Four Second Zone Enforcement
This discussion has an associated proposal. View Proposal Details here.Comments about this discussion:
Started
Currently, the rulebook section 15B.5.8 states -
'The three-second zone becomes the four-second zone.'
Should we expand and clarify that the four-second count resets when the player begins their departure of the zone and not when they actually exit the zone? Movement on the wheel is obviously different than on foot. This was enforced incorrectly in the past and so maybe reference to the FIBA rule is not sufficient here.
Comment
Another thought on this. The FIBA rulebook states the following -
'To be established outside the restricted area, both feet of the player must be placed on the court outside the restricted area.'
Should we specify what that translates to on a unicycle?
Comment
I think we should not recall any FIBA rules, just state what is different from them. If the referees do not read or remember all rules, it will not help them to add more things to read.
So concerning your first comment, I would not do anything.
Concerning your second comment, you're right that the FIBA rule cannot be directly applied, but I think the translation to our case is pretty straightforward and again I would not add anything.
In fact, I'm rather in favor of completly removing this section. Indeed, are we so much slower than pedestrians that we need 33% more time in the zone?
Comment
I don't know what the original reason for including this in the rules and have no preference for keeping or removing it (in practice with the limited refs/equipment enforcement is going to be for egregious cases anyway). Regarding whether it is straightforward we should add a separate section and clarify that for all purposes of location (in the restricted area, backcourt, or out of bounds) both feet of a mounted player are considered to be at the point of contact between the wheel and the ground.
Comment
> Regarding whether it is straightforward we should add a separate section and clarify that for all purposes of location (in the restricted area, backcourt, or out of bounds) both feet of a mounted player are considered to be at the point of contact between the wheel and the ground.
That sounds like a reasonable clarification to me.
Comment
@Joshua: Would you make a proposal here in the discussion for a concrete update and clarification of the rule here in the discussion which could be translated into an officiall proposal?
Comment
A proposition, to be put between Sections 15B.5.2 and 15B.5.3. Note in particular the second paragraph, which is new but very important.
Section 15B.5.Y Position of a player
For all purposes of location (restricted area, 3-point goal area, backcourt, and any other lane), when a mounted player is not airborne, both their feet are considered on the floor at the point of contact between the wheel and the floor.
Players and referees should pay attention that it is not sufficient for a player to stop the motion of the wheel to be considered as stationary. The body, and in particular the center of gravity, must also not be moving.
Comment
I agree with the first statement but am reluctant to agree with the second in particular I think we should positively define what is considered stationary because this is an important difference between playing on feet and on a unicycle (even still standing requires more body movement than standing on two feet)
Comment
Joshua, please provide actual text to be inserted in the rules.
Comment
Section 15B.5.Y Position of a player
For all purposes of location (restricted area, 3-point goal area, backcourt, and any other lane), when a mounted player is not airborne, both their feet are considered on the floor at the point of contact between the wheel and the floor.
A player is considered stationary when their wheel is stopped, their body is above the wheel and no part of their body is moving outside of their cylinder.
Comment
Clear and specific, thanks Joshua!
No further comments from the others?