Rules & Regs. Of College Basketball

Rules & Regulations of College Basketball

The NCAA has announced rule changes for the 2009-2010 basketball season. Flagrant fouls, which seem to be occurring more often in both college and professional basketball, are the focus of one change involving the use of review monitors on the sidelines. Officials will now be utilizing the replays to determine whether a flagrant foul has been committed. If it is determined that a foul is not flagrant, the official may assign the player a technical or intentional personal foul. The difference now is that, previously, the official could use the monitor only to assign a flagrant foul and send a player to the bench.

The NCAA has also addressed the increasing physical contact underneath the basket by prohibiting a secondary defender from setting up a guarding position in the area from the front of the rim to the front of the backboard. Outside that area, a defender may establish position.

In a very controversial decision, the situation where a player who has been fouled, injured, and cannot shoot his free throws has been addressed. The NCAA has established that the opposing coach may designate an alternate to shoot the free throws, and that alternate must be one of the four players remaining on the court at the time of the foul. In the past, the NCAA believes the fouled team could gain an advantage by selecting its best shooter from the roster. Now it appears that it's okay, though, for the opposing coach to select the worst shooter.

Both men's and women's committees are placing a more significant emphasis on sportsmanship. A growing number of taunting incidents, along with throwing elbows under the basket, and the charging and blocking incidents are being looked at for further action. Officials have been notified that they should put an emphasis on controlling those situations.

(Associated Press)

Bibliography

Halpin, T. "NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Rules Committees Announce Rules Changes Including a Focus on Sportsmanship." 6 May 2009. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). 15 September 2009 .

Smith, M. "A New Basketball Rule for 2009-2010: What was the NCAA thinking?" 9 June 2009. Bleacher Report. 15 September 2009 .