| I: Free Throw | II: Out-of-Bounds | III: Dribble |
| IV: Thrower-in | V: Strike the Ball | VI: Jump Ball |
| VII: Three-second Rule | VIII: Ten-second Rule | IX: Ball in Backcourt |
| X: Swinging of Elbows | XI: Entering Basket From Below | XII: Stick-Um |
| XIII: Illegal Assist in Scoring | XIV: Traveling | XV: Offensive Screen Set Out-of-Bounds |
a. After the ball is placed at the disposal of a free throw shooter, her attempt shall be within 10 seconds in such a way that the ball enters the basket or touches the ring before it is touched by a player. The free throw attempt shall be within that part of the free throw circle behind the free throw line.
b. A player shall not touch the ball or basket while the ball is on or within the basket.
c. A player who occupies a free throw lane space shall not touch the floor on or across the free throw lane line, nor shall any player 'back out' more than 3' from the free throw lane line. A player who does not occupy a free throw lane space must remain 6' from the free throw line and/or 3' from the free throw circle. This restriction applies until the ball leaves the free thrower's hands.
d. The free throw shooter may not cross the plane of the free throw line until the ball touches the basket ring, backboard, or the free throw ends.
e. No player shall deflect or catch the ball before it reaches the basket or backboard on a free throw attempt.
f. The free throw shooter shall not purposely fake a free throw attempt.
g. An opponent shall not disconcert the free thrower in any way, once the ball has been placed at the disposal of the shooter.
h. No violation can occur if the ball is not released by the free throw shooter.Exception: Rule 10-Section I-f.
Penalty:
(l)In (a-f) above, if the violation is by the offense, no point can be scored. The ball is awarded out-of-bounds to opponents on the baseline.
(2)In (b) above, a violation by the defense shall be disregarded if the free throw attempt is successful. If the free throw attempt is unsuccessful, one point shall be awarded.
(3)In (c), a violation by the defense shall be disregarded if the free throw attempt is successful. If the free throw attempt is unsuccessful, a substitute free throw attempt is awarded.
(4)In (g), the violation shall be disregarded if the free throw attempt is successful. If the free throw attempt is unsuccessful, a substitute free throw attempt shall be awarded.
(5)In (e), if the violation is by the defensive team, the point is scored and the same player receives another free throw attempt. The additional free throw attempt is considered a new play. This can only occur when the ball will remain in play after the free throw attempt. If it occurs on the first attempt of multiple free throws, only the single point is awarded, and the remaining free throw(s) shall be attempted.
(6)If there is a free throw violation by each team, on a free throw which is to remain in play, the ball becomes dead, no point can be scored and play shall be resumed by a jump ball between any two opponents at the center circle.
(7)The "out-of-bounds" and "jump ball" provisions above do not apply if the free throw is to be followed by another free throw, or if there are free throws to be attempted by both teams.
(8)If a violation by the free thrower as in (a) above follows disconcertion, a substitute free throw shall be awarded.
Return to top of page
a. A player shall not cause the ball to go out-of-bounds.
Penalty:
Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to opponents at the boundary line nearest the spot of the violation.Exception: On a throw-in which is not touched inbounds, the ball is returned to the original throw-in spot.
Return to top of page
a. A player shall not run with the ball without dribbling it.
b. A player in control of a dribble who steps on or outside a boundary line, even though not touching the ball while on or outside that boundary line, shall not be allowed to return inbounds and continue her dribble. She may not even be the first player to touch the ball after she has re-established a position inbounds.
c. A player may not dribble a second time after she has voluntarily ended her first dribble.
d. A player may dribble a second time if she lost control of the ball because of:
(1)A field goal attempt at her basket, provided the ball touches the backboard or basket ring
(2) An opponent touching the ball
(3) A pass or fumble which has then touched another player
Penalty:
Loss of ball. Ball is awarded to opponent nearest the spot of the violation.
Return to top of page
a. 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 over the boundary line while inbounding the ball;
(7) cause the ball to go out-of-bounds without being touched inbounds;
(8) leave the playing surface to gain an advantage on a throw-in.
b. After a team has designated a player to throw the ball in, there shall be no change of player (or her substitute) unless a regular or 20-second timeout has subsequently been called.
Penalty:
Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opponent at the original spot of the throw-in.
Return to top of page
a. A player shall not kick the ball or strike it with the fist.
b. Kicking the ball or striking it with any part of the leg is a violation when it is an intentional act. The ball accidentally striking the foot, the leg or fist is not a violation.
Penalty:
(1) If the violation is by the offense, the ball is awarded to the opponent nearest the spot of the violation.
(2) If the violation is by the defense, the offensive team retains possession of the ball at the sideline nearest the spot of the violation. The 30-second clock is reset to 30 seconds and if the violation occurred in the backcourt, a new 10-second count is awarded.
Return to top of page
a. A player shall not violate the jump ball rule (Rule 6-Section V).
b. During a jump ball, a personal foul committed prior to either team obtaining possession shall be ruled a "loose ball" foul.In all violations of this rule, neither the game clock nor the 30-second clock shall be started until the ball is legally tapped.
Penalty:
(1) In (a) above, the ball is awarded to the opponent nearest the spot of the violation.
(2) In (a) above, if there is a violation by each team, or if the official makes a bad toss, the toss shall be repeated.
(3) In (b) above, free throws may or may not be awarded, consistent with whether the penalty is in effect (Rule 12B-Section VIII).
Return to top of page
a. A player shall not remain for more than three seconds in that part of her free throw lane between the endline and extended 4' (imaginary) off the court and the farther edge of the free throw line while the ball is in control of her team.
b. Allowance may be made for a player who, having been in the restricted area for less than three seconds, is in the act of shooting at the end of the third second. Under these conditions, the 3-second count is discontinued while her continuous motion is toward the basket. If that continuous motion ceases, the previous 3-second count is continued.
c. The 3-second count shall not begin until the ball is in control in the offensive team's frontcourt.
Penalty:
Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opponent on the baseline.
Return to top of page
A team shall not be in continuous control of a ball which is in its backcourt for more than 10 consecutive seconds.
Exception (1): A new 10 seconds is awarded if the defense:
(1) kicks or punches the ball,
(2) is assessed a technical foul, or
(3) is issued a delay of game warning.
Exception (2): A new 10 seconds is awarded if play is suspended to administer Comments on the Rules-O-Infection Control.
Penalty:
Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opponent at the midcourt line, with the ball having to be passed into the frontcourt.
Return to top of page
a. A player shall not be the first to touch a ball which she or a teammate caused to go from frontcourt to backcourt while her team was in control of the ball.
b. During a jump ball, a try for a goal, or a situation in which a player taps the ball away from a congested area, as during rebounding, in an attempt to get the ball out where player control may be secured, the ball is not in control of either team. Hence, the restriction on first touching does not apply.
c. Following a jump ball, a player who secures a positive position and control of the ball in her frontcourt cannot pass the ball to a teammate or dribble the ball into the backcourt.
Penalty:
Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opponent at the midcourt line, and the ball must be passed into the frontcourt. If the violation occurs on a throw-in, the game clock shall not start.
Return to top of page
A player shall not be allowed excessive and/or vigorous swinging of the elbows in a swinging motion (no contact). When a defensive player is nearby and the offensive player has the ball, it is considered a violation.
Penalty:
Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opponent nearest the spot of the violation. If the violation occurs on a throw-in, the game clock shall not be started.
Return to top of page
Section XI-Entering Basket From Below
A player shall not cause the ball to enter the basket from below.
Penalty:
Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opponent nearest the spot of the violation.
Return to top of page
Section XII-STICK-UM A player is not to use "STICK-UM" or any similar substance. Return to top of page Section XIII-Illegal Assist in Scoring a. A player may not assist herself to score by using the basket ring or backboard to lift, hold or raise herself. Return to top of page a. A player who receives the ball while standing still may pivot, using either foot as the pivot foot. Return to top of page Section XV-Offensive Screen Set Out-of-Bounds An offensive player shall not leave the playing area of the floor on the endline in the frontcourt for the purpose of setting a screen. Return to top of page
b. A player may not assist a teammate to gain height while attempting to score.
Penalty:
Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opponent nearest the spot of the violation.
b. A player who receives the ball while she is progressing or upon completion of a dribble, may use a two-count rhythm in coming to a stop, passing or shooting the ball.The first count occurs:
(1) As she receives the ball, if either foot is touching the floor at the time she receives it.
(2) As the foot touches the floor, or as both feet touch the floor simultaneously after she receives the ball, if both feet are off the floor when she receives it.
The second occurs:
(1)After the count of one when either foot touches the floor, or both feet touch the floor simultaneously.
c. A player who comes to a stop on the count of one may pivot, using either foot as the pivot foot.
d. A player who comes to a stop on the count of two, with one foot in advance of the other, may pivot using only the rear foot as the pivot foot.
e. A player who comes to a stop on the count of two, with neither foot in advance of the other, may use either foot as the pivot foot.
f. In starting a dribble after
(1) receiving the ball while standing still, or
(2) coming to a legal stop, the ball must be out of the player's hand before the pivot foot is raised off the floor.
g. If a player, with the ball in her possession, raises her pivot foot off the floor, she must pass or shoot before her pivot foot returns to the floor. If she drops the ball while in the air, she may not be the first to touch the ball.
h. A player who falls to the floor while holding the ball, or while coming to a stop, may not make progress by sliding.
i. A player who attempts a field goal may not be the first to touch the ball if it fails to touch the backboard, basket ring or another player.
Penalty:
Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opponent at the sideline, nearest spot of the violation.
Penalty:
Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opponent nearest the spot of the violation.
