Welcome to our fifth installment of the NBA Rule Authority. Throughout the 2011-12 season, we will be posting on this page explanations to some of the NBA’s more complicated rules to help fans better enjoy the game. This week’s topic is In bound violations.
During an In bounds play a thrower-in shall not (1) carry the ball onto the court; (2) fail to release the ball within 5 seconds; (3) touch it on the court before it has touched another player; (4) leave the designated throw-in spot; (5) throw the ball so that it enters the basket before touching anyone on the court; (6) step on the court over the boundary line before the ball is released; (7) cause the ball to go out-of-bounds without being touched by a player in the game; (8) leave the playing surface to gain an advantage on a throw-in; (9) hand the ball to a player on the court.
EXCEPTION: After a field goal or free throw as a result of a personal foul or the start of a period, the thrower-in may run the end line or pass to a teammate behind the end line.
PENALTY: Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team at the original spot of the throw-in.
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Below are two examples that will help you better understand what it is referees are looking for on these types of plays.
Play # 1: In Bound Violation, inbounding player hands ball to teammate from OOB.
Play # 2: In Bound Violation, player steps over OOB line.