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IAABO SPORTORIALS
NOVEMBER 1993
THE THREE SECOND RULE
By Fred Hogan
IAABO PRESIDENT
The three - second rule is
dismissed in the rule book in a deceptively brief,
sixty-five words.
Too bad! There are few rules in basketball demanding the
understanding of the intent that the
Three-second rule does.
The basic rule is simple enough. A player may not remain
in the free throw lane
(bounded by and including lane lines, end line, and free
throw line) for more than three seconds
while his team is in control of the ball in the
frontcourt.
Obviously, step one in understanding “three seconds” is
to understand “team control.”
Team control begins when a player on either team
establishes control of a live ball. Team control
ends when a try for a goal is released or an opponent
secures control or a violation or foul occurs.
The second step is to know when a player is in the free
throw lane, or more importantly
when a player ceases to be there. To enter the area, all
that is necessary is that the player step
onto or over the lane ( lane lines are considered a part
of the lane). To leave the area, the player
must move out of the invisible “box” that is the lane
extended vertically. Merely lifting a foot
does not does not constitute leaving the area.
The crucial point, however, is that officials must be
aware of the provision of suspending
The three second count. If a player who has been in the
restricted area for fewer than three
seconds receives the ball and immediately moves to the
basket (dribbles or pivots) to try for a
goal, the count is suspended to allow for completion of
the try. The word was “suspended,” not
“ended.” If the player completes the try, there is no
violation, but if the player passes or aborts
the try and in doing so has spent more than three
seconds in the free throw area, a violation is
called immediately. Remember this allowance pertains
only to the player with the ball.
Similarly, if a player who has been in the free throw
area for fewer than three seconds is
making a serious attempt to leave the area, suspend the
count to allow the player to do so. If he or
she decides not to leave and has gained an advantage by
being in the area for more than three
seconds, and his team is still in control, call the
violation immediately.
A final suggestion is to “sneak a peak.” Before calling
a three second violation, take a
Quick “peak.” Before calling a three-second violation,
take a quick “peak.” To see where the ball is.
If a shot is on the way or about to leave the shooter’s
hand, swallow the whistle. One of life’s most
"embarrassing moments is to call three seconds after
team control has ended.
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