Among the most intriguing is a six-foul rule, one more than the current limit of five, with four provisions creating an eyebrow-raising possible rule change. Among the modifications, a player with more than three fouls in one half — first or second — would be disqualified.
Essentially, no more than three fouls can be committed in either half and any combination getting the total to six would result in a disqualification. However, after a first half without any fouls, four in the second — more than three for a half — would lead to a disqualification.
The 12 other potential revisions include:
- A lane change widening to 16 feet.
- Resetting team fouls at the 10-minute mark of each half and beginning a double-bonus on the fifth team foul for each 10-minute segment (eliminating the 1-and-1 free throw)
- Allowing laptop- and tablet-type technology on the bench for coaching purposes.
- Awarding the defense possession when creating a held-ball situation.
- Limiting the number of timeouts to two for a team in the last two minutes of the second half or overtime.
- Allowing instant-replay review of second-half or overtime shot-clock violations when the attempt is unsuccessful.
- Eliminating the 10-second backcourt rule.
- Permitting the use of instant replay on all basket-interference or goaltending calls throughout the game but only when a call has been made by an official.
- Permitting a team to decline free throws in the last two minutes of the last period or of any overtime period and elect possession of the ball for a throw-in instead.
- Eliminating offensive basket interference after the ball hits the ring or flange.
- Changing the travel rule to allow a player two steps after he lifts his pivot foot, making the spin move, Euro-step and step-back shot legal.
- Eliminating the five-second-closely-guarded rule.
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