No More Offensive Goaltending ...

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Is there now no such thing as offensive goaltending on a free throw? Do we penalize, as Raymond so elegantly interpreted, this "offensive goaltending a free throw” situation as simply an offensive free throw violation for the ball not hitting the ring in ten seconds, with no additional technical foul penalty for such an action?

These were not rhetorical questions.

We've got many rule experts on this forum.

Both statements of fact (with a rationale) and statements of opinion (with a rationale) are not only accepted, but are encouraged.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

These were not rhetorical questions.



We've got many rule experts on this forum.



Both statements of fact (with a rationale) and statements of opinion (with a rationale) are not only accepted, but are encouraged.

Has something changed as far as rulings or interpretations since you first asked this question three or four months ago?

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Raymond

Has something changed as far as rulings or interpretations since you first asked this question three or four months ago?

Just this, but I'm not really sure what it means.

IAABO 2025–26 Corrections and Clarifications

Despite the best efforts of the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee, one of the ongoing challenges following the approval of new rules each year is ensuring that every related reference in both the Rules Book and Case Book is updated accurately. Even with multiple levels of review, occasional inconsistencies and oversights can still occur.

Once the NFHS publishes these changes, IAABO leaders must then interpret and integrate them into the IAABO Rules Guide, a process that can also present challenges. From time to time, we identify areas where revisions or clarifications are needed to ensure consistency across all publications.

This article highlights the corrections and clarifications that have been identified and addresses several frequently asked questions that have surfaced as officials prepare for the upcoming season.

Items marked with a single asterisk “*” have been posted on the NFHS website or addressed in a memo to state associations. Items marked with two asterisks “**” have been approved but not yet published.

Any affected items appearing in IAABO publications will be corrected in the 2026–27 (IAABO) Handbook. Some of the items that are currently unpublished may be updated throughout the season and we will update this information as it become available …

Goaltending

… In addition, a rule reference was incorrect as it pertained to goaltending a free throw, in which a technical foul should also be assessed for that infraction. This change has been posted on the NFHS website as follows:

*NFHS Rules Book Page 65 – Rule 9‐12 Penalty 1
See Rule 10-4-8 9 for the additional penalty for goaltending during a free throw.

I would love to see the posting on the NFHS website or the memo to state associations.

[BillyMac]

In the context of Rule 10-4-8, the "officials discussions" confirm that despite the philosophical shift away from "offensive goaltending" for field goals, the technical foul penalty for interfering with a free throw is intentionally preserved because the act is seen as fundamentally disrupting a critical, non-live-ball scoring attempt, warranting a severe penalty.

Got this (above) from Gemini Artificial Intelligence.

Artificial Intelligence will seldom admit that it doesn't know an answer and has been known to "hallucinate".

Certainly not in any way reliable.

"Officials discussions" may, in fact, refer to the Official Forum and other similar websites.

Asked for specifics (case plays, citations, etc.), hopefully from NFHS, and got little, just got this:

Rule 10-4-9 (or Art. 9): Specifically prohibits a player from committing goaltending during a free throw.

Simple question: Is it still a technical foul (and a free throw violation) for an offensive player to "goaltend" (the action, not the definition) a free throw?

Why do I keep running into brick walls regarding this very simple question?

I would prefer a yes answer, but I would fully accept a no answer from a reliable source, preferably the NFHS, maybe even IAABO.