FT positioning question
 

We've mentioned previously how it's a popular misunderstanding among coaches, players and even some officials that players not on the lane must stand behind the division line during technical fouls, but I'm curious as to what the rule was prior to the establishment of the three-point line? Was the division line the rule then? Maybe some of you older, er, I mean more experienced officials can shed some light on this. Thanks.

All you need is the FT line extended and the top of the key as reference points.

Huh?? So before the 3-point was established players could stand just outside the circle just above where the free-throw line and free-throw circle intersect?

When I played, some players (I forget the exact requirement) could stand below the FT line extended.

A common arrangement was to have one Team A player along the baseline. Then, when the defense boxed out, that player would run into the lane from the side to (attempt to) get the rebound.

Are you guys saying that the "old" rule was just that those players had to be above the FT line and outside the FT circle, or did they have to be above an imaginary line drawn through the top of the circle that extended from sideline to sideline? Or something else?

My Guess as to Why
 

The change must have occurred during my sabbatical from officiating, perhaps in the 80's or 90's. Seems to me that during technical free throws one team would use it as a timeout, legally gathering in front of its bench, while the other team had to remain behind the division line and missed out on the needed "coach time". With the current rule, each team may do so without penalty.
Thread-thievery question: anyone ever witnessed a violation called on any player for breaking the rule so that the T-shooter received an additional shot? I haven't.

The oldest rules book I have is the 1963-64 NBCUSC Rules Book. For the newbies in the forum, the National Basketball Committee of the United States and Canada is the predecessor of the NFHS/NCAA Rules Committees. Prior to the adoption of the three-point field goal, all players except the the free throw shooter had to remain behind the free-throw line extended and the top half of the free throw circle. After the adoption of the three-point field goal, all players except the the free throw shooter had to remain behind the free-throw line extended and the three-point arc.

MTD, Sr.

Methinks you mis-remembered, Freddy. We've never had a rule, NFHS or NCAA, that had different restrictions for opposing teams. See the DeNucci post. He has the correct answer.

In Bob Jenkins' instance, iirc we did hav a rule for regular FT's that allowed players to stand below and a specified distance outside marked lane spaces and then move in at the same time the players in the marked lane spaces were allowed to move in. Didn't apply for technical FT's though.

Misremembered Memories
 

J-R is right...partly. I mis-remembered the idea that there was a rule keeping the players behind the division line. My recollection is that everyone assumed that was a rule and, in my ignorance-filled youthful years, I assumed right along with everyone else. In my advanced years I know better know.

Is it written in ink with a quill pen on parchment? ;)

No, it's not.

Thanks for asking, though.

Misty Water-Colored Mem'ries Of The Way We Were ...
 

Lava Lamps, Twister, Bellbottom Pants, Mood Rings, Flower Power, Platform Shoes, Nehru Jackets, Granny Glasses, Slot Cars, Superballs, Wide Belts, Hip Huggers, Banana Seats, Troll Dolls, Go-Go Boots, Smiley Faces, Tie-Dye, Love Beads, Flower Children, and my favorite: Fallout Shelters.

You forgot this guy.

http://www.959watd.com/Programming/Bob_Dylan.jpg

No, but it was printed by Guttenberg, :D.

MTD, Sr.

He's A Printer Too ???