By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The modifications will help make the game more spectacular, free-flowing and fluid.
These changes come after FIBA’s Rules Advisory Group (RAG) – which consists of experts from FIBA, the NBA and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) – analyzed 32 proposals and made recommendations to FIBA’s Technical Commission at its meeting on June 6-7.
RAG held extensive talks and consultations with these bodies as well as the FIBA Players’ Commission and the World Association of Basketball Coaches (WABC) in the leadup to the meeting.
FIBA’s Technical Commission reviewed all 32 proposals and approved 14 of them, paving the way for the Central Board to give the final green light.
The changes will come into effect as of October 1, 2018.
Among the biggest and most important changes are:
Article 36 – Technical foul
New rule: If a technical foul is called, 1 free throw shall be awarded. After the free throw, the game shall be resumed by the team which had control of the ball or was entitled to the ball from the point when the technical foul was called.
Reason for change: To avoid double penalty situation after a technical foul is called and to ensure the balance between team with the ball or without the ball. Strongly supported by Players’ Commission and WABC.
Article 29 – 24 seconds
Amended rule: 29.2.3 – The shot clock shall be reset whenever the game is stopped by an official for a foul or violation committed by the team in control of the ball.
In these situations, the possession of the ball shall be awarded to the opponent team that previously had control of the ball. Then:
- If the throw-in is administered in the backcourt, the shot clock shall be reset to 24 seconds.
- If the throw-in is administered in the frontcourt, the shot clock shall be reset to 14 seconds.
When the game clock shows 2:00 minutes or less in the fourth quarter and in overtime, following a time-out taken by the team that is entitled to the possession of the ball from its backcourt, the coach of that team has the right to decide whether the subsequent throw-in shall be administered at the throw-in line opposite the scorer’s table in the team’s frontcourt or in the team’s backcourt.
If the throw-in shall be administered at the throw-in line opposite the scorer’s table in the team’s frontcourt, the shot clock shall be reset as follows:
- If 14 seconds or more is displayed on the shot clock at the time when the game clock was
stopped, the shot clock shall be reset to 14 seconds. - If 13 seconds or less is displayed on the shot clock at the time when the game clock was
stopped, the shot clock shall not be reset, but shall continue from the time it was stopped.
If the throw-in shall be administered in the team’s backcourt, the shot clock shall be reset to new 24 seconds
or continue from the time it was stopped as defined by the rules.
Reason for change: To shorten the time the offensive team has at its disposal for a shot, once a team is already in the frontcourt. To allow for more opportunities for a shot for a field goal during the game.
Article 35 – Double foul
New rule:
35.1 Definition
35.1.1 A double foul is a situation in which 2 opponents commit personal fouls against each other at approximately the same time.
35.1.2 To consider 2 fouls as a double foul, the following conditions shall be required:
- Both fouls are player’s fouls.
- Both fouls involve physical contact.
- Both fouls are between 2 opponents fouling each other.
- Both fouls have the same penalty.
Reason for change: To simplify the rules principles in the situation when 2 opponents commit personal fouls against each other at approximately the same time.
Article 39 – Fighting
New rule: 39.3.1 – Irrespective of the number of team bench personnel disqualified for leaving the team bench area, a single technical foul (‘B’) shall be charged against the coach. Any team bench personnel who, after leaving the bench area, is actively involved in a fight shall be disqualified according to the respective articles (Disqualifying foul ‘D’).
Reason for change: To penalize team bench members for leaving the team bench area during the fight on the court differently (whether they are actively involved in the fight or not).
Article 46 – Crew chief: Duties and powers/Instant Replay Review
Proposed new rule: 46.12
Last two minutes of the game 2:00:
- whether a goaltending or basket interference violation was called correctly.
During any time of the game:
- after a foul was called on a shooter for an unsuccessful field goal whether 2 or 3 free throws shall be awarded.
- Whether a personal, unsportsmanlike or disqualifying foul met the criteria for such a foul or shall be up- or downgraded.
Reason for change: To add 3 more cases for the Instant Replay System (IRS) reviewable game situations.
Throw-in after an unsportsmanlike or disqualifying foul
New rule: All throw-ins as the part of an unsportsmanlike and disqualifying foul shall be administered from the throw-in line in the team’s frontcourt.
Reason for change: To speed up the game, to allow for more possession thus for possibly more scoring. To eliminate complex situations after a throw-in from the center line.
Click here to view all of the changes.
Source: FIBA
Photo credit: FIBA