The national group that sets high-school basketball rules for some 17,000 schools has adopted the three-point field goal for boys’ and girls’ basketball, effective next season.
Under the new rule adopted last month by the National Federation Basketball Rules Committee, successful shots taken from beyond 19 feet, 9 inches will count for three points.
The distance, which is measured from the center of the basket to the top of the “key,’' is the same as the distance now used in collegiate basketball.
The three-point shot has been allowed by the rules committee on an optional basis for the past two years, the group noted in a prepared statement.
The committee also adopted the following major rule changes for the 1987-88 season:
- All technical fouls will carry a penalty of two free throws. In addition, the coach and player will both be assessed technical fouls when the player dunks and grasps the ring during pre-game and half-time warmups.
- Players may occupy only one of the eight free-throw-line spaces, or must position themselves behind the three-point line to the rear of the free-throw shooter.
