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Men’s PreseasonBasketball Guide

2019-20

The 2019-20 NAIA season is upon us and your preseason preparations are

certainly picking up. To set the stage on the new season, three new rule changes are highlighted. One is related to the shot clock and two are related to technical fouls.

Shot clock reset (2-11.6)One of the most signifi cant rule

changes centers on the reset of the shot clock when the offensive team maintains possession in the frontcourt.

The shot clock will be reset to 20 seconds after an offensive team rebound that does not go into the backcourt before team control is gained by the offensive team.

The rationale behind the rule change is to continue to enhance the pace of play and improve the fl ow of the game.

Throw-Ins (7-4.8)The throw-in spot following a single

contact dead-ball technical foul or single

Starting with the 2019-20 season, if the offensive team maintains possession following this rebound, the shot clock will be reset to 20 seconds, in an effort to enhance pace of play and the fl ow of the game.

Shot Clock Reset, Technical Foul Administration Among Rule Changes

New Three-Point DistanceNAIA men’s basketball o� cials need to be aware that the increased distance for the three-point line approved for use in men’s basketball at the NCAA Division I level will not be in e� ect for NAIA play during the 2019-20 season.

The NAIA will implement the new distance – 22 feet, 1 ¾ inches at the top of the key, and 21-7 7/8 in the corners – during the 2020-21 season, at the same time as its implementation at the NCAA Division II and III levels.

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Men’s Preseason Basketball Guide 2019-20

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fl agrant 2 technical foul is no longer the division line but the closest of the four frontcourt throw-in spots per rule 7-3.2.

The rationale behind the rule change is to decrease the number of throw-in spots and be consistent with rule 7-3.2.

Technical fouls (10-3.1, 10-3.2)New rules have been crafted to add

to the list of Class A technical fouls including players, substitutes or bench personnel using derogatory remarks or personal comments relating to race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability, during the game.

The rationale is to codify, raise awareness and penalize these actions appropriately. *

Points of EmphasisThe CCA has made the following

mechanics points of emphasis for the 2019-20 season:

• Offi cials need to pause before leaving foul scene.

• Stop clock signal required on all fouls and violations.

• Rotation requires the fundamentals of mirroring the ball and closing down to be effective in the lead position.

• Starting position for the trail should be at or inside the 28-foot line.

• Starting position for the center should be at or inside the free-throw line extended.

• Offi cials asked to take protective position when a player is injured.

• Offi cials asked to enforce directive to reduce physicality.

• Offi cials asked to enforce rules as written.

• Center should pause at half court in transition.

• New lead should pause at free-throw line extended in transition.

• Two-man offi ciating required on all screen plays.

• Post play offensive ward off coverage expanded for center.

• Only off-ball offi cial should point at expiring shot clock.

• Offi cials asked to expedite free throws and monitor reviews.

• Stop clock signal now required for held ball.

A directive was specifi cally issued in May 2019 to address the continued need to reduce physicality to allow freedom of movement. That directive states that additional focus/attention should be given to:

1. Rule 10-1.4 – handchecking/body bumping the ballhandler

2. Post play – call the fi rst displacement foul

3. Screening – both screen-and-roll and cutter/screener plays

4. Offense-initiated contact on legal defenders

5. Traveling – call the rules as written

6. Protecting jump shooters

7. Enforcing offensive player leg-kick outs

8. Enforcing personal fouls during dive-on plays

9. Eliminating fl opping from the game

10. The consistent enforcement of bench decorum, the coaching box and unsporting conduct rules . *

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Welcome to the 2019-20 Season!The NAIA is excited to partner again

this season with Referee to provide you a preseason newsletter to help you prepare for the upcoming season. Rule updates, points of emphasis and discussion about mechanics.

The information provided highlights some reminders and changes but is not inclusive. We encourage you to come back throughout the season to the NAIA Men’s Basketball Hub and check out the materials we will post. We want to help you be the best prepared o� cials for our schools and student-athletes.

Suggestions for improvements ideas on topics are always welcome. Please address these to o� cials@naia.org.

From the NAIA membership and sta� , thank you for your dedication and service as an o� cial. We appreciate the time commitment you make to work our contests.

O� cially Speaking,

Bob LadeNAIA Director of Offi ciating Initiatives

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Stop the FlopIn an effort to eliminate players

attempting to deceive offi cials by faking being fouled, an amendment has been added to Rule 10-4.1 regarding fl opping and technical fouls.

Following one team warning, players who fl op/fake being fouled will be assessed a Class B technical foul. The re-written rule clarifi es the need to penalize infractions after one team warning.

Offi cials should use the newly approved fl opping signal to indicate the reason for the warning (on a fi rst offense) or technical foul (on all subsequent offenses). The signal may be used at the scene or at the scorer’s table.

As with all Class B technical fouls, one free throw will be awarded to any member of the offended team. All infractions could toward ejection but do not count toward the team-foul total or disqualifi cation.

After the administration of the penalty, play shall resume at the point of interruption using the procedures in Rule 7-3.2. *

New Defender Jumped SignalAnew signal has been added for

offi cials to indicate that a defensive player in the restricted area is not legal because he has jumped/moved from position “A” to position “B.”

The signal is only to be used by the

lead (L) offi cial on drives to the basket after a foul is called on the defensive player.

The center and trail offi cials should not use this signal. *

A team receives one warning for fl opping before offi cials, by rule, will assess a technical foul.

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Copyright © 2019 by Referee Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved, except as provided for by licensing agreement with the NAIA. Not to be reproduced in any medium without written permission of Referee Enterprises, Inc., 2017 Lathrop Ave, Racine, Wis. 53405. Telephone: 262-632-8855. Fax: 262-632-5460. Email: referee@referee.com. Written by the Referee editors. Graphics by Referee graphic designers. Edited by Bob Lade, NAIA director of officiating initiatives. Contact the NAIA at 1200 Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, Mo. 64106, 816-595-800 or naia.org.

New Officiating Shirts Approved for NAIAThe NCAA is requiring its men’s

basketball officials to wear a new style of shirt and jacket for the 2019-20 season. It is required to wear an NAIA-branded basketball officiating shirt on NAIA games. However, to help manage costs to officials working NAIA contests, the following procedure will be implemented:

2019-20 seasonOfficials working regular-season

NAIA contents may wear either the old-style NAIA-branded shirts of may wear the new-style shirt with the NAIA logo, available from Honig’s.

All officials who are selected to work either the NAIA Division I or Division II championship in Sioux Falls, S.D., or Kansas City, Mo., will be required to wear the new-style NAIA-branded shirt.

No specific jacket is required by the NAIA.

2020-21 seasonAll officials working regular-season

NAIA contests will be required to wear the new-style NAIA-branded shirt with the NAIA logo, available from Honig’s.

All officials working the postseason opening-round sites and championship site will be requires to wear the new-style NAIA-branded shirt, available from Honig’s.

Q & AQ: May I wear either the new-style

or old-style shirt with NAIA branding during the 2019-20 regular-season contests?

A: Yes, even if all three officials do not match. (Conferences will make the final decision on this.)

Q: May I wear either the new-style or old-style shirt WITHOUT the NAIA

branding during the 2019-20 regular-season contests?

A: No.

Q: When may I order the new-style shirt from Honig’s?

A: Pre-sales are now available.

Q: When will my shirt be shipped:?A: Deliveries will begin around

September 1.

Q: I am a new official to the NAIA this season. Which style NAIA-branded shirt should I purchase?

A: The new-style NAIA-branded shirt since it will be required for the 2020-21 season.

Q: Am I required to purchase and wear the new CCA jackets during the regular season or postseason NAIA contests?

A: No.

Q: Will I need to wear the new-style NAIA-branded shirt for the 2020-21 regular season?

A: Yes. *

Rule Change Addresses Leg Tights

Officials are not the only ones who have to worry about changes to their

uniforms for the 2019-20 season.A change has been made to rule

1-23.2 regarding undergarments worn by players. Leg tights, if worn, must now

be two-legged and both legs need to be equal length.

The rationale for the rule change is to ensure a uniform look for all undergarments. *