PIAA Approves Free Throw Rule Change That Eliminates the One-and-One Situation, Resets Team Fouls at the End of Each Quarter

CLARION, Pa. (EYT/D9) — The one-and-one is official done in Pennsylvania.

The National Federation of High School Associations in May approved a major change to the free throw shooting. Rule 4-8-1 eliminated the one-and-one free throw situation after common/non-shooting fouls in the bonus.

Instead, two shots are awarded on the fifth team foul of each quarter. Team fouls will reset at the end of each quarter.

On Thursday, the PIAA voted to follow that rule change.

(Pictured above, Clarion-Limestone’s Jack Callen attempts a free throw/photo by Diane Lutz)

Several District 9 coaches were not in favor of it and wondered why it is even needed.

“I just don’t like it,” said Moniteau boys basketball coach Mike Jewart. “It’s going to change the style of the game.”

Back in May, Jewart said “it’s kind of out of nowhere.”

Few, if any, saw coming that alteration of a fundamental rule that has been in place in high school basketball for decades.

The NFHSA, however, thought it was necessary.

“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, NFHSA Director of Sports in a statement. “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.”

Several D9 basketball coaches didn’t see either being an issue.

“It’s an interesting time for this,” said Clarion boys basketball coach Scott Fox. “I don’t understand the reasoning for limiting rebounding injuries. I haven’t seen many injuries rebounding.”

Coaches won’t have a lot of time to assess the impact of the change before the season starts.

Many summer leagues are already in full swing and are playing by the old rule.

“We’re not really going to know how this is all going to work until we get partway through the season, I think,” Jewart said.

It will almost certainly alter strategy significantly.

One-and-one situations were key in helping trailing teams close the gap at the end of games. Now with two shots guaranteed, rallying from behind in the closing minute will be a lot more difficult.

Coaches also say it will alter how teams play defense throughout the game since team fouls are reset after each quarter.

“My initial though is that it’s going to change end-of-game strategies and I’m sure other aspects of the game as well,” said Karns City coach Zach Kepple. “I think foul shooting is a major part of high school basketball and this rule potentially makes it less of a factor in the outcome of a game.”