A free throw is rewarded when afoul was committed while a player the act of shooting.
When a free throw is awarded, the official takes the ball to the free-throw line of the offended team. After the players take their positions around the key, the official indicates the number of free throws that are being awarded and passes the ball to the free thrower, who then must make the throw within 10 seconds.
PLAYER POSITIONS
- On a free throw, the opponents are given the best positions to get the rebound.
- The players must position themselves according to the marks around the key/lane.
- Only two players from the team doing the free throw is allowed to take position around the key/lane, one on each side.
- The opposing team is allowed to have 3 players positioned around the key/lane. 2 on each side closest to the basket, and one on either side closest to the free thrower.
- All other players must be behind the three -point line.
FREE THROW RULES
For a personal foul, the fouled individual must take the free throw unless the player is injured. On a technical foul, the free throw may be attempted by any player of the opposing team, including an entering substitute.
The free thrower or any player beyond the three-point arc may not enter the free-throw lane until the ball touches the ring or backboard. However, all players who are lined up in marked lane spaces may enter the key/lane once the free thrower releases the ball.
If the free thrower crosses the free-throw lane before the ball touches the ring or backboard, the shot does not count. And one of the players from the opposing team outside the three-point line enter the key/lane before the ball touches the ring or backboard, the free thrower gets another attempt at the free throw. The same applies if the players lined out around the key/lane enters the key/lane before the free thrower releases the ball.
RESUMPTION OF PLAY
If a single free throw (or second of two free throws, or third of three free throws) is successful, the ball is put in play by opponents with a throw-in. If the free throw is missed (except on a technical foul), play is resumed with the recovery of a rebound.
FAQs
This rule change comes from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). Teams will now not enter the bonus until five team fouls have been committed in a quarter. After the five fouls, teams will now shoot two free throws on all fouls.
How many points is a free throw worth ________________? ›
A free throw is worth one point. Free throws are awarded to a team according to some formats involving the number of fouls committed in a half and/or the type of foul committed.
Can your feet cross the line on a free throw? ›
There are two factors here, 1-the player is not allowed to step on or across the free throw line as they shoot. Jumping often generates forward momentum and causes the player to step on or over the line. 2-when shooting a free throw, a player should have a consistent routine that they implement every time.
What is the 3 to make 2 free throw rule? ›
Before the 1954–55 season, the NBA established the rule that a backcourt foul would result in a "three to make two" situation (up to three attempts to make two free throws) if the violating team was over the team foul limit.
When did free throw rule change? ›
The rule changes take effect starting with the upcoming 2023-24 season. “If you don't do that, it sort of puts your schools in a bind when the rulebook is written one way and you're adopting something else,” Lombardi said. “It also hurts our schools that play a number of contests with bordering states.
How many fouls before free throws? ›
In other words, within any period, free throws are awarded starting from the fifth foul or from the second foul within the last two minutes of the period, whichever comes earlier.
Do free throws count as 1 point? ›
A free throw in basketball is worth one point. It is awarded to a player who is fouled while shooting the ball, or after certain other violations are committed. The player must stand at the free throw line, which is 15 feet from the basket, and attempt to make the shot.
Are free throws worth 2 points? ›
is worth ONE POINT in a game.
Can a free throw shooter get his own rebound? ›
A self-pass is explicitly stated as a violation in the official NBA Rulebook. According to Rule Number 10, Section 13g, “A player may not be the first to touch his own pass unless the ball touches his back- board, basket ring or another player.”
Can you fake shot a free throw? ›
The free throw shooter shall not purposely fake a free throw attempt. PENALTY: This is a violation by the shooter on all free throw attempts and a double violation should not be called if an opponent violates any free throw rules.
The dribble also ends when the dribbler palms/carries the ball by allowing it to come to rest in one or both hands. This is a palming/carrying the ball violation if the player continues with another dribble. There is no violation during the jump ball, a throw-in or a free throw.
Is a free throw a 3 pointer? ›
A successful attempt is worth three points, in contrast to the two points awarded for field goals made within the three-point line and the one point for each made free throw.
What is the team without the ball called? ›
The team with the ball is called the offense. The team without the ball is called the defense. They try to steal the ball, contest shots, steal and deflect passes, and garner rebounds.
What is the free throw line rule in the NBA? ›
A free throw line shall be drawn (2” wide) across each of the circles indicated in the court diagram. It shall be parallel to the end line and shall be 15' from the plane of the face of the backboard.
What is the 4 8 1 rule? ›
4-8-1: Eliminates the one-and-one for common fouls beginning with the seventh team foul in the half and establishes the bonus as two free throws awarded for a common foul beginning with the team's fifth foul in each quarter and resets the fouls at the end of each quarter.
Can you dribble before a free throw? ›
Some players dribble the ball a few times before lining up for their shot, others spin the ball in their hands — some do both. Some choose to line up both feet so their hips are square with the basket, whereas others only line up their shooting foot (same side as shooting hand) with the basket, Hagiya said.
