RULE NO. 10—VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES
Section I—Free Throw
a. After the ball is placed at the disposal of a free throw shooter, his attempt shall be within 10 seconds in such a way that the ball enters the basket or touches the ring before it is touched by a player. The free throw attempt shall be within that part of the free throw circle behind the free throw line.
b. A player shall not touch the ball or basket while the ball is on or within the basket.
c. A player who occupies a free throw lane space shall not touch the floor on or across the free throw lane line, nor shall any player “back out” more than 3' from the free throw lane line. A player who does not occupy a lane space must remain 6' from the free throw line and/or 3' from the free throw circle. This restriction applies until the ball leaves the free thrower’s hands.
d. The free throw shooter may not cross the plane of the free throw line until the ball touches the basket ring, backboard, or the free throw ends.
e. No player shall deflect or catch the ball before it reaches the basket or backboard on a free throw attempt.
f. The free throw shooter shall not purposely fake a free throw attempt.
g. An opponent shall not disconcert the free thrower in any way, once the ball has been placed at the disposal of the shooter.
h. No violation can occur if the ball is not released by the free throw shooter.
EXCEPTION: Rule 10—Section I—f.
PENALTY:
l. In (a-f) above, if the violation is by the offense, no point can be scored. The ball is awarded out-of-bounds to opponents at the free throw line extended.
2. In (b) above, a violation by the defense shall be disregarded if the free throw attempt is successful. If the free throw attempt is unsuccessful, one point shall be awarded.
3. In (c), a violation by the defense shall be disregarded if the free throw attempt is successful. If the free throw attempt is unsuccessful, a substitute free throw attempt is awarded.
4. In (g), the violation shall be disregarded if the free throw attempt is successful. If the free throw attempt is unsuccessful, a substitute free throw attempt shall be awarded.
5. In (e), if the violation is by the defensive team, the point is scored and the same player receives another free throw attempt. The additional free throw attempt is considered a new play. This can only occur when the ball will remain in play after the free throw attempt. If it occurs on a multiple free throw attempt which is not going to remain in play, only the single point is awarded and the remaining free throw(s) shall be attempted.
6. If there is a free throw violation by each team, on a free throw which is to remain in play, the ball becomes dead, no point can be scored and play shall be resumed by a jump ball between any two opponents at the center circle.
7. The “out-of-bounds” and “jump ball” provisions above do not apply if the free throw is to be followed by another free throw, or if there are free throws to be attempted by both teams.
8. If a violation by the free thrower as in (a) above follows disconcertion, a substitute free throw shall be awarded.
