New Free Throw Line-Up

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally posted by Mark Padgett

Notice the diffenence between the use of the words "shall" and "may". This supports what we have been saying, unless you interpret that language (combined with the statement that there will be four defensive and two offensive players "permitted") as meaning that if a player entitled to a space doesn't take it, it must remain vacant. The word "may" indicates the taking of a space is not required for those spaces, unlike in the NBA.

Following is the direct quote from the new POE's on the NFHS website(I gave the link before):-from "F-3A":

"If the offense desires the second spaces,they may have them.If the defense desires the third spaces,they may have them.If a player entitled to the second or third space does not occupy that space,AN OPPONENT MAY BE WITHIN THE SPACE(within the number limitations,four defense and two offense).The fourth lane spaces(nearest the free throw shooter)may not be occupied."

Pretty straightforward,I think.