The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has recently outlined a new basketball rule regarding the practice of faking being fouled. This rule aims to address the issue of players embellishing or simulating illegal contact in order to deceive officials and gain an advantage on the court. The NFHS Basketball Rules Committee has provided specific examples and guidelines for officials to follow when adjudicating penalties for faking being fouled.
In the first scenario outlined by the NFHS, an offensive player dribbles the ball and fakes being fouled by a defender using a „head bob“ to simulate illegal contact. When the official identifies this behavior, they are instructed to blow the whistle and signal for both a warning and subsequent infractions. If the offensive team has control of the ball, a warning is issued, and the team will have a throw-in at a designated spot. However, if the offense commits a subsequent infraction, a team technical foul is charged, and the opposing team will shoot two free throws and gain possession of the ball.
In the second scenario, an offensive player releases a jump shot and falls to the floor without contact or after incidental contact, exaggerating the impact of the contact. Again, the official is instructed to blow the whistle and signal for a warning and subsequent infractions. Depending on whether the shot is successful or unsuccessful, different actions are taken, such as awarding the basket or giving possession to the opposing team based on possession arrow rules. A team technical foul is charged for subsequent infractions, resulting in free throws and possession for the opposing team.
The third scenario involves a defensive player attempting to draw a charge by going to the floor with no or incidental contact, embellishing the impact of the contact. In this case, the offended team (Team A) has team control, and the official should signal faking being fouled but withhold the whistle until Team A scores or Team B gains control of the ball. The procedures for warnings and subsequent infractions are similar to the previous scenarios, with penalties such as team technical fouls and free throws for the opposing team.
Overall, the NFHS’s new basketball rule on faking being fouled aims to promote fair play and sportsmanship on the court by penalizing deceptive behavior. By providing clear examples and guidelines for officials to follow, the NFHS hopes to maintain the integrity of the game and ensure that players compete honestly and ethically. It is essential for players, coaches, and officials to understand and adhere to these rules to uphold the spirit of competition in high school basketball.