This is key to that argument... One time, when I was still up in Oregon, I was at a game where a coach protested loudly that the opponent had gone over-and-back. The ref politely gave a quick demonstration of the full rule. He showed that a player is with the ball *not* in forecourt until both of his feet AND the ball are over the timeline at the same time. Therefore, if said player hasn't touched the ball to the floor in frontcourt while his feet have also established themselves in the frontcourt, that player is still in backcourt and can take or pass the ball forward or backward. I'd say the purpose for this totally specific description of the rule would keep refs from having to try to make a judgement call everyyyyyy time someone gets spun around by a defender while traversing the time line.
Coach was, like... "Oh, okay... I get it now..."
Almost nobody I have ever happened to discuss this rule with (other than officials) had a full grasp of the rule, so Ayalar, if you don't have this rule "locked in", you're definitely NOT alone! Hell, I didn't know the full rule either, and probably still wouldn't if I hadn't happened to be at that particular game up in Oregon!
As far as I know, this rule applies in all levels of basketball that uses the backcourt line (I believe there may be some levels of girl's ball... in some places, anyway, that still have no backcourt).
Exactly! That’s why I said maybe it wasn’t backcourt and it’s often misunderstood. Many people don’t have a good grasp of it, but lots of people think they know and like to yell “backcourt” even when both feet and the ball haven’t made it over.