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News Release
New Rule on Free-Throw Lane Violations Approved in High School Basketball
Rule 9-1-3h was one of five rules changes recommended by
the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
Basketball Rules Committee at its April 20-22 meeting in Indianapolis.
The changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
After
reviewing the entire free-throw process, the committee approved the
addition to Rule 9-1-3 in an effort to make the rule easier to
understand and to create a safer environment for the free-throw shooter.
“This
new rule was approved by the committee in order to reduce rough play,”
said Theresia Wynns, NFHS director of sports and officials and liaison
to the rules committee. “Part of what we had observed over several
seasons was pushing and the displacement of the free-throw shooter after
he or she shot the ball. The new rule will hopefully stop rough play.”
In
addition, the Basketball Rules Committee added Rule 1-20 regarding
non-playing personnel – such as cheerleaders – on the court during a
short time-out. The new rule states that “non-playing personnel shall
remain outside of the playing area during a 30-second or less time-out
during the game. Non-playing personnel shall stand outside the
free-throw lane lines extended toward the sidelines throughout the
game.”
By formalizing awareness of the standards set for
non-playing personnel, game officials are able to direct non-playing
personnel to an appropriate place outside the playing court.
“The
main reason for this additional rule is to minimize risk for everyone,”
Wynns said. “Whether a cheerleader or a photographer, having
restrictions will help with the overall safety of those near the playing
area.”
In addition to these new rules, the rules committee
reduced the time to replace a disqualified or injured player from 20
seconds to 15 in Rule 2-12-5. The committee believed that the amount of
time presently given is too long and allows for gamesmanship to be
displayed.
“After coaches have seen a player get injured or foul
out, they already have an idea of who they want in the game as a
replacement,” Wynns said. “But they tend to use that time for other
reasons, so lessening the time will help uphold the principle of the
rule.”
The rules committee also removed restrictions pertaining
to player equipment. All extra apparel is permitted to have one logo
according to Rule 3-5-6. Last year the committee simplified the color
requirements to be consistent on all sleeves, tights, wristbands and
headbands. Adding the compression shorts to this rule will assist
officials in simplifying enforcement of the uniform rules.
A
complete listing of the basketball rules changes will be available on
the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at
the top of the home page, and select “Basketball.”
According to
the 2014-15 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, basketball
is the third-most popular boys sport nationwide with 541,479
participants and third-most popular girls sport with 429,504
participants. In terms of school sponsorship, it ranks No. 1 for both
boys and girls with 18,072 schools for boys and 17,653 for girls.
This
press release was written by Maddie Koss, a 2016 summer intern in the
NFHS Publications/Communications Department. She is a senior sports
media major at Butler University.
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About the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership organization for high school sports and performing arts activities.
Since 1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and performing arts activities that help students succeed
in their lives. The NFHS sets direction for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing
consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS writes playing rules for
17 sports for boys and girls at the high school level. Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more
than 19,800 high schools and 12 million participants in high school activity programs, including more than 7.8 million in high school sports.
As the recognized national authority on interscholastic activity programs, the NFHS conducts national meetings; sanctions interstate events;
offers online publications and services for high school coaches and officials; sponsors professional organizations for high school coaches, officials,
speech and debate coaches, and music adjudicators; serves as the national source for interscholastic coach training; and serves as a national
information resource of interscholastic athletics and activities. For more information, visit the NFHS
website at www.nfhs.org.
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