Here's a scenario that occured this weekend in a Championship game (Grade 7-8 boys). A1 is fouled by one of my players on a try at the buzzer ending the 2nd quarter. 2 shots are to be takened. Official sends all players back to their benches while the FT's are being taken. I protested saying that I was allowed to occupy the lanes while the FT's were being taken. Officials both disagreed with me. I'm just curious if this was the correct call or not. It seems to me that my players should be able to occupy the blocks during the FT's if only to act as a visual distraction.

This didn't affect the outcome of the game. We lost the Championship and ended up 2nd in a 16 team tournament. It was a great improvement over last place last year.

Ren

The officials were correct on this one. If there is to be no rebounding possibility after the final free throw then the lane is to be cleared. I have heard some coaches, even college coaches complain that it might bother their shooters since they are used to having people on the lane.

8-1-2
If the ball is to become dead when the last free throw for a specific penalty is not successful, players shall not occupy any spaces along the free-throw lane.

Hey - at least you can say you finished "next to first".