Faking on Free Throws

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

NFHS R9-S1-A3b: After the ball is placed at the disposal of a free thrower, the free thrower shall not fake a try, nor shall any player in a marked lane space fake to cause an opponent to violate.

NCAA R9-S1-A2b: After the ball is placed at the disposal of a free-thrower, the free-thrower shall not purposely fake a try nor shall the freethrower’s teammates nor opponents purposely fake a violation.


I do not have a problem with the blue portions of the above sections of NFHS R9-S1-A3b and NCAA R9-S1-A2b. It is the red portions of the above sections of NFHS R9-S1-A3b and NCAA R9-S1-A2b to which I strenuousy object. A player in a lane space knows that he canNOT enter the free throw before the ball touches the ring or backboard (NFHS) or before the ball leaves the shooter's hand(s). If you are stupid enough to get faked into the lane before the rules permit you deserve to be called for a free throw violation. When the red portions of the rules were adopted by the NFHS and NCAA Committees I could not believe that the Committees would time on such nonsense.

MTD, Sr.