1. 30 Second Time-Out - Remember that the players in the game at the time of the time-out are required to remain on the floor. This means that they do NOT sit during the TO.

2. Ending a Time-Out - In NCAA rules the team that calls the time-out "own" that time-out. This means that should the calling team choose to end the time-out prematurely, for example to allow a substitution, that is OK! The procedure calls for an immediate horn from the scorers table followed by the normal action of putting the ball in play 15 seconds later. Be aware that some score clock panels have a "time-out" switch that may or may not be stopped and turned off when you are ready to resume play. Part of your pre-game meeting with table officials should include finding out how the time-outs will be monitored by the timer. A stopwatch should be on hand in case it is needed.

3. Violation / made basket - If a violation is called followed by a successful field goal, the correct procedure is to handle the basketball, make sure the scorer knows that you are not counting the basket, followed by putting the ball in play at the point NEAREST to where the violation occurred.

4. Substitutions / free throw activity - When multiple free throws have been awarded, EITHER team can request and be granted a substitution before the final free throw is attempted OR after a successful final free throw. Substitutions before the first of multiple free throws will NOT be permitted!

5. POI (point of interruption) after a Technical Foul - Hopefully, all officials have made the adjustment regarding the penalty for technical fouls. POSSESSION is no longer an element of the penalty when you give a direct or indirect personal foul. When a technical foul is called, get together with your partner!! Determine: a) if the "T" was direct or indirect - for purpose of counting toward 5th player and team total; b) at which basket the shots will be attempted; and c) what was happening in the game when the "T" interrupted it?…Free throws? Out of bounds? Simple team control (this would result in a throw-in)? This is important because after the free throws have been attempted this is the point at which you will resume play.

6. Free Throw line up - There are six lane spaces - 3 on each side. The first space (closest to the baseline), MUST be filled by the defensive team! The second lane space belongs to the offensive team if they CHOOSE to occupy it. The third lane space would again belong to the defensive team if they CHOOSE to occupy it. The 2nd and 3rd spaces , if vacant, MAY be filled by the other team up to a maximum of 4 defensive players and 2 offensive players.

7. Injury / Blood procedure - You may have received this information in the latest NCAA update dated January 7 , 2004. If not , here goes!

INJURY:
When a player is injured and is not ready to resume play , the team of that injured player may exercise one of 2 options:
1. Replace the player with a substitution.
2. Request a time-out.

When the team of the injured player has been granted a time-out and the final horn has been sounded to end the time-out , the injured player MUST be ready to play or be substituted from the game.

BLOOD:
When a player is observed as having an open wound or blood on his/her jersey , the official must stop the game at the earliest possible opportunity. The team of this player then has one of two options:
1. Replace the player with a substitution.
2. Request a time-out.

When a time-out has been granted by the team of the player who is showing blood and the final horn has sounded to end the time-out , the player may REMAIN in the game provided the wound has been attended to and closed OR, in the case of a saturated jersey, the jersey has been replaced or the soiled jersey has been cleaned up.

8. Made Basket in Final Minute - The rules state that the game clock must be STOPPED when a field goal is made in the final minute of the game. This needs to happen in ALL games, not just some of the time !! The stopping of the clock is not a substitution opportunity!! If either team calls a time-out during this stop clock period , either team may request and be granted a substitution.

I hope that the above has answered some of the questions that you may have had over the first half of the season. I encourage you to send your questions or concerns to any member of the MABO executive, your local assignor, or to me directly. These concerns will be dealt with in the next MABO newsletter. I will also include some of the questions / answers from the written exam that were answered incorrectly most often.

Rick DeGagne,
MABO Provincial Interpreter