Lane Violation and Clock issue

[KenThree]

I don't believe just anyone can occupy the second and third lane spaces.

Rule 8-1-4 indicates that a teammate of the thrower "may" occupy the second lane space and an opponent of the free thrower "may" occupy the third lane space.

"May" indicates that the teammate in the second lane space or the opponent in the third lane space is not required. It can be left vacant. The first space, as we know, cannot be left vacant by an opponent of the shooter without penalty.

Nothing in the rule allows for an opponent to occupy the second space or a teammate to occupy the third space.

In other words, you couldn't have three opponents of the shooter on one side of the lane and one on the other side in the first space for the maximum of four for the opponent.