Play of the Day #50 (2018-19)

The play described below is provided for your review and discussion. The rulings given are based on NFHS rules. NCAA rulings may be different.

During the 2nd quarter A-1 is fouled by B-2.  The scoreboard shows this to be Team B’s 7th team foul of the half.  As the players are lining up for a bonus free throw situation, the table gets the officials’ attention and indicates that this is only the 5th team foul of the half.  The officials award the ball to Team A at the spot nearest the foul.

After the ball comes inbounds, Team B steals the ball and play heads to the other end of the court.  The ball becomes dead when the official sounds the whistle.  The coach of Team A asks for the referee to double check the number of team fouls on Team B.  When the referee does this, he determines that B-2’s foul was the 7th team foul of the half.  Handle the situation.

This is a correctable error (failure to award a merited free throw).  It has been discovered within the time frame to correct.  Since there has been a change of possession, A-1 is awarded the bonus free throw situation with no players lined up along the lane.  Under the point of interruption rule, the ball is awarded to Team B at the spot nearest to where the ball was located when play was stopped.     (References: Rule 2-10-1a, 2-10-2, 2-10-5, 2-10-6, 4-36-1, 4-36-2a)

Have you seen an unusual play? Let all officials benefit from it by sending it to Play of the
Day