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How many fouls before penalty in basketball


How Many Fouls Until the Bonus in the NBA? – Sports Fan Focus

In basketball there are only so many fouls a team can commit before the opposing team is rewarded with penalty free throws. Every division of basketball, including the NBA, handles penalty free throws a bit different. How many fouls until a team reaches the bonus in the NBA?

An NBA team enters the bonus and is rewarded with free throws once the opponent has committed its fifth common foul of the quarter. This means that a team is allowed four common fouls per quarter, and free throws are awarded on the fifth common foul.

There are several exceptions to the bonus rule in the NBA. The final two minutes of every quarter is handled differently, and so are overtimes. Also, some types of fouls do not count towards the bonus. In this article we will discuss these details in more depth and also compare the NBA bonus rule to the college basketball bonus rule.

Table of Contents

How Many Fouls Until the Bonus in the NBA?

NBA Bonus Rules

The NBA Bonus rule is found under Rule 12 Part B Section 5 in the official NBA rule book (click here to view it). It states that:

“The first four common fouls committed by a team in any regulation period (quarter) shall result in the ball being awarded to the opposing team on the sideline nearest where play was interrupted.  The ball shall be awarded no nearer to the baseline than the free throw line extended.”

When an NBA team draws the fifth common foul of a quarter, they are awarded with penalty free throws. The player who was fouled will get to shoot two free throws. 

The two free throws differs from college basketball where the initial reward for entering the bonus is a one-and-one free throw opportunity.

The bonus (also known as “the penalty”) resets at the end of every quarter and overtime. This means that the count towards the bonus starts at zero for every quarter and overtime.

There is no team foul carryover to the next quarter (players of course do carry their personal fouls forward – a player fouls out in the NBA when their total of fouls for the game reaches six).

What Type of Fouls Count Toward the Bonus?

Not all fouls count toward the bonus. Only defensive fouls and loose-ball fouls will be counted. Offensive fouls – such as charges, illegal screens and push-offs – do not count toward the bonus.

NBA Bonus Overtime Rules

The bonus rules in overtime are a little bit different than the bonus rules during regulation.

In overtimes, a team is only allowed three common fouls (as opposed to four during regulation). On the fourth common foul, free throws are awarded to the player that was fouled.

The official NBA rule book states it this way:

“The first three common fouls committed by a team in any overtime period, shall result in the ball being awarded to the opposing team on the sideline nearest where play was interrupted.  The ball shall be awarded no nearer to the baseline than the free throw line extended.”

Less fouls are allowed during overtime because overtime periods (5 minutes) are shorter than regular NBA quarters (12 minutes). Just like during regular quarters, team fouls reset to zero after every overtime period.

NBA Bonus Rules: Last Two Minutes of Period

The bonus rules in the NBA change in the final two minutes of a quarter or an overtime.

In the last two minutes, teams are allowed only one common foul. If a second foul is committed, free throws are awarded to the player that was fouled.

The official NBA rule book states it this way:

“If a team has not committed its quota of four team fouls during the first ten minutes of any regulation period, or its quota of three team fouls during the first three minutes of any overtime period, it shall be permitted to incur one team foul during the last two minutes without penalty.”

This is only applicable if a team has not yet reached the bonus. If they already have reached the bonus, they stay in the bonus and nothing changes.

This rule is put in place so that the last two minutes of a period do not turn into a foul-fest. Imagine a team who has accumulated zero team fouls and there is only a minute and a half left in the quarter. If no two-minute bonus rule existed, the team would then have four free fouls to give late in the quarter (since it takes five to reach free throws).

This would allow defensive players to foul when they were beat on a play and as long as the offensive player was not in the shooting motion, no free throws would be awarded and the offensive team would just get the ball out of bounds.

This may seem like it would be pointless to foul, because fouls are in theory supposed to be bad, but fouls slow down offenses and break offensive rhythm. In certain situations, if used correctly, they can actually be an asset for the defense.

If a team had four fouls to give late, and used them, that would muddy up the game and damage the overall quality of the product. So the NBA institutes the adjusted bonus rule under two minutes, which awards free throws on the second common foul.

Just like the regular bonus rule, only defensive fouls and loose-ball fouls count toward the bonus in the last two minutes.

NBA Bonus Rules vs College Bonus Rules

The NBA Bonus rules are much different than men’s college basketball bonus rules.

In men’s college basketball, a team reaches the bonus when they draw the 7th team foul on their opponent vs the NBA where a team reaches the bonus when they draw the 5th team foul on their opponent.

Another difference is that in the NBA, teams are rewarded with two free throws when they reach the bonus. In college basketball, for fouls 7, 8, and 9, teams are awarded with only a one-and-one free throw situation.

On the 10th team foul in college basketball the bonus changes from a one-and-one to the “double bonus”, which means the team now gets two free throws.

Many experts criticize men’s college basketball for not using quarters. The problem with playing two halves instead of four quarters is quarters allow the fouls to reset. So if a team gets in foul trouble in the first quarter in an NBA game, the quarter break allows the team fouls to reset to zero, and gets the team out of the foul penalty.

People criticize college basketball because they don’t have a quarter break to reset team fouls to zero. So if a team fouls a lot to start a half, the result could be the other team shooting a lot of free throws the rest of the half.

Experts mainly criticize this for two reasons:

  1. Nobody came to the game or turned on the television to watch a free throw shooting contest. Free throws muddy a game up and slow down tempo. In the bonus, common non-shooting fouls result in free throws, so there is much less real game action.
  2. Penalizing a team for an entire half for foul trouble feels like overkill, and some experts feel like resetting at a quarter break would be a fairer way to decide the game.

What is a “Foul to Give”?

If you watch the NBA consistently, you will hear the phrase “foul to give” used by commentators. As we discussed earlier, in the last two minutes of a quarter, if a team has not fouled 4 or more times in the quarter (or 3 in overtimes), then the amount of fouls they can commit before free throws are awarded is reduced to just one.

On the second common team foul under two minutes, free throws are awarded to the other team. This, again, is done to keep teams from muddying up the game and fouling offensive players to disrupt offensive rhythm.

If teams do reach the under two minute portion of a period with less than four fouls, they then have that one free foul to give. This foul (the one foul that they have that will not result in bonus free throws) is referred to as a “foul to give”.

It just simply means that they have that one foul to give that will not result in the other team shooting bonus free throws. Teams will often use this “foul to give” on the last possession to muddy up the offensive set of the other team, and create a short clock out-of-bounds situation to end the period.

RULE NO. 12: Fouls and Penalties

Search for:

Technical Foul

    1. Excessive Timeouts
    2. Delay-of-Game
    3. Number of Players
    4. Basket Ring, Backboard or Support
    5. Conduct
    6. Fighting Fouls
    7. Fines
  1. Personal Fouls
    1. Types
    2. By Dribbler
    3. By Screening
    4. Flagrant Foul
    5. Free Throw Penalty Situations
    6. Double Fouls
    7. Offensive Fouls
    8. Loose Ball Fouls
    9. Punching Fouls
    10. Away-From-The-Play Foul

A.        Technical Foul

Section I—Excessive Timeouts

  1. Requests for a timeout in excess of the authorized number shall be granted and a technical foul shall be assessed. Following the timeout and free throw attempt, the ball will be awarded to the team which shot the free throw and play shall resume with a throw-in nearest the spot where play was interrupted.
  2. If the excessive timeout is granted prior to free throw attempt(s), there will be no line-up for the remaining free throws and play shall resume with a throw-in at the point of interruption by the team which shot the technical foul.
  3. If the excessive timeout is granted prior to a jump ball, the ball shall be awarded to the team shooting the technical foul at the point of interruption.

 

Section II—Delay-of-Game

  1. A delay-of-game shall be called for:
    1. Preventing the ball from being promptly put into play.
    2. Interfering with the ball after a successful field goal or free throw.
    3. Failing to immediately pass the ball to the nearest official when a personal foul or violation is assessed.
    4. Touching the ball before the throw-in has been released.
    5. A defender crossing the boundary line within the designated throw-in spot prior to the ball being released on a throw-in.
    6. A team preventing play from commencing at any time.
    7. Any player, coach or trainer interfering with a ball which has crossed the boundary line (Rule 8—Section II—e).
    8. A free throw shooter venturing fully beyond the three-point line between attempts.
    9. A player entering the game when beckoned by an official with his shirt untucked.
      1. PENALTY: The first offense is a warning. A technical foul shall be assessed with each successive offense and charged to the team. An announcement will be made by the public address announcer. The shot clock shall remain the same or reset to 14, whichever is greater, if the violation is assessed against the defensive team. The offensive team shall be awarded a new 8 seconds to advance the ball if it is in the backcourt. There is no change in timing status if any of these violations are assessed against the offensive team. If repeated acts become a travesty, the head coach shall be notified that he is being held responsible.
      2. EXCEPTION (5): In the last two minutes of the fourth period and last two minutes of any overtime period, a technical foul will be assessed if the defender crosses or breaks the plane of the boundary line within the designated throw-in spot when an offensive player is in a position to inbound and prior to the ball being released on a throw-in.

 

Section III—Number of Players

  1. If the ball is put into play and remains in play with one team having six or more players on the court, a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul will be assessed on the team with too many players and such team would lose possession if it had possession at the time the violation was discovered.   Immediately following the free throw awarded for the technical foul, the team with the correct number of players will instruct the Crew Chief to:
    1. resume play from the point in time when the technical foul was assessed, under the same conditions as would have prevailed had there been no error with a throw-in, jump ball or foul shot, as If the ball is to be put into play with a throw-in, the team who shot the free throw will be awarded possession unless that team just scored and the error was discovered prior to the throw-in being released by the team with six or more players.
    2. nullify all play that occurred from the point in time when the ball was put into play with one team having six or more players on the court and ending when the technical foul was assessed, reset the game and shot clock to the point in time when the ball was put into play, and if the ball was put into play by:
      1. a throw-in, the ball shall be returned to the original throw-in spot with the ball awarded to the team with the correct number of players, or
      2. a missed free throw that remained in play, a jump ball shall be held at center court between any two players in the game, or
      3. a jump ball, the ball shall be returned to the original jump ball spot and a jump ball held with the same two
        1. EXCEPTION: Acts of unsportsmanlike conduct and all flagrant fouls, and points scored from any resulting free throws, shall not be nullified.
  2. Other errors involving the wrong number of players at the start of play, four or less, will be penalized with a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul and play shall resume from the point-of-interruption.
    1. EXCEPTION to a and b: If the violation occurs on (1) a free throw attempt which is to be followed by another free throw attempt, or (2) a free throw attempt that is not going to remain in play, (3) throw-in before the ball is released, (4) prior to a personal foul being assessed, or (5) jump ball before the ball is released.

 

Section IV—Basket Ring, Backboard or Support

  1. An offensive player who deliberately hangs on his basket ring, net, backboard or support during the game shall be assessed a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul.
  2. A defensive player who deliberately gains or maintains height or hangs on his opponent’s basket ring, net, backboard or support shall be assessed a non-unsportsmanlike technical If he touches the ball during a field goal attempt, points shall be awarded consistent with the type of shot.
    1. EXCEPTION: An offensive or defensive player may hang on the basket ring, backboard or support to prevent an injury to himself or another player, with no technical foul assessed.
  3. Should a defensive player deliberately hang on the basket ring, net, backboard or support to successfully touch a ball which is in possession of an opponent, a non- unsportsmanlike technical foul shall be assessed.

 

Section V—Conduct

  1. An official may assess a technical foul, without prior warning, at any time.  A technical foul(s) may be assessed to any player on the court or anyone seated on the bench for conduct which, in the opinion of an official, is detrimental to the game. The technical foul must be charged to an individual. A technical foul cannot be assessed for physical contact when the ball is alive.
    1. EXCEPTION: Fighting fouls and/or taunting with physical contact.
  2. A maximum of two technical fouls for unsportsmanlike acts may be assessed any player, coach, trainer, or other team bench person. Any of these offenders may be ejected for committing only one unsportsmanlike act, and they must be ejected for committing two unsportsmanlike acts.
  3. A technical foul called for (1) delay of game, (2) coaches box violations, (3) defensive 3-seconds, (4) having a team total of less or more than five players when the ball becomes alive, (5) a player hanging on the basket ring or backboard, (6) participation in the game when not on team’s active list, or (7) shattering the backboard or making the rim unplayable during the game (Comments On the Rules—G) is not considered an act of unsportsmanlike conduct.
  4. A technical foul shall be assessed for unsportsmanlike tactics such as:
    1. Disrespectfully addressing an official
    2. Physically contacting an official
    3. Overt actions indicating resentment to a call or no-call
    4. Use of profanity
    5. A coach entering onto the court without permission of an official
    6. A deliberately-thrown elbow or any unnatural physical act towards an opponent with no contact involved
    7. Taunting
  5. Cursing or blaspheming an official shall not be considered the only cause for imposing technical foul. Running tirades, continuous criticism or griping may be sufficient cause to assess a technical. Excessive misconduct shall result in ejection from the game.
  6. Assessment of a technical foul shall be avoided whenever and wherever possible; but, when necessary they are to be assessed without delay or procrastination.  Once a player has been ejected or the game is over, technical fouls cannot be assessed regardless of the provocation. Any additional unsportsmanlike conduct shall be reported by e-mail immediately to the League Office.
  7. If a technical foul is assessed to a team following a personal foul on the same team, the free throw attempt for the technical foul shall be administered first.
  8. The ball shall be awarded to the team which had possession at the time the technical foul was assessed, whether the free throw attempt is successful or not.  Play shall be resumed by a throw-in nearest the spot where play was interrupted.
    1. EXCEPTION: Rule 12A—Section I and Rule 12A—Section III.
  9. Anyone guilty of illegal contact which occurs during a dead ball may be assessed (1) a technical foul, if the contact is deemed to be unsportsmanlike in nature, or (2) a flagrant foul, if unnecessary and/or excessive contact occurs.
  10. Free throws awarded for a technical foul must be attempted by a player in the game when the technical foul is
    1. If a substitute has been beckoned into the game or has been recognized by the officials as being in the game prior to a technical foul being assessed, he is eligible to attempt the free throw(s).
    2. If the technical foul is assessed before the opening tap, any player listed in the scorebook as a starter is eligible to attempt the free throw(s).
    3. If a technical foul is assessed before the starting lineup is indicated, any player on the squad may attempt the free throw(s).
  11. A technical foul, unsportsmanlike act or flagrant foul must be called for a participant to be ejected.
    1. EXCEPTION: Rule 12A—Section V—l—4
  12. A player, coach, trainer, or other team bench person must be ejected for:
    1. A punching foul
    2. A fighting foul
    3. Technical foul for an attempted punch or swing with no contact or a thrown elbow toward an opponent above shoulder level with no contact
    4. Deliberately entering the stands other than as a continuance of play
    5. Flagrant foul penalty (2)
    6. Second flagrant foul penalty (1)
    7. Participation in the game when not on team’s active list
  13. Eye guarding (placing a hand in front of the opponent’s eyes when guarding from the rear) a player who does not have possession of the ball is illegal and an unsportsmanlike technical shall be assessed.
  14. A free throw attempt is awarded when one technical foul is assessed.
  15. No free throw attempts are awarded when a double technical foul is assessed.  Technical fouls assessed to opposing teams during the same dead ball and prior to the administering of any free throw attempt for the first technical foul, shall be interpreted as a double technical foul.
  16. The deliberate act of throwing the ball or any object at an official by a player, coach, trainer, or other team bench person is a technical foul and violators are subject to ejection from the game.
  17. Punching fouls, although recorded as both personal and team fouls, are unsportsmanlike acts.  The player will be ejected immediately.
  18. Any player who throws or kicks the ball directly into the stands with force, regardless of the reason or where it lands, will be assessed a technical foul and ejected.  All other instances where the ball ends up in the stands will subject the player to a possible technical foul and ejection.

 

Section VI—Fighting Fouls

  1. Technical fouls shall be assessed players, coaches or trainers for fighting.  No free throws will be attempted. The participants will be ejected immediately.
  2. This rule applies whether play is in progress or the ball is dead.
  3. If a fighting foul occurs with a team in possession of the ball, that team will retain possession on the sideline nearest the spot where play was interrupted but no nearer to the baseline than the free throw line extended.
  4. If a fighting foul occurs with neither team in possession, play will be resumed with a jump ball between any two opponents who were in the game at the center circle.
  5. A fine not exceeding $50,000 and/or suspension may be imposed upon such person(s) by the Commissioner at his sole discretion.

 

Section VII—Fines

  1. The following progressive technical foul and ejection schedules will apply.*with a warning letter sent when the violator reaches his 10th (5th in playoffs) technical foul

  2. Whether or not said player(s) is ejected, a fine not exceeding $50,000 and/or suspension may be imposed upon such player(s) by the Commissioner at his sole discretion.
  3. During an altercation, all players not participating in the game must remain in the immediate vicinity of their bench. Violators will be subject to suspension, without pay, for a minimum of one game and fined up to $50,000.
    1. The suspensions will commence prior to the start of their next game.
    2. A team must have a minimum of eight players dressed and ready to play in every preseason and regular season game and nine in any playoff game.
    3. If five or more players leave the bench, the players will serve their suspensions alphabetically, according to the first letters of their last name.
    4. If seven bench players are suspended (assuming no participants are included), four of them would be suspended for the first game following the altercation. The remaining three would be suspended for the second game following the altercation.
  4. A player, coach or assistant coach, upon being notified by an official that he has been ejected from the game, must leave the playing area IMMEDIATELY and remain in the dressing room of his team during such suspension until completion of the game or leave the building.   Violation of this rule shall call for an automatic fine. A fine not to exceed $50,000 and possible forfeiture of the game may be imposed for any violation of this rule.
  5. Any player who in the opinion of the officials has deliberately hung on the basket ring shall be assessed a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul and a fine of $2000.
    1. EXCEPTION: An offensive or defensive player may hang on the basket ring, backboard or support to prevent an injury to himself or another player, with no penalty.
  6. At halftime and the end of each game, the coach and his players are to leave the court and go directly to their dressing room, without pause or delay. There is to be absolutely no talking to game officials.
    1. PENALTY—$2000 fine to be doubled for any additional violation.
  7. Any player who is assessed a flagrant foul—penalty (2) must be ejected and will be fined a minimum of $2,000. The incident will be reported to the League Office.

 

 

Section I—Types

  1. A player shall not hold, push, charge into, impede the progress of an opponent by extending a hand, arm, leg or knee or by bending the body into a position that is not normal.   Contact that results in the re-routing of an opponent is a foul which must be called immediately.
  2. Contact initiated by the defensive player guarding a player with the ball is not legal.  This contact includes, but is not limited to, forearm, hands, or body check.
    1. EXCEPTIONS:
      1. A defender may apply contact with a forearm to an offensive player with the ball who has his back to the basket below the free throw line extended outside the Lower Defensive Box.
      2. A defender may apply contact with a forearm and/or one hand with a bent elbow to an offensive player in a post-up position with the ball in the Lower Defensive Box.
      3. A defender may apply contact with a forearm to an offensive player with the ball at any time in the Lower Defensive Box.  The forearm in the above exceptions is solely for the purpose of maintaining a defensive position.
      4. A defender may position his leg between the legs of an offensive player in a post-up position in the Lower Defensive Box for the purpose of maintaining defensive position.   If his foot leaves the floor in an attempt to dislodge his opponent, it is a foul immediately.
      5. Incidental contact with the hand against an offensive player shall be ignored if it does not affect the player’s speed, quickness, balance and/or rhythm.
  3. Any player whose actions against an opponent cause illegal contact with yet another opponent has committed the personal foul.
  4. A personal foul committed by the offensive team during a throw-in shall be an offensive foul, regardless of whether the ball has been released.
  5. Contact which occurs on the hand of the offensive player, while that part of the hand is in contact with the ball, is legal.
    1. EXCEPTION: Flagrant and punching fouls.
    2. PENALTIES: The offender is charged with a personal foul. The offending team is charged with a team foul if the illegal contact was caused by the defender. There is no team foul if there are personal fouls on one member of each team or the personal foul is against an offensive player. The offended team is awarded:
      1. the ball out-of-bounds on the sideline at the nearest spot where play was interrupted but no nearer to the baseline than the free throw line extended if an offensive foul is assessed.
      2. the ball out-of-bounds on the sideline where play was interrupted but no nearer to the baseline than the free throw line extended if the personal foul is on the defender and if the penalty situation is not in effect.
      3. one free throw attempt if the personal foul is on the defender and there is a successful field goal or free throw on the play.
      4. two/three free throw attempts if the personal foul is on the defender and the offensive player is in the act of shooting an unsuccessful field goal.
      5. one free throw attempt plus a penalty free throw attempt if the personal foul is on the defender and the offensive player is not in the act of attempting a field goal if the penalty situation is in effect.
      6. two free throw attempts and possession of the ball on the sideline nearest the spot where play was interrupted if an offensive player, or a teammate, is fouled while having a clear-path-to-the-basket. A clear path to the basket foul occurs if: (i) personal foul is committed on any offensive player during his team’s transition scoring opportunity; (ii) when the foul occurs, the ball is ahead the tip of the circle in the backcourt, no defender is ahead of the offensive player with the scoring opportunity and that offensive player is in control of the ball or a pass to him has been released; and (iii) the defensive foul deprives the offensive team of a transition scoring opportunity. A clear path to the basket foul cannot occur if (i) the offensive player is fouled in the act of shooting or (ii) the foul is caused by the defender’s attempt to intercept or deflect a pass intended for the offensive player with the transition scoring opportunity.
      7. two free throw attempts if a personal foul is committed against an offensive player without the ball when his team has at least a one-man advantage on a fast break and the defensive player takes a foul to stop play.

 

Section II—By Dribbler

  1. A dribbler shall not (1) charge into an opponent who has established a legal guarding position, or (2) attempt to dribble between two opponents, or (3) attempt to dribble between an opponent and a boundary, where sufficient space is not available for illegal contact to be avoided.
  2. If a defender is able to establish a legal position in the straight line path of the dribbler, the dribbler must avoid contact by changing direction or ending his dribble.
  3. The dribbler must be in control of his body at all times. If illegal contact occurs, the responsibility is on the dribbler.
    1. PENALTY: The offender is assessed an offensive foul. There is no team foul. The ball is awarded to the offended team on the sideline nearest the spot where play was interrupted but no nearer to the baseline than the free throw line extended.
    2. EXCEPTION: Rule 3—Section I—a.
  4. If a dribbler has sufficient space to have his head and shoulders in advance of his defender, the responsibility for illegal contact is on the defender.
  5. If a dribbler has established a straight line path, a defender may not crowd him out of that path.
    1. PENALTY: The defender shall be assessed a personal foul and a team foul. If the penalty is not in effect, the offended team is awarded the ball on the sideline nearest the spot where play was interrupted but no nearer to the baseline than the free throw line extended. If the penalty is in effect, one free throw attempt plus a penalty free throw attempt is awarded.

 

Section III—By Screening

A player who sets a screen shall not (1) assume a position nearer than a normal step from an opponent, if that opponent is stationary and unaware of the screener’s position, or make illegal contact with an opponent when he assumes a position at the side or front of an opponent, or (3) assume a position so near to a moving opponent that he is not given an opportunity to avoid contact before making illegal contact, or (4) move laterally or toward an opponent being screened, after having assumed a legal position. The screener may move in the same direction and path of the opponent being screened.

In (3) above, the speed of the opponent being screened will determine what the screener’s stationary position may be. This position will vary and may be one to two normal steps or strides from his opponent.

 

Section IV—Flagrant Foul

  1. If contact committed against a player, with or without the ball, is interpreted to be unnecessary, a flagrant foul—penalty (1) will be assessed. A personal foul is charged to the offender and a team foul is charged to the
    1. PENALTY: (1) Two free throws shall be attempted and the ball awarded to the offended team on either side of the court at the free throw line extended. (2) If the offended player is injured and unable to attempt his free throws, his coach will select one of the remaining four players in the game to attempt the free throws. (3) His coach will pick the substitute, who may not be replaced until the ball is legally touched by a player on the court. (EXCEPTION: Rule 3—Section V—e.) (4) The injured player may not return to the game. (EXCEPTION: Rule 9-Section II-a-(2)) (5) A player will be ejected if he commits two flagrant fouls in the same game.
  2. If contact committed against a player, with or without the ball, is interpreted to be unnecessary and excessive, a flagrant foul—penalty (2) will be assessed. A personal foul is charged to the offender and a team foul is charged to the
    1. PENALTY: (1) Two free throws shall be attempted and the ball awarded to the offended team on either side of the court at the free throw line extended. (2) If the offended player is injured and unable to attempt his free throws, his coach will select a substitute and any player from the team is eligible to attempt the free throws. (3) This substitute may not be replaced until the ball is legally touched by a player on the court. EXCEPTION: Rule 3— Section V—e. (4) The injured player may return to the game at any time after the free throws are attempted. (5) This is an unsportsmanlike act and the offender is ejected.
  3. A flagrant foul may be assessed whether the ball is dead or alive.
  4. A foul must be reviewed using Instant Replay to confirm it meets the criteria to be ruled a Flagrant (1) or (2).

 

Section V—Free Throw Penalty Situations

  1. Each team is limited to four team fouls per regulation period without additional penalties. Common fouls charged as team fouls, in excess of four, will be penalized by one free throw attempt plus a penalty free throw attempt.
    1. The first four common fouls committed by a team in any regulation period shall result in the ball being awarded to the opposing team on the sideline nearest where play was interrupted.   The ball shall be awarded no nearer to the baseline than the free throw line extended.
    2. The first three common fouls committed by a team in any overtime period, shall result in the ball being awarded to the opposing team on the sideline nearest where play was interrupted.  The ball shall be awarded no nearer to the baseline than the free throw line extended.
    3. If a team has not committed its quota of four team fouls during the first ten minutes of any regulation period, or its quota of three team fouls during the first three minutes of any overtime period, it shall be permitted to incur one team foul during the last two minutes without penalty.
    4. During any overtime period, common fouls charged as team fouls in excess of three, will be penalized by one free throw plus a penalty free throw attempt.
    5. Personal fouls which are flagrant, punching, away-from-the-play, or clear-path- to-the-basket will carry their own separate penalties and are included in the team foul total.
    6. Personal fouls committed during a successful field goal attempt or free throw, which result in one free throw attempt being awarded, will not result in an additional free throw attempt if the penalty situation exists.
  2. A maximum of three points may be scored by the same team on a successful two point field goal attempt.
  3. A maximum of four points may be scored by the same team on a successful three point field goal attempt.

 

Section VI—Double Fouls

  1. No free throw attempts will be awarded on double fouls, whether they are personal or technical.
  2. Double personal fouls shall add to a player’s total, but not to the team total.
  3. If a double foul occurs, the team in possession of the ball at the time of the call shall retain possession.  Play is resumed on the sideline, nearest the point where play was interrupted but no nearer to the baseline than the free throw line extended. The shot clock is reset to 24 seconds if the ball is to be inbounded in the team’s backcourt or stay the same or reset to 14, whichever is greater, if the ball is to be inbounded in the frontcourt.
  4. If a double foul occurs with neither team in possession, or when the ball is in the air on an unsuccessful field goal or free throw attempt, play will be resumed with a jump ball at the center circle between any two opponents in the game at that time. If injury, ejection or disqualification makes it necessary for any player to be replaced, no substitute may participate in the jump ball. The jumper shall be selected from one of the remaining players in the
  5. If a double foul occurs on a successful field goal or free throw attempt, the team that has been scored upon will inbound the ball at the baseline as after any other
  6. If a double foul occurs as a result of a difference in opinion by the officials, no points can be scored and play shall resume with a jump ball at the center circle between any two opponents in the game at that time.  No substitute may participate in the jump ball.

 

Section VII—Offensive Fouls

  1. A personal foul assessed against an offensive player which is neither punching or flagrant shall be penalized in the following manner:
    1. No points can be scored by the offensive team
    2. The offending player is charged with a personal foul
    3. The offending team is not charged with a team foul
      1. EXCEPTION: Rule 3—Section I—a. No penalty free throws are awarded.
    4. The ball is awarded to the offended team out-of-bounds on the sideline at the nearest spot where play was interrupted but no nearer the baseline than the free throw line
  2. A personal foul assessed against an offensive player which is punching or flagrant shall be penalized in the following manner:
    1. No points can be scored by the offensive team
    2. The offending player is charged with a personal foul
    3. The offending team is charged with a team foul
    4. Two free throw attempts are awarded to the offended player
    5. The ball shall be awarded at the free throw line extended

 

Section VIII—Loose Ball Fouls

  1. A personal foul, which is neither a punching or flagrant, committed while there is no team control shall be administered in the following manner:
    1. Offending team is charged with a team foul
    2. Offending player is charged with a personal foul
    3. Offended team will be awarded possession on the sideline, nearest the spot where play was interrupted but no nearer the baseline than the foul line extended, if no penalty exists
    4. Offended player is awarded one free throw attempt plus a penalty free throw attempt if the offending team is in a penalty situation
  2. If a “loose ball” foul called against the defensive team is then followed by a successful field goal, one free throw attempt will be awarded to the offended player, allowing for the three point or four point play. This interpretation applies:
    1. Regardless of which offensive player is fouled
    2. Whether or not the penalty situation The ball can never be awarded to the scoring team out-of-bounds following a personal foul which occurs on the same play
  3. If a “loose ball” foul called against the defensive team is followed by a successful free throw, one free throw will be awarded to the offended player whether or not the penalty is in effect.
  4. If a “loose ball” foul called against the offensive team is then followed by a successful field goal attempt by the same offensive player, no points may be scored.

 

Section IX—Punching Fouls

  1. Illegal contact called on a player for punching is a personal foul and a team foul.  Two free throw attempts shall be awarded, regardless of the number of previous fouls in the period. The ball shall be awarded to the offended team out-of-bounds on either side of the court at the free throw line extended whether the free throw is successful or unsuccessful.
  2. Any player who throws a punch, whether it connects or not, has committed an unsportsmanlike act. He will be ejected following confirmation during review by instant replay and suspended for a minimum of one game.
  3. This rule applies whether play is in progress or the ball is dead.
  4. In the case where one punching foul is followed by another, all aspects of the rule are applied in both cases, and the team last offended is awarded possession on the sideline at the free throw line extended in the frontcourt.
  5. A fine not exceeding $50,000 and/or suspension may be imposed upon such player(s) by the Commissioner at his sole discretion.

 

Section X—Away-From-The-Play Foul

  1. Away from-the-play fouls, which are defined in Rule 4, Section III(h) on page 18, shall be administered as follows:
    1. A personal foul and team foul shall be assessed and one free throw attempt shall be awarded. The free throw may be attempted by any player in the game at the time the personal foul was committed.
    2. If the foul occurs when the ball is inbounds, the offended team shall be awarded the ball on the sideline at the nearest point where play was interrupted but no nearer to the baseline than the free throw line extended.
    3. If the foul occurs prior to the release on a throw-in, the offended team shall be awarded the ball at the original throw-in spot, with all privileges, if any, remaining.
      1. EXCEPTION: Rule 12-B—Section X—b.
  2. In the event that the personal foul committed is a flagrant or punching foul, the play shall be administered as follows:
    1. A personal foul and team foul shall be assessed and the free throw shooter shall be awarded two free throw attempts. The free throws may be attempted by any player in the game at the time the flagrant foul was committed.
    2. If a flagrant foul—penalty (1)  is  assessed  and  the  offended  player  is  unable to participate in the game, the substitute will be selected by his coach.  The two free throws may be attempted by any of the four remaining players in the game. The ball will be awarded to the offended team at the free throw line extended in the frontcourt. The injured player may return to the game.
    3. If a flagrant foul—penalty (2) or punching foul is assessed and the offended player is unable to attempt his free throws because of injury, the substitute will be selected by his coach.  The two free throws may be attempted by the substitute or any of the four remaining players in the game. If the offended player is unable to attempt his free throws as a result of being ejected, any of the four remaining players may attempt the free throws. The ball will be awarded to the offended team at the free throw line extended in the frontcourt. The injured player may return to the game.

basketball: penalties for fouls

Depending on the situation and the type of foul in basketball, the penalty will be different. Non-shooting fouls usually result in the team losing possession of the ball. Shooting fouls result in free throws. If the basket was abandoned at the moment the player was fouled, then the basket counts and one free throw is awarded. If the basket was not potted, either two free throws or three (if the player attempted a three-point shot at the time of the foul) are awarded.

Fouling Out

Each time a player commits a foul, another personal foul is added to his name. If they reach a certain number of points during the game, they will "lose" and will no longer be allowed to play. It takes five fouls to break the rules in college and high school, and six fouls in the NBA.

Team fouls

The total number of team fouls also adds up during the game. After a certain number of fouls, the team is considered "over the limit" and free throws will be awarded for non-shooting fouls. NBA and college/high school rules are different:


NBA - Team fouls are totaled quarterly. Four fouls are allowed, with two free throws awarded starting with the fifth foul. Only defensive fouls count towards team fouls.

College & High School NCAA - Team fouls are cumulative by halves. After 6 fouls, the team is awarded a one-digit free throw. Unambiguous means that the first free throw must be taken to receive the second free throw. If the player misses first, the ball becomes live and play begins. After 10 fouls in the half, two free throws are awarded.

Technical foul

A technical foul is charged for unsportsmanlike conduct or other infraction. This can range from a fight to an argument with an official. Both coaches and players can receive technical fouls.

In high school, the penalty for a technical foul is two free throws and a ball for the other team. Also, if a player or coach receives two technical messages during a game, they will be excluded. In college, a technical foul is also considered a personal foul, so it is added to the foul. In the NBA, a technical foul is not considered a personal foul.

Hard foul

Another type of foul in basketball is a hard foul. This is when a foul can seriously injure an opponent. Two free throws and possession are usually awarded. In high school and college, a player who commits a flagrant foul is ejected from the game. In the NBA, this may be counted as a technical foul or the player may be sent off depending on the severity of the foul.

More basketball links:

Rule
Basketball Rules
Signals of judge
Personal fouls
Punishment for foul
Violation of the Rules without foul
hours and time
Equipment
Basketball platform
Positions
Strategy
Basketball strategy
Shooting
Passing
43.1.2

The free throw series is all free throws and/or subsequent possession of the ball as a result of the 1 foul penalty.


43. 2 Rule
43.2.1

When a personal foul is called, the penalty for which is a free throw(s): take the free throw(s).

• If requested to be substituted, he must attempt the free throw(s) before leaving the game.

• If he must leave the game due to injury, 5 fouls or disqualification, then the substitute player must attempt the free throw(s). If a team has no more spares left, the free throw(s) shall be taken by any player of that team, designated by its coach.


43.2.2

When a technical foul is called, any member of the opposing team designated by its coach shall attempt a free throw.


43.2.3

The player taking the free throw must:

• Stand behind the free throw line and inside the semicircle.

• Use any method of taking a free throw in such a way that the ball enters the basket from above or touches the ring.

• Release the ball from the hands within 5 seconds from the moment it was placed by the referee at his disposal.

• Do not touch the free throw line or enter the restricted area until the ball has entered the basket or touched the ring.

• Do not simulate a free throw.


43.2.4

Players on the free throw rebounding spots are entitled to alternate positions on those spots 1 meter deep, as shown in Diag. 6.

During free throws, these players must not:

• Take up free throw rebounding positions that are not intended for them.

• Enter the restricted area, neutral zone or leave a free throw rebounding area until the ball has left the free throw shooter's hand(s).

• Interfere with a player taking a free throw.


43.2.5

Players not occupying free throw rebounding positions must remain behind the free-throw line extension and behind the 3-point field goal line until the free throw will end.


43.2.6

During a free throw(s) to be followed by another free throw(s) or throw-in , all players must remain behind the imaginary extension of the free throw line and behind the 3-point field goal line.

Non-compliance Art. 43.2.3, 43.2.4, 43.2.5 and 43.2.6 is a violation.


43.3 Punishment
43.3.1

If Penalty Throw is successful and violation (-I) is performed (-t) by a player performing a penalty throw, then the point is not counted.

Any other player's offense that occurs immediately before, at approximately the same time, or after the free throw shooter commits the offense shall be disregarded.

The ball is awarded to the opponents for a throw-in at the free-throw line unless further free throw(s) or possession penalty is to be taken.


43.3.2

then:

• If the ball hits the basket, a point is scored.

• Violation(s) ignored.

In the case of the last or only free throw, the ball shall be awarded to the opponents for a throw-in from outside the playing area from anywhere behind the end line.


43.3.3.3

If Penalty Throw is unsuccessful and the violation is made:

by a player performing the penalty for , or its Partner with a single penalty, then the ball should be provided with a team of rivals for a throw-in at the free-throw line, unless that team is entitled to further possession of the ball.


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