Basketball: Free-throw shooters get more protection after rule revision

Free-throw shooters in high school basketball have been getting aggressively boxed out soon after they attempt shots. Now the National Federation of State High School Assn. Rules Committee has announced a revision to protect them.

Under the new rule, players occupying the marked free-throw lane spaces cannot enter the free-throw semicircle until the ball touches the ring or the free throw ends. Previously, they could enter as soon as the ball left the shooter’s hands.

It’s an effort to make the rule easier to understand and to create a safer environment for the free-throw shooter. The rule was approved to reduce rough play for both boys and girls basketball.

In another rule revision, coaches will now have 15 seconds instead of 20 seconds to insert a player when a player is injured or fouled out.

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