PLAYERS ON THE COURT
If an EQUAL number of players from both teams participate in the fight .. ALL are charged with flagrant technical fouls and disqualified. No free throws are awarded and the ball is in-bounded at the point of interruption.
If there is an UNEQUAL number of players who participate in the fight... ALL are charged with flagrant technical fouls and disqualified. The offended team (team with fewer players) will be awarded two free throws for EACH additional player.
Keep in mind, taunting may be viewed as the “first punch." If the provoked player physically retaliates, both players are charged with flagrant technical fouls and are disqualified.
PLAYERS ON THE BENCH
Simply stated, if a player leaves the bench area and comes onto the court during a skirmish, they are charged with a flagrant technical foul and disqualified. Penalties for bench personnel stepping onto the court will also impact the head coach.
For those reserves who ENTER the court, but DO NOT participate in the fight... The head coach is charged with a MAXIMUM of ONE indirect technical foul, no matter how many bench players come onto the floor.
If there is an EQUAL number of non-fighting bench personnel on the court ... Those players are disqualified. No free throws are awarded for their actions.
If there is an UNEQUAL number of players who leave the bench area and DO NOT fight... Those players are disqualified. The offended team would be awarded a MAXIMUM of two free throws for this segment of the scenario.
For BENCH PERSONNEL who DO PARTICIPATE in the fight... The heads coach is assessed an INDIRECT TECHNICAL foul for EACH bench person who participates. Remember, three indirect technical fouls would result in the head coach being disqualified.
If there is an EQUAL number of bench personnel fighting on the court... No free throws are awarded for their actions and play would resume at the point of interruption.
If there is an UNEQUAL number of players who leave the bench area and participate in the fight, the offended team... Would be awarded two free throws for EACH additional player involved. Would receive the ball at the division line for a throw-in.
For liability purposes, disqualified players are permitted to remain on the bench and should not to be ordered to leave the court area without proper adult supervision.
Rule References
NFHS 4-18; 10-4; 10-6
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Calling it both ways...since 1999
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