Free throws

44.1.1

A free throw is an opportunity given to a player to score 1 point, uncontested, from a position behind the free-throw line and inside the semi-circle.

44.1.2

A set of free throws is defined as all free throws and possible following possession of the ball resulting from a single foul penalty.

44.2.1

When a personal, disruptive, flagrant or a disqualifying contact foul is committed, the free throw(s) shall be awarded as follows:

• The player who was fouled shall attempt the free throw(s).
• If that player is designated to be substituted, the free throw(s) shall be attempted before the substitution.
• If the player must leave the game due to injury, having committed 5 fouls or having been disqualified, the substitute shall attempt the free throw(s). If no substitute is available, any team-mate as designated by the head coach shall attempt the free throw(s).

44.2.2

When a technical or a disqualifying non-contact foul is committed, any member of the opponents’ team as designated by the head coach shall attempt the free throw(s).

44.2.3

The free-throw shooter shall:

• Take a position behind the free-throw line and inside the semi-circle.
• Use any method to shoot a free throw in such a way that the ball enters the basket from above or the ball touches the ring.
• Release the ball within 5 seconds after it is placed at the disposal by the referee.
• Not touch the free-throw line or enter the restricted area until the ball has entered the basket or has touched the ring.
• Not fake a free throw.

44.2.4

The players in the free-throw rebound places shall be entitled to occupy alternating positions in these spaces, of 1 m in depth (Diagram 7). During the free throws these players shall not:

• Occupy free-throw rebound places to which they are not entitled.
• Enter the restricted area, the neutral zone or leave the free-throw rebound place until the ball has left the hand(s) of the free-throw shooter.
• Distract the free-throw shooter by their actions.

44.2.5

The players not in the free-throw rebound places shall remain behind the free-throw line extended and behind the 3-point goal line until the free throw ends.

44.2.6

During a free throw(s) to be followed by other set(s) of free throws or by a throw-in, all players shall remain behind the free-throw line extended and behind the 3-point goal line.

44.3.1

If a free throw is successful and the violation is committed by the free-throw shooter, the point shall not count. The ball shall be awarded to the opponents for a throw-in from the free-throw line extended, unless there is a further free throw(s) or possession penalty to be administered.

44.3.2

If a free throw is successful and the violation is committed by any player other than the free-throw shooter:

• The point shall count.
• The violation(s) shall be disregarded. In case of the last free throw, the ball shall be awarded to the opponents for a throwin from any place behind that team’s endline.

44.3.3

If a free throw is not successful and the violation is committed by:

• A free-throw shooter or the team-mate on the last free throw, the ball shall be awarded to the opponents for a throw-in from the free-throw line extended unless that team is entitled to further possession.
• An opponent of the free-throw shooter, a substitute free throw shall be awarded to the free-throw shooter.
• Both teams on the last free throw, a jump ball situation occurs.