bodily
movements, or

(2) This position is not taken in the path of a moving opponent so quickly
that the latter cannot avoid contact.

In the foregoing cases, the player who takes the position described is
responsible if contact ensues, unless other factors are involved.

A player who is attempting to screen is blocking if contact occurs when he
is moving and if his opponent is stationary or retreating from him. In other
cases of contact resulting from an attempt to screen when both players are
in motion, either or both may have committed a foul, but in case of doubt,
the greater responsibility is on the player who is attempting to screen.