Head Coach Challenge a big addition to FIBA Official Basketball Rules

MIES (Switzerland) - FIBA makes a concerted effort to have the FIBA Official Basketball Rules reviewed and, when needed, changed for the betterment of the sport.

Several changes, including the introduction of a head coaching challenge, were approved by the FIBA Central Board, on March 25.

The new changes will take effect on October 1, 2022.

The new addition to the rules that is sure to garner the most attention is one that allows a head coach the opportunity to ask for the Instant Replay (IRS) review.

This rule is only applicable in the competitions/games where the IRS is applied and the head coach can only request one challenge per game, regardless of whether the challenge is successful or not.

The challenge can be requested at any time of the game, whereas referees must adhere to different conditions when consulting the IRS.

Another change has been made to the penalty for a Throw in Foul during the last 2 minutes of the 4th quarter and each overtime. From October 1, it will no longer be an automatic Unsportsmanlike Foul. Just one free-throw, and possession, will be awarded to the offensive team.

The wording has also been updated for the Unsportsmanlike Foul, and for the IRS procedure for Goaltending, or Basket Interference.

For the Unsportsmanlike Foul, the new wording better defines the conditions of foul against the progressing player who has an open path to the basket, while for the IRS Procedure for Goaltending, the resumption of the game has been better defined in cases when the initial decision is overturned.

The other notable change approved by the Central Board relates to the Playing Floor. Level 1 competitions are now permitted to have a LED glass floor installed.

The FIBA Official Basketball Rules Changes were published online in April.

FIBA's Rules Advisory Group, which is made up of refereeing experts, studies all proposals for rule changes before submitting them to the FIBA Technical Commission for a final review. The World Association of Basketball Coaches and the FIBA Players Commission are also involved in the analysis of rule changes.

FIBA