New rules this year regarding foul shots

The move from two classes of basketball to three in the state of North Dakota is a momentous step towards what is hoped to be competitive balance.

It's not the only new thing hoop fanatics will notice this season, however.

Beginning this winter, there is one major rules change that will go into effect, governing free throw situations and how they are conducted moving forward.

The "one-and-one" situation, in which a team is awarded a free throw upon the opposition committing the seventh team foul of a half and a bonus attempt if the first shot is converted, has been eliminated.

In its place will be two automatic free throws, which traditionally have been assessed upon the 10th team foul of the half.

Also with the rule change, the double bonus, now the default free throw scenario, will take effect on the fifth team foul.

In addition to that, team fouls will reset on the conclusion of each quarter instead of each half. No more than five team fouls may be displayed on the scoreboard.

Proponents of the rule change say it will cut down on injuries resulting from players jostling for position under the basket to grab the rebound off a missed foul shot in the now-defunct one-and-one.

Part of that is to eliminate the chance of injuries by half (less rebound situations), and also to avoid injuries that may have occurred due to confusion over the one-and-one versus double bonus status during game play.

The rule change will be applied in Divisions A and B this season, but not in Division AA, where games are played by halves and not quarters.