FT Violation
 

I KNOW, I should know this, but my mind is dead right now. Situation . . .

Last night, GV, pregame conversation with H coach. He asks, "If my girl is shooting free throws, and part of her routine is to step back, and she inadvertently steps outside of the "key" behind the 3-pt. arc, is this a violation?"

I told him yes, but didn't have a rules citation for him. The official who was on the game in question made the violation call, but didn't have a rules reference either. Since I have NEVER had this come up, I was really at a disadvantage. Help . . . please. Thanks.

You and the other official were right...

9-1-1: ...The try shall be attempted from within the free-throw semicircle and behind the free-throw line.

That says the try shall be attempted...says nothing about inadvertently stepping out of the circle.

9-1-3:

ART. 3 . . . After the ball is placed at the disposal of a free thrower:
a. He/she shall throw within 10 seconds to cause the ball to enter the basket or touch the ring before the free throw ends.
b. The free thrower shall not fake a try, nor shall any player in a marked lane space fake to cause an opponent to violate.
c. No opponent shall disconcert the free thrower.
d. No player shall enter or leave a marked lane space.
e. The free thrower shall not have either foot beyond the vertical plane of the edge of the free-throw line which is farther from the basket or the free-throw semicircle line.
f. A player, other than the free thrower, who does not occupy a marked lane space, may not have either foot beyond the vertical plane of the free-throw line extended and the three-point line which is farther from the basket.
g. A player occupying a marked lane space may not have either foot beyond the vertical plane of the outside edge of any lane boundary, or beyond the vertical plane of any edge of the space (2 inches by 36 inches) designated by a lane-space mark or beyond the vertical plane of any edge of the space (12 inches by 36 inches) designated by a neutral zone.

PENALTIES: (Section 1)
1. If the first or only violation is by the free thrower or a teammate, the ball becomes dead when the violation occurs and no point can be scored by that throw.

another free throw violation question
 

While in the marked lane spaces, how far may a player move backward(away from the key) without being in violation? 12 inches?

I do not think there is a defined amount -- but within reason we want them on the lane line. If they take a small step back and just stand there I do not see a problem with it.

36 inches, I believe, from somewhere in the rulebook I can't recall.

1-5-2
36 inches

there we go.

Juggling Referee, You're Welcome ...
 

91.4 cm, for our feeble Canadian friends.

Because He Was Larry Bird, That's Why ...
 

The NBA did make an exception for Larry Bird. He always caught the bounced ball from the offcial while standing on the semicircle, and then walked into his free throw routine.

Does that flucuate....
 

w/ the exchange rate? :)

That is perfectly legal. The outside edge of the arc defines the boundary. The player is allowed to touch the semi-circle.

Canadian Beer sucks.
movie reference....