PCSAA Tournament Rules
2019-20 BASKETBALL BULLETIN
PCSAA BOYS & GIRLS BASKETBALL – SPECIAL RULES
National High School Federation Rules will govern all PCSAA games.
II. Special Rules
A. It is recommended but not mandated that an adult serve as official timer for varsity games.
B. The home team will wear light uniforms and the visiting team will wear dark uniforms.
C. The home team provides 6 quality basketballs for the visiting teams. This includes JV.
D. Fans are not allowed on the baseline of the basketball court while being a spectator during a game.
E. Dunking is allowed during warm ups.
PCSAA BOYS & GIRLS BASKETBALL SHOT CLOCK
PCSAA boys and girls basketball will be governed by the rules of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). However, the rules will be modified as follows:
1. Girls will use a 30-second shot clock.
2. Girls will not have a 10-second visible count to move the ball from back court to front court.
3. Boys will use a 30-second shot clock.
4. Boys will have a 10-second visible count to move the ball from back court to front court.
Shot Clock Guidelines
1. A shot clock try for a field goal is defined as the ball having left the player’s hand(s) before the sounding of the shot clock horn and subsequently striking the basket ring or entering the basket.
2. The team in control shall attempt a try or tap for goal within 30-seconds after gaining team control (Boys & Girls)
3. The shot clock is used for the entire game, including overtime. If both shot clocks are not working, the shot clocks will be turned off and regular NFHS Rules will apply.
4. The shot clock operator should use a timing device with a horn different from the game clock. Officials shall test both horns prior to the game.
5. The shot clock should start:
• On a throw-in when the ball is legally touched by any player.
• On a jump ball when a player gains control of the ball.
• On an unsuccessful try when a player gains control of the ball.
• On an unsuccessful free throw that will remain in play when a player gains control of the ball.
6. The shot clock should reset to 30 (Girls) or 30 (Boys) when:
• There is a single personal foul.
• There is a single technical foul.
• A held ball occurs and there is a change of possession. In other words, the arrow is pointing to the defensive team.
• A try or tap strikes the ring and either team gains control.
• A try lodges between the backboard and basket support.
• A violation occurs.
• An inadvertent whistle occurs and neither team is in control.
7. The shot clock should reset to 15 when:
• A kicking or fisted ball violation occurs and the shot clock is 14 seconds or less.
8. The shot clock should stop/be held but continue with no reset under the following circumstances:
• The ball is deflected out of bounds by a defensive player.
• A player is injured.
• A charged time out has concluded.
• During team control, a defensive player causes a held ball and the arrow favors the offensive team.
• A kicking or fisted ball violation occurs and the shot clock is 15 seconds or greater.
• A double personal foul when a team is in control.
• A double technical foul when a team is in control.
9. The shot clock shall be turned off when:
• The game clock shows less time than a shot clock period.
• The mercy rule is in effect (mercy rule is applied beginning with the start of the 3rd quarter)
10. Closely guarded
The 5-second closely guarded count will no longer be in effect during a dribble in the frontcourt. Once the ball is picked up in the frontcourt the 5-second closely guarded rule will start if a defender is within 6 feet, the defender can switch and if the new defender stays within the 6 feet the count continues.
PCSAA BOYS & GIRLS BASKETBALL - ROLLED WAISTBANDS
Officials should allow players to 'roll' the waistbands of their game shorts as necessary to adjust the length & fit. This does not violate the spirit of 3-5-5 requiring that equipment be worn as intended. Note that in rolling the waistband, players should not reveal an additional manufacturer's logo(s) so as to be in violation of 3- 4-5 which limits the number of logos on the shorts to one. Furthermore, an unsecured drawstring must be tucked inside the shorts so as not to create a safety hazard.
PCSAA BOYS & GIRLS BASKETBALL MERCY RULE
• A 30-point differential rule is in effect for all games played in the PCSAA, grades 9-12 for
Boys’ and Girls’ basketball.
• If there is a 30-point differential at the end of the first half or any time after, the
game will be continued with a running clock.
effective, the following changes, and only these changes, will be made regarding
rules determining when the clock will and will not be stopped.
• The clock will run continuously except for the following situations when it will be
stopped:
1. Anytime a time-out is charged to a team;
2. Stoppage to administer free throws;
3. Intermission between third and fourth quarter;
4. Extended injury time-out;
5. Anytime officials determine it is necessary for safety reasons.
• The first half will be played to completion with regular timing. If the differential is
30 points or more at half-time or anytime there is a 30-point differential during the
second half, the running clock procedures will be used.
• If the score margin drops below 20 points, then normal timing will resume for the remainder of the game, or until the 30-point plateau is again reached.
PCSAA BOYS & GIRLS BASKETBALL – SPECIAL RULES
National High School Federation Rules will govern all PCSAA games.
II. Special Rules
A. It is recommended but not mandated that an adult serve as official timer for varsity games.
B. The home team will wear light uniforms and the visiting team will wear dark uniforms.
C. The home team provides 6 quality basketballs for the visiting teams. This includes JV.
D. Fans are not allowed on the baseline of the basketball court while being a spectator during a game.
E. Dunking is allowed during warm ups.
PCSAA BOYS & GIRLS BASKETBALL SHOT CLOCK
PCSAA boys and girls basketball will be governed by the rules of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). However, the rules will be modified as follows:
1. Girls will use a 30-second shot clock.
2. Girls will not have a 10-second visible count to move the ball from back court to front court.
3. Boys will use a 30-second shot clock.
4. Boys will have a 10-second visible count to move the ball from back court to front court.
Shot Clock Guidelines
1. A shot clock try for a field goal is defined as the ball having left the player’s hand(s) before the sounding of the shot clock horn and subsequently striking the basket ring or entering the basket.
2. The team in control shall attempt a try or tap for goal within 30-seconds after gaining team control (Boys & Girls)
3. The shot clock is used for the entire game, including overtime. If both shot clocks are not working, the shot clocks will be turned off and regular NFHS Rules will apply.
4. The shot clock operator should use a timing device with a horn different from the game clock. Officials shall test both horns prior to the game.
5. The shot clock should start:
• On a throw-in when the ball is legally touched by any player.
• On a jump ball when a player gains control of the ball.
• On an unsuccessful try when a player gains control of the ball.
• On an unsuccessful free throw that will remain in play when a player gains control of the ball.
6. The shot clock should reset to 30 (Girls) or 30 (Boys) when:
• There is a single personal foul.
• There is a single technical foul.
• A held ball occurs and there is a change of possession. In other words, the arrow is pointing to the defensive team.
• A try or tap strikes the ring and either team gains control.
• A try lodges between the backboard and basket support.
• A violation occurs.
• An inadvertent whistle occurs and neither team is in control.
7. The shot clock should reset to 15 when:
• A kicking or fisted ball violation occurs and the shot clock is 14 seconds or less.
8. The shot clock should stop/be held but continue with no reset under the following circumstances:
• The ball is deflected out of bounds by a defensive player.
• A player is injured.
• A charged time out has concluded.
• During team control, a defensive player causes a held ball and the arrow favors the offensive team.
• A kicking or fisted ball violation occurs and the shot clock is 15 seconds or greater.
• A double personal foul when a team is in control.
• A double technical foul when a team is in control.
9. The shot clock shall be turned off when:
• The game clock shows less time than a shot clock period.
• The mercy rule is in effect (mercy rule is applied beginning with the start of the 3rd quarter)
10. Closely guarded
The 5-second closely guarded count will no longer be in effect during a dribble in the frontcourt. Once the ball is picked up in the frontcourt the 5-second closely guarded rule will start if a defender is within 6 feet, the defender can switch and if the new defender stays within the 6 feet the count continues.
PCSAA BOYS & GIRLS BASKETBALL - ROLLED WAISTBANDS
Officials should allow players to 'roll' the waistbands of their game shorts as necessary to adjust the length & fit. This does not violate the spirit of 3-5-5 requiring that equipment be worn as intended. Note that in rolling the waistband, players should not reveal an additional manufacturer's logo(s) so as to be in violation of 3- 4-5 which limits the number of logos on the shorts to one. Furthermore, an unsecured drawstring must be tucked inside the shorts so as not to create a safety hazard.
PCSAA BOYS & GIRLS BASKETBALL MERCY RULE
• A 30-point differential rule is in effect for all games played in the PCSAA, grades 9-12 for
Boys’ and Girls’ basketball.
• If there is a 30-point differential at the end of the first half or any time after, the
game will be continued with a running clock.
- The shot clock will be turned off when the Mercy Rule is in effect.
effective, the following changes, and only these changes, will be made regarding
rules determining when the clock will and will not be stopped.
• The clock will run continuously except for the following situations when it will be
stopped:
1. Anytime a time-out is charged to a team;
2. Stoppage to administer free throws;
3. Intermission between third and fourth quarter;
4. Extended injury time-out;
5. Anytime officials determine it is necessary for safety reasons.
• The first half will be played to completion with regular timing. If the differential is
30 points or more at half-time or anytime there is a 30-point differential during the
second half, the running clock procedures will be used.
• If the score margin drops below 20 points, then normal timing will resume for the remainder of the game, or until the 30-point plateau is again reached.
