Today In Sports History (March 25, 1957)

On this day in 1957, the NBA modified its free-throw shot rules. The free-throw lane was changed from 6 feet to 12 feet or 1.8 to 3.7 meters. Throughout the NBA’s history rules have been modified due to different player’s physical dominance. Free-throw dunks were banned due to Wilt Chamberlain dunking from the free-throw lane. At the time, Chamberlain was able to dunk the ball before his feet hit the ground, thus not making it a lane violation. Over time, there were a handful of rules modified in order to change the pace of the game or to take away advantages/disadvantages from players.