We see free throws multiple times, every game. So why are we surprised by certain violations?

This is another Rule Review segment covering plays involving free throw situations. This video is dedicated to educating basketball officials on the proper way to watch free throw plays, including shooter violations, lane violations and players outside the three point arc. Watching actual videos of free throw plays helps officials learn faster and retain rule information better. We can all learn together by continually discussing the rules as they are written pertaining to free throw restrictions and reinforce those rules by applying them to actual high school basketball videos.
In this segment of Rule Review, the four free throw video clips we reference are all high school games and involve different aspects to improve your recognition of free throw violations.
Video #1
- A free throw shooter takes a routine free throw shot but steps into the lane early, before the ball hits the ring, and the official correctly calls a violation. Players in the marked lane space may enter as soon as the ball is released but the shooter and all the players behind the 3 point arc must wait until the ball hits the ring before they may enter. Also, a free throw violation occurs when the foot breaks the plane and not when the foot hits the playing court.
Video #2
- When a free throw shooter pauses before making a free throw attempt, two opponents in the bottom marked lane spaces enter early but no whistle is sounded. Instead, because the violators were opponents of the free throw shooter, the officials show a delayed violation signal and wait to see if the ball goes through the basket. If it's a successful try, play on. If the try misses a substitute throw is awarded. It is also noted that if, in the opinion of the officials, the shooter, or any player, intentionally fakes to draw his opponent it, only the faker is penalized.
Video #3
- In this free throw situation, a potential double violation occurs with both an offensive and a defensive player breaking the plane of the lane before the ball is released. However, the rules state, unless the violations happen simultaneously, only the first player to violate is penalized. This only applies to players in the marked lane spaces.
Video #4
- During the last free throw an opponent of the free thrower steps in early and throws an elbow into his defender. How is this situation handled? Penalize and administer in the order of the acts. Since the violation was first, and by an opponent, a delayed violation signal is given. But when the foul happens, elbow contact in the torso of an opponent, the whistle must be blown. If the try for goal had started at the time of the foul, the continuous motion rule applies. The process to follow when administering again is in the order of the acts. Clear the lane and give a substitute throw, unless the try is successful, of course. Afterward, the ball is awarded to the team that was fouled at the closest spot out of bounds.
Watching video clips is a good way to stay connected to the skill of officiating basketball but education and learning can more effectively be attained when each video is annotated with diagrams and shading to point out key teaching points. Taking away and remember specifics on a rule such as free throws is easier when visual aids are used to present in a way that is easy to listen to and understand.
The Officials Institute, and the Rule Review segment, creates videos that don't leave you guessing about whether there was a foul, violation or not. Even though we cannot officiate in slow motion or freeze frames, by watching and reviewing video video in this fashion, we are able to "retrain our brain" so we can start seeing plays more accurately so when we do see them in real time we increase our ability to get the call right.
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All rules referenced in this video are taken from the official rules book provided by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). To find out more about the NFHS, you can visit them at nfhs.org/

[@pastorv83]

AWESOME VIDEOS!! THANK YOU....

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Glad you like them!

[@DeltaBravoOpr8r]

Thank you.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

You're welcome!

[@chinojayjaro6986]

Very informative. I can use it for my teaching

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Please do!

[@BurbenogExpert]

What is stopping the shooter from having constant rebound on second shoot? Can you rebound on your own free throw or should i say like what are the rules for the shooter?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

The shooter must stay behind the free throw line until the ball hits the rim.

[@first-centuryyouthministry5354]

What happens when a violation happens at the same time with both teams? What is the ruling for that scenario?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Good question. If there is a simultaneous violation by each team, ball becomes dead and NO POINTS are scored. If there are more free throws to be shot, continue on with them. Otherwise resume play with the AP arrow.

[@first-centuryyouthministry5354]

@@OfficialsInstitute What happens if there are no more free throws to be shot? Who gets the ball?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Resume play with the AP arrow.

[@adriancastilleja1833]

Does the team that committed the foul have to enter players on the first free throw? Like could a coach have a meeting of all 5 players and then enter the players after the first free throw?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

There are 2 spots, just above the block, that MUST be occupied by the team that was foul was called against. All other spots are optional.

[@RJBarrettMVP]

How do you know if you should shoot 1, 2, or 3 free throws?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

The amount of free throws shot are determined by the the shot that was being taken at the time of the foul. If the player was shooting for a 2 point try, and the foul causes them to miss, that player would get 2 free throws. If they were attempting a 3 point try, and the foul causes them to miss, they would get 3 free throws. If in either of these cases the goal is successful, they would get 1 additional free throw as a penalty to the team that fouled. Also, if a team has made 7-9 fouls, the offended team would get a 1 and the bonus free throw situation and if there were 10 fouls or more, they get 2 free throws. Hope that helps.

[@jjss2022]

In free throw, the free throw shooter, steps in after he is release the ball and it's count, basket should be counted the violation should be avoided, as he is not taking any advantage in rebound. I think probably players in the violation is disregarded when the basket is count

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thank you for watching.

[@daverusch7099]

Is there a rule as to where a player can stand in the lane spaces? I.e. can a player be a couple feet from the lane but still within the confines of the hashes.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Rule 9.1.3g states a player occupying a marked lane space...shall position one foot near the outer edge of the free-throw lane line. But the other foot can be anywhere within that 3x3 ft space.

[@daverusch7099]

@@OfficialsInstitute thanks. So a foot that is outside of the length of the hash mark would be a lane violation?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

@@daverusch7099 each player in the marked lane spaces are afforded 36 inches, from the edge of one hash mark to the edge of the other. They are also given 36 inches backward and since it is not clearly marked on the floor we, as officials need to judge on whether they step outside of that space or not. Does that answer your question?

[@daverusch7099]

@@OfficialsInstitute very helpful. 36" from the lane is sizable. I had a game last weekend where the player was probably 12" from the lane and the opposing coach was all worked up so now I know how to address that.

[@faustinosalvania5712]

How many seconds allowed to take in every free throw shot?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

10 seconds

[@johniie8727]

What about when violation is called from teammates of shooter?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

If a violation is made by a teammate of the shooter and the ball goes through the basket, the points are disallowed. If that team has another free throw to be attempted after the violation, line up and continue as normal. Otherwise the ball will be given to the opponents for a throw-in on the endline.

[@johniie8727]

@@OfficialsInstitute thanks for the fast response! Appreciate it

[@clarenzbalea518]

But why do they have 4 players on the second clip is that allowed?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Free throws in NFHS allow 2 available spots for the shooting team, and 4 spots available for the non shooting team.

[@thanglai5518]

Sir can you tell me what will happent if a technical foul occurs while free throw attempts

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Assuming the technical foul is not contributing to a lane violation, you would simply shoot any remaining free throws that may be left, and then assess the penalty for the technical foul.

[@thanglai5518]

@@OfficialsInstitute Same thing with personal foul,right?

[@thanglai5518]

So, does the free throw count, sir?

[@luukjansen9135]

Is it allowed to jump while you shoot the ball

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Yes. As long as the shooter stays within his semicircle, he may jump to shoot the ball.

[@luukjansen9135]

@@OfficialsInstitute thnx you have to stay out the bucket till the ball hits the rim right?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

@@luukjansen9135 Not sure what you're asking. Out the bucket?

[@luukjansen9135]

@@OfficialsInstitute in europe you call the freethrow line the bucket

[@OfficialsInstitute]

@@luukjansen9135 Interesting. I never knew that. Yes, the shooter and all lane players must not cross the free throw line until the ball hits the basket.