[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

While doing the research for my post in the Alternating Possession thread, I found some interesting reading regarding false double fouls and simultaneous fouls.

Two years ago there was a very long thread about how to handle simultaneous fouls.

The play in quesion is as follows:

While the ball is live, A1 fouls B1 and at the same time B2 fouls A2. I stated that this was a false double foul. I stated that if either team was in the bonus, those free throws, and then the AP Arrow would be used to put the ball back into play.


I was taken to task by many, many officials for having the temerity to define this play as a false double foul. While perusing the NFHS 1984-85 Casebook, I found the following play:

6.2.3. PLAY: While A1 is attempting to make a throw-in, A1 fouls B1 and B2 simultaneously fouls A2. Team A is in the bonus but Team B is not. RULING: Since both fouls are simultaneously committed, the ball will be put in play with a center jump between any 2 opponents following the one-and-one free throw attempt by A2. This is a false double foul. (R4-S15-A3)

A supporting rule from the 1984-85 NFHS Rules Book is R6-S2-A3: The ball shall be put in play in the center circle by a jump ball between any 2 opponents following simultaneous personal fouls committed by opponents.


Since the NFHS adopted the AP Arrow starting in the 1985-86 season, the casebook play from the 1984-85 Casebook became:

6.3.3B. PLAY: While A1 is attempting to make a throw-in, A1 fouls B1 and B2 simultaneously fouls A2. Team A is in the bonus but Team B is not. RULING: Since both fouls are simultaneously committed, the ball will be put in play with a throw-in by the team entitled to it under the alternating procedure following the one-and-one free throw attempt by A2. This is a false double foul. (R4-S15-A3)

A supporting rule from the 1985-86 NFHS Rules Book is R6-S3-A3g: In all jump ball situations other than the start of the game and each extra period, the throw-in shall be from the out-of-bounds spot nearest to where opponents commit simultaneous personal or technical fouls.


Prior to the 2001-02 season, the NFHS penalty for a false double foul which were simultaneous fouls was that all free throws were to be attempted before the AP Throw-in. Starting with the 2002-03 season the penalty for this type of false double foul was changed so that no free throw attempts would be taken before the AP Throw-in.

My rule basis for defining simultaneous fouls (personal or technical) as a false double foul have not changed even though the free throw portion of the penalty has been removed.

MTD, Sr.