WNBA announces rule changes for 2008
January 29, 2008 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) News Release
NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2008 - The Women's National Basketball Association has approved several rule changes for the 2008 season. The changes include revising the inbounding rules at the end of a game, adjusting the positioning of players not occupying lane spaces during free throws, and changing the instant-replay rule to allow for automatic reviews of certain flagrant fouls. The modifications, which were recommended by the WNBA Competition Committee, were approved by the WNBA Board of Governors earlier today.
"These rule changes correspond with the elevated levels of athleticism, versatility and pace of play across the WNBA," said WNBA Chief of Basketball Operations and Player Relations Renee Brown. "The inbounding rule will have an impact on increased scoring and exciting finishes for our fans while the other rule changes positively contribute to the evolution and growth of the game."
The highlights of the rule changes for 2008 are as follows:
- The inbounding rule will permit a player to pass the ball anywhere (frontcourt or backcourt) on the court during the final minute of the fourth period and the final minute of any overtime period when the ball is being inbounded from the midcourt line or frontcourt. Teams are still required to inbound the ball into the frontcourt from the midcourt line and the frontcourt at all other times.
- Players not occupying lane spaces shall now remain behind the three-point line (above the free-throw line extended) during free-throw positioning. Players may not be touching the line or the floor inside the line when the ball is released. Previously, players were positioned three feet beyond the three-point line (above the free-throw line extended).
- Instant-replay rules will now require automatic video reviews by the officiating crew in the case of flagrant fouls that result in ejections and other player altercations.
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