Blog Post: July 8, 2025

Clarifying Throw-In Spots
NFHS 2025–26 Rule Change

A significant 2025–2026 NFHS rules change aims to improve consistency and clarity in resuming play after fouls, violations, and other stoppages beginning next season.

Officials will no longer need to rely on the “imaginary trapezoid” to determine throw-in spots. Instead, the court’s three-point arc will now serve as the basis for assigning designated throw-in spots. This rule applies equally to frontcourt and backcourt throw-ins after any stoppage other than an out-of-bounds violation.

The rule now states:

After a violation (9-1, 9-2, 9-4 through 9-13) by either team, a foul by either team before the bonus is in effect, or any other stoppage in play, the throw-in location will be determined by the location of the violation/foul or the location of the ball when the stoppage occurs.

If the throw-in is to be in the team’s frontcourt or backcourt, it shall be at either the nearest 28-foot mark along each sideline or the nearest spot 3 feet outside the lane line along the end line (NFHS 7-5-3, 7-5-4).

Inside the Three-Point Arc:

If the stoppage occurs inside the 3-point arc, play resumes at the nearest end line spot on that side of the basket line, located 3 feet outside the lane lines. (See Spots 2 and 3 in Figure 9-2-2)

Outside the Three-Point Arc:

If the stoppage occurs outside the arc, the ball is inbounded from the nearest sideline at the 28-foot mark. (See Spots 1 and 4 in Figure 9-2-2)

Most of these decisions will be based on where the actual infraction or stoppage occurs. In other instances, the throw-in spot will be based on the location of the ball at the point of interruption. (e.g., double foul, granted time-out)

This change is intended to improve accuracy in determining the proper throw-in spots to resume play. Officials now have a visible reference point to make that determination, which should reduce errors in applying the rule.

This change should also make the rule clearer for coaches and players. Coaches can better anticipate where throw-ins will occur and adjust their offensive and defensive strategies accordingly.

PLAY SCENARIOS:

PLAY 1:

A-1 commits a player control foul in the frontcourt outside the three-point arc near the division line.

RULING: Team B will be awarded the ball along the sideline at the 28-foot mark in Team B’s backcourt. In prior seasons, the ball would have been awarded at the nearest spot near the division line. This year officials will need to remember to move the ball back to the backcourt designated spot along the sideline. Refer to Figure 9-2-2 Spots 1 or 4. (IRG 9:2, NFHS 7-5-3, 7-5-4).

PLAY 2:

A-1 is holding the ball in the frontcourt just outside the 3-point arc near the end line when Team A is granted a time-out.

RULING: Since the ball was located outside the 3-point arc, Team A will be awarded the ball in the frontcourt at the 28-foot mark along the sideline when they return from the time-out. In prior seasons, this stoppage could have occurred inside the “imaginary trapezoid” and therefore the ball would have been awarded along the endline. This season, officials will need to be reminded that the ball will be moved back considerably to the frontcourt designated spot along the sideline. Refer to Figure 9‑2‑2 Spots 1 or 4. (IRG 9:2, NFHS 7-5-3, 7-5-4).

PLAY 3:

A‑1 is dribbling near the division line when A‑5 and B‑5 are charged with a double foul in the free throw lane.

RULING: Play resumes at the point of interruption, which is a designated-spot throw-in for Team A. The throw-in is from the applicable sideline throw-in spot, based on where the ball was located when the double foul occurred. Refer to Figure 9‑2‑2 Spots 2 or 3. (IRG 9:2, Play 9-2-3, NFHS 7-5-3, 7-5-4).

PLAY 4:

The ball deflects off B‑1 and rolls out of bounds in Team A’s frontcourt along the end line, just a few feet from the sideline. Team A is awarded a designated‑spot throw‑in at the spot nearest to where the violation occurred.

Team A Head Coach, in an attempt to move the throw-in spot, requests and is granted a time-out.

RULING: At the conclusion of the time‑out, Team A receives the ball for a throw‑in at the same designated throw‑in spot based on the spot nearest to where the out-of-bounds violation occurred. A time‑out granted in this specific situation does not allow the throw‑in team to move the throw‑in spot to one of the four designated frontcourt throw‑in spots. (IRG Play 9-2-5, NFHS 7-5-3, 7-5-4).

PLAY 5:

Thrower A‑1 has the ball for the alternating-possession throw-in at the division line to start the second quarter. A‑1 commits a throw-in violation by taking longer than five seconds to release the ball.

RULING: The AP throw-in to start a quarter is not in either the frontcourt or the backcourt. Therefore, in this situation, the official administers the ensuing throw-in for Team B as a designated-spot throw-in at the division line, opposite the table.

The possession arrow is switched toward Team B’s basket immediately after the violation by A‑1. This ensuing throw-in is not an AP throw-in, so Team B will be entitled to the next throw-in under the AP procedure. (IRG Play 9-3-2, NFHS 644, 645).

PLAY 6:

After an out-of-bounds violation, A‑5 is awarded a throw-in along the sideline 3 feet from the end line when thrower A‑1 commits a throw-in violation.

RULING: Team B is awarded the ball in their backcourt at the 28-foot mark along the sideline as a result of the throw-in violation committed by A‑1. (IRG 9:2:B.2, NFHS 7-5-3, 7-5-4).

PLAY 7:

A‑5 is awarded a throw-in along the sideline 3 feet from the end line when B‑5 reaches through the plane of the end line with both hands and arms but does not contact the ball.

RULING: If Team B has not previously been issued a delay of game warning, a boundary-plane warning must be issued to Team B. The ensuing throw-in is from the original throw-in spot.

The official administering the throw-in must first report the warning to the official scorer, and then announce it to Team B’s head coach. Any additional delay-of-game infractions by Team B will result in a technical foul. (IRG 9:5:Penalty 1 Play 9-5-5, NFHS 4‑47, 7‑6‑4, 9‑2‑10, 10‑2‑1c).