My reading of the rules books in the past have told me that the blocks are considered neutral zones that are part of the lane, can that a player cannot have their foot on them during a free throw attempt.

Playing in a recent rec-league game, the ref disagreed.

Who is right?

It all depends on what set of rules your league goes by. If they play Federation (high school) rules, you are correct. If it plays by NCAA (college) rules, the referee is correct. Check with your league administrator to figure out what rules you play by and let them know of the situation so the referee can be informed of the mistake if they were indeed wrong.

To be more precise, if the league is using NCAA Men's rules, then the player in the first lane space may legally have his foot on the block.

If the league is using NCAA Women's rules, the first legal lane space is the one above the block. No player may have her foot on the block.

I have learned that mens rec leagues use a combination of rules. So the best thing to do is make sure all of the officals are on the same page.

No, the best thing to do is to make sure that you don't officiate mens rec. :D

Either that or the official saw it called wrong in a federation game and continues to call it wrong in rec league. Or they see it in a college or nba game and automatically think it is a rule that pertains to their league. Either way, I don't see how the officials that officiate rec-league/intramural games do it. Kudos to you! I side with NevadaRef! I did it one time.....one time too many! It was a good way to get out some of the things you want to say during a high school game but know better than to open your mouth!

[Edited by ThickSkin on Oct 21st, 2005 at 08:33 AM]

As a favor to a friend, i refd a mormon church league tourney with another friend of mine who was a ref. Dont do that either.... :)