Positioning of players during technical foul free throw
 

By convention, officials require players other than the technical foul shooter to be at or near the division line while free throws are administered. However, I cannot find reference by rule or guidance in officials manual where the other players are required to be. As a former official, I am interested in the exact rule/requirement. As a current coach, I see an advantage of having my players close enough to the coaching box to talk to them if the rules allow it. Can someone help out?

No requirement for them to be at the division line.

They just seem to migrate there. As long as they are above the foul line extended and outside the arc, you are fine talking to them at your bench.

Where to stand for a T?
 

It's a "myth" that players need to be at or near the Division Line:

Rule 8, Section 1, ART. 5 . . . Any player, other than the free thrower, who does not occupy a marked lane space must be behind the free-throw line extended and behind the three-point line.

Did I Hear Someone Say "Myth" ???
 

On free throws, there is a maximum of two offensive players and four defensive players in the six marked lane spaces. The defense must be in the first marked lane spaces, above the neutral zone marks, on all free throws. The offense must not occupy the first marked lane spaces, above the neutral zone marks. The shooter and all the players in the designated lane spaces must wait until the ball hits rim or backboard before entering the lane. Players, other than the shooter, and the players in the designated lane spaces, are to remain behind the free throw line extended and behind the three point arc, and may not penetrate the free throw line extended and the three point arc until the ball hits rim or backboard. During a free throw, no opponent, including bench personnel, may disconcert the free thrower. For free throws when there are no rebounders in the marked lane spaces, i.e. technical fouls, the nine nonshooters shall remain behind the free throw line extended and behind the three point arc.

You take your queue well oh wise one.......

His cue, also. :p

Than-k you. ;)

That's one of the more polite expressions you might have chosen that ends in "-k you." :cool:

its more like training...
 

A significant number of officials will require them to be at the division line. A Myth for all involved.

Might belong on the frequent mistakes by officials list. Along with "let it hit the rim...."

I was working a game 3-person with 2 guys I didn't know that well and one mentioned that he thought the players were close to violating on FTs (is this like "almost pregnant"?). He suggested that we remind the players to "wait until it his the rim."

Without even a second's pause, I said "or hits the backboard or the free throw ends" and he looked at me like I had 3 heads. Just one of those little pet peeves of mine, I guess.

I suggested he may want to simply remind them not to come in early and leave it at that (if he wanted to say anything, which I didn't really think was necessary).

Especially if he is headed to the pool hall.