How lane occupants can enter the lane

[jdw3018]

Originally Posted by slow whistle

Fed or NCAA?? You don't consider this leaving a marked lane space? We are calling this in HS games, agree have seen it a lot more this year with the move up one space allowing more room to operate...

I think quite a few are not reading the post for what it is - the OP was told by an observer that it is illegal for a player to back out of the lane space rather than coming in. It has nothing to do with leaving early, but rather that when the restrictions end they must enter into the lane rather than trying to go around.

That's not true - a player may go any direction they want.

In the NCAA they can do that on the release, in NFHS obviously when the ball hits the basket, backboard, or the try is over.

[Bishopcolle]

My understanding: A player may back out of his spot, not to exceed 36 inches, without violating prior to the ball hitting the rim....but he cannot break the plane of the spot next to him before the ball hits the rim. I know that that is hard to judge (backing out less than the 36 inches), but he CAN move backwards, short of the 36 inches....Right?