2024-25 High School Basketball Rules Changes

[theguru]

A new definition and subsequent warning for faking being fouled (flopping) has been added to the NFHS Basketball Rules Book for the 2024-25 season.

This revision to high school basketball rules was one of 12 changes approved by the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee at its April 9-11 meeting in Indianapolis. All recommended changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

“The committee approved changes addressing a variety of different areas,” said Lindsey Atkinson, NFHS Director of Sports. “Maintaining a focus on player safety, fairness, balance and rules that officials can effectively adjudicate continue to be the focus of the committee.”

 Faking being fouled is defined in Rule 4-49-1 as when a player simulates being fouled or makes theatrical or exaggerated movements when there is no illegal contact. Examples include, but are not limited to, embellishing the impact of incidental contact on block/charge plays or field goal attempts, using a “head bob” to simulate illegal contact and using any tactic to create an opinion of being fouled to gain an advantage.

The new language also establishes a procedure for officials to issue a team warning on the first instance of faking being fouled. The warning is recorded in the scorebook and reported to the head coach. Any additional instances will result in a team technical foul and not a player technical foul, which was previously the case.

“(The committee) is hoping to get those dishonest acts out of the game,” said Billy Strickland, the executive director of the Alaska School Activities Association and chair of the Basketball Rules Committee.

A change to Rule 3-4-4a removes the restriction of only lettering being allowed on the front of the jersey. If a logo or mascot is displayed on the front, it must be centered directly above the number in place of identifying names. This change does not require schools to purchase new uniforms and may allow some schools to wear current uniforms that were previously not permitted.

A new note to Rule 9-10-1a and edit to Rule 4-10 allows states that utilize a 35-second shot clock to choose to eliminate the five-second closely guarded provision while a player dribbles the ball. The closely guarded rules remain in effect while a player holds the ball regardless of whether or not a state utilizes a shot clock.

Other rules changes approved by the committee include the following.

Rule 1-19 clarifies that the use of electronic devices during the game must be limited to recording and tracking stats, reviewing plays or similar contest-related functions. The use of electronic devices for voice or video recording is prohibited.
Rule 2-11-11 notes that if multiple scorers are at the scorer’s bench, the scorer(s) that is not official is responsible for comparing records with the official scorer, who then would notify a referee immediately of a discrepancy. This allows the official scorer to remain focused on game play and places the responsibility of comparing scoring information on auxiliary scorers.
Rule 3-3-6 states that if bench personnel are beckoned to attend to an injured player, whether they enter the court or not, the player is subject to removal from the game unless the coach requests a time-out.
If a player is bleeding or has blood on the uniform, Rule 3-3-7 now allows the player to remain in the game if the issue can be resolved in 20 seconds.
A new exception to Rule 4-6-1 involving basket interference allows for the net to be contacted and play continue if the official determines the contact to not affect the try for a goal.
A collection of changes to rules 4-47-5, 10-2-1g and 10-4-5 allows officials to issue a team warning for delay of game when a ball is not immediately passed to an official when a whistle sounds. Any subsequent violations now result in a team technical instead of a player technical.
Rule 7-1-1 establishes that a player cannot be assisted by a team member or bench personnel outside the boundary line to remain inbounds.
Pregame violations were addressed in a series of changes in Rule 10. If both teams violate provisions listed in Rules 10-1-1, 10-1-2 and 10-2-7 in equal numbers, the penalties offset, and no free throws are awarded. Additionally, the head coach would not lose the privilege of the coaching box. Similarly, the penalty for dunking or attempting to dunk a dead ball in Rule 10-2-7 no longer requires the coach to lose coaching box privileges and no personal foul is assessed as it is now a team technical and not a bench technical.
A complete listing of the basketball rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Basketball.”

https://www.nfhs.org/articles/flopping-addressed-in-2024-25-high-school-basketball-rules-changes/

[theguru]

Basketball Points of Emphasis - 2024-25

Warning For Delay
Delaying a game and allowing it to develop into an actionless contest is not beneficial to anyone involved in interscholastic competition. One of the officials’ roles is to ensure the game maintains an appropriate pace of play, including throughout the administration of penalties, throw-ins, free throws, etc. The NFHS rules allow for officials to give an initial warning to teams that violate Rule 4-47, which defines a warning for delay as an administrative procedure by an official that is recorded in the scorebook by the scorer and reported to the head coach. Warnings may be issued for the following:

Throw-in plane violations;
Huddle by either team or contact with the free thrower that delays the administration of the free throw;
Interfering with the ball following a goal;
Failure to have the court ready, following a time-out; or
New in 2024-25, failure to immediately pass the ball to the nearer official.
Any two delay warnings will result in a team technical foul. The warnings do not have to be issued for the same reason or to the same player or team member to escalate to a team technical foul.

Officials must utilize the Warning for Delay as soon as the behavior occurs. Initiating the warning allows the behavior to be addressed early. Failing to address behavior that violates this rule before initiating a warning may create confusion among coaches and players, creating an environment that becomes more difficult to manage.

Faking Being Fouled
“Faking Being Fouled” was added to the NFHS Basketball Rules Book twenty years ago as an unsporting foul committed by a player, resulting in a player technical. In 2004-2005, the Rules Committee addressed “Specific Unsporting Acts” as a Point of Emphasis, and “Flopping” was one of the points. Twenty years later, faking being fouled continues to be a point of concern for the rules committee. This year, the rules committee added a warning (4-49) and defined faking being fouled as:

Overtly embellishing the impact of incidental contact on block/charge plays or attempted tries for goal;
Using a “head bob” to simulate illegal contact; or
Using any other tactics to create an opinion of being fouled and therefore gaining an advantage.
A warning will now be issued for the first instance, lessening the severity of the penalty while continuing to address the behavior. A technical foul will be assessed to the team for each subsequent occurrence. Officials will utilize the new signal No. 15 at the time the flop occurs. Providing officials with an opportunity to warn a player before issuing a technical foul will allow players to adjust their behaviors before receiving a harsher penalty. Proper Procedures for Handling Blood There is an inherent risk to participating in interscholastic athletics. While rules committees prioritize player safety within the rules writing process, injuries still occur. Previously, when an injury occurred that involved blood on a player and/or a uniform, play was stopped immediately, and the player was directed to leave the game until the bleeding was stopped, the wound was covered, the uniform and/or body was appropriately cleaned, and/or the uniform was changed before returning (3-3-7). Often, the situation can be resolved quickly by covering the wound with a bandage and/or properly cleaning a uniform and/or player’s skin.

A new rule provides a team with 20 seconds to address a player(s) who is bleeding or has blood on the uniform without being charged a time-out. Officials should allow the player( s) to report to the sideline near the team bench before signaling the timer to begin the 20-second timer. If resolved within the 20-second time limit, the player will be permitted to remain in the game. If the issue is not resolved within 20 seconds, a coach may request a time-out to allow the player to remain in the game, if the situation can be corrected by the end of the time-out.

Coaches and bench personnel (i.e. athletic trainers) should review the General Guidelines for Sports Hygiene, Skin Infections and Communicable Diseases found in the appendices before administering first aid.

[theguru]

Basketball Rules Interpretations - 2024-25
By NFHS on October 14, 2024

Publisher’s Note: The National Federation of State High School Associations is the only source of official high school interpretations. They do not set aside nor modify any rule. They are made and published by the NFHS in response to situations presented.
Dr. Karissa L. Niehoff, Publisher, NFHS Publications © 2024

2024-25 NFHS Basketball Case Book Corrections: (Underlining shows additions; strikethrough shows deletions.)

Page 5, 10.1.1 PEN SITUATION: ... No free throws are shot and neither coach loses both coaches lose the privilege of the coaching box.

Page 52, 6.4.1 SITUATION A:…B1, a designated starter, is discovered to be wearing an illegal jersey number,…

Page 54, 6.4.1 SITUATION F: RULING: The game will start with administration of the technical-foul free throws in the order in which the fouls were called. Team B shoots first followed by Team A. Team A will then be given the ball for a throw-in at the division line opposite the table. When the thrower of Team A is bounced the ball or it is placed at Team A’s disposal, the possession arrow will be set pointing toward Team B’s basket. Each team is assessed a foul to count toward its team-foul count. No free throws are attempted and the game begins with a jump ball. COMMENT: Because the technical fouls occur during pregame in equal numbers, they offset.

SITUATION 1 (ELECTRONIC DEVICES): An official observes a Team A team member wearing headphones during pregame or halftime warm-up. The official notifies the coach and the coach instructs the team member to remove the headphones for safety reasons. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: Electronic devices may be utilized for the purposes of recording and tracking stats, reviewing or diagramming plays, or performing other similar contest-related functions. (1-19, 3-7)

SITUATION 2 (BLOOD): The official discovers a player from Team A has a bloody nose. The official directs the player to the bench and notifies the timer to start the 20-second timer. The bleeding is stopped or controlled within 20 seconds, the player is allowed to stay in the game and play is resumed at the point of interruption. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: The player may return to the game if the bleeding is stopped, the wound is covered, the uniform and/or body is appropriately cleaned, and/or the uniform is changed before returning to competition within 20 seconds. The player may return to the game if a time-out is requested by, and granted to, the player’s team and the situation can be corrected by the end of the time-out, or the head coach chooses to substitute for the bleeding player, and is given the 15-second interval of time to make the substitution. (3-3-7)

SITUATION 3 (FAKING BEING FOULED): Offensive player, A1, is dribbling the ball and fakes being fouled by using a “head bob” to simulate illegal contact. When the official identifies behavior that rises to the level of faking being fouled, the whistle is blown and the faking the foul signal (New #15) is displayed. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: First Infraction – Team A has control of the ball, so the official will report the warning to the table, notify the head coach, and the ball will be inbounded at the point of interruption (POI). If A1 was in Team A’s frontcourt, Team A would have a throw-in at one of the four designated spots closest to where the faking being foul occurred. If A1 was in Team A’s backcourt, the throw-in is from the spot out of bounds closest to where the faking being fouled occurred. Subsequent Infraction – A team technical foul is charged to Team A. Team B will shoot two free throws and is awarded the ball for a throw-in at the division line opposite the scorer’s table. (4-36- 2a, 4 49-1b, 10-2-1h, 10-2 PENALTY)

SITUATION 4 (FAKING BEING FOULED): Team B had previously been warned for faking being fouled. B1 attempts to draw a charge and the official rules that B1 was faking being fouled (second offense), the official gives the proper signal and allows play to continue so as not to penalize the offensive team. Prior to Team B gaining possession or the ball becoming dead, Team A commits a foul after the try while rebounding. Team B is not in the bonus. Team A shoots two free throws for the technical foul for the second flopping offense on Team B (team technical) and is awarded the ball at the division line opposite the scorer’s table. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: When a technical foul for faking being fouled is called (meaning the second or more infraction), the penalty for that foul goes last in the order. While the official has “seen” and “signaled” for faking being fouled first, the whistle was withheld and thus the common foul by Team A is the reason the play was stopped. Since Team B is not in the bonus, Team B does not shoot free throws for Team A’s common foul. Team A shoots free throws for the faking being fouled technical and then is awarded the ball for a throw-in at the division line opposite the scorer’s table. (4-49)

SITUATION 5 (FAKING BEING FOULED): While guarding A1, who is dribbling in the frontcourt, B1 commits the team’s second faking being fouled of the game. The official gives the proper delayed violation signal and allows play to continue. A1 then commits a traveling violation. A team technical foul is charged to Team B. Team A will shoot two free throws and is awarded the ball for a division line throw-in opposite the scorer’s table. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: Even though Team B was entitled to the throw-in as a result of the traveling violation, the technical foul and resulting penalties supersede A1’s violation. (4-49)

SITUATION 6 (CORRECTING A THROW-IN): The official administers the throw-in to the wrong team and the mistake is noticed and corrected within the time allowed. Time should be added back on the clock if the official has definite knowledge. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: The ball should be put back to the original throw-in location to the “correct” team, and time should be added back on the clock with “definite” knowledge. (5-10-1, 7-6-6)

SITUATION 7: (PRE-GAME TECHNICAL FOULS): The head coach of Team A is charged with an unsporting direct technical foul during pregame and Team B is charged with team technical foul for dunking. The free throws for the technical fouls offset, each team is charged with a team foul, and the game starts with a jump ball. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: Because there were technical fouls for each team and they were equal in number, they offset and no free throws are awarded. However, the head coach of Team A loses the use of the coaching box based on the unsporting technical. Because pregame dunking has moved from a bench technical to a team technical, the head coach of Team B does not lose the privilege of using the coaching box. (10-2-7, 10-2 PENALTY, 10-5-1, 10-5 PENALTY)

[theguru]

Here are links to all the rule changes from the NFHS:

https://www.nfhs.org/activities-sports/basketball/

• Basketball Comments on the Rules - 2024-25
• Basketball Points of Emphasis - 2024-25
• Basketball Rules Interpretations - 2024-25
• Basketball Rules Poster - 2023-24
• Basketball Uniform Guide 
• Faking Being Fouled Best Practices 
• Illegal Jersey Number (Example)
• Resumption of Play Procedures 

[24Rocks]

Are you aware of any rules that clarify when a player can touch the ball after a made basket?  For example:  Team A is behind and trying to press.  Team A scores a basket and one of their players grabs the ball out of the basket and crams it into the chest of the player on Team B who will be inbounding the ball.  That starts the official's count.  Team B, the one inbounding the ball, hasn't had any time to get into their press offense.  If a defensive player touches the ball when the offensive player has it in his hands and is trying to inbound it then it's a technical foul.  If it's a situation where the team that made the basket is making the ball unavailable then it's a delay of game penalty.  

This situation occurred at least twice during a very close game in the 12th region tournament last year.  It may not have determined the outcome of the game but in a triple overtime game little things can become very important.

[theguru]

Not me @24Rocks, I am the messenger.

Anyone?

[Joe LeDuc]

15 hours ago, 24Rocks said:

Are you aware of any rules that clarify when a player can touch the ball after a made basket?  For example:  Team A is behind and trying to press.  Team A scores a basket and one of their players grabs the ball out of the basket and crams it into the chest of the player on Team B who will be inbounding the ball.  That starts the official's count.  Team B, the one inbounding the ball, hasn't had any time to get into their press offense.  If a defensive player touches the ball when the offensive player has it in his hands and is trying to inbound it then it's a technical foul.  If it's a situation where the team that made the basket is making the ball unavailable then it's a delay of game penalty.  

This situation occurred at least twice during a very close game in the 12th region tournament last year.  It may not have determined the outcome of the game but in a triple overtime game little things can become very important.

I am not 100% but I do not believe that this is a violation as the defender is not delaying the game or hampering the ability of the offense to inbounds the ball.  The simple solution for this is for the offense to not grab the ball from the defense.  

[24Rocks]

39 minutes ago, Joe LeDuc said:

I am not 100% but I do not believe that this is a violation as the defender is not delaying the game or hampering the ability of the offense to inbounds the ball.  The simple solution for this is for the offense to not grab the ball from the defense.  

I agree with your points but the defense is hampering the ability of the offense to get into their press offense.  In a normal in bounds situation the officials wait until both teams are ready before handing the player the ball.  In college and the NBA they’re more strict about not letting the team that just scored touch the ball.  It’s usually a warning and then a technical.  Having the player not take the ball would work but it’s a reflex action to grab it when someone crams the ball into your chest.

[LethalPG]

1 hour ago, 24Rocks said:

I agree with your points but the defense is hampering the ability of the offense to get into their press offense.  In a normal in bounds situation the officials wait until both teams are ready before handing the player the ball.  In college and the NBA they’re more strict about not letting the team that just scored touch the ball.  It’s usually a warning and then a technical.  Having the player not take the ball would work but it’s a reflex action to grab it when someone crams the ball into your chest.

 

18 hours ago, 24Rocks said:

Are you aware of any rules that clarify when a player can touch the ball after a made basket?  For example:  Team A is behind and trying to press.  Team A scores a basket and one of their players grabs the ball out of the basket and crams it into the chest of the player on Team B who will be inbounding the ball.  That starts the official's count.  Team B, the one inbounding the ball, hasn't had any time to get into their press offense.  If a defensive player touches the ball when the offensive player has it in his hands and is trying to inbound it then it's a technical foul.  If it's a situation where the team that made the basket is making the ball unavailable then it's a delay of game penalty.  

This situation occurred at least twice during a very close game in the 12th region tournament last year.  It may not have determined the outcome of the game but in a triple overtime game little things can become very important.

I think one team took advantage of knowing the rules, and carving out practice time all season to work on situational game stuff...  EX. Time/Score, scrambling pressure defense while behind late in games.  While the other team, was frantic and made mistakes not using their clear advantage of throwing the ball into two 7 footers when the other team didn't have anyone on the floor over 6'3.  Or maybe, take a Timeout to set up an efficient press offense.  

[24Rocks]

1 hour ago, LethalPG said:

 

I think one team took advantage of knowing the rules, and carving out practice time all season to work on situational game stuff...  EX. Time/Score, scrambling pressure defense while behind late in games.  While the other team, was frantic and made mistakes not using their clear advantage of throwing the ball into two 7 footers when the other team didn't have anyone on the floor over 6'3.  Or maybe, take a Timeout to set up an efficient press offense.  

I don’t disagree with that assessment.  I think fatigue played a role as well and abysmal free throw shooting was also a factor.  I agree about knowing the rules.  My question was whether there actually is a rule that addresses interfering with the ball if you’re on defense.  There definitely is when the defense is trying to slow down the game.  When I played our coach told us we could let the clock tick before inbounding the ball when we were on offense but I can’t recall how long he said.  That was a pretty long time ago..   not quite the center jump after every basket era but close.  

[LethalPG]

1 minute ago, 24Rocks said:

I don’t disagree with that assessment.  I think fatigue played a role as well and abysmal free throw shooting was also a factor.  I agree about knowing the rules.  My question was whether there actually is a rule that addresses interfering with the ball if you’re on defense.  There definitely is when the defense is trying to slow down the game.  When I played our coach told us we could let the clock tick before inbounding the ball when we were on offense but I can’t recall how long he said.  That was a pretty long time ago..   not quite the center jump after every basket era but close.  

Yeah, I think stopping the clock on made baskets under a minute left would be a remedy to what you're describing.

[5thregionbasketball]

3 hours ago, 24Rocks said:

I agree with your points but the defense is hampering the ability of the offense to get into their press offense.  In a normal in bounds situation the officials wait until both teams are ready before handing the player the ball.  In college and the NBA they’re more strict about not letting the team that just scored touch the ball.  It’s usually a warning and then a technical.  Having the player not take the ball would work but it’s a reflex action to grab it when someone crams the ball into your chest.

Speaking in purely from a techincal/rules position (not always the way that it is officiated), the 5-second inbound count should start as soon as the ball is at the disposal of the thrower. Often times you see the offense delay picking up the ball because they are trying to get into their press offense. By rule, that count should have already started. The tricky part on this, is disposal of the thrower is a judgement. 

[24Rocks]

It seems to me that the best way would be to not favor either offense or defense.  I would think that it would be easy enough to establish that the team that makes a basket can’t touch the ball intentionally.  Give them one warning and then a technical. 
 

That said, I’m a big fan of the Elam ending.  That would cut out the intentional fouling at the end of the game.  There might be some problems I’m not aware of but from what I’ve read about it I think it would be good.

[mcpapa]

The rule about allowing the logo or mascot being centered directly above the number on the front of the jersey could have massive implications. 
 

 

 

 

 

Or not. 

[Pi]

On 10/25/2024 at 11:35 AM, mcpapa said:

The rule about allowing the logo or mascot being centered directly above the number on the front of the jersey could have massive implications. 
 

 

 

 

 

Or not. 

I often wonder if these rules change every few years to try and force schools to purchase new uniforms. It seems like every few years there is one small change that all of a sudden could be a big deal.