NATIONAL BASKETBALL COMMITTEE
of the UNITED STATES and CANADA

The following is a summary of the changes in the Basketball Rules which go into effect next season.

1. After goals from the field the ball is to be put into play from out of bounds by the opponents of the team which scored, in
the same manner as after successful free throws following personal fouls. The official is not to handle the ball unless by so doing he
can assist in getting the ball into play, and players of the team which scored are not to touch the ball, but allowance should be
made for instinctively touching the ball if the game is not delayed thereby. The ball will be tossed as center at the beginning of each
half and overtime period, and after technical and double fouls. In games played in quarters, the second and fourth quarters will be
started as formerly, except that if the timers’ signal sounds while the ball is in the air on a throw for goal at the end of the first or
third quarter, the next quarter will begin with a jump ball at the nearer free throw line if the goal is missed, and will go to the
opponents out of bounds if the goal is made.

2. The ball must be inflated to an air pressure such that when it is dropped to a solid wooden floor from a height of six feet,
measured to the bottom of the ball, it will rebound to a height, measured to the top of the ball, of not less than four feet nor more
than four feet seven inches. Balls must be tested at the factory and the air pressure which will give the specified reaction must be
stamped on the ball. The pressure for game use must be as stamped.

3. An addition has been made to the Note following Rule 8, Section 8 (the ten second rule) to cover situations in which the
player who has the ball is touching or straddling the division line. A player in such a position is in the front court or back court
depending upon the preceding play. The division line is then neutral and the player’s court location does not change because of any
pivot or dribble until such time as both feet touch the floor on one side of the line. Thereafter any stepping on or over the line
changes the court location of the player.

4. In clause (b) of the Penalty following Rule 15, Section 14, a change has been made to emphasize the extra free throw which
is awarded when a foul involving unsportsmanlike conduct is committed against a player who is not in the act of shooting. It will be
specified that the extra free throw shall be awarded for any deliberate foul against a player who is not in the act of shooting.

5. When held ball occurs less than six feet from a side line the ball is to be moved out to a point six feet from that side line,
but the distance from the end line is not to be changed. If the officials are unable to determine which player causes a ball to go out
of bounds, it is to be tossed up at the point where last touched in the court, but not less than six feet from a sideline. If tapped out
by both players simultaneously on a jump ball, however, the ball is to be tossed again at the same point.

6. A new section will be added to Rule 14 to the effect that a player shall not touch the ball with the hand or arm while that
hand or arm is touching any part of the opponents’ basket, or while that hand or arm is above the opponents’ basket. Above the
basket, as used here, means any part of the space enclosed by an imaginary cylinder having the ring of the basket as its base and
extending perpendicularly upward. The penalty is award of goal to opponents.

7. Rule 11, covering time-outs, will be completely rewritten but will contain no changes in meaning beyond those mentioned
elsewhere in this summary.

8. In games between players of high school age or younger, five time-out periods are to be allowed and not more than two over-
time periods are to be played. The second overtime period becomes a “‘sudden death” period, the team first scoring two points in
that period becoming the winner. A five-minute intermission, during which the teams may leave the court, will be declared before
the first overtime period begins.

9. The numbers worn by players must be of solid color. Some teams have been wearing numbers having edges only outlined,
making it difficult for officials and scorers to read them.

10. In the Comments on the Rules under the heading “Screening and Blocking” will appear a new statement giving in greater
detail the various situations that arise and suggestions as to the proper way to judge such situations. In this connection it should be
stated that the term “‘face-guarding”’ has been abolished and that a personal foul cannot be called under any rule unless there is
personal contact involved in the play. The new statement follows: “A player is entitled to take any position on the court not occu-
pied 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 te 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 re-
treating 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.

If a player disregards the ball, faces an opponent, and shifts his position as the opponent shifts, such player is primarily re-
responsible for any contact that ensues, unless other factors are involved.

The expression ‘unless other factors are involved’ in the foregoing statements, refers to deliberate pushing, charging or hold-
ing by the player who is being screened. This player must make a reasonable effort to avoid contact and any deliberate act on his
part which causes contact should be penalized.”

Prepared for the National Basketball Committee by Oswald Tower, Editor.
Andover, Mass., May 1, 1937.

DMRS a

‘ig