Interpretations

Article 34

Personal foul

34-1Statement

The game clock shows 2:00 or less in the fourth quarter or in each overtime and the ball is at the disposal of the thrower-in. If at this time a defensive player illegally contacts an offensive player on the court, this is a throw-in foul unless the contact meets the criteria of a flagrant or disqualifying foul. The player who was fouled shall attempt 1 free throw with no line-up, regardless of the number of the team fouls in the fourth quarter. The game shall be resumed with a throw-in by the non-offending team from the place nearest to the infraction.

34-2Example

With 1:31 on the game clock in the fourth quarter, before thrower-in A1 releases the ball, B2 illegally contacts A2 on the court. A throw-in foul is called against B2.

Interpretation

Regardless of the number of team B fouls in the fourth quarter, A2 shall attempt 1 free throw with no line-up. The game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in from the place nearest to where B2’s foul occurred. If the throw-in is from team A’s

  • (a) backcourt, team A shall have 24 seconds on the shot clock.
  • (b) frontcourt, team A shall have the time remaining if 14 seconds or more are shown on the shot clock and 14 seconds on the shot clock, if 13 seconds or less are shown on the shot clock.
34-3Example

With 1:24 on the game clock in the fourth quarter, after B1’s successful goal or free throw, thrower-in A1 has the ball in the hands behind the endline. Before A1 releases the ball, B2 illegally contacts A2 on the court. This is the fifth team B foul.

Interpretation

Unless B2’s contact against A2 meets the criteria for a flagrant or disqualifying foul, it is a throw-in foul. Regardless of the number of team B fouls in the fourth quarter, A2 shall attempt 1 free throw with no line-up. The game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in from the place nearest to where B2’s foul occurred except from directly behind the backboard. The team A thrower-in shall not have the right to move along the endline from the designated throw-in place or to pass the ball to a team-mate behind the endline before releasing the ball on to the court, as after a successful basket or last free throw.

34-4Example

With 58 seconds on the game clock in the fourth quarter, before throwerin A1 releases the ball, B2 illegally contacts A2 on the court.

Interpretation

Unless B2’s contact against A2 meets the criteria for a flagrant or disqualifying foul, it is a throw-in foul. A2 shall be awarded 1 free throw with no lineup. The game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in from the place nearest to where B2’s foul occurred.

34-5Example

With 55 seconds on the game clock in the fourth quarter, before throwerin A1 releases the ball, B2 contacts A2 on the court in a manner which meets the criteria for a flagrant foul. A flagrant foul is called against B2.

Interpretation

A2 shall attempt 2 free throws with no line-up. The game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in from the throw-in line in its frontcourt opposite the scorer’s table. Team A shall have 14 seconds on the shot clock.

34-6Example

With 54 seconds on the game clock in the fourth quarter, before throwerin A1 releases the ball, B2 illegally contacts A2 on the court. A throw-in foul is called against B2. A2 is then charged with a technical foul of any category.

Interpretation

The game shall be resumed with 1 free throw for any team B player, followed by 1 free throw for A2 and a team A throw-in from the place nearest to where B2’s foul occurred. If the throw-in is from team A’s

  • (a) backcourt, team A shall have 24 seconds on the shot clock;
  • (b) frontcourt, team A shall have 14 seconds on the shot clock if 13 seconds or less are shown, or the time remaining on the shot clock if 14 seconds or more are shown.
34-7Example

With 53 seconds on the game clock in the fourth quarter, before throwerin A1 releases the ball, A2 contacts B2 on the court. A team control foul is called against A2.

Interpretation

Team A did not gain an advantage by A2’s team control foul. A2 shall be charged with a personal foul unless there is a contact which meets the criteria of a flagrant or disqualifying foul. The game shall be resumed with a team B throw-in from the place nearest to where A2’s foul occurred.

34-8Example

With 51 seconds on the game clock in the fourth quarter and with the score A 83 – B 80, thrower-in A1 has the ball in the hands when B2 contacts A2 in a different area of the court from where the throw-in is administered. B2 is charged with a foul against A2.

Interpretation

Unless B2’s contact against A2 meets the criteria of a flagrant or disqualifying foul, it is a throw-in foul. A2 shall attempt 1 free throw with no line-up. The game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in from the place nearest to where B2’s foul occurred.

34-9Example

With 16 seconds on the game clock in the fourth quarter and with the score A 83 – B 80, the ball has left thrower-in A1’s hands when B2 contacts A2 in a different area of the court to where the throw-in is administered. B2 is charged with a foul on A2.

Interpretation

This is not a throw-in foul as the ball has already left the hands of the thrower-in A1. Unless B2’s contact against A2 meets the criteria of a disruptive, flagrant or disqualifying foul, it is a personal foul and shall be penalised accordingly.