A player has just received the ball for his first attempted free throw and he doesn't bounce the ball but his pre shot routine consist of a practice shot that goes about 4 feet above him(not towards the basket) then takes two dribbles then shoots. Is this legal or not?

Yes

Really? What if the practice shot disconcerts one of the defenders to step into the lane? Then you'll penalize the defender?

Yep, because the defender should not be in the lane until the ball hits the rim anyway.

In HS, players can't go in the lane til the ball first hits the backboard or rim anyway, why would this pre free throw ritual matter?

Crap. Good point. :)

Balls got to hit iron.

Bet $100.00 on that?

rim, net, or backboard

9-1,10

ring or backboard. Sorry, no net mentioned. Am I missing something? Please share!

So I am assuming that this would not be considered a fake?? 9-2,4.

What does the rulebook say about a fake attempt? Even with the fact that a defender shouldn't be jumping into the lane till the ball hits backboard or rim, I still just think a practice shot is wrong. I don't have my books handy, so I would be tempted to call this a fake attempt and penalize the shooter.

It may touch just the net, but if it did there would be no rebound to get. dead ball available for throw in

NFHS states 9-1,4 The free thrower shall not fake a try, nor shall any player in a marked lane space fake to cause an opponent to violate.

Man, that's just too big of a reach for me, Smitty. Call a ball thrown 4 feet straight above the FT shooter a practise shot? What is he practising? How to <b>miss</b> his free throw?

This is a nit that should never be picked. The kid just has his own way of getting himself prepared for his free throw. No harm/no foul--leave it alone and let him do it. We got a heckuva lot more things to worry about in a game than this one.