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Men’s basketball rules committee announces recommended rules changes

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To say the least the block/charge call and freedom of movement were two hot-button topics throughout the 2012-13 season. More often than not there were complaints from fans and media alike regarding the current state of the game, and what should be done to clean things up.

With that in mind both the men’s basketball rules committee announced their recommended rules changes on Thursday afternoon, with the block/charge call and the administration of the “elbow rule” being two areas of interest.

In regard to the block/charge call in men’s basketball, the committee is proposing that a defensive player is not permitted to move into the path of an offensive player once he has started his upward motion with the ball to attempt a field goal or pass. If the defensive player is not in legal guarding position by this time, it is a blocking foul.

The current rule calls for a defender to be in legal guarding position before the offensive player lifted off the floor.


Far too often last season it seemed as if where the defender was on the floor (inside or outside of the restricted area in the lane) was the sole determining factor used by officials when making the call.

According to the committee the recommended rules change will provide the officials with more clarity when it comes to making the call while also improving freedom of movement, which is exactly what all involved with the game want to see.

As for the “elbow rule,” the committee has recommended that officials be allowed to use their judgement when reviewing such situations on a monitor. Previously the rules didn’t give the officials much leeway, which ultimately led to the calling of flagrant fouls that were anything but.

“The intent of the elbow rule has always been to protect the student-athletes and eliminate the rip move in men’s basketball,” committee chair and Saint Peter’s head coach John Dunne said.

“There was a strong feeling in the men’s community that some other types of elbow contact didn’t deserve a flagrant 1, so we are allowing the limited use of the monitor to appropriately manage this play.”

Also of note is the fact that the committee is recommending that officials be allowed to check the monitor in the final two minutes of regulation and overtime to review situations such as shot clock violations and determining who knocked the ball out of bounds in situations involving two or more players.

Officials will also be able to immediately review made baskets in the final four minutes to determine whether the shot was worth two or three points. During other points in the game officials would be able to signal to the scorers’ table that they will look at the play in question during the next media timeout.

Frankly any move to make sure the officials get the call right, whether it’s “crunch time” or not, is a good move. With the recommendations now made, the Playing Rules Oversight Panel will decide whether or not to approve the proposed rules changes on June 18.

And while there are no recommended changes in regards to the shot clock Thursday’s moves are a step in the right direction. Will the changes cut down on physical play and lead to an increase in scoring? That will ultimately be determined by the players and coaches themselves.

Raphielle can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.