The NBA recently released some rule changes for the 2013-2014 season. There are three more instances in which instant replay will be used in addition to two more adjustments to the rules.
Here are the three additional instances replay will now be available, according to NBA.com:
“When reviewing a block/charge play to determine whether the defender was inside or outside the restricted area, officials will now be permitted to reverse a charge call, or uphold a blocking call, when the defender was outside the restricted area but was not set when the offensive player began his upward shooting motion. “
“To determine whether an off-ball foul occurred before or after a player has started his shooting motion on a successful shot attempt, or before or after the ball was released on a throw-in. “
“ During the review of any instant replay situation to permit the officials to assess the appropriate penalties of any unsportsmanlike and unnecessary acts (e.g. flagrant fouls) that are observed during the instant replay reviews.”
Here are the other non-replay changes to this year’s rules:
“On clear path to the basket fouls, it will no longer be considered a clear path foul if at any point before the foul is committed, the defender who commits the foul is positioned ahead of the offensive player in the frontcourt.”
“A team on offense will lose possession if its player leaves the floor and does not immediately return to the floor, unless he is injured, attempting to save the ball or in other extenuating circumstances.”
Fans will most likely look forward to the first rule change listed. One of the most common things you’ll here while watching a game with friends is, “C’mon that was a charge!!” However, the change may disappoint some basketball purists who like the block/charge call as a judgment call for the referees.
Regardless, it is good to see the NBA attempting to make sure they get the call right.
The “clear path” rule change will benefit the more unathletic, or older players. This way, guys like LeBron James and John Wall can’t blow past the helpless, veteran defenders in transition leaving them only to flail their arms and commit a clear path foul.
