During a free throw a player has ten seconds to shoot the ball. Now after about seven seconds player A loses control of his/her dribble and the ball rolls toward the baseline. Is this a violation or or do you just blow the whistle and give the ball back to the player without penalty. The muffed dribble wasn't caused by the official but by the player who was taking his/her time dribbling.

In the exact situation you describe, I think I'd call a violation.

Wait for the ball to roll out and then call out of bounds and give the ball to the other team.

No. Really, there is no legal way for the shooter to go get the ball or for anyone else to give it back to him unless it is you.

Your choice. Accidentally dropped the ball and the player has otherwise been a respectable player: I would lightly toot my whistle, grab the ball, give it back, smile and say "You only have 3 seconds left so shoot quick."

Kid has been a butt-head: call a violation and were going the other way. This is not a good choice. The first one will work better.

Well i have to disagree, the NCAA and NF say we are to blow our whistle and give the ball back to the player. Do over.

free throw dribble?
 

while on the topic of FT shooters: Can the shooter dribble the ball over the FT line or this is a violation?

I don't have this year's case book with me..but last year's case 9.1 Situation A covers this exact play.

Blow your whistle and give the ball back to the free thrower for a "do-over."

Z

This is not a violation.....and I am not even looking where the ball is bouncing on the floor....to many other things to be looking at. (Troward post)

AK ref SE

Yes the FT shooter can bounce the ball in the lane.

Bart and Zebraman are right. It is in the casebook 9.1 situation, Page 61:

Whether he can't catch your pass or he drops it on his own

"sound the whistle to prevent any violations and then start the free throw procedure again."

And that's with a new 10 seconds.

He probably fumbled his dribble because he was chewing gum!

Bubblicious!! :D