Called Disconcertation Friday night

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.
NFHS Rule 9: Violations and Penalties: Section 1: Free-throw provisions: A player shall not violate the following provisions governing free throws: Article 5: No opponent shall disconcert the free thrower.

Lets look closer at NFHS R9-S1. Section 1 deals only with the free throw provisions and there are eight Articles in Section 1, and each and every Article in Section 1 starts with the following words: “A player shall not violate the following provisions governing free throws.” The word “player” is used, not “player or bench personnel.” In fact, the word “opponent” is used in only two of the Articles in Section 1: 2 and 5. Article 2 states: An opponent of the free thrower shall occupy each lane space adjacent to the end line during the try, unless the resuming of play procedure is in effect and not teammate of the free thrower may occupy either of these lane spaces. There is no doubt in Article 2 that “opponent” means a player on the court and not bench personnel.

Looking at Article 5 (the disconcerting action article), the NFHS Casebook Play and the NCAA Approved Ruling would lead one to believe that “opponent” means a player on the court, and not bench personnel.

Hopefully, Play (2) is a situation that the Rules Committee will review and issue an official interpretation.

We don't need an official interpretation,Mark.Here is the definitive answer from an impeccable source:

http://www.officialforum.com/showthr...?threadid=6750

See the posting from Mark T DeNucci Sr. at 8:28pm on December 29,2002. In this,Mr. DeNucci Sr. is quoted as saying "When opponents on the court or bench personnel from the opponent's bench are yelling during a player's free throw attempt,that is defined as a disconcerting action".

Now,who do we believe? Mark T. DeNucci Sr. or Mark T DeNucci Sr.?

Decisions,decisions!