Official Warning for Misconduct

Given to Coaches in High School Basketball

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                               Contact: Theresia Wynns

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (May 11, 2017) — Effective with the 2017-18 high school basketball season, play will be stopped and an official warning will be given to the head coach – and recorded in the scorebook – for misconduct by the coach or other bench personnel unless the offense is judged to be major, in which case a technical foul shall be assessed.  

This new rule was one of the five changes recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Basketball Rules Committee at its April 10-12 meeting in Indianapolis. All changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

In addition to misconduct violations related to Rule 10-5, the head coach will be officially warned for the first violation of Rule 10-6-1 regarding the coaching box. 

Rules 4-48-1 and 4-48-2 will both have a note stating that a warning is not required prior to calling a technical foul.

“Stopping play and making sure that the bench and the coach know that an official warning has been given sends a clear message to everyone in the gym and impacts the behavior of the coach, and in some cases the behavior of the opposing coach,” said Theresia Wynns, NFHS director of sports and officials and liaison to the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee. “This change in behavior creates a better atmosphere and, many times, avoids the need to administer a technical foul.”

In other changes, the rules committee approved enlarging the coaching box from 14 feet to 28 feet. The coaching box now shall be bounded by a line drawn 28 feet from the end line toward the division line. A line drawn from the sideline toward the team bench becomes the end of the coaching box toward the end line. State associations may alter the length and placement of the 28-foot coaching box.

“The committee thought the restriction of the (14-foot) coaching box limited the level of communication between the coach and players,” Wynns said. “Allowing a coach freedom to move within the new box between the 28-foot mark and the end line provides a coach more access to his or her players.”

Changes in Rules 3-4-1d and 3-4-4 regarding uniforms were approved by the committee, including restrictions on identifying names that can be placed in the allowable area of the jersey. Identifying names on uniforms must adhere to the following: school name, school nickname, school logo, player’s name and/or abbreviation of the official school name. The panel in the shoulder area on the back of the jersey may be used for placing an identifying name as well. 

The committee also approved a change in the way officials signal a foul against a player. After verbally informing the offender, the official shall use fingers on two hands to indicate to the scorer the number of the offender and the number of free throws.

“This change was made to minimize reporting errors that occur between the officials and the scorekeepers,” Wynns said. “Two-handed reporting is easier for the scorekeepers to see and comprehend, and it is less confusing.”   

Basketball ranks third in popularity among both boys and girls at the high school level with 546,428 and 429,380 participants, respectively, according to the 2015-16 NFHS Athletics Participation Survey.

2016-17 NFHS Rule Interpretations

Pre-Game Protocol

Duties of Scorers & Timers

Uniform Purchasing Information - NFHS Specifications

Placement of Manufacturer's Logo on Jersey

Loss of Coaching Box Information

NFHS/NCAA Rules Differences

NFHS Basketball Resource Page

The Spalding TF1000 Classic ZK basketball will be the official tournament basketball for sectional and state tournament games in 2016-17.

PRIOR TO FIRST GAME

• Make sure coaching box is properly marked on floor. Measure 14 feet from the baseline and place a line. Measure 28 feet from the baseline and place a second line. That gives you a 14 foot box.
• If you have a design/logo in the center of your basketball court, make sure that you have the center restraining circle and center line properly marked as required by NFHS rules. See page 9 of the current NFHS Basketball Rules book for details.
• Please review the timing guidelines along with the introduction format. Please share this information with your scoring table personnel and announcer.
• Check the pressure of your rims. Many of you may have never had your rims pulled down and may not be "in proper condition". Check with the manufacturer to insure that your rims meet specifications -- pages 12-13 of the NFHS Basketball Rules book.

TIMING GUIDELINES

60 second time-out --- buzz warning horn with 15 seconds remaining
30 second time-out --- buzz warning horn with 15 seconds remaining
15 seconds to:

1. replace a disqualified player (5 fouls) - buzz warning horn with 15 seconds remaining
2. replace an injured player - buzz warning horn with 15 seconds remaining. Don't start clock until official indicates.
3. replace a player directed to leave the game - buzz warning horn with 15 seconds remaining

VARSITY GAMES

• 18 minute halves
• 1 minute interval prior to any overtime periods
• 10 minute halftime (unless otherwise arranged ... parent nights, etc.)
• Overtime periods - 4 minutes in length

PRE-GAME PROTOCOL

• 15:00: Warm-up Begins - officials enter court and go directly to positions to supervise warm-up.
• 12:00: Officials conduct pregame meeting with team captains.
• 10:00: Officials proceed to scoretable and check scorebooks, brief scorer and timer, check game ball for NFHS authenticating mark, and check alternating-possession arrow.
• 1:30: Officials introduce themselves to coaching staff and inquire about legality of player equipment. Remove jackets and prepare to begin game.
• 0:00: National Anthem or Pledge of Allegiance followed by introduction of players.

To honor America and those defending our freedom, we ask those who are able, to stand, remove your hats and place your hand over your heart for the playing of the National Anthem.

PLAYER INTRODUCTIONS

All five starters of the visiting team shall be introduced first followed by the five starters for the home team. Players shall not seek out the opposing coach to shake his/her hand. Players should proceed to the free throw circle in front of their bench and not run to the center of the floor.  Player should not hold hands or swing their hands during the National Anthem.

PINK EVENTS

We are required to follow NFHS uniform with regard to "pink events". Only pink socks, shoe laces, or shoes would be allowed. We have specific color requirements for wristbands and headbands. If you order uniforms, make sure you do not order pink as a color unless pink is very dark and can be used as your "dark uniform". White is required to be worn at home. Please proactive with your coach so that this doesn't become an issue if the team wishes to do a "pink event".

FEATHERS

Players are not allowed to wear feathers in their hair. This would be considered adornment and is not allowed by NFHS Basketball Rules.

FROSH-ONLY TEAMS / GAME LIMITS

Remember, frosh-only teams are limited to 22 games. Double check all of your schedules to make sure you are in compliance with the allowed number of games.