FT history
 

I had a grandparent come to me in between games and ask: Is there a special rule that you don't put a person in the 1st block on a FT? I told him that it's not a special rule it was just the rule. It got me thinking when was that changed? I was thinking about 15 years ago. Any confirmation on this.

Seems to me that rule changed within the past 5 years, actually.

If you have a great-grandparent ask you if once upon a time, one of the 1st blocks belonged to the free-throwers team, and the other one belonged to their opponent---tell them that is true.

Fortunately that fiasco didn't last too long.

I think the truth is in the middle…probably about ten years ago.

I recall when they had to add that extra lane space mark below the block, and then just a few years later they went from max eight to max six in the spaces, and then a year or two after that everyone had to move up a spot. The fact that courts are still painted with the "blocks" is actually frivolous; they are relics of an old division of space (neutral zone) that no longer has a purpose.

Free throw rules seem to change almost every other year.


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Our gym had H and V painted in the first block. Didn't use them by the time I got old enough but I remember it being played that way. We didn't have the big block when I played in HS.

I still have friends who have gotten the message about leaving on the release by the free thrower

Is That Mark T. DeNucci, Sr. In The Photo ???
 

In 2003, the number of players permitted on the lane during free throws was reduced.
And then, in 2008, the players were moved up toward the thrower during free throws.

You were closer than I was. :)