Administering FTs after a fight

[Nevadaref]

2014-2015 NFHS Basketball Interpretations

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Basketball Rules Interpretations - 2014-2015
By NFHS on October 16, 2014 basketball

Publisher’s Note: The National Federation of State High School Associations is the only source of official high school interpretations. They do not set aside nor modify any rule. They are made and published by the NFHS in response to situations presented.

Robert B. Gardner, Publisher, NFHS Publications © 2014

SITUATION 2: While the ball is live, players A1 and B1 commit fouls against each other at approximately the same time. A1 then punches B1. B6 and B7 leave the confines of the bench but do not participate in the fight.
RULING: The common fouls by A1 and B1 constitute a double personal foul, so no free throws are awarded. A1’s punch constitutes fighting and results in a flagrant technical foul, disqualification and the awarding of two free throws. B6 and B7 are assessed technical fouls and disqualified for entering the court illegally during a fight. Although B6 and B7 are both assessed technical fouls, only one is penalized with two free throws. The coach is penalized one indirect technical foul for B6 and B7 leaving the bench. [4-19-8; 10-3-7; 10-6 Penalties (Rule 10 Summary) 8.a, b]
Administration of Penalties: The double personal fouls offset and no free throws are awarded. With the marked lane spaces clear, any member of Team B (other than B6 and B7) attempts two free throws for the flagrant technical foul (fighting) by A1. These attempts are followed by any member of Team A (other than A1) attempting two free throws – with the marked lane spaces clear – for the technical foul charged to B6 and B7 for leaving the bench during a fight, but not participating. Following the free-throw attempts by Team A, play is resumed with a throw-in by Team A at the division line opposite the scorer’s table.
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I found this play ruling of interest as we have had several discussions on this topic before and there was no clear guidance as to whether or not FTs due to technical fouls committed by players on the court in the fight could be offset by FTs due to technical fouls charged to team members or coaches leaving the bench area.

We now have the NFHS answer. They are separate categories and do not cancel out. We have to shoot FTs at both ends of the court.

I'm not a fan of this, but understand.