RULE UPDATE: WNBL REMAINS AT INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

As the profile of the league continues to grow, the WNBL has implemented new FIBA rules to remain at an international standard of competition.

These rules came into effect from the beginning of the season and have seen changes around Travels and Unsportsmanlike Fouls.

Full details of the Rule Changes can be found below:

Art. 25 Travelling Foul

• Definition
  • Travelling is the illegal movement of one foot or both feet beyond the limits outlined in this article, in any direction, while holding a live ball on the playing
  • A pivot is the legal movement in which a player who is holding a live ball on the playing court steps once or more than once in any direction with the same foot, while the other foot, called the pivot foot, is kept at its point of contact with the
• Rule
  • Establishing a pivot foot by a player who catches a live ball on the playing court:
    • A player who catches the ball while standing with both feet on the floor:
      • The moment one foot is lifted, the other foot becomes the pivot
      • To start a dribble, the pivot foot may not be lifted before the ball is released from the hand(s).
      • To pass or shoot for a field goal, the player may jump off a pivot foot, but neither foot may be returned to the floor before the ball is released from the hand(s).
    • A player who catches the ball while he is progressing, or upon completion of a dribble, may take two steps in coming to a stop, passing or shooting the ball:
  • If receiving the ball the player shall release the ball to start his dribble before his second
  • The first step occurs when one foot or both feet touch the floor after gaining control of the
  • The second step occurs after the first step when the other foot touches the floor or both feet touch the floor simultaneously.
  • If the player who comes to a stop on his first step has both feet on the floor or they touch the floor simultaneously he may pivot using either foot as his pivot If he then jumps with both feet no foot may return to the floor before the ball is released from the hand(s).
  • If a player lands with one foot he may only pivot using that
  • If a player jumps off one foot on the first step he may land with both feet simultaneously for the second step. In this situation, the player may not pivot with either foot. If one foot or both feet then leave the floor no foot may return to the floor before the ball is released from the hand(s).
  • If both feet are off the floor and the player lands on both feet simultaneously, the moment one foot is lifted the other foot becomes the pivot
  • A player may not touch the floor consecutively with the same foot or both feet after ending his dribble or gaining control of the
    • A player falling, lying or sitting on the floor:
      • It is legal when a player falls and slides on the floor while holding the ball or, while lying or sitting on the floor, gains control of the
      • It is a violation if the player then rolls or attempts to stand up while holding the

Art. 37 Unsportsmanlike foul

37.1. Definition

37.1.1. An unsportsmanlike foul is a player contact foul which, in the judgement of an official is:

• Not a legitimate attempt to directly play the ball within the spirit and intent of the rules.
• Excessive, hard contact caused by a player in an effort to play the ball.
• Contact by the defensive player from behind or laterally on an opponent in an attempt to stop the fast break and there is no defensive player between the offensive player and the opponent’s basket.
• Contact by the defensive player on an opponent on the court during the last 2 minutes in the fourth period and in each extra period, when the ball is out-of bounds for a throw-in and still in the hands of the official or at the disposal of the player taking the throw-in.

37.1.2. The official must interpret the unsportsmanlike fouls consistently throughout the game and to judge only the action.

37.2. Penalty

37.2.1. An unsportsmanlike foul shall be charged against the offender.

37.2.2. Free throw(s) shall be awarded to the player who was fouled, followed by:

• A throw-in at the centre line extended, opposite the scorer’s table.
• A jump ball in the centre circle to begin the first period. The number of free throws shall be awarded as follows:
• If the foul is committed on a player not in the act of shooting: 2 free throws.
• If the foul is committed on a player in the act of shooting: the goal, if made, shall count and, in addition, 1 free throw.
• If the foul is committed on a player in the act of shooting and the goal is not made, 2 or 3 free throws.

37.2.3. A player shall be disqualified for the remainder of the game when he is charged with 2 unsportsmanlike fouls.

37.2.4. If a player is disqualified under Art. 37.2.3, the unsportsmanlike foul shall be the only foul to be penalised and no additional penalty for the disqualification shall be administered.