The NBA Plays by Its Own Rules

The NBA is the most recognizable basketball league in the world. But it has its own rules.

The rules, more or less, only apply to 30 teams and roughly 450 players.

Most U.S. high school basketball leagues operate under slightly modified rules set by the National Federation of State High School Associations.

I have had my share of arguments with referees, as a spectator and a player. Having watched basketball my whole life, I assumed I knew all the rules. After recently completing a referee's course, I realized how little I knew and how misinformed I was.

The arguments I thought were articulated and educated were pretty laughable and borderline embarrassing.

Here are some examples of the rules for high school games:

1. It is legal for a player to shoot an air ball and recover it, as long as it is determined that the player's shot is a legitimate attempt.

2. Traveling can only happen after a player has had control of the ball. If a player attempts to catch a ball and fumbles it for 20 feet before getting control, it's not traveling.

3. Accidentally kicking the ball is not a violation.

4. The terms "offensive foul," "loose ball foul," and "over-the-back" are NBA terms. You won't find them in a high school rulebook.

5. Feet being planted on defense does not determine whether the offensive player committed a charge; it is whether or not the defensive player was at the spot before the offensive player.

6. A backcourt violation can only happen when the player and the ball completely cross half court. Going backwards after having one foot in the frontcourt is legal.

7. Traveling cannot happen when a player is trying to throw the ball in. A player is allowed to take as many steps backwards or to the side as he or she wants, as long as it is within a three-foot area.

8. "High dribble" or "over-the-head dribbling" are not violations, as long as the ball is under the hand.

9. If there are .03 seconds left and a player is fouled in the act of shooting a jump shot before time expires, it is a non-call. Only a tap-in can be considered a legal attempt.

10. If the ball goes through the basket with such backspin that contact with the net causes the ball to come back out, it is not considered a basket.