Rules Review: 2016-17 Changes and Updates

Are you really anxious for basketball season to just get here already?

I am, too, but we've still got a month to go, and NBA Hardwood Classics only fills the void for so long. Since we don't have any games to talk about, let's talk about something else that always generates plenty of discussion – rules and officiating.

The NCAA released a media and fan rules review and explainer for men's basketball in advance of the 2016-17 season. National coordinator of officials J.D. Collins hosts the video and expresses the NCAA's desire for national consistency in officiating and also acknowledges the progress and importance of officiating for freedom of movement.

Because you might not have 23 minutes to spend watching it, I went ahead and watched for you. Here are some of the highlights and most interesting tidbits from the video.

Reduce physicality to create freedom of movement

This emphasis is a carryover from last season and is designed to improve the flow of play and, ultimately, improve scoring. In addition to freeing up ball handlers and cutters, the NCAA is particularly emphasizing physicality in the post (2:43 mark) and rebounding (5:05) this season.

New rules interpretations

Last year, the NCAA instituted a new rule that coaches could not call a timeout during live-ball situations, only players. This year, one exception will be in place to that rule – a coach may call a timeout while his team is attempting to inbound the ball. All other restrictions put in place last season remain in effect (8:00).

Second, if a defender stays grounded within the restricted arc under the basket and sufficient contact is made, it should be called a foul (8:38). However, secondary defenders will now be permitted to wall up and jump straight up from within the restricted area to challenge a shot (10:32). The defender has to make sure they stay straight up-and-down ("adhere to the principles of verticality," in officiating parlance) and are actually attempting to block a shot, or they risk a defensive foul.

Finally, defenders already have to allow offensive players a so-called "vertical cylinder" – basically, space to make a basketball move. That means no bellying up to the offensive player or otherwise invading his vertical space (13:27). Last season, a "basketball move" included shooting, passing or initiating a dribble, but is now expanded to include moving the ball from one side to the other either above his shoulders or below his waist.
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We saw this a lot last season where the offensive player's elbow would clip the chin of a defensive player while moving the ball, but now the defensive player risks being called for a foul in that situation. Starting at the 17:12 mark, you can see some great examples of invading space that will now be considered a defensive foul. The offensive player can still be hit with a flagrant foul for excessive or unnecessary contact, but you won't see these whistled as offensive fouls any longer.

Moving the ball in front of the chest can be considered clearing out and risks an offensive foul.

This vertical cylinder violation will have a new officiating hand signal (see image).

New and continued focus points

Traveling – obvious resets of the feet on the perimeter and footwork in the post.
Quickly breaking the huddle when replacing injured and fouled out players.
Bench decorum and unsportsmanlike behavior – Coaches are allowed spontaneous reaction to calls. Beyond that, the official is expected communicate clearly with the coach and give him a clear and concise "stop" sign at the appropriate time. At that point, it is the coach's decision whether or not to cross the line given by the official.

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