The NBA’s Board of Governors approved rule changes Friday regarding shot clock resets after offensive rebounds, clear-path fouls, and an expanding definition of “hostile act” for purposes of triggering a replay review.
Per Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints, as first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski:
The NBA Official Twitter account posted a confirmation of the approved rule changes, along with a helpful video to show how the board has simplified clear-path foul rulings.
Under these new rules, the shot clock will now reset to 14 seconds following an offensive rebound. This could be an influence of today’s faster style of game and a move by the league to further quicken the offensive pace. NBA players who have suited up for Team USA are familiar with this rule as it was first used by FIBA-sanctioned tournaments. According to Tim Daniels of Bleacher Report, the WNBA and the G League also used the same shot clock rule before it reached the board’s approval.
Daniels summed up how the league has simplified the clear-path foul ruling:
Meanwhile, the clear-path changes eliminate most of the judgment calls made by referees to determine the exact placement between the offensive player, defensive player and the rim throughout the duration of the play before the foul.
The new rule is based solely on whether the player in control of the ball is ahead of the final defender, has a transition scoring opportunity and the foul prevents that chance to score.
Finally, the replay review will be given more emphasis by the referees next season. The new “hostile act” rule will give the officials more discretion to scrutinize physical altercations and misconducts by players and coaches.