Rule changes for 2011-12

Move the line back a foot? No problem!

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight panel has approved the following changes for Division I Women's Basketball in 2011-12:

Three-point line

The three-point line will be moved back a foot to 20 feet, 9 inches.

This was an experimental rule in 2010-11, in effect during exhibition games.

Restricted area arc

An arc three feet from the center of the basket will be painted on the court to visibly mark where a secondary defender cannot legally take a charge.

The arc is an attempt to limit the number of collisions near the basket on charge/block plays. It is also intended to provide some benefit to offensive players who have legally gained an advantage.

Fouls nomenclature

All fouls deemed more severe than "common" fouls will be called flagrant fouls.

Fouls previously called intentional fouls will be called Flagrant 1. An example would be when a player swings an elbow and makes illegal, non-excessive contact with an opponent above the shoulders. As before, the team whose player was struck would receive two free throws and possession of the ball.

The player's intent was never the point of the rule. The more appropriate term flagrant means conspicuously offensive.

Fouls previously called flagrant fouls will be called Flagrant 2. An example would be when a player swings an elbow excessively and makes contact with an opponent above the shoulders. As before, the player who threw the elbow would be ejected from the game, and the other team would receive two free throws and the ball.

Review of flagrant fouls

Coaches will be able to request a review of the monitor to determine whether a foul for elbow contact was a Flagrant 1 or a Flagrant 2 foul. If it is determined that a Flagrant 2 foul did not occur, the team that requested a monitor review will be charged a timeout.

Double fouls

When two fouls of differing penalties occur, both fouls will be enforced. Previously, this scenario was considered as offsetting fouls.

More efficient timeouts

If a team does not return to the court after the first horn, officials will formally warn the team for delay of game. Any subsequent time that the team is late taking the court for play, the official will make the ball ready for play regardless of whether the team that has received a formal warning is ready.

Experimental 10-second half court rule

The 10-second half court rule (i.e., A team, having gained control of the ball in its own backcourt, must bring it across the center line within ten seconds) will be tested in closed scrimmages and exhibition games next season.

The women’s rules committee wants teams to report the number of turnovers, fouls, points and other relevant data to determine the effect the rule has on play.

See the Rules Committee Report for more information.