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Section I. Guides for Administration and Application of
the Rules
Each official should have a definite and clear conception of his/her
overall responsibility to include the intent and purpose of each rule. If all
officials possess the same conception, there will be a guaranteed uniformity in
the administration of all contests. The restrictions placed upon the player by
the rules are intended to create a balance of play and equal opportunity for the
defense and the offense, provide reasonable safety and protection for all
players and emphasize cleverness and skill without unduly limiting freedom of
action of players or teams.
The primary purpose of penalties is to
compensate a player who has been placed at a disadvantage through an illegal act
of an opponent. A secondary purpose is to restrain players from committing acts
which, if ignored, might lead to roughness even though they do not affect the
immediate play. To implement this philosophy, many of the rules are written in
general terms while the need for the rule may have been created by specific play
situations. This practice eliminates the necessity for many additional rules and
provides the officials the latitude and authority to adapt application of the
rules to fit conditions of play in any particular game.
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II. Basic Principles
A. Contact Situations
1. Incidental Contact
a. The mere fact that contact occurs does not
necessarily constitute a foul. Contact which is incidental to an effort by a
player to play an opponent, reach a loose ball, or perform normal defensive or
offensive movements, should not be considered illegal. If, however, a player
attempts to play an opponent from a position where she has no reasonable chance
to perform without making contact with her opponent, the responsibility is on
the player in this position.
b. The hand is considered "part of the
ball" when it is in contact with the ball. Therefore, contact on that hand by a
defender while it is in contact with the ball is not illegal.
2. Guarding an Opponent
In all guarding situations, a player is
entitled to any spot on the court she desires, provided she gets to that spot
first and without contact with an opponent. In all guarding situations during a
live ball, a player is entitled to any spot on the court she desires, provided
that she gets to the spot first without contact with an opponent. In all
guarding situations during a dead ball, the defensive player(s) must be allowed
to take a position between her opponent and the basket.
a. In most
guarding situations, the guard must be facing her opponent at the moment she
assumes a guarding position after which no particular facing is required.
b. A player may continue to move after gaining a guarding position in the
path of an opponent provided she is not moving directly or obliquely toward her
opponent when contact occurs. A player is never permitted to move into the path
of an opponent after the opponent has jumped into the air.
c. A player
who extends an arm, shoulder, hip or leg into the path of an opponent and
thereby causes contact is not considered to have a legal position in the path of
an opponent.
d. A player is entitled to an erect (vertical) position
even to the extent of holding her arms above her shoulders, as in post play or
when double-teaming in pressing tactics.
e. A player is not required to
maintain any specific distance from an opponent.
f. Any player who
conforms to the above is absolved from responsibility for any contact by an
opponent which may dislodge or tend to dislodge such player from the position
which she has attained and is maintaining legally. If contact occurs, the
official must decide whether the contact is incidental or a foul has been
committed. The following are the usual situations to which the foregoing
principles apply:
a. Guarding a player with the ball
b.
Guarding a player who is trying for a goal
c. Switching to a player
with the ball
d. Guarding a dribbler
e. Guarding a player
without the ball
f. Guarding a post player with or without the ball
g. Guarding a rebounder
3. Screening
When a player screens in front of or at the side of a
stationary opponent, she may be as close as she desires providing she does not
make contact. Her opponent can see her and, therefore, is expected to detour
around the screen. If she screens behind a stationary opponent, the opponent
must be able to take a normal step backward without contact. Because the
opponent is not expected to see a screener behind her, the player screened is
given latitude of movement. To screen a moving opponent, the player must stop
soon enough to permit her opponent to stop or change direction. The distance
between the player screening and her opponent will depend upon the speed at
which the players are moving. If two opponents are moving in the same direction
and path, the player who is behind is responsible for contact. The player in
front may stop or slow her pace, but she may not move backward or sidewards into
her opponent. The player in front may or may not have the ball. This situation
assumes the two players have been moving in identically the same direction and
path before contact.
4. The Dribble
If the dribbler's path is blocked, she is expected to
pass or shoot; that is, she should not try to dribble by an opponent unless
there is a reasonable chance of getting by without contact.
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B. Field Goal Attempt
A player is attempting a field goal when she has the ball and is (in the
judgment of the official) in the act of shooting or trying to attempt to shoot.
It is not essential that the ball leave the shooter's hand. Her arm(s) might be
held so that she cannot actually make an attempt. She is thus deprived of an
opportunity to score and is entitled to two free throw attempts. If a player is
fouled when tapping a tossed ball or a rebound toward or into the basket, she is
not considered to be "trying for goal." If a live ball is in flight when time
expires, the goal, if made, shall count.
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C. Fouls: Flagrant-Unsportsmanlike
To be unsportsmanlike is to act in a manner unbecoming to the image of
professional basketball. It consists of acts of deceit, disrespect of officials
and profanity. The penalty for such action is a technical foul. Repeated acts
shall result in expulsion from the game. A flagrant foul-penalty
(1) is
unnecessary contact committed by a player against an opponent. A flagrant
foul-penalty
(2) is unnecessary and excessive contact committed by a player
against an opponent. It is an unsportsmanlike act and the offender is ejected
immediately. The offender will be subject to a fine and/or suspension by the
President. See Rule 12B-Section IV-b(1)-5 for interpretation and penalties.
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D. Charging-Blocking
A defensive player shall not be permitted to move into the path of an
offensive player once she has picked up the ball in an effort to either pass or
shoot. If contact occurs on this play, and it is anything but negligible and/or
incidental, a blocking foul shall be called on the defensive player. Any field
goal attempt, if successful, shall count, as long as the ball has not been
returned to the floor following the official's whistle. If a defensive player
acquires a position directly under the basket/backboard on anything but a
"baseline drive," she shall be responsible if contact occurs. An offensive foul
should never be called under these conditions. The offensive player remains a
shooter until she has regained a normal playing position on the floor. Many
times this type of play is allowed to continue if the goal is successful.
The opposite is also true. If an offensive player causes contact with a
defensive player who has established a legal position prior to the offensive
player having picked up the ball in an effort to either pass or shoot, and it is
anything but negligible and/or incidental, an offensive foul shall be called,
and no points may be scored. A defensive player may turn slightly to protect
herself, but is never allowed to bend over and submarine an opponent.
On
a "drive-in" shot, if the defensive player has established a legal position in
front of the basket/backboard, the offensive player shall be responsible for any
illegal contact which occurs prior to her having regained her balance on the
floor. An offensive foul shall be called and no points are to be awarded if the
field goal is successful. The mere fact that contact occurs on these type of
plays, or any other similar play, does not necessarily mean that a personal foul
has been committed. The officials must decide whether the contact is negligible
and/or incidental, judging each situation separately.
In judging this
play, the officials must be aware that if either player has been placed at a
disadvantage by the contact which has occurred, then a personal foul must be
called on the player responsible for that contact.
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E. Game Cancellation
For the purpose of game cancellation, the officials' jurisdiction begins
with the opening tipoff. Prior to this, it shall be the decision of the home
team's management whether or not playing conditions are such to warrant
postponement. However, once the game begins, if because of extremely hazardous
playing conditions the question arises whether or not the game should be
canceled, the crew chief shall see that every effort is made to continue the
game before making the decision to terminate it.
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F. Physical Contact-Suspension
Any player or coach guilty of intentional physical contact with an official
shall automatically be suspended without pay for one game. A fine and/or longer
period of suspension will result if circumstances so dictate.
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G. Protest
Protests are not permitted during the course of a game. In order to file a
protest, a team must adhere to the following procedure:
(a) In order to
protest against or appeal from the result of a game, notice thereof must be
given to the President within forty-eight (48) hours after the conclusion of
such game, by fax or e-mail, stating the grounds for protest. No protest may be
filed in connection with any game played during the regular season after
midnight of the day of the last game of the regular season schedule. A protest
in connection with a playoff game must be filed not later than midnight of the
day of the game protested. A game may be protested only by the NBA Governor or
Alternate Governer of the Operator or the head coach. The right of protest shall
inure not only to the immediately allegedly aggrieved contestants, but to any
other team who can show an interest in the grounds of protest and the results
that might be attained if the protest were allowed. Each fax or e-mail of
protest shall be immediately confirmed by letter, and no protest shall be valid
unless the letter of confirmation is accompanied by a check in the sum of $5000
payable to the WNBA. If the team filing the protest prevails, the $5000 is to be
refunded. If the team does not prevail, the $5000 is to be forfeited and
retained by the WNBA.
(b) Upon receipt of a protest, the President shall at
once notify the opposing team in the game protested and require both of said
teams within five (5) days to file with her such evidence as she may desire
bearing upon the issue. The President shall decide the question raised within
five (5) days after receipt of such evidence.
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H. Shattering Backboards
Any player whose contact with the basket ring or backboard causes the
backboard to shatter will be penalized in the following manner:
(1) Pre-game
and/or Half-time warm-ups-No penalty to be assessed by officials.
(2) During
the game-Non-unsportsmanlike conduct technical foul. Under no circumstances will
that player be ejected from the game.
The President will review all actions
and plays involved in the shattering of a backboard.
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I. Player/Team Conduct and Dress
(1) Each player when introduced, prior to the game, must be uniformly
dressed.
(2) Players, coaches and trainers are to stand and line up in a
dignified posture along the sidelines or on the foul line during the playing of
the National Anthem.
(3) Coaches and assistant coaches must wear business
attire or other apparel as may be designated by the WNBA.
(4) While playing,
players must keep their uniform shirts tucked into their shorts, and no T-shirts
are allowed.
(5) The only article bearing a commercial logo which can be worn
by players is their shoes, subject to WNBA rules.
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J. Offensive 3-Seconds
The offensive player cannot be allowed in the 3-second lane for more than
the allotted time. This causes the defensive player to "hand-check" because she
cannot control the offensive player for that extended period of time. If the
offensive player is in the 3-second lane for less than three seconds and
receives the ball, she must make a move toward the hoop for the official to
discontinue her three second count. If she attempts to back the defensive player
down to secure a better position in relation to the basket, offensive three
seconds or an offensive foul must be called. If she passes off and immediately
makes a move out of the lane, there should be no whistle.
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K. Player Conduct-Spectators
Any coach, player or trainer who deliberately enters the spectator stands
during the game will be automatically ejected and the incident reported to the
President. Entering the stands to keep a ball in play by a player or the
momentum which carries the player into the stands is not considered deliberate.
The first row of seats is considered the beginning of the stands.
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L. Punching, Fighting and Elbow Fouls
Violent acts of any nature on the court will not be tolerated. Players
involved in altercations will be ejected, fined and/or suspended. Officials have
been instructed to eject a player who throws a punch, whether or not it
connects, or an elbow which makes contact above shoulder level. If elbow contact
is shoulder level or below, it shall be left to the discretion of the official
as to whether the player is ejected. Even if a punch or an elbow goes undetected
by the officials during the game, but is detected during a review of a
videotape, that player will be penalized. There is absolutely no justification
for fighting in a WNBA game. The fact that a player believes she was provoked by
another player is not an acceptable excuse. If a player takes it upon herself to
retaliate, she can expect to be subject to appropriate penalties.
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M. Expiration of Time
No less than :00.3 must expire on the game clock when a ball is
thrown inbounds and then hit instantly out-of-bounds. If less than :00.3 expires
in such a situation, the timer will be instructed to deduct at least
:00.3 from the game clock. If, in the judgment of the official, the play took
longer than :00.3, he/she will instruct the timer to deduct more time. If less
than :00.3 remain on the game clock when this situation occurs, the period is
over.
No less than :00.3 must expire on the game clock when a
player secures possession of an inbounds pass and then attempts a field goal. If
less than :00.3 expires in such a situation, the timer will be instructed to
deduct at least :00.3 from the game clock. If less than :00.3 remain on the game
clock when this situation occurs, the period is over, and the field goal attempt
will be disallowed immediately whether successful or unsuccessful.
This
guideline shall apply to any field goal attempted by a player after she receives
an inbounds pass, other than what will be called, for this purpose, a
"tip-in" or "alley oop."
A "tip-in" is defined as any action in which the
ball is deflected, not controlled, by a player and then enters the basket ring.
This type of action shall be deemed legal if :00.1 or more remains in a period.
A "high lob" is defined as a pass which is received by an offensive
player while in mid-air, and is followed instantaneously by a field goal
attempt. If the reception of the pass and the subsequent "slam dunk" is
immediately adjacent to the basket ring, this type of action shall be deemed
legal if :00.1 or more remains in a period. However, if the "high lob" attempt
is a distance from the basket ring whereby the ball must be controlled in
mid-air, either one-handed or two-handed, a minimum of :00.3 is necessary for a
field goal to score if successful.
No less than :00.3 must expire
on the game clock when a player secures possession of an unsuccessful free throw
attempt and immediately requests a timeout. If less than :00.3 expires in such a
circumstance, the time on the game clock shall be reduced by at least :00.3.
Therefore, if :00.3 or less remain on the game clock when the above situation
exists, and a player requests a timeout upon securing possession of the ball,
the period is over. During any regular or 20-second timeout taken during the
final minute of any period, the crew chief must meet with his/her fellow
officials to discuss possible timing scenarios, fouls being taken if either team
is under the penalty limit, number of timeouts, assistance by all officials on
3-point field goal attempts, rotation or away-from-the play foul.
Regardless of when the horn or red light operates to signify the end of
period, the officials will ultimately make the final decision whether to allow
or disallow a successful field goal. The crew chief must take charge of the
situation.
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N. Verbal Fan Interference
Any spectator who verbally abuses players and/or coaches in a manner which,
in the opinion of the game officials, interferes with the ability of a coach to
communicate with his/her players during the game and/or huddles, will, at the
direction of the crew chief, be given one warning by a building security
officer. If the same spectator continues to behave in a like manner, the crew
chief shall direct a building security officer to eject the spectator from the
arena.
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O. Guidelines for Infection Control
If a player suffers a laceration or a wound where bleeding occurs, the
officials shall suspend the game at the earliest appropriate time. Upon
suspension of play, the head coach shall be informed that he/she has the option
to, immediately, substitute for the player, call a regular timeout or a
20-second timeout. If a substitute replaces the player, the opposing team shall
be allowed to substitute one player. The injured player may return to the game
when she has received appropriate treatment by medical staff personnel.
If the player returns to the game, the officials shall make certain that
any lesion, wound or dermatitis is covered with a dressing that will prevent
contamination to and/or from other sources. A wrist or sweat band is not
considered a suitable bandage. If the injured player is awarded a free throw
attempt(s) as a result of a personal foul, play shall be suspended as soon as
the final attempt is successful or unsuccessful. If the player is involved in a
jump ball, play shall be suspended as soon as possession is gained by either
team. Caution shall be used when suspending play, so as not to halt a fast break
situation. Mandatory timeouts shall not be granted at any time play is
suspended. The offensive team may call a 20-second or regular timeout.
If
treatment is not completed within the allotted time, the head coach may call
another timeout or substitute for the injured player. Substitutes are permitted
consistent with existing rules on substitution.
If a team has no timeouts
remaining when play is suspended, the officials will allow 20 seconds for
appropriate treatment. If the treatment is not completed in accordance with
paragraph two above, the injured player must be removed immediately. Only the
injured player may be removed from the game under these circumstances.
No
mandatory timeouts may be awarded if play is suspended for the defensive team.
The offensive team will receive a full ten seconds to advance the ball into the
frontcourt. The 30 second clock will remain as is or reset to 10, whichever is
greater.
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P. Dead Ball, Live Ball, Ball is Alive
After the ball has been dead, it is put into play by a jump ball, throw-in
or a free throw attempt. The game clock does not start until the ball is legally
touched on the court by a player. However, any floor violation or personal foul
which may occur will be penalized. The ball is live when it is placed at the
disposal of the thrower-in, free throw shooter or is tossed by the official on a
jump ball. Illegal contact, which occurs prior to the ball becoming live, will
be ignored if it is not unsportsmanlike. The ball is alive when it is legally
tapped by one of the participants of a jump ball, released by a thrower-in or
released on a free throw attempt.
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Q. Taunting
If a player blatantly taunts an opponent, a technical foul shall be
assessed. The opponent will not, automatically, be assessed a technical foul.
Her behavior will be the determining factor. If a time delay occurs and the
opponent returns the taunts, she shall also be assessed a technical foul. Each
technical foul shall carry a separate penalty and free throws will be attempted.
Simultaneous taunting is a verbal altercation. Verbal altercations and
unsportsmanlike conduct will be administered as a double technical foul and no
free throws will be attempted. Technical fouls assessed opponents during the
same dead ball and prior to the administering of any free throw attempt for the
first technical foul, shall be interpreted as a double technical foul.
Exception: Free throws will be attempted if two technical fouls
are assessed opponents
(1) for taunting, or
(2) when a coach, trainer
and/or player is involved. A player(s) guilty of taunting must be penalized. If
a previous unsportsmanlike act has been committed and if this situation is
blatant, a technical foul must be assessed and the guilty player(s) must be
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