PRESEASON GUIDE
BASKETBALL 2014-15
RULE CHANGE:
Players Along Lane Can Enter on Free Thrower’s Release F
BOB MESSINA
our NFHS rules have been changed for the 2014-15 season, two of which are related to playing rules. The NFHS Basketball Rules Committee changed a free throw rule, allowing players along the lane to enter on the release of the ball by the free thrower. The rules committee also established absolutes for contact on the ballhandler. The rules committee clarified the use of sleeves on arms, legs and knees, made editorial changes to expand the definition of excessive contact, and identified four points of emphasis during meetings in mid-April in Indianapolis. The rules and editorial changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Rules Review Committee and finally by the NFHS Board of Directors. All rule changes and editorial changes will take effect beginning with the 2014-15 high school basketball season. Players in marked lane spaces will be able to move into the lane when the ball is released by the free thrower under new Rule 9-1-4g. Previously, players could not enter until the ball touched the ring or backboard, or until the free throw ended. The rules committee believes that the former rule of players in marked lane spaces not entering until the ball touches the ring or backboard created two obstacles for officials: 1) attempting to watch the ball strike the ring or backboard while simultaneously
Beginning this season players in the marked lane spaces will be able to enter the free throw lane on the free thrower’s release of the ball.
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS (NFHS) PUBLISHED BY REFEREE IN COOPERATION WITH THE NFHS