The backcourt or over-and-back violation seems like a simple rule, but several key elements make this rule challenging to apply in certain situations. The mere presence of this rule can drive coaches, players, and fans to sheer pandemonium. A seasoned official can even botch this call occasionally, so we cannot expect the common fan to fully understand this rule.
My favorite part of playoff season is being able to watch other officials work games and getting a good chuckle at those fans that feel they always know more than the officials and sometimes more than their own team's coach. I can say with certainty that fans miss this call more than the officials do. The majority of fans have no idea what the rule is, they are just yelling to follow what the person next to them is doing. Just like a crazed fans fuse, I prefer to keep my post short, so let’s just focus today on advancing the ball with the dribble from the backcourt into the frontcourt. We are not going to address the fact that a team has only ten seconds to cross the division line…that is an entire blog in itself. The most common misconception is that a player has committed a backcourt violation if they step or dribble over the division line and then step or dribble back behind the division line. How many times have you seen a player dribble up the floor and straddle the midcourt line, especially when the defensive team is trying to trap? Now raise your hand if you have lost your mind on a referee who did not rule backcourt when this same player used a retreat dribble or pivoted into the backcourt. The division line only serves as a point of no return once ALL “3 points” have completely crossed the midcourt line. Please note that I did not say on or near the line. The offensive team does not establish front court status until both feet and the ball (3 points) have totally crossed the half line. So, it is perfectly legal for the ball to be dribbled back and forth across the division line, provided at least one foot resides in the backcourt. Now that you have a solid understanding of the 3 point reference regarding backcourt, make sure an official rules this play incorrectly before placing undue stress on your heart and mind. Thanks for spending 3 Seconds in the Stripes…
2 Comments
Kevin White
2/28/2016 09:45:01 pm
Very well said. Its a pretty easy rule to comprehend. Just takes a little thought.
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Chris Cameron
2/29/2016 07:27:27 am
Very well stated! Daddy always said "keep it simple!"
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February 2020
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