<P> The baseline dunk is an approach - modifier of any dunk type in which the player approaches the basket along the court - boundary (baseline) which runs parallel with the backboard . In the game setting, the dunk often comes as the result of a pass, creating an assist opportunity for a teammate . In the contest, the baseline approach may be used as a means of convenience, facilitating a particular dunk type (e.g., passes bounced off the side of the backboard or its padding) or to increase the difficulty of a dunk type in hopes of meriting higher scores . </P> <P> This is a dunk where the player takes off from a distance which is significantly further away from the basket than is considered typical . The free - throw line is most commonly constituted as the take - off point, an effect likely attributed to the easily observable span between the line and the basket in the view of the TV audience . In order to achieve the hang - time and altitude necessary, players will generally leap from one - foot to maximize the momentum generated from the half - court running start often required to complete the dunk . A cornerstone of dunk contests, dunks from a distance are also performed in games, most often on the fast break . </P> <P> In the 1950s, Jim Pollard and Wilt Chamberlain had both dunked from the free throw line--15 feet from the basket . Chamberlain was able to dunk from the free - throw line without a running start, beginning his forward movement from within the top half of the free - throw circle . This was the catalyst for the 1956 NCAA rule change which requires that a shooter maintain both feet behind the line during a free - throw attempt . </P> <P> In the 1976 ABA Slam Dunk Contest, Julius Erving dunked after leaping from the free - throw line, with his heel on the line, and has since been credited with introducing the free - throw line dunk to the general public . </P>

Who did the free throw line dunk first