Understanding NBA Free Throw Rules
A free throw is an opportunity for a player to score one point from behind the free throw line without direct defensive interference. Free throws are awarded for certain personal fouls, technical fouls, flagrant fouls and other violations.
The NBA's free throw regulations are established primarily under Rule No. 9, which governs player positioning, shooting procedures, violations and the resumption of play.
The rules are designed to ensure that the shooter has a fair opportunity to attempt the free throw while establishing when other players may enter the lane and compete for a rebound.
Although the basic concept of a free throw is simple, the NBA maintains detailed regulations covering lane positioning, early entry, player substitutions, illegal contact with the ball and interference with the shooter.
Section I — Player Positions and Lane Violations
1. Position of the Free Throw Shooter
When a free throw is awarded, an official places the basketball at the disposal of the designated shooter.
The shooter must stand above the free throw line and within the upper half of the free throw circle.
The player must attempt the free throw within 10 seconds after gaining control of the ball.
To constitute a legal attempt, the basketball must enter the basket or touch the basket ring.
2. Positions Along the Free Throw Lane
During a free throw awarded for a common personal foul, players occupy designated spaces along the free throw lane.
- The spaces nearest the endline must be occupied by opponents of the free throw shooter.
- The next adjacent spaces on each side are occupied by teammates of the free throw shooter.
- Only one of the third spaces may be occupied by an opponent of the shooter.
- Neither third space is required to be occupied.
- Teammates of the shooter are not permitted to occupy the third spaces.
If there is a discrepancy involving the assignment of available spaces, the shooter's teammates receive priority for their designated positions.
3. Players Outside the Lane
Players who are not occupying designated lane spaces must remain on the court behind the three-point line above the free throw line extended until the ball is released by the shooter.
They may not touch the three-point line or the floor inside the restricted positioning area before the release.
4. Entering the Lane Too Early
Players occupying spaces along the lane may not touch the lane line or the floor inside the line when the shooter releases the ball.
They also may not improperly extend themselves across their designated lane space in front of an opponent.
Players may not move more than three feet away from the lane line before the basketball is released.
These restrictions prevent players from gaining an unfair rebounding advantage before the free throw has been attempted.
5. Free Throws When the Ball Will Remain Dead
If the basketball will become dead following the final free throw attempt, players do not occupy the spaces along the lane.
Instead, all other players must remain on the court behind the three-point line above the free throw line extended until the basketball is released.
This situation can occur when the shooting team is entitled to retain possession following a special foul penalty.
Because no rebound opportunity exists, ordinary early-entry violations generally are not assessed. However, an opponent can still be penalized for illegally disconcerting the shooter.
Section II — Shooting of the Free Throw
1. Who Must Attempt the Free Throw?
When free throws are awarded because of a personal foul, the player who was fouled must ordinarily attempt them.
However, several exceptions apply when that player is injured, ejected, disqualified or otherwise unable to shoot.
2. Injured or Ejected Player
If the player who was fouled is injured for a reason other than a qualifying flagrant foul or unsportsmanlike act, or is ejected and cannot attempt the free throws, the opposing coach selects a replacement player from the offended team's bench.
The replacement attempts the free throws. When the substitution is due to an ordinary injury, the injured player may not return to the game.
The replacement must remain in the game until the ball is legally touched by a player on the court, subject to applicable exceptions.
3. Injury Caused by a Flagrant Foul
If a player is unable to attempt free throws because of a Flagrant 1 foul, the offended team's coach may designate any player who was in the game at the time to attempt the free throws.
The injured player ordinarily may not return.
An exception applies when the player was removed for a concussion evaluation and subsequently satisfies the NBA's concussion protocol requirements for returning to play.
4. Injury Caused by Unsportsmanlike Conduct
If the player cannot attempt the free throws because of an unsportsmanlike act, the offended team's coach may designate any eligible member of the team to attempt them.
In this situation, the injured player may return to the game.
5. Disqualified Player
If the player who was fouled has been disqualified and cannot attempt the awarded free throws, the player's coach designates an eligible substitute from the bench.
That substitute attempts the free throws and must remain in the game until the basketball is legally touched by a player on the court, subject to applicable exceptions.
6. Special Free Throw Situations
Other foul classifications, including technical fouls and away-from-the-play fouls, may permit a different eligible player to attempt the free throw.
For an ordinary technical foul, the free throw must be attempted by an eligible player who is in the game when the technical foul is assessed.
7. Official Must Handle the Ball
A free throw attempt, whether awarded for a personal foul or a technical foul, is illegal unless an official handles the basketball before the attempt.
8. Multiple Free Throw Attempts
When a player is awarded multiple free throws, all remaining attempts must be taken even if an earlier attempt is nullified because of an offensive player's violation.
9. Timeouts Before Free Throws
If a timeout is granted before a free throw attempt, the free throw is administered after the timeout.
Section III — NBA 10-Second Free Throw Rule
A player attempting a free throw has 10 seconds to release the basketball after it has been placed at the player's disposal.
The free throw must be attempted in a manner that causes the basketball to enter the basket or touch the rim.
If the shooter exceeds the time limit, a free throw violation is assessed.
If the attempt was the final free throw and the ball would otherwise remain in play, the opposing team receives possession for a throw-in at the free throw line extended.
If additional free throws remain, the violated attempt does not count and the remaining attempts are administered under the applicable rules.
The 10-second rule is particularly important for players who use lengthy free throw routines.
Crossing the Free Throw Line
The shooter may not step over the plane of the free throw line before the ball touches the basket ring, the backboard or the free throw ends.
Crossing the line too early is a violation by the shooter, and no point can be scored on that attempt.
Faking a Free Throw
The shooter may not purposely fake a free throw attempt.
An illegal fake results in a shooter violation, and the attempt cannot produce a point.
NBA Free Throw Violations and Penalties
| Violation |
Who Commits It? |
General Penalty |
| 10-Second Violation |
Free throw shooter |
Attempt is unsuccessful by rule; possession or next attempt follows |
| Crossing Free Throw Line Early |
Free throw shooter |
No point; possession or next attempt follows |
| Illegal Free Throw Fake |
Free throw shooter |
No point; possession or next attempt follows |
| Early Lane Entry |
Shooter's teammate |
If the attempt remains live, no point; opponent receives possession |
| Early Lane Entry |
Shooter's opponent |
Successful attempt counts; unsuccessful attempt is repeated |
| Simultaneous Lane Violations |
Both teams |
Midcourt jump ball when the attempt remains live |
| Disconcerting the Shooter |
Opponent |
Missed attempt is repeated; successful attempt counts |
| Illegal Ball Interference |
Shooter's teammate |
No point; possession or next attempt follows |
| Illegal Ball Interference |
Shooter's opponent |
One point awarded; additional penalties depend on the violation |
Violations by the Shooting Team
If a teammate of the shooter commits a lane-position violation and the free throw would otherwise remain in play, the free throw cannot score and the opposing team receives a throw-in at the free throw line extended.
If the free throw will not remain in play, ordinary lane-position violations are disregarded because no rebounding advantage can be gained.
Violations by the Defensive Team
If an opponent violates the lane-position rules and the free throw is successful, the violation is disregarded and the point counts.
If the free throw is unsuccessful and would otherwise remain in play, the shooter receives a substitute free throw.
Violations by Both Teams
If both teams commit qualifying lane violations during a free throw that would remain in play, the NBA administers a jump ball at midcourt between any two eligible opponents.
Special procedures apply if the free throw would not remain in play.
Disconcerting the Free Throw Shooter
Opponents may not deliberately distract or disrupt the shooter after the basketball has been placed at the shooter's disposal.
Examples include:
- Waving arms or making sudden movements within the shooter's field of vision.
- Talking directly to the shooter or speaking in a loud, disruptive manner.
- Entering the lane and continuing to move during the attempt.
- Raising arms from a lane position during a free throw that will not remain in play.
If the free throw is successful, the disconcertion violation is disregarded. If the attempt is unsuccessful, the shooter receives a substitute free throw.
Basket Interference During a Free Throw
Players may not illegally touch the basketball, basket ring or imaginary cylinder above the ring during a free throw.
Illegal interference by the shooter's teammate prevents the free throw from scoring.
Illegal interference by an opponent can result in one point being awarded, with the precise continuation determined by the type of interference and whether additional free throws remain.
Section IV — Next Play After a Free Throw
After a successful free throw that is not followed by another free throw, the basketball is ordinarily put into play with a throw-in, just as it would be after a successful field goal.
The team that was scored upon takes possession for the throw-in.
If the free throw is missed and the basketball remains live, players may attempt to secure the rebound, provided they comply with the lane-position and basket-interference rules.
However, special foul penalties may require the basketball to remain dead after the final free throw, with possession awarded to a designated team.
Exception — Free Throw Before a New Period
If a foul occurs during a dead-ball situation immediately before the beginning of a period, the free throw is administered before the period begins.
Afterward, the team entitled to the throw-in for the new period receives possession under Rule No. 6.
This exception also applies to qualifying flagrant and punching fouls.
How Many Free Throws Are Awarded in the NBA?
| Situation |
Free Throws Awarded |
| Foul on Missed Two-Point Attempt | 2 |
| Foul on Missed Three-Point Attempt | 3 |
| Made Basket With Shooting Foul | 1 additional free throw |
| Ordinary Team-Foul Bonus | 2 |
| Ordinary Technical Foul | 1 |
| Flagrant 1 | 2, plus possession |
| Flagrant 2 | 2, plus possession and ejection |
| Qualifying Clear-Path Foul | 2, plus possession |
| Qualifying Transition Take Foul | 1, plus possession |
| Qualifying Away-From-the-Play Foul | 1, plus possession |
NBA Free Throw Rules — Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an NBA player have to shoot a free throw?
Ten seconds after the ball is placed at the shooter's disposal.
Can an NBA player jump while shooting a free throw?
Yes. The shooter may jump, provided the player does not violate the free throw line or other shooting rules.
Can a player cross the free throw line after releasing the ball?
The player must wait until the basketball touches the rim or backboard, or the free throw ends, before crossing the plane of the line.
What happens if a defender enters the lane early?
For a free throw that remains live, a successful attempt counts. If the attempt is missed, a substitute free throw is awarded.
What happens if a teammate enters the lane early?
For a free throw that remains live, the attempt cannot score and the opposing team receives possession.
Can a player fake a free throw?
No. Purposely faking a free throw attempt is a violation.
Who shoots free throws when a player is injured?
Ordinarily, the opposing coach selects a replacement from the injured player's bench. Different rules apply to injuries caused by flagrant fouls, unsportsmanlike acts and certain concussion evaluations.
How many points is an NBA free throw worth?
One point.
Can players rebound a missed free throw?
Yes, when the ball remains live after the attempt. Players must comply with lane-position rules.
Official NBA Free Throw Rules and References
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