# Law 44: Free Throws (FIBA Official Basketball Rules)

Basketball · Law 44: Free Throws · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/basketball/laws/law-44-free-throws/)

Who shoots, how the shooter and the rebounders must behave, and what each free-throw violation costs.

## 44.441 Who Takes the Free Throws

Sets of free throws and who shoots them.

### Test 1: Who shoots

- A free throw is an uncontested opportunity to score 1 point from behind the free-throw line, inside the semi-circle. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.1.1)
- A set is all free throws and possible following possession resulting from a single foul penalty. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.1.2)
- If the fouled player is to be substituted, he attempts the free throws before the substitution. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.2.1)
- If the fouled player must leave through injury, 5 fouls or disqualification, his substitute takes them. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.2.1)
- With no substitute available, any team-mate designated by the head coach shoots. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.2.1)
- For a technical or a non-contact disqualifying foul, any opponent designated by the head coach shoots. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.2.2)
- A player who must leave with 5 fouls is replaced, and the substitute takes the free throws. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.2.1)
- The free throws come before the substitution. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.2.1)
- Fouled player first; if he must leave, his substitute; if none, a team-mate the head coach names. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.2.1)
- Touching the line before the ball reaches the ring is a violation; bounces, an underhand shot and a 4-second release are legal. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.2.3)

## 44.442 Shooter, Rebounders and Violations

Positions, timing and the penalties for free-throw violations.

### Test 1: Positions and timing

- The ball must be released within 5 seconds after the official places it at his disposal. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.2.3)
- Behind the line and within the half-circle is the shooter's spot. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.2.3)
- The shooter must not fake a free throw. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.2.3)
- The rebound places are spaces 1 m in depth. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.2.4)
- They may not enter the restricted area, neutral zone or leave their place until the ball has left the shooter's hands. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.2.4)
- They stay behind the free-throw line extended and behind the 3-point line until the free throw ends. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.2.5)
- With more to come, nobody lines up in the rebound places. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.2.6)
- Release within 5 seconds; rebounders move once the ball leaves his hands. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.2.3, 44.2.4)
- Entering before the release is a violation by the opponent; the shooter gets a substitute free throw. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.2.4, 44.3.3)
- Entering the restricted area before the ball leaves the shooter's hands is a violation. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.2.4)

### Test 2: Free-throw violations

- A successful free throw with a violation by the shooter does not count. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.3.1)
- If it goes in, someone else's violation is simply ignored. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.3.2)
- A miss after an opponent's violation is replaced by a new attempt. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.3.3)
- With violations by both teams on the last free throw, a jump ball situation occurs. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.3.3)
- A violation by the shooter or a team-mate on a missed last free throw gives the opponents a throw-in at the free-throw line extended. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.3.3)
- The point counts, and after a last free throw the opponents throw in from behind their end line. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.3.2)
- The shooter may use any method, so long as the ball enters from above or touches the ring. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.2.3)
- The point does not count; with a further free throw due, it is taken. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.3.1)
- The opponents get it at the line extended; no new attempt. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.3.3)
- The shooter violated, so the point does not count; with nothing more to give, the opponents throw in at the free-throw line extended. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 44.3.1)

Sources: FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (v1.1), Article 44 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

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