Free Throw Rule Change Eliminates One-and-One Bonus for High School Teams

Teams will shoot two free throws after five team fouls each quarter.

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INDIANAPOLIS - The procedure for shooting "bonus" free throws will change in Indiana high school basketball next season. 

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Basketball Rules Committee approved rule changes at its annual meeting last month in Indianapolis. The recommendations were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors. 

Moving forward, high school basketball teams will shoot two free throws for common fouls when in the "bonus." This change eliminates the one-and-one scenario and sets new foul limits each quarter for awarding the bonus free throws. 

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.”

Another rule change was made in regards to the throw-in procedure for front-court violations. For more information, visit https://www.nfhs.org/articles/free-throw-procedures-and-foul-administration-amended-in-2023-24-high-school-basketball-rules-changes/

A complete listing of the basketball rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Basketball.”