Not an advantage rule, although the rule is "more than 3 seconds" so quite often the ref count is going to be considerably slower than a coach/player who wants it called.

A good ref would use voice and talk the player out of the key so as to avoid making the call if the ball is on the perimeter

Of course if the ball is on the outside and the big has been in for more than 3 seconds, then it should be called

Sounds like another crappy ref, seems legit!

This has been a problem for about 2 years now in men's comp. You get massive units camping in key and then they have front position for offensive rebound and easy put back. The umpires do not want listen, are not interested in listening. This is a problem with many refs today they are not willing to have a constructive conversion. An issue too with most of the rule book is it open to interpretation. Therefore one ref will call the 3 sec rule as explained. Another will call as 3 sec in key no matter what is happening. So where do we go from here? No where, no one listens, will just keep playing with silly interpretations, more yelling, more frustration by players and ref,and rather than getting along, will continue to hate each other. Awesome isn't it!

There are so many bad refs in the social side of basketball it's not funny, the other day we ha goal tending called twice when a player brushed the net with his hand after the shot had bounced away from the ring. Then two weeks later we lose the grandfinal because someone grabbed the ring flicking the ball away and out of the ring. No call for the most obvious goal tend I have ever seen in my life...

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/FIBA/ruleRegu/p/openNodeIDs/897/selNodeID/897/baskOffiRule.html

Art. 22 Violations
22.1 Definition
A violation is an infraction of the rules.
22.2 Penalty
The ball shall be awarded to the opponents for a throw-in at the place nearest to the infraction, except directly behind the backboard, unless otherwise stated in the rules.

Art. 26 Three seconds
26.1 Rule
26.1.1 A player shall not remain in the opponents' restricted area for more than three (3) consecutive seconds while his team is in control of a live ball in the frontcourt and the game clock is running.
26.1.2 Allowances must be made for a player who:
• Makes an attempt to leave the restricted area.
• Is in the restricted area when he or his team-mate is in the act of shooting and the ball is leaving or has just left the player's hand(s) on the shot for a field goal.
• Dribbles in the restricted area to shoot for a field goal after having been there for less than three (3) consecutive seconds.
26.1.3 To establish himself outside the restricted area, the player must place both feet on the floor outside the restricted area.

My understanding of the above is that you are correct. The offensive team is getting an advantage just by having a player in the key, which changes your defense. Regardless, a violation is a violation and should be called.

Download the rules or ask your competition for a copy or reference of the rules your referees are meant to adhere to. Take it up with your referee co-ordinator or similar if they don't adhere to those rules.

I'm from WA, but even from here I can tell that's a terrible directive :P

It's not a bloody BSA directive you moron!

It is lack of referee education that has caused this referee to not understand the rule.

The advantage/disadvantage or offensive threat principles, are taught Australia wide, however if you don't have the correct education processes in place, the message is often 'Chinese whispered' and lost in translation.

The referee was incorrect, however im sure speaking to the court supervisor would have helped.

Thanks everyone I did ring the umpire boss and he was with me. The game was in the country so no need to call BSA!

Funny fact is I used to be his school teacher years ago.

Thank u so much I knew you wouldn't let me down

anon #385664


you are clearly not a coach,

This is the type of stupid interpretation that comes and goes over the years - there was a spate of this in Geralton WA's easter carnival in ( believe it or not ) 1977.

I was a player coach (point guard). Called a time out and politely asked what was going on - The referes explained to me that they had been instructed that 3 seconds was an "advantage call" and they would only call it if the ball got passed into the camping player.

I then just asked if the 30 sec shot clock, team possesion possesion and thus the 3 second call were all still reset when the shot left the players hands ( that was the rull back then) they said yes - no three second call after ther ball left the shoters hand.

Said fine.

Subbed on my 2 centers and 2 PF's ,( 3 x 6'6" and one at 6' 8" ) which was huge in those days. and I dribbled arround for 20 seconds while they set up a full shoulder - to - shoulder "box" under the rim and in the centre of the zone, and then I let fire from what would have been 3pt teriotory if that had existed then.

after 6 possesions we were 14 points to the good, I lucked 1 shot for 2 and the other 5 were monstered by our rebounders and put back with 2 offensive fouls from behind for 2 bounus points.

The crowd ( such as it was ) - was not happy

I called a time out, called the other coach over and he and the refs and I all agreed that we would go back to calling 3 seconds the "old" way for the rest of the game.

Can't remember who won.

I should add that 3 of my "shots" were air-balls ;( came down almost next to the ring !!

If you are a tall player the 3 second rule really is 3 seconds, but if you are short the ref will let you stay in there for close to 8 seconds.

Another rule that disadvantages tall players. Same goes for fouls - need to be belted to get a foul, while the small players get touched its a foul.

Don't say that you will start the 'Sook' comments again from the garden gnomes.