Basketball Statistics Blog

Statistician's Digest:
Free Throws Line Up - Rules Differences & Statistics Registration

At NF - National Federation (U.S. High School):
a- teams are entitled to alternating spots on the lane, with the opponents of the free shooter getting the spots closest to the basket.
b- as many as 8 players can be on the lane (4 each side), and you could have 5 from one team, as any vacant spot can be filled by an opponent.

At NCAA, NBA, FIBA:
a- teams are entitled to alternating spots on the lane, with the opponents of the free shooter getting the spots closest to the basket.
b- only a maximum of 5 players may be on the lane: 3 opponents of the shooter and 2 teammates.

At NBA:
c- the lowest 4 spots MUST be filled on the final throw.

At FIBA:
c- any of the spots may be empty, but must remain empty if the team entitled to them does not fill it.

At NF, NCAA, FIBA:
d- players not in marked lane spots, must remain outside the 3 point arc and behind the free throw line extended until the ball strikes the ring.

At NBA:
d- this part of the rule is somewhat more liberal.

Photograph: Basketball_China

Free throws are an organised process, for the statistician too. Let us see something about the basketball statistics register in this case. Really, is the shoot we have all the time to register data. The shooter takes his place behind the free throw line (4.5 metres or 15 feet from the basket). All other players must stand in their correct places until the ball leaves the shooter's hands:

The number of players allowed by the rule - according the last message - lines up along the sides of the restricted area (keyhole, paint, lane). These players are normally the ones that rebound the ball. Three or four line up on one side and two or four on the other. In all the rules, a defensive player always takes the place closest to the basket.

The remaining players, must remain behind the three point line and the free throw line extended (an imaginary line extended from the free throw line in both directions to the sidelines).

Leaving their designated places before the ball leaves the shooter's hands, interfering with the ball, and (for the defensive team only) attempting to put off the shooter, are all violations. In addition, the shooter must release the ball within five seconds (ten in the NBA) and must not step on or over the free throw line until the ball touches the ring.

- A violation by the shooter cancels the free throw and the statistician register a missed free throw and a team rebound for the opponents, in case of last free throw;
- a violation by the defensive team results in a substitute free throw if the shooter missed and no stats register in the possessions counting, only at the play-by-play relate - see eBA Basketball Statistics Creative Analysis System;

- a violation by the offensive team or a shot that completely misses the ring and backboard results in the loss of possession to the defensive team (only if it is on the last free throw), the statistician register a missed last free-throw and a defensive team rebound on FT for the defensive team.

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