[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

You're not sparking anything, the conversation has already been going on. Weren't we told long ago that the NFHS has made it perfectly clear how they want these plays adjudicated?

You're right, I'm not sparking, I'm adding gasoline to the fire.

For the past eighteen months, absolutely nothing about this rule change (release) has been made "perfectly clear".

I'm still not sure what "cross the free-throw line", or "entering the semi-circle" means.

Front plane of free throw line, back plane of free throw line, foot (like players on the marked lane spaces), hand (like defenders during a throwin), body, touch the semicircle (like the restrictions on the free throw shooter who can cross the free throw line with any body part, yet can't touch the floor)?

Regarding fouls in this situation, I know what the NFHS wants us to do (below), but, based on past experience with how the NFHS has handled the change to "release" over the past eighteen months (reactive rather than proactive), I'm just not 100% confident (fool me once, etc.) in calling these incidental contact situations fouls.

2015-16 NFHS Basketball Rules Interpretations

SITUATION 1: The opponent makes contact with the free-throw shooter before the free throw reaches the basket. The free throw is missed. RULING: The official should rule a violation on the opponent and a personal foul. (9-1-2g Penalty 2b)

SITUATION 2: After A1 releases the ball on a free throw try, B1 steps into the lane and backs across the free-throw line to box out the free-throw shooter then makes contact with the free-throw shooter. The free throw is missed. RULING: The official should rule a delayed violation on the opponent. A1 will be awarded a substitute free throw and the contact is ruled a foul. The substitute free throw would be administered with the free-throw lane spaces unoccupied. (9-1-2g Penalty 2b)

At least the play where the defender crosses the throwin boundary, and makes any contact with the inbounding opponent, is distinguished by it being ruled an intentional foul.

I would love the NFHS to specifically state that any contact in this free throw situation will be ruled a foul regardless of whether, or not, there has been any advantage gained, i.e., no contact will be ruled incidental in this specific situation).