Reprinted with permission of the National Federation of State High School Associations.  This material is not to be resold or remarketed.

RULE 8     FREE THROW

SECTION 1     FREE-THROW ADMINISTRATION

   ART.1...When a free throw is awarded, the administering official shall take the ball to the free-throw line of the offended team and place it at the disposal of the free thrower.  A specific procedure is used to prevent delay in resuming play following a time-out or intermission.  The timer will sound the authorized warning signal and final signal.  The administering official will then sound the whistle to indicate play will resume.  In each situation:

   a.)  The ball shall be bounced to the free thrower if ready or it shall be  placed on the floor.

   b.)  The free-throw count shall begin and either or both teams may be charged with a violation.

  c.)  Following a violation by one or both teams, if that team(s) continues to delay it is a technical foul.

   ART.2...If the ball is to become dead when the last free throw for a specific penalty is not successful, players shall not occupy any spaces along the free-throw lane.

   ART.3...During a free throw when lane spaces may be occupied:

   a.)  Each of the lane spaces adjacent to the end line shall be occupied by one opponent of the free thrower unless the resuming of play procedure is in effect.

  b.)  A teammate of the free thrower is entitled to the next adjacent lane space on each side and to each other alternate position along each lane line.

   c.)  Not more than one player may occupy any part of a marked lane space.

   d.)  Only the marked lane spaces may be occupied.

   ART.4...Any player, other than the free thrower, who does not occupy a marked lane space must be behind the free-throw line extended and behind the three-point line.

SECTION 2     ATTEMPTING PERSONAL-FOUL FREE THROWS

   The free throw(s) awarded because of a personal foul shall be attempted by the offended palyer.  If such player must withdraw because of an injury or disqualification, his/her substitute shall attempt the throw(s) unless no substitute is available, in which case any teammate may attempt the throw(s) as selected by the team captain or head coach.

SECTION 3     ATTEMPTING TECHNICAL-FOUL FREE THROWS

   The free throws awarded because of a technical foul may be attempted by any player of the offended team, including an eligible substitute or designated starter.  The coach or captain shall designate the free thrower(s).

SECTION 4     TEN-SECOND LIMIT

   The try for goal shall be made within 10 seconds after the ball has been placed of the disposal of the free thrower at the free-throw line.  This shall apply to each free throw.

SECTION 5     RESUMING PLAY WITH THROW-IN

   After a free throw which is not followed by another free throw, the ball shall be put in play by a throw-in:

   ART.1...As after a field goal, as in 7-5-7, if the try is for a personal foul other than intentional of flagrant, and is successful.

   ART.2...By any player of the free-thrower's team from out of bounds at the division line on the side opposite the scorers' and timers' table if the free throw is for a technical foul.

   ART.3...By any player of the free-thrower's team from the out-of-bounds spot nearest the foul if the free throw is for an intentional personal foul or flagrant personal foul.

SECTION 6     RESUMING PLAY DIFFERENCES

   ART.1...If a free throw for a personal, other than intentional or flagrant, is unsuccessful, or if there is a multiple throw for a personal foul(s) and the last free throw is unsuccessful, the ball remains live.

   ART.2...If there is a multiple throw and both a personal and technical foul are involved, the tries shall be attempted in the order in which the related fouls were called, and if the last try is for a technical foul, or intentional or flagrant personal foul, the ball shall be put in play by a throw-in.

SECTION 7     PENALTY-ADMINISTRATION SEQUENCE

   Penalties for fouls are administered in the order in which the fouls occurred.