Disconcertion by the defensive teams bench

[BigJoe]

Most of the gyms I officiate in the cheerleaders position themselves on the endlines. When there is a free throw being shot by the opposition on their end, I think that rule 9-1-5 applies. They are more likely to disconcert a free thrower with a high leg kick than any player on the bench rattling a chair!!!! I would say that they are opponants as well as the players on the bench. Their proximity to the court puts them in that category.