Designated Spot Throw-In Rules

[imagomer]

Thanks to this forum and being just a wreck official for a year, I learned in 2003 that the designated spot was "three feet wide and as deep as the gym allows" and that the thrower-in may move any which way but loose, as long as he or she does not "leave the designated spot."

Last week, a wreck official and a player bet me $100 each that the rule demanded an "end of dribble, pivot-type restriction." We'll see if I ever see the $$, even after I show them Definition 4-42-6 and Rule 7-6-3 & 4.

Question: How long has this rule been in effect/has it ever changed? I learned as a kid in 1978ish that the pivot-type restriction was the rule. Was this rule in effect even back then, and my Jr High coach was wrong (golly, could a coach be wrong about the rulebook!?!?)