need help on HS Basketball rule

[Pete Beck]

okay...i don't trust the refs one bit in the youth league that i am coaching a team in...here is what happened tonight and if anyone here can help me out or point me in the right direction i would appreciate it. We are supposed to be using High School rules...so

In lining up for freethrows...the team NOT shooting gets the low position, then the shooting team and then the team NOT shooting gets the final spot since only 6 total are allowed. If the team NOT shooting decides not to put a place in one of the last two spots, can the shooting team fill the sixth spot?

I would say yes, because by pulling that player out basically the team is trying to set up an offensive advantage if they get the rebound. To counter this the team shooting should be able to take the spot and attempt to get the offensive rebound. The team NOT shooting is "giving" up their position in the key to get an advantage elsewhere, so the other team should be able to counter and take the advantage for themselves.

I really couldn't get into a discussion with the ref on this, but i didn't like his answer as he couldn't tell that it was a rule or not...he just wouldn't let my player take the spot...and the only thing i found on the web supported my thinking except that the post was a few years old...

[Knapik]

If the other team decides to not line someone up in a slot, your team absolutely can fill it with one of your players.

[Trent Lawless]

I don't know an exact ruling you can cite, but it sure seems to me like the other team is ceding a spot to gain advantage in another way, so I agree with you, too.

[Tournament Master]

Same ruling in my work league. I tend to agree with the ref's ruling as those spots are designated to the specific teams.

[Pete Beck]

while i am fairly certain TM is right about the spots being designated to a team...if that is the case then the ref needs to to fill it with a player from the team it is designated to...at least on a free throw that is live.

[mwjergs]

I coach at the HS Varsity level.
The defensive team is allowed four players, the offense is allowed two players around the box and both spots next to the shooter should remain vacant. Giving up the spot doesn't matter.

[Pete Beck]

Thanks...

Maybe it is just me, but i see not forcing the defensive team to TAKE all four spots (at least on a live free throw) as advantage. If they vacate, then the spots should be open to the shooting team...

Do you know the rationale for the rule going the way it is?

[mwjergs]

It's taken several changes to get to the current ruling on free throws.

The rationale was to try and clean up the amount of players around the lane. As well as to always allow the defensive team the numbers advantage on a free throw. Back when you could load 7 on the box, You could have all 5 defenders load on. Most officials told me that there were just too many bodies fighting for loose balls.
That's when you had the rule change that the ball is not live until it touches the rim. This again would allow the defense an advantage in possessing the ball.
Another point from officials was that even when they changed the number to the current 4 D and 2 O, offensive players were still getting their share of rebounds. Some of it to poor block out technique and other to the angle that the second rebounders have. You'll notice at least this season in the college game that the bottom rebounders have been moved out to the next block. They should not get more easily pushed under the rim. More offensive rebounds and more fouls from a player coming over the back.

I hear your question about strategy.
It's not often that I can afford to not load all four, our tallest man is 6'3" and we are very guard heavy. We need as many bodies as we can get to secure the ball.It's not something I can remember seeing at the HS level.
Because you are giving up your advantage around the lane and if any team does that to me
I simply match up with them on the wings. We also teach to jam the rebounder. If the defensive player boards, my closest player will get up close and defend the outlet pass.

I understand the idea. On the defensive end you match up fine with three defensive players, two to box out and one for the shooter. So teams with height or good rebounding will want to push the sideline and start the break. And if they forfeit that spot you should be entitled to it. Part of the confusion is that it used to read that way but the rule has changed.

So to sum up, the rule is to help defenses, and help officials keep safety and curtail rough play around the rim. Hope this helps.

By the way what level are you coaching?