Free-thrower positioned extreme right
 

Girls JV game and foul on a shooter. Line up for 2 shots and ready to administer the ball when shooter A1 takes 2 steps to her right and positioned only one foot from defensive player. I had never seen this before,but by rule I thought it was all legal. Defensive girl B1 looks at the free-thrower and then to me with a "what the" look.I steped in and advised the defender that for sure let's not have any contact. I was hoping to cover my butt,because I was not certain of how to handle a foul on a free-thrower. A1 shot right handed and was 6 of 6 for the night so to her credit it works for her.
During a time-out coach complains that the shooter is taking his defender out of the game by being so close. I could only respond that I thought it was all legal. Anyone with a similar experience or just expand on the possibilities?

The FT shooter can shoot from anywhere in the FT 1/2 circle. As to a foul, I cannot envision a foul until rebound action.

I've seen it a few times over the years and my only thought has been, "Why the heck would you want to shoot off-center?"


Why even say this? Once you put the idea in the player's head trouble can follow. As for how to handle it, there's nothing in the rule book covering contact with a FT shooter. My first thought would be to invoke 2-3 and call an intentional foul on the defender as well as a FT violation for disconcertion.

Like I said it must have been her sweet spot (6 of 6) at the line. And possibly it gets the defense a little out of sorts and less rebounding for them.

What if B3 raises her arms, like defenders along the lane usually do, and she loses her balance and touches A1's shooting arm during the try?

This was my point exactly.What would penality be? If defense violates and the basket is missed we would allow another free throw if missed,but if the thrower is violated???? No rule to help here.
A one point made basket would = a single free throw?
A one point missed try would = a single free throw?
Contact as if on a thrower-in = intentional and ball?

If this caught on we could possibly see more of this. Way to think out of the box coach.

I'm probably just calling it disconcertion the first time.

If it continues, it's *also*either an intentional foul (two shots plus the ball), or an unsporting T.

+1

I had a teammate in high school that would shoot free throws from the right side of the free throw line in practice, and bank them into the hoop. He was really good at it. However, he never attempted that during a game.