Most of the technical fouls we talk about involve behavior or contact. Rule 10, Section 1 is different. These are the administrative technicals. The ones that come from the paperwork and procedures around the game: rosters, starters, uniform numbers, benches, and electronic equipment. They don't happen often, but when they do, everyone is watching to see if the crew knows the book.
The rule (NFHS 10-1)
Rule 10 — Fouls and Penalties
SECTION 1 — ADMINISTRATIVE TECHNICAL
A team shall not:
ART. 1 . . . Fail to supply the scorer with the name and number of each team member who may participate and designate the five starting players at least 10 minutes before the scheduled starting time.
PENALTY: One foul for both requirements. Penalized when it occurs. If both teams violate provisions in Article 1 in equal numbers, the penalties are charged and they offset. No free throws are awarded. The game will start with a jump ball. Head coach does not lose the privilege of the coaching box.
ART. 2 . . . After the 10-minute time limit specified in Article 1:
- Change a designated starter unless necessitated as in Rule 3-2-2a.
- Add a name to the team member list.
- Require the scorer to change a team member's or player's number in the scorebook.
- Require a player to change to the number in the scorebook.
- Have identical numbers on team members and/or players.
PENALTY: If both teams violate provisions in Article 2 in equal numbers, the penalties are charged and they offset. No free throws are awarded. The game will start with a jump ball. Head coach does not lose the privilege of the coaching box. (Art. 2) One foul only per team regardless of the number of infractions. (Art. 2a) Penalized if discovered before the ball becomes live to start the game. (Arts. 2b, c, d) Penalized when they occur. (Art. 2e) Penalized when discovered.
ART. 3 . . . Use a megaphone or any electronic communication device, or electronic equipment for voice communication with players on the court, or use electronic audio and/or video devices to request a review of a decision of the contest officials.
NOTE: Communication between a coach and player through electronic devices is prohibited. Hearing aids are legal.
ART. 4 . . . Fail to occupy the team members' bench to which it is assigned.
PENALTY: (Section 1) Two free throws plus the ball for a division-line throw-in. (Arts. 3 & 4) Penalized when they occur.
The one penalty to anchor on
For every administrative technical in Section 1, the base penalty is the same: two free throws for the opponent, plus the ball for a division-line throw-in.
- An administrative technical is a team technical. It counts as a team foul (and toward the bonus), but it is not charged to a player or to the head coach.
- On the free throws, the lane is cleared and the offended team may put any eligible player on the line.
- Offsetting: if both teams commit an equal number of violations under Article 1 (or Article 2), the penalties offset and no free throws, a jump ball, and the coaches keep the coaching box.
What each Article requires
Article 1 — Roster and starters on time. Each team must give the scorer every eligible member's name and number and designate its five starters at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start. One foul covers both requirements. Penalized when it occurs.
Article 2 — Changes after the deadline. A team shall not: (a) change a designated starter unless necessitated under 3-2-2a; (b) add a name; (c) require the scorer to change a number in the book; (d) require a player to change to the book number; or (e) have identical numbers. One foul per team regardless of the number of infractions. Timing: 2a penalized if discovered before the ball is live; 2b/2c/2d when they occur; 2e when discovered.
Article 3 — Electronic equipment. No megaphone, no electronic communication with players on the court, and no audio/video devices to request a review. Coach-to-player electronic communication is prohibited. Hearing aids are legal. Penalized when it occurs.
Article 4 — Occupy the assigned bench. A team must occupy its assigned bench. Penalized when it occurs.
Game Plays
Play 1 — Late roster (Art. 1). With 8 minutes left before the start, Team A still hasn't given the scorer its roster and starters; Team B turned theirs in on time.
Ruling: Administrative technical on Team A (one foul covers both requirements). Team B gets two free throws and a division-line throw-in to start. (10-1-1)
Play 2 — Both teams late (Art. 1, offsetting). Neither team provides a roster and starters until 7 minutes before the start.
Ruling: One technical on each team; equal violations offset and no free throws, jump ball to start, coaches keep the box. (10-1-1 Penalty)
Play 3 — Changing a starter, no good reason (Art. 2a). Six minutes before the start, Team A's coach wants to pull a designated starter just changed his mind.
Ruling: 10-1-2a violation discovered before the ball is live. Technical on Team A: two free throws and a division-line throw-in. (10-1-2a)
Play 4 — Changing a starter, legitimate reason (Art. 2a exception). Same as Play 3, but the starter turned an ankle in warm-ups.
Ruling: No penalty. A change necessitated under 3-2-2a is permitted. Substitute and play on. (10-1-2a exception; 3-2-2a)
Play 5 — Adding a name after the deadline (Art. 2b). Five minutes before the start, a late player arrives and Team B asks the scorer to add him.
Ruling: He may be added and play, but the late addition is a 10-1-2b violation. Technical on Team B: two free throws and a division-line throw-in. (10-1-2b)
Play 6 — Identical numbers discovered in play (Art. 2e). Early in the second quarter, the crew notices two Team A players both wearing No. 23.
Ruling: 10-1-2e violation, penalized when discovered. One technical on Team A: two free throws and a division-line throw-in; correct the duplicate before that player returns. (10-1-2e)
Play 7 — Two Article 2 infractions, one foul (Art. 2). Before the ball is live, the crew finds Team A both changed a starter (no injury) and had the scorer change a player's number.
Ruling: Only one administrative technical per team under Article 2. Team B: two free throws and a division-line throw-in. (10-1-2 Penalty)
Play 8 — Electronic communication with a player (Art. 3). During a timeout, an assistant hands a player a device with an earpiece to relay instructions.
Ruling: Prohibited electronic communication (10-1-3), penalized when it occurs. Technical on Team A: two free throws and a division-line throw-in. (A hearing aid is legal.) (10-1-3)
Play 9 — Wrong bench (Art. 4). The visiting team occupies the home bench and won't move when told.
Ruling: 10-1-4 violation, penalized when it occurs. Technical: two free throws and a division-line throw-in. (10-1-4)
Officiating Takeaways
- Do your pregame homework. Check the book and confirm starters before the 10-minute mark; a quick word with each coach prevents most of these.
- Don't go hunting, but don't ignore. Address issues like identical numbers under the correct timing rule when discovered.
- One foul, not a pile. Under Article 2 it's one technical per team no matter how many infractions.
- Administer it cleanly. Clear the lane, offended team picks a shooter, two throws, then the ball at the division line. Record it as a team technical.
- Know your exceptions. A 3-2-2a starter change is legal, and hearing aids are legal.
— NCOA North Group Leadership's Rules Gazzette
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