New NFHS Rules Approved For 2014-2015

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

Does anyone else foresee the new free throw rule leading to a lot of illegal pushing and jockeying for position upon release?

Absolutely. You open a new window of time where players will want to improve their position. The player in the first space will try to move the 2nd player back...what some call boxing out but what was often a foul that went uncalled at the HS level when this rule was last in effect. The 2nd player will try to move the 1st player forward...also often uncalled. With the rule as it was the last decade+, that opportunity largely didn't exist. That was the #1 reason the NFHS, in the late 90's, changed the rule to free-on-contact.

Will HS officials do a better job this time? Not likely. There will be rough play in some games that isn't dealt with properly.

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

I think the new rule will make our jobs a little easier with regard to lane violations, but I see things getting more physical after release...especially with boys.

As for it being easier, how so? You still have an event that separates when players may or may not enter. You have to watch for that event, whatever it is, and the players at the same time. Only now, you have two events (the release and the contact) and two sets of players (in lane spaces and everyone else)...some can enter on the release and some when it hits. I don't think it is difficult to cover either one, but the new change certainly doesn't make it easier.

And whatever time you let players enter is the time you have to shift to watching for fouls.


I'm OK with the change, I just don't agree with the explanations given for the change.