You are here:

Basketball Instruction/can a player be the last to touch a ball both inbound and out?

Advertisement

Expert: - 2/23/2009


Question
If a player is the last to touch the ball while he is in bounds, then goes out of bounds, comes back in bounds and is the next player to touch the ball, is this legal? If so under what conditions?


Answer
HI Vince,

The answer to your question is no, that is not a "legal" play. That is basically passing to yourself. There are no conditions in which a player can legally do that, unless in the interpretation of the official, the player with the ball, "loses the handle" on the ball and fumbles it, falls out of bounds, returns in bounds to pick up the lose ball. However they may not throw the ball in bounds while falling out of bounds, then come back in and retrieve it. I hope that helps.

Basketball Instruction

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Bret Temple

Expertise

My expertise is in the art of Officiating Basketball and I can answer questions pertaining to basketball rules; youth level through CIF High School, NCAA college and NBA rules as well. I can either help define a specific rule for you, or interpret a specific rule to clarify how other officials and I view and call the game.

Experience

I have been a Basketball Official now for over 19 years, officiating at all levels. I have attended numerous training camps throughout the years in an attempt to constantly become a better official. I have been evaluated by top Officiating organizations and I've had the honor of being selected to officiate at the highest levels including former Division 1 College and NBA players.

Organizations
NASO (National Association of Sports Officials) CBOA (California Basketball Officials Association)

Education/Credentials
El Sorrino Officials Association Accreditation CIF Certified(California Interscholastic Federation) WCPBL(West Coast Professional Baskeball League) The NBA Developmental League training

Past/Present Clients
Los Angeles City Parks and Recreation, Calabasas Basketball League, Calabasas Semi-Pro Men's League, AYBA California Interscholatic Federation, ARC League , (WCPBL)West Coast Professional Basketball League, Gary Grant Youth Basketball Program

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.