Over and Back

Also known as: Backcourt violation, Ball returned to the backcourt

Once you’re over half court, you can’t go back.

The rule

Once a team has the ball in its frontcourt (the half with the basket it attacks), it can’t be the first to touch the ball after it goes back over the centre line. A defender who knocks it back doesn’t count.

The penalty

The other team gets the ball for a throw-in.

The reason

It shrinks the court. After the offense crosses half court, the defense only has to guard one half, which makes trapping and pressing possible and pushes the offense to attack.

Around the leagues

• Violation: NBA, WNBA, FIBA, NCAA M, NCAA W, Wheelchair
• Doesn’t exist: 3x3. One basket, so no backcourt. Instead, a team that wins the ball must first take it behind the arc (clear it) before it can score.

Related: Backcourt Count