New NCAA rule. Whats your take on it.

[Oneslowz28]

At last Wednesday's game I was informed of a new NCAA rule where all persons (media, students, and spectators) must keep 6 feet away from the front of the base line at all times. The front of the baseline being the edge that mates up with the actual inbounds court surface. This works out to roughly 3 feet behind the back of the baseline.

This new rule doesn't make much sense to me because the baseline is already 3 feet I think and that is plenty of room for the refs to run around. This also put me in bad position on one end of the court because normally I shoot right under the goal just behind the baseline. The rule didn't affect be on one side of the court because I just had to move back 3 feet and to the right about 4-5 feet. I still got most of the same "in the action" style shots I like. After half time and the teams switch sides tho I am basically forced to shoot from the side of the court and at a weird angle. This is because of the Cheer squad and Dance teams occupying the space where I would have to sit.

I guess I will get used to it and it will force me to take some new shots but what worries me is a D2 school I will be shooting for next season has no room between the baseline and the walls at each end of the court.

I am guessing that this rule came about because some ref tripped over his own feet and blamed a photog or video guy. Anyway whats your thoughts on the new rule?

[nphsbuckeye]

I've shot two Ohio State games this year and I haven't heard of that from any of the other photographers. OSU even has painted boxes where the photographers can sit - I guess those need changed also...

[Oneslowz28]

I am going to look for it in the rule book today when I get there. I have shot 3 games this season already and only was informed of the new rule at the last game I shot. They marked off the new "no pass" line with blue painters tape. When I inquired what it was for I was told what I stated in my above post.

[mphotos]

Definately double check. Refs / officials like to make things up for their own convenience. I once had a hockey ref tell me that I wasn't allowed to use strobes during power plays, saying it was a new rule. I complied, but later looked up the NCAA rules and there was no mention of the new rule.

[clarence]

http://www.ncaapublications.com/Uploads/PDF/Basketball_Rules_2008-09fb2fc956-7592-4877-993e-dae20a6f90ed.pdf

2009 NCAA MEN’S AND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL RULES

Section 12. Backboards—Positions

Art. 3. Each backboard shall be protected from spectators to a distance of at least 3 feet at each end.

[lauderdalems]

If they are going to make me move from the end of the court, I guess I'll just sit with the team on the side.

[computerguru3190]

The rule is for spectators. A Ref tried to enforce it the other day at an LSU game on me and was showed that the rule qualifies for SPECTATORS not working media. He apologized and let us back in. As long as your polite and the ref agrees it shouldn't be a problem. If he wishes to argue, just back down and step three feet away.

[Oneslowz28]

unfortunately in my case the SID and AD are the ones enforcing this one. Can not push it when it comes to the people who sign my check. One thing I did notice at last nights game is that I am getting slightly better shots at the new position behind the base line. Sill came up with slightly less desirable frames during the second half when I had to shoot from the side.

I am 100% positive that the refs that officiate the conference I shoot in are 80% clueless to the rule book where it pertains to media anyway. Heck 60% of the time they are not even familiar with the rules for the actual basketball game. Take last night for example. There was several calls that were completely screwed up. What should have been a traveling call was deemed a dead ball, A personal foul was called when a tech should have been called for sportsmanlike conduct. It was so bad just before the half that the other 2 refs were yelling at the younger ref to stop making calls.

[cecilc]

Definately double check. Refs / officials like to make things up for their own convenience.

The rule is for spectators. A Ref tried to enforce it the other day at an LSU game on me and was showed that the rule qualifies for SPECTATORS not working media. He apologized and let us back in. As long as your polite and the ref agrees it shouldn't be a problem. If he wishes to argue, just back "own and step three feet away.

I've been informed of this new rule, too - and it's not that the refs or game officials are "making it up" ... it is a legitimate rule change. The following is right from the rule book that was linked in a previous post:

"Art. 3. The restraining line shall be a solid, interrupted or mathematical line
formed between two colors. The line may be a color that is either the same
or different from that of the end lines. When space is not available for a 6
foot restraining line, the line should be marked using the maximum available
distance. Non-playing personnel shall not be permitted in this area."

One important part of that is the "non-playing personnel" part ... which means spectators and (unfortunately!) media and photographers. Now, I do believe that not all of the game officials may be aware of this new change, but in the schools that I shoot at, there is now a new restraining line in place 6 feet off the baseline (as per the diagram in the above mentioned rule book - take a look).

Personally, I don't have any problems with it ... I just adjust my shooting position (which I like to do fairly frequently, anyway), and continue to shoot. But this new rule change was the first thing that the SID told me about when I showed up for a recent game to pick up my season credential.