My Elbow Can’t Do That

Lock Up with a Teammate
It’s not legal for player to “lock elbows” or grasp a teammates arms to restrict the movement of an opponent. This type of screening action should immediately be ruled if contact occurred and the opponent was put at a disadvantage.

Swinging the Elbows Excessively
While this looks like a power-basketball move it’s quite dangerous when performed by a rebounder with the ball — or without for that matter. For a quick refresher on the ramifications of elbow swinging, check out this Ref60 article from a couple seasons ago. It’s a great review on how to handle these situations.

Elbow Contact Above the Shoulders
It’s been 5+ years since both the NFHS and NCAA started to clean this up a bit. Do you know when contact is personal, intentional or flagrant? Check out this comprehensive Ref60 article that details how to handle these “above the shoulder” contact fouls.

Hard and Unyielding
When it comes to guards, casts and braces it’s OK to be of a material that is rigid – like plastic, leather, plaster or metal – provided its covered properly with soft padding. However, these items are NOT permitted from the elbow and below. If you’re unsure on what can and cannot be worn, check out this Ref60 article and download the NFHS Uniform Matrix to be printed and carried in your officiating bag.

Elbow Position When Rebounding
To obtain or maintain a legal guarding position players are not legally permitted to extend their shoulders, hips, knees or extend their arms (including the elbows) in a position other than vertical that would hinder the freedom of movement for an opponent. Look for players who “wing out” their arms and use the elbows as “extenders” to create a wider than normal vertical rebounding space.

About the Author

Billy Martin

New Jersey (NJSIAA) State Basketball Rules Interpreter
IAABO South Jersey Board 196 Basketball Rules Interpreter
ACCSOA Soccer Cadet Supervisor
ECSU (NCAA) Softball Umpire Development Staff

Billy has over 40 years officiating / umpiring experience with basketball, soccer and fast-pitch softball in the Southern New Jersey area. As an IAABO member, rules interpreter, cadet instructor and supervisor of officials – has been refereeing basketball for 40 years and recently started officiating scholastic soccer for the Atlantic – Cape – Cumberland County Officials Association (ACCSOA).

Additionally he is an NCAA umpire for the Eastern Collegiate Softball Umpires Association (ECSU) as well as a scholastic umpire for West (NJ) Chapter 5.

In the business world, Billy has more than 30 years of sales and marketing experience, most recently with Salesforce (NYSE:CRM), the industry leader in Customer Relationship Management and marketing tools and now with Medidata / Dassault Systemes (medidata.com)

Billy holds a Master’s Degree in Education (MEd) specializing in Sports Medicine and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) in Technology Management.

He is also the co-author of four Amazon best-selling basketball officiating guides called, “Beyond the Rules” and the “GameTracker Journal.” Billy is also the co-founder of “60 Seconds on Officiating” a destination site for over 100,000 officials in 80 countries worldwide (ref60.com).

Billy resides in Wildwood, NJ and loves boating, fishing, and just about any activity that will leave sand between his toes.

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