Interpretations

Article 35

Double foul

35-1Statement

A foul may be a personal, disruptive, flagrant, disqualifying or technical. To be considered as a double foul, both fouls must be player’s fouls between the same 2 opponents and must be in the same type, either both are personal fouls or both are any combination of disruptive, flagrant and disqualifying fouls. No free throw shall be awarded irrespective of the team fouls of the teams. Technical fouls are not a part of a double foul. If both fouls, occurred at approximately the same time, are not of the same type (personal or disruptive/flagrant/disqualifying), it is not a double foul. The penalties shall not cancel each other. The personal foul shall always be considered as having occurred first and the disruptive/flagrant/disqualifying fouls as having occurred second.

35-2Example

A1 dribbles when A2 and B2 are charged with technical fouls.

Interpretation

Technical fouls are not part of a double foul. The penalties shall cancel each other. The game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in from the place nearest to where the ball was located when the first technical foul occurred. Team A shall have the time remaining on the shot clock.

35-3Example

Dribbler A1 and B1 foul each other at approximately the same time. This is the second team A foul and the fifth team B foul in the quarter.

Interpretation

Both fouls are of the same type (personal fouls), therefore it is a double foul. The different number of team fouls in the quarter is not relevant. The game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in from the place nearest to where the double foul occurred. Team A shall have the time remaining on the shot clock.

35-4Example

A1, with the ball still in the hands in the act of shooting, and B1 foul each other (both personal fouls) at approximately the same time.

Interpretation

Both fouls are of the same type therefore it is a double foul. If A1’s shot is successful, the goal shall not count. The game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in from the free-throw line extended. If A1’s shot is unsuccessful, the game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in from the place nearest to where the double foul occurred. In both cases, team A shall have the time remaining on the shot clock.

35-5Example

A1’s shot for a goal is in the air when A1 and B1 foul each other (both personal fouls) at approximately the same time.

Interpretation

Both fouls are of the same type therefore it is a double foul. If A1’s shot is successful, the goal shall count. The game shall be resumed with a team B throw-in from behind its endline as after any successful goal. If A1’s shot is unsuccessful, this is a jump ball situation. The game shall be resumed with an alternating possession throw-in.

35-6Example

Team A has 2 team fouls and team B has 3 team fouls in the quarter. Then

  • (a) while A2 dribbles, A1 and B1 are pushing each other at the post position.
  • (b) during a rebound, A1 and B1 are pushing each other.
  • (c) while A1 is receiving a pass from A2, A1 and B1 are pushing each other.
Interpretation

In all cases, this is a double foul. The game shall be resumed with

  • (a) and (c) a team A throw-in from the place nearest to where the double foul occurred.
  • (b) an alternating possession throw-in.
35-7Example

B1 is charged with a personal foul for pushing dribbler A1. This is the third team B foul in the quarter. At approximately the same time, A1 is charged with a flagrant foul for hitting B1 with an elbow.

Interpretation

The two fouls are not of the same type (a personal foul and a flagrant foul), therefore it is not a double foul. The penalties shall not cancel each other. The personal foul shall always be considered as having occurred first. The throw-in penalty for team A shall be cancelled as there is a subsequent foul penalty to be administered. B1 shall attempt 2 free throws with no line-up. The game shall be resumed with a team B throw-in from the throw-in line in its frontcourt opposite the scorer’s table. Team B shall have 14 seconds on the shot clock.

35-8Example

B1 is charged with a personal foul for pushing dribbler A1. This is the fifth team B foul in the quarter. At approximately the same time, A1 is charged with a flagrant foul for hitting B1 with an elbow.

Interpretation

The 2 fouls are not of the same type (a personal foul and a flagrant foul), therefore it is not a double foul. The penalties shall not cancel each other. The personal foul shall always be considered as having occurred first. A1 shall attempt 2 free throws with no line-up. B1 shall attempt 2 free throws with no line-up. The game shall be resumed with a team B throw-in from the throw-in line in its frontcourt opposite the scorer’s table. Team B shall have 14 seconds on the shot clock.

35-9Example

Dribbler A1 is charged with a team control personal foul against B1. This is the fifth team A foul in the quarter. At approximately the same time, B1 is charged with a flagrant foul for hitting A1 with an elbow.

Interpretation

The 2 fouls are not of the same type (a personal foul and a flagrant foul), therefore it is not a double foul. The penalties shall not cancel each other. The personal foul shall always be considered as having occurred first. The throw-in penalty for a team B possession shall be cancelled as there is a subsequent foul penalty to be administered. A1 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.

35-10Example

A1 dribbles when at approximately the same time B1 and A1 foul each other.

  • (a) Both fouls are personal fouls.
  • (b) Both fouls are flagrant fouls.
  • (c) B1’s foul is a disruptive foul and A1’s foul is a flagrant or disqualifying foul.
  • (d) B1’s foul is a flagrant foul and A1’s foul is a disqualifying foul.
Interpretation

In all cases, the two fouls are of the same type. Therefore, it is a double foul. No free throws shall be awarded, and the game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in from the place nearest to where the double foul occurred. Team A shall have the time remaining on the shot clock.