Fumbled Free Throw

[zebraman]

Originally posted by Nevadaref
Yes, this is the suggested case book way of handling the situation. However, I don't like it, and think that it is inconsistent. For example, we don't do this on a throw-in.
Once the player catches the ball, if he loses it, that's his fault and there should be consequences.

I've thought about that before, but I think the NFHS realizes that a "free throw" is a reward for a previous play and should not be taken away for an unintentional drop of the ball. If we're on our toes, we can blow our whistle as soon as the ball is fumbled away before the thrower steps over the line therefore there is no violation.

I believe that the NFHS also realizes that there is defense being played on a throw-in so an unintentional drop where the ball rolls onto the floor is then penalized (tight coverage could have caused the inbounder to get flustered and drop it).

Z