Free Throws

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Zoochy

... a player was shooting a Technical foul and the officials were adamant about getting the players behind the division line.

... also intentional fouls.

Yes, a classic myth, not sure of its origin, although I do remember being told to do so (right or wrong) back in high school in the late 1960's.

And it's not just "academic" to have officials perpetuate this myth, it actually puts one team at a disadvantage by not allowing one team's players to converse privately with their coach, while the other team's players are allowed to do so.

It's on my list of Misunderstood Basketball Rules:

On free throws, there is a maximum of two offensive players, and four defensive players, in the six marked lane spaces. The defense must be in the first marked lane spaces, above the neutral zone marks, on all free throws. The offense must not occupy the first marked lane spaces, above the neutral zone marks. For free throws when there are no rebounders in the marked lane spaces (technical fouls, intentional fouls), the nine nonshooters shall remain behind the free throw line extended, and behind the three point arc.

Also in my magazine article, Things Officials Should Probably Not Be Saying In A Game:

Calvin Coolidge once said, "The things I did not say never hurt me." Of course, he was not talking about basketball, but many officials would be smart to heed his sage advice as they communicate with coaches, and players.

Good communication skills are important tools to have on any official’s tool belt. Good communication with a partner, with a player, or with a coach, can go a long way to maintaining control of the game, having good game management, and having a smooth game. Sometimes this communication takes place in oral form, talking to players, or coaches, in some cases to explain a ruling, or in other cases to prevent a violation, or a foul. However, probably for reasons of tradition, there have been things that officials often, or sometimes, say during a game that do not have any basis in the rules, and should probably not be said in a game. This article will cover some of those “best left unsaid” statements.

"Everybody get behind the division line”, often said by an official before free throws for a technical foul, or an intentional foul, is also not rule based. According to the rule, the nine non-shooters shall remain behind the free throw line extended, and behind the three point arc, and do not have to stay behind the division line. In some cases, this may allow players to legally converse with their coaches.

Finally, a thought by social commentator Will Rogers, “Never miss a good chance to shut up.”