Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnny Ringo
Has this always been this way?
Was this ever anything: First right or refusal ....
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The NFHS went to the four and two maximums and reduced the number of lane spaces on each side from four to three in the 2003-04 season.
For many years prior to that there were four spaces along each side of the lane and the teams were entitled to alternating spaces starting with the defending team filling the two spaces nearest the endline. If one team didn't desire to fill a space then the other team could take it, with the exception of those two bottom spaces. So the entire defending team could be in lane spaces, if the shooting team wanted to keep a player back. To my knowledge it was never "first come, first served." A player always had to step aside if the desired space was slated for the other team due to the alternation rule. That is probably what you mean by "first right or refusal." Note that policy is still in force under the present rules. There are just more restrictions which also have to be conformed to as well.
Finally, WAY BACK in the early 50s each team was actually entitled to one of the bottom lane spaces nearest the basket during FTs. The spaces were marked with an "H "for Home and a "V" for Visitor. If you ever see the video of the famous Milan HS State Championship Game upon which the movie Hoosiers was based, you will see this FT alignment.
PS Yes, they had the skinny 6' key back then too!