Five Fouls Not Enough?

[mplagrow]

Originally Posted by Red_Killian

a number of years ago, before I started officiating, a player could stay in the game after his 5th foul. Subsequent fouls by that player resulted in 2 free throws plus the ball (l don't remember but I think it was at the division line). I don't recall there was limit on how many additional fouls a player could get and keep playing as long as his team was willing to pay the price.

I was a high school statistician, and my team went to state in 1987 when they first implemented that rule. It was perfect for us, because we had a 6'8 center who otherwise would have fouled out often. There was no limit to the number of fouls, every foul past #5 was basically assessed as a technical. This was the same year the three-point line was introduced in Minnesota.

It lasted for maybe two or three seasons, until some girl got whacked hard by a girl who was over the limit. She ended up pretty seriously hurt, at least a concussion. At that point, the powers that be decided that RULES ARE THERE FOR A REASON!