Lane Line Up

[Ref in PA]

We had our first association meeting this past week and a question came up about the new lane space occupation. Since we have not received our new rule books, I was hoping to get some clarification.

Situation: A5 is shooting one free throw. B1 and B2 occupy the low spaces on either side of the lane. A1 and A2 fill in the next slots. B3 then fills in a slot and B4 and B5 are off the lane, behind the shooter, beyond the arc. A3 then fills in the last unoccupied spot on the lane next to A2. Is this legal? Rule reference please.

[rockyroad]

Nope...don't have my book handy, but the new rule says only two offensive players can be in there...A3's gotta go!

[mick]

SITUATION 11: Team A (free-throw shooting team) has two players in the second marked lane spaces and Team B (non-shooting team) has four players in the first and third marked lane spaces. After the first free-throw attempt and prior to the official placing the ball at the disposal of A1 for the succeeding attempt, A2, in one of the second marked lane spaces, vacates the space, moves beyond the three-point arc and above the free-throw line extended. In (a), B3, in the third marked lane space, moves down and occupies the vacated space. In (b), B5, not in a marked lane space, steps in to occupy the vacant space. RULING: Legal in (a). In (b), B5 should not be permitted to occupy the vacated space; it would give Team B (the defensive team) five players in marked lane spaces. If the officials allow B5 to occupy the space, and only realize the error once the ball is at the disposal of the free-throw shooter, a delayed violation shall be called. (8-1-3; 9-1)


SITUATION 12: Team A (free-throw shooting team) has no players in marked lane spaces. Team B (non-shooting team) has (a) four players in the first and second marked lane spaces or (b) two players in the first marked lane spaces only. RULING: Legal in both (a) and (b). The shooting team is not required to have any players in marked lane spaces and the defensive team must only have the first marked lane spaces occupied. If a team does not occupy a marked lane space to which it is entitled, the opponent may occupy the space (within the number limitations). (8-1-3)


SITUATION 14: A1 is shooting the first of a bonus free-throw situation. A4 is positioned in one of the fourth spaces (near the shooter) and B5 is positioned in the other fourth space. The incorrect alignment is discovered by the officials (a) before the ball is at the disposal of A1; (b) after the ball is at A1’s disposal, but before the try is in flight; (c) when the try is in flight; (d) when the successful try goes through the cylinder; (e) when the unsuccessful try is rebounding off the basket ring; or (f) when the rebound of the unsuccessful try is securely in A4’s possession. RULING: In (a), the administering official shall “reset” the free throw and put the players in a legal location for the free-throw. In (b) and (c), an official shall sound his/her whistle immediately and call a simultaneous violation, utilizing the alternating-possession procedure to put the ball in play. In (d), (e) and (f), the free throw has ended and the improper alignment is ignored. (9-1-2 Pen 3; 4-20-3)

see: http://www.nfhs.org/sports/basketball_interp.htm

[Ref in PA]

Originally posted by mick


SITUATION 11: Team A (free-throw shooting team) has two players in the second marked lane spaces and Team B (non-shooting team) has four players in the first and third marked lane spaces. After the first free-throw attempt and prior to the official placing the ball at the disposal of A1 for the succeeding attempt, A2, in one of the second marked lane spaces, vacates the space, moves beyond the three-point arc and above the free-throw line extended. In (a), B3, in the third marked lane space, moves down and occupies the vacated space. In (b), B5, not in a marked lane space, steps in to occupy the vacant space. RULING: Legal in (a). In (b), B5 should not be permitted to occupy the vacated space; it would give Team B (the defensive team) five players in marked lane spaces. If the officials allow B5 to occupy the space, and only realize the error once the ball is at the disposal of the free-throw shooter, a delayed violation shall be called. (8-1-3; 9-1)


SITUATION 12: Team A (free-throw shooting team) has no players in marked lane spaces. Team B (non-shooting team) has (a) four players in the first and second marked lane spaces or (b) two players in the first marked lane spaces only. RULING: Legal in both (a) and (b). The shooting team is not required to have any players in marked lane spaces and the defensive team must only have the first marked lane spaces occupied. If a team does not occupy a marked lane space to which it is entitled, the opponent may occupy the space (within the number limitations). (8-1-3)


SITUATION 14: A1 is shooting the first of a bonus free-throw situation. A4 is positioned in one of the fourth spaces (near the shooter) and B5 is positioned in the other fourth space. The incorrect alignment is discovered by the officials (a) before the ball is at the disposal of A1; (b) after the ball is at A1’s disposal, but before the try is in flight; (c) when the try is in flight; (d) when the successful try goes through the cylinder; (e) when the unsuccessful try is rebounding off the basket ring; or (f) when the rebound of the unsuccessful try is securely in A4’s possession. RULING: In (a), the administering official shall “reset” the free throw and put the players in a legal location for the free-throw. In (b) and (c), an official shall sound his/her whistle immediately and call a simultaneous violation, utilizing the alternating-possession procedure to put the ball in play. In (d), (e) and (f), the free throw has ended and the improper alignment is ignored. (9-1-2 Pen 3; 4-20-3)

see: http://www.nfhs.org/sports/basketball_interp.htm

In the original situation, with A shooting, you have BAB on one side and BAA on the other.

In the referenced situations #11a was BAB and BB_ - legal For 11b it was BAB and BBB - illegal.
For #12a it was BB_ and BB_ - legal.
For #12b it was B__ and B__ - legal.
For #14 the lineup is BABB and BABA.

My original situation has not been addressed.

[mdray]

8-1-3 is the rule reference cited at the NFHS website

no more than two of the free-throw shooter's teammates can be along the lane

[whistleone]

Here's the key information from the responses:

Originally posted by mick


If a team does not occupy a marked lane space to which it is entitled, the opponent may occupy the space (within the number limitations). (8-1-3)

No matter what the lineup, the numbers (4 and 2) still apply.

[mick]

Originally posted by Ref in PA

In the original situation, with A shooting, you have BAB on one side and BAA on the other.

In the referenced situations #11a was BAB and BB_ - legal For 11b it was BAB and BBB - illegal.
For #12a it was BB_ and BB_ - legal.
For #12b it was B__ and B__ - legal.
For #14 the lineup is BABB and BABA.

My original situation has not been addressed.

I assumed you had some information.
My mistake.


3. Free Throw Administration

Over the years, the rules committee has been concerned with the increase in rough play during free throws. There have been many rules changes and Points of Emphasis in recent years to address these concerns. In 1997, the committee returned to the restrictions on lane-line players to be in effect until the ball hit the rim or backboard. This change has greatly reduced rough play. In an attempt to further reduce rough play and have the defense regain some of the advantage they may have lost when the “rim” restriction was reinstated, the number of players permitted in the marked lane spaces has been reduced. In addition to this year’s rule change, the following items are to be emphasized during free throws:

A. Lane-Space Requirements: The first two lane spaces adjacent to the end line must be occupied by the opponents of the free thrower. If the offense desires the second spaces, they may have them. If the defense desires the third spaces, they may have them. If a player entitled to the second or third space does not occupy that space, an opponent may be in the space (within the number limitations, four defense and two offense). The fourth marked lane spaces (nearest the free-throw shooter) may not be occupied. All officials are responsible for ensuring players are in their proper spaces. The administering official (Lead) should check each space for proper alignment before bouncing the ball to the shooter. If these requirements are not met, see 9-1-9 Penalty.

B. Double Violation: If the offense is erroneously permitted to occupy the first two lane spaces and the defense is erroneously permitted to occupy the second two lane spaces, a double violation shall be called (9-1-2 Pen 3).

C. Disconcertion: Disconcerting the free-throw shooter is a violation (9-1-5). Officials should pay particular attention to situations in which the free throw will become dead (first of two or first two of three). Defensive players frequently employ tactics which serve no other purpose than to disconcert the shooter (instructing players to box out, waving arms, etc.). With the spaces closest to the shooter remaining vacant, disconcertion should be minimized.

[rockyroad]

Originally posted by Ref in PA
[

My original situation has not been addressed.

???? I believe my first response to your post addressed your question quite well..the offense (shooting team) is only allowed to have two players lined up in there - A3's gotta go...

[Ron Pilo]

Right out of the rule book

ART. 3 . . . During a free throw when lane spaces may be occupied:
a. Marked lane spaces may be occupied by a maximum of four defenders and two offensive players..
b. The first marked lane spaces (the lane spaces adjacent to the end line) shall be occupied by opponents of the free thrower unless the resumption-of-play procedure is in effect.
c. The second marked lane spaces on each side may be occupied by teammates of the free thrower.
d. The third marked lane spaces may be occupied by oppoinents of the free thrower.
e. The fourth spaces (nearest the free throw line) shall not be occupied and are not considered marked lane spaces for the purpose of Rule8 and 9-1.
f. Players shall be permimtted to move along and across the lane to occupy a vacant space within limitations of this rule.
g. Not more than one player may occupy any part of a marked lane space.

[Ref in PA]

That is what I was looking for. My rules interpreter told the whole association last week that BAB with BAA was permitted. Without the new rule book, I could not correct it. Hopefully we will have the rule books for this week. Again, I appreciate the information. And, yes RockyRoad, you did give the correct answer, but I wanted the rule reference and the first responses did not apply to the specific situation. Again, thanks to all.