Free Throw Release Question

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Technically, the rule could have been read to mean that if the ball hit only the rim and bounced up (never hitting the backboard) from 93-96, the players couldn't enter the lane. The change was to add wording to make like we were actually calling it (and it should have been). The "etc." on the 93 rule was probably to imply that the rim was acceptable, but unlisted conditions are rarely consistently interpreted.

I actually dug out my 1996-97 Rulebook (it's my oldest one, I wish I had saved my older ones).

The only references to any changes are highlighted notes in Rule 9.

"Note: The restrictions (free throw line) in Articles 7, 8, and 9 (free thrower, players "behind" free thrower, players "boxing out" free thrower) apply until ball touches the ring or backboard, or until the free throw ends".

"Note: The restrictions (lane line) in Articles 6 and 10 (players in marked lane spaces) apply until the ball has been released by the free thrower".

Words in parentheses are mine.

There are no other references to the changes (comments, editorial revisions, points of emphasis, etc.) in either the rulebbok or the casebook.

I wish I had older rulebooks to see what the older language was.

The NFHS Handbook says this: 1993: Players along lane may not break plane of free throw line until ball hits backboard, etc.

I wonder what "etc." meant?