Interpretations

Article 28

8 seconds

28-1Statement

The shot clock is stopped because of a jump ball situation. If the resulting alternating possession throw-in is awarded to the team that was in control of the ball in its backcourt, the 8-second period shall continue.

28-2Example

A1 dribbles in the backcourt for 5 seconds when a held ball occurs. Team A is entitled to the next alternating possession throw-in.

Interpretation

Team A shall have only 3 seconds to move the ball into its frontcourt.

28-3Statement

During a dribble from the backcourt to the frontcourt, the ball goes into a team’s frontcourt when both feet of the dribbler and the ball are completely in contact with the frontcourt.

28-4Example

A1 is straddling the centre line and receives the ball from A2 who is in the backcourt. A1 passes the ball back to A2 who is

  • (a) still in the backcourt.
  • (b) straddling the centre line.
  • (c) straddling the centre line. A2 starts to dribble in the backcourt.
Interpretation

In all cases, this is a legal play by team A. A1 does not have both feet completely in contact with the frontcourt and therefore A1 is entitled to pass the ball into the backcourt. The 8-second period shall continue.

28-5Example

A1 dribbles from the backcourt and stops the forward motion while still dribbling

  • (a) straddling the centre line.
  • (b) with both feet in the frontcourt, while the ball is dribbled in the backcourt.
  • (c) with both feet in the frontcourt while the ball is dribbled in the backcourt, after which A1 returns with both feet to the backcourt.
  • (d) both feet are in the backcourt, while the ball is dribbled in the frontcourt.
Interpretation

In all cases, this is a legal play by A1. Dribbler A1 continues to be in the backcourt until both the feet, as well as the ball, are completely in contact with the frontcourt. The 8-second period shall continue.

28-6Statement

Each time when the 8-second period continues with the time remaining and the same team that previously had control of the ball is awarded a throw-in from its backcourt, the referee handing the ball to the thrower-in shall inform the throwerin on the time remaining in the 8-second period.

28-7Example

A1 dribbles in the backcourt for 6 seconds when a double foul occurs in the

  • (a) backcourt.
  • (b) frontcourt.
Interpretation
  • (a) The game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in in its backcourt from the place nearest to where the double foul occurred. The referee shall inform the team A thrower-in that the team has 2 seconds to move the ball into its frontcourt.
  • (b) The game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in in its frontcourt from the place nearest to where the double foul occurred.
28-8Example

A1 dribbles in the backcourt for 4 seconds when B1 taps the ball out-ofbounds in the team A backcourt.

Interpretation

The game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in in its backcourt from the place nearest to where the ball went out-of-bounds. The referee shall inform the team A thrower-in that the team has 4 seconds to move the ball into its frontcourt.

28-9Statement

If the game is stopped by a referee for any valid reason not connected with either team and if the opponents would be placed at a disadvantage, the 8second period shall continue.

28-10Example

With 25 seconds on the game clock in the fourth quarter and with the score A 72 – B 72, team A gains control of the ball. A1 dribbles in the backcourt for 5 seconds when the game is stopped by the referees because of

  • (a) the game clock or the shot clock failing to run or to start.
  • (b) a bottle being thrown on to the court.
  • (c) the shot clock being erroneously reset.
Interpretation

In all cases, the game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in from its backcourt, with 3 seconds remaining in the 8-second period. Team B would be placed at a disadvantage if the game were resumed with a new 8-second period.

28-11Statement

Following an 8-second violation, the throw-in place is determined by the location of the ball when the violation occurred.

28-12Example

The 8-second period for team A ends and the violation occurs when

  • (a) team A controls the ball in its backcourt.
  • (b) the ball is in the air on A1’s pass from the backcourt towards the frontcourt.
Interpretation

The team B throw-in shall be administered in its frontcourt, from the place nearest to the

  • (a) location of the ball when the 8-second violation occurred, except from directly behind the backboard.
  • (b) centre line. Team B shall have 14 seconds on the shot clock.