Get Off Our Back!

Contrary to popular fan opinion and a few uninformed coaches, there is no such thing as an “over the back” foul. As the screenshot above shows, a full search of the NFHS Rule Book was conducted for those that don’t believe everything they read online.

​ Typically, the phrase “Over the back!” is more prevalent when team A is equipped with a 6’8” post player and team B has nobody over 6’0”. In this scenario, fans just want the bigger athlete out of the game immediately and beg the officials for help, starting with the jump ball and never relenting!

FACTS:

• It is legal for a player to use their height advantage to simply reach over an opponent to secure a rebound.
• Any player has the right to any spot on the floor provided they acquire it legally.
• There can be rebounding contact that does not constitute a foul, if two opposing players are hustling to a spot on the floor, or after the ball, and arrive at approximately the same time.
• A rebounding foul occurs when a player gains an advantage by pushing, holding or displacing an opponent in order to gain a position or secure the ball.

The primary thing to evaluate throughout a contest is the consistency in which the game is being officiated. Please understand that consistency does not mean the foul count should be even. The style of play and player aggressiveness can often skew the foul count.

So the next time you attend a game, be an educated fan and scream “She pushed her!” or “Quit letting them hold us!” and you might just be taken a little more seriously, at least by those sitting around you…

Think Tank: If a person you respected or wanted to please most in life was sitting next to you at a basketball game, would you act differently?

Thank you for spending another 3 Seconds in the Stripes!