Significant Change Coming to High School Basketball Regarding Free Throw Attempts

NORFOLK, Neb. — A significant change is coming to high school basketball.

According to the National Federation of High School Associations, high school basketball teams will shoot two free throws for common fouls when in the “bonus,” starting next season. This rule change eliminates the one-and-one scenario and sets new foul limits each quarter for awarding the bonus free throw.

Rules changes were approved by the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee at its annual meeting last month in Indianapolis. The recommendations were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

The NSAA falls under the NFHS purview.

In addition to awarding two foul shots for all common fouls, teams will reach the bonus when their opponent commits five fouls in each quarter and team fouls will reset at the end of each quarter. Previously, teams were awarded the one-and-one bonus when their opponents committed seven fouls in a half and two foul shots when 10 fouls were committed each half.

“The rules committee studied data that showed higher injury rates on rebounding situations and saw this as an opportunity to reduce opportunities for rough play during rebounds,” said Lindsey Atkinson, NFHS Director of Sports and liaison to the Basketball Rules Committee. “Additionally, resetting the fouls each quarter will improve game flow and allow teams to adjust their play by not carrying foul totals to quarters two and four.”