SECTION 5 FREE-THROW LANE
ART.1...A free-throw lane, 12 feet wide measured to the outside of each lane boundary, and the semicircle with the free-throw line as a diameter, shall be marked at each end of the court with dimensions and markings as shown on the appended court diagram. All lines designating the free throw lane, but not lane-space marks and neutral-zone marks, are part of the lane.
ART.2...The color of the lane-space marks and neutral-zone marks shall contrast with the color of the lane boundary lines. The lane-space marks (2 inches by 8 inches) and neutral zone marks (12 inches by 8 inches) identify areas which extend 36 inches from the outer edge of the lane lines toward the sidelines. There are four marked lane spaces on each lane boundary line.
SECTION 6 FREE-THROW LINE
A free-throw line, 2 inches wide, shall be drawn across both circles, which have an outside radius of 6 feet as shown on the appended court diagram. It shall be parallel to the end line and shall have its farthest edge 15 feet from the plane of the face of the backboard.
SECTION 7 BACKBOARDS
ART.1...The backboards shall be the same size at both ends of the court. The backboard shall be one of three types: (1) a rectangle 6 feet horizontally and 4 feet vertically; or (2) a rectangle 6 feet horizontally and 3 1/2 feet vertically; or (3) a fan-shaped backboard, 54-inches wide.
NOTE: The 6-foot horizontal and 3 1/2 foot vertical dimensions are recommended for replacement backboards or new installations.
ART.2...Each of the backboards shall be of any rigid material. The front surface shall be flat and, unless it is transparent, it shall be white. Tinted glass backboards are prohibitted beginning with those manufactured after January 1. 1995.
NOTE: For the fan-shaped backboard in transparent material, the recurved cut-out at the bottom may be filled in and the ring attached to the front of the backboard.
ART.3...If the backboard is transparent, it shall be marked as follows: A rectangle shall be centered behind the ring and marked by a 2-inch white line. The rectangle shall haveoutside dimensions of 24 inches horizontally and 18 inches vertically. For the rectangular backboard, the top edge of the baseline shall be level with the ring. For the fan-shaped backboard, the baseline shall be omitted, and the two vertical lines shall be extended to the bottom of the backboard. The rectangular target in a bright orange or black color may be used on a nontransparent backboard. The border of the backboard shall be marked with a white line. The border shall be 3 inches or less in width.
ART.4...Either type backboard may be transparent or nontransparent. No logo, marking, lettering, etc., is permitted on the backboard, backboard padding, or basket.
SECTION 8 BACKBOARD POSITION
ART.1...Each backboard shall be midway between the sidelines, with the plane of its front face perpendicular to the floor, parallel to the end line, and 4 feet from it.
ART.2...The upper edge of the backboard shall be 13 feet above the floor for the rectangular, and 12 feet 8 inches for the fan-shaped. The backboard shall be protected from spectators to a distance of at least 3 feet at each end.
SECTION 9 BACKBOARD PADDING, SUPPORT SYSTEMS
ART.1...The bottom and each side of the all-rectangular backboards shall be padded with a poly high-carb vinyl-type material that meets the Bashor resilience test with a range of 20-30. The padding must cover the bottom surface of the board and the side surface to a distance of up to 15 inches up from the bottom. The front and back surfaces must be covered to a minimum distance of 3/4 inch from the bottom of the backboard. The padding shall be 1-inch thick from the front and back surfaces of the backboard. The material shall be 2 inches from the bottom edge of the backboard. It is recommended that the padding be mounted on the backboard by adhesive or material such as Velcro, channel, etc. The padding shall be a single, solid color and shall be the same color on both backboards.
ART.2...Any backboard support behind the backboard and at a height of less than 9 feet above the floor shall be padded on the bottom surface to a distance of 2 feet from the face of the backboard. All portable backstops must have the bases padded to a height of 7 feet or more above the floor.
ART.3...Clearances - As below and behind backboards, all support systems should be at least 8 feet behind the plane of the backboard face and at a height of 7 feet or more above the floor.
ART.4...Any backboard support, all of which is not directly behind the backboard, should be at least 6 inches behind it if the support extends above the top and at least 2 feet behind it if the support extends beyond the side. Any overhead backboard support structure which must be forward-braced due to space limitations, architectural or structural restraints, shall meet the following requirements: A front, diagonal-brace system must be located above a line extending upward and into the playing court at a maximum 45-degree angle from a point on a vertical line located a minimum of 6 inches behind the front side of the backboard at a minimum height of 4 feet 6 inches above the basket ring.
ART.5...Warning on misuse of portable backstops - Manufacturers and administrators should be aware of an "extreme-caution" warning relative to the misuse of portable backstops. A high degree of injury potential and a severe liability problem exists when players or spectators are allowd to hang, sit or stand on the basket ring or backboard. Administrators must see that this practice is eliminated or that the portable units are lowered at the completion of the game. There is a high risk of severe injury, even death, if this practice continues. A recommended warning or inscription such as "Danger - please do not get on the rim/backboard" is desirable.
SECTION 10 BASKET SIZE, MATERIAL
ART.1...Each basket shall consist of a single metal ring, 18 inches in inside diameter, its flange and braces, and a white-cord 12-mesh net, 15 to 18 inches in length, suspended from beneath the ring.
ART.2...Each ring shall not be more than 5/8 inch in diameter, with the possible addition of small-gauge loops on the bottom edge for attaching a 12-mesh net. The ring and its attaching flange and braces shall be bright orange in color.
ART.3...The cord of the net shall be not less than 120-thread nor more than 144-thread twine, or plastic material of comparable dimensions. It shall be constructed to momentarily check the ball as it passes through.
SECTION 11 BASKET RING
ART.1...Each basket ring shall be securely attached to the backboard/support system with a ring-restraining device. Such a device shall ensure that the basket stays attached in the event a glass backboard breaks. Each basket ring shall have its upper edge 10 feet above and parallel to the floor and shall be equidistant from the vertical edges of the backboard. The nearest point of the inside edge of the ring shall be 6 inches from the plane of the face of the backboard.
ART.2...Movable and nonmovable rings are legal. Movable basket rings shall have rebound characteristics similar to those of nonmovable rings. The pressure-release mechanism should ensure these characteristics, as well as protect both the ring and backboard. The design of the ring and its construction should ensure player safety.
Art.3...For those rings with a lock/release mechanism, the pressure-release mechanism must not disengage until a static load of 230 pounds has been applied to the top of the ring at the most distant point from the backboard. The pressure-release mechanism must be preset by the manufacturer at the required static-load setting and may be sealed or field adjustable. When released, the ring shall not rotate more than 30 degrees below the original horizontal position. After release and with the load no longer applied, the ring shall return automatically and instantaneously to the original position.
SECTION 12 BALL
ART.1...The ball shall meet the following specifications:
a. Its color shall be the approved orange shade or natural color.
b. It shall be spherical.
c. It shall have a deply-pebbled cover with the traditionally shaped eight panels
bonded tightly to the rubber carcass.
d. The circumference shall be:
1. Within a minimum of 29 1/2 inches to a maximum of 30 inches for high
school boys competition.
2. Within a minimum of 28 1/2 inches to a maximum of 29 inches for high
school girls competition.
e. The wieght shall be:
1. Within a minimum of 20 ounces to a maximum of 22 ounces for high
school boys competition.
2. Within a minimum of 18 ounces to a maximum of 20 ounces for high
school girls competetion.
f. The black rubber rib separating the panels shall not exceed 1/4 inch in width.
g. The ball shall include the NFHS Authenticating Mark. The mark can be
displayed in either of two formats.
A current list of NFHS authenticated products can be found on the Web site, www.nfhs.org
NOTE: By state association adoption, either legal-size ball may be used for boys junior high competition.
ART.2...The ball shall be inflated to an air pressure such that when it is dropped to the playing surface from a height of 6 feet, measured to the bottom of the ball, it shall rebound to a height, measured to the top of the ball, of not less than 49 inches when it strikes on its least resilient spot, nor more than 54 inches when it strikes on its most resilient spot.
NOTE: To be legal, the air pressure which will give the required reaction must be stamped on it. The pressure for game use must make the ball bounce legally.
ART.3...The home team shall provide a ball which meets the specifications. The referee shall be the sole judge of the legality of the ball and may select a ball provided by the visiting team.
SECTION 13 BENCH LOCATION
The location of each team's bench shall be designated by game management. It is recommended that the benches for team members and coached os both teams be placed along that side of the court on which the scorers' and timers' table is located. By state association adoption, the head coach may be off the bench in front of his/her seat within the confines of the designated coaching box to give instructions to his/her players and/or substitutes. Coaching box - The coaching box shall be outlined outside the side of the court on which the scorers' and timers' table and team benches are located. The area shall be bounded by a line 28 feet from the end line, the sideline, a line no more than 14 feet from the 28-foot line, and the team bench. These lines shall be located off the court, be 2 inches wide, and of a color contrasting with the boundary lines.
NOTE: State associations may alter the placement of the 14-foot coaching box.
SECTION 14 RED LIGHT
A red light is permitted behind each backboard to supplement the audible timers' signal that time has expired for a quarter or extra period. It shall be synchronized with this signal.
SECTION 15 CLOCK AND SCOREBOARD
A visible game clock and scoreboard are mandatory. An alternate timing device and scoring information system shall be available in the event of malfunction.
SECTION 16 POSSESSION ARROW
A visible display shall be located at the scorers' and timers' table to indicate team possession for the alternating-possession procedure.
SECTION 17 "X" LOCATES SCORER
An "X" 12 inches long and 2 inches wide shall be placed on the floor out of bounds directly in front of the scorer to help substitutes locate the scorer.
SECTION 18 MUSIC/SOUND EFFECTS/ARTIFICIAL NOISEMAKERS
The playing of music/sound effects shall only be permitted during pre-game, time-outs, intermission and post-game. The use of artificial noisemakers shall be prohibited.
