free throw
 

In High School basketball, there are 4 positions for defense and 2 positions for offense in a free throw application. if both players on offense vacate their positions after the first of 2 free throws, can the upper defensive players, in spot 3 take the original offensive positions for the 2nd free throw which would be spot 2.
I've never seen this in 35 years of playing, watching, coaching and now refereeing.

Yes, the players may take any vacant position.
The only requirements are that the nonshooting team fill the two spots nearest the basket and that the maximums of four defensive and two offensive players along the lane are not exceeded.

The defense muse occupy the two spots closest to the basket and may occupy any open spot...as long as no more than four spots are occupied.

There could be three players on one side; one on the other. Or the first four spots.

Never seen it? Wow.

This was a rule change a couple of years ago. All spots used to be "designated", so defense had the low blocks, offense, the next two, and defense the 2 spots closest to the shooter....No exceptions. When NFHS changed the alignment and the 2 low blocks were ruled unoccupied, only the 2 lowest available are still "designated" (and must be filled by defense). If the offense does not occupy the 2 middle spots, defense can have them as well.

To my knowledge, it's been at least 9 years....I think.

MTD Sr: When did this change occur?

You're probably right. Time flies.....:)

It has not been that long. College went to that before NF and that might have been 5 years ago. The reason I kind of remember this is I had to create a slide for a class to illustrate the new rule at the time. Maybe 5 years they got rid of the lower block position.

Peace

I don't recall the spots being designated before the change.

For HS that is my recollection as well. I am willing to go research it though before I tell refiator that he is incorrect.

For NCAA mens the spots haven't been designated for several years now.
For NCAA womens making them undesignated is a rule change for this season!

Double Violation Reminder ...
 

And not only must the defense occupy the two spots closest to the basket, the offense must not occupy the two spots closest to the basket.

+1

Agreed. The only thing NF changed was which block was the "lowest" block. Everything from before just shifted up one spot. None of the others were specifically designated.