Article 36
Technical foul
Category 1 Technical Fouls Category 1 technical fouls by a player may be non-contact or contact fouls of a behavioural nature including, but not limited to: ● Disrespectfully dealing and/or communicating with the referees, the commissioner, if present, the table officials, the opponents or persons permitted to sit on the team benches. ● Using language or gestures likely to offend or incite the spectators. ● Baiting, taunting or provoking an opponent, including a contact with the hands, arms, body or the ball which does not rise to the level of a flagrant or a disqualifying foul. ● Obstructing the vision of an opponent by waving/placing the hand(s) near the opponent’s eyes. ● Excessive swinging of elbows without contact. ● Fake being fouled. Technical fouls by any person permitted to sit on the team bench are always category 1 technical fouls, charged against the head coach, and include disrespectfully communicating with or touching the referees, the commissioner, if present, the table officials or the opponents, or an infraction of a procedural or administrative nature. Category 1 technical fouls shall count towards the game disqualification.
Category 2 Technical Fouls Category 2 technical fouls by a player may be non-contact fouls of a behavioural or administrative nature including, but not limited to: ● Delaying the game by deliberately touching the ball after it passes through the basket or by preventing a throw-in or a free throw from being taken promptly or coming on the court late to start the game or the second half. ● Hanging on the ring in such a way that the weight of the player is supported by the ring, unless a player grasps the ring momentarily following a dunk shot or is trying to prevent injury to any player. ● Goaltending during the last free throw by a defensive player. The offensive team shall be awarded 1 point, followed by the technical foul penalty charged against the defensive player. Category 2 technical fouls shall not count towards the game disqualification.
A1 is charged with a category 2 technical foul for delaying the game. Later, A1 is charged with a category 1 technical foul for taunting an opponent.
A1 shall not be game disqualified. Only category 1 technical fouls count towards game disqualification.
A1 is charged with a category 1 technical foul in the first quarter. In the third quarter, A1 is charged with a flagrant foul.
A1 shall be disqualified because one category 1 technical foul and one flagrant foul lead to game disqualification.
A1 is charged with a category 1 technical foul for taunting an opponent. Later, A1 is charged with a category 2 technical foul for delaying the game.
A1 shall not be disqualified. Only category 1 technical fouls count towards game disqualification. The category 2 technical foul is penalised according to the rule but does not count towards game disqualification.
Substitute A6 and a team A assistant coach are both charged with technical fouls as persons permitted to sit on the team bench. Later, another person permitted to sit on team A’s bench is charged with a category 1 technical foul.
The head coach has accumulated 3 category 1 technical fouls recorded as ‘B’ or ‘BD’ as a result of the conduct of persons permitted to sit on the team bench. Therefore, the head coach shall be disqualified for the remainder of the game. These technical fouls shall not count as team fouls.
A warning is given to a player for an action or behaviour which, if repeated, may lead to a technical foul. That warning shall also be communicated to the head coach of that team and shall apply to any member of that team for any similar actions for the remainder of the game. A warning shall be given only when the ball becomes dead and the game clock is stopped.
A1 is shown a ‘delay of game’ warning signal for interfering with a throwin or for any other action which, if repeated, may lead to a category 2 technical foul.
A ‘delay of game’ warning to A1, while showing the corresponding signal, shall also be communicated to the team A head coach and shall apply to all team A members for similar actions for the remainder of the game.
While a player is in the act of shooting, opponents shall not be permitted to disconcert that player by actions such as placing hands close to the shooter’s eyes, shouting, stamping feet heavily or clapping hands close to the shooter. To do so may result in a category 1 technical foul if the shooter is disadvantaged by the action, or a warning may be given if the shooter is not disadvantaged.
A1 is in the act of shooting for a goal with the ball still in the hands when B1 waves the hands in front of A1’s eyes or distracts A1 by shouting or stamping the feet heavily on the court. A1’s shot for a goal is then
When the referees recognise that more than 5 players of the same team are on the court simultaneously while the game clock is running, at least 1 player must have re-entered or remained on the court illegally. The error must be corrected immediately without placing the opponents at a disadvantage. Whatever occurred during the period between the illegal participation and the game being stopped when the illegal participation is recognised shall remain valid. At least 1 player shall be removed from the game and a category 1 technical foul shall be charged against the head coach of that team, entered as a ‘B ’. The head coach is responsible for ensuring that all the substitutions are applied correctly.
With the game clock running, team A has 6 players on the court. When it is recognised
The game shall be stopped immediately, unless team B is placed at a disadvantage. One team A player, as indicated by the head coach, shall be removed from the game. The team A head coach shall be charged with a category 1 technical foul, entered as a ‘B ’.
With the game clock running, team A has 6 players on the court. This is recognised after
In all cases, the team A head coach shall be charged with a category 1 technical foul, entered as a ‘B ’. In (a), (b) and (c) one team A player, as indicated by the head coach, shall be removed from the game. Any team B player shall attempt 1 free throw with no line-up. The game shall be resumed
After being charged with a fifth foul, whether personal, technical, disruptive or flagrant, a player becomes an excluded player and may sit on the team bench. When the referees recognise that an excluded player is on the court while the game clock is running, that player must have remained or re-entered on the court illegally. The error must be corrected immediately without placing the opponents at a disadvantage. Whatever occurred during the period between the illegal participation and the game being stopped when the illegal participation is recognised shall remain valid. The excluded player shall be removed from the game and a category 1 technical foul shall be charged against the head coach of that team, entered as a ‘B ’. The head coach is responsible for ensuring that only eligible players are on the court during the game clock running periods of the game.
With the game clock running, excluded player B1 is on the court. B1’s illegal participation is recognised when the ball is
The game shall be stopped immediately, unless team A is placed in disadvantage. B1 shall be removed from the game. The team B head coach shall be charged with a category 1 technical foul, entered as a ‘B ’.
With the game clock running, excluded player A1 is on the court. A1’s illegal participation is recognised after
The game shall be stopped immediately. A1 shall be removed from the game. The team A head coach shall be charged with a category 1 technical foul, entered as a ‘B’.
With 7 seconds on the game clock in the fourth quarter and with the score A 70 – B 70, A1 is charged with a fifth personal foul and becomes an excluded player. After the following time-out, team A gains control of the ball and A1 scores a goal. A1’s illegal participation is now recognised with 1 second remaining on the game clock.
A1’s goal shall count. The team A head coach shall be charged with a category 1 technical foul, entered as a ‘B1’. Any team B player or substitute shall attempt 1 free throw with no line-up. The game shall be resumed with a team B throwin from behind its endline with 1 second remaining on the game clock.
Whenever a player fakes being fouled, the following procedure shall apply:
- Without stopping the game, the referee signals the fake by showing twice the “lower-the-forearm” signal.
- When the game is stopped the next time for any reason, a warning shall be communicated to the player and the head coach of the team. Each team is entitled to 1 ‘fake a foul’ warning.
- When the next time any player of that team fakes being fouled, a category 1 technical foul shall be called. This also applies when the game was not stopped to communicate the earlier warning to any player or head coach of that team.
- When an excessive fake without any contact occurs, a category 1 technical foul may be called immediately without a warning being given.
- All faking to be fouled situations shall be addressed, regardless of whether fouls or violations are called or not in the same situation.
- A player may be charged with both a foul and a ‘fake a foul’ warning on any play, or the player who is fouled may also be charged with a ‘fake a foul’ warning.
B1 defends dribbler A1. A1 pushes B1 and A1 makes a sudden move with the head trying to give an impression of being fouled by B1. The referee calls an offensive foul against A1.
In addition to the offensive foul against A1, the referee shall charge A1 with a fake warning (if the team’s first fake warning) or a category 1 technical foul (if the team’s second fake warning).
B1 defends dribbler A1. B1 pushes A1 and A1 makes a sudden move with the head trying to give an impression of being fouled by B1. The referee calls a defensive foul against B1.
In addition to the defensive foul against B1, the referee shall charge A1 with a fake warning (if the team’s first fake warning) or a category 1 technical foul (if the team’s second fake warning).
B1 defends dribbler A1. A1 makes a sudden move with the head trying to give an impression of being fouled by B1. The referee shows twice the ‘lower-theforearm’ signal. Later in the game, within the same game clock running period,
B1 defends dribbler A1. B1 falls to the floor trying to give an impression of being fouled by A1. At the same time, A1 makes a sudden move with the head trying to give an impression of being fouled by B1.
The referee charges both A1 and B1 with a fake warning (if it is each team’s first fake warning) or a category 1 technical foul (if it is each team’s second fake warning) .
Serious injury may occur by excessive swinging of elbows, especially in rebounding and closely guarded player situations. If such actions result in contact, then a personal, flagrant or even a disqualifying foul may be called. If the actions do not result in contact, a category 1 technical foul may be called.
A1 rebounds the ball and is immediately closely guarded by B1. Without contacting B1, A1 excessively swings the elbows to intimidate B1 or to clear enough space to pivot, pass or dribble.
A1’s action does not conform to the spirit and intent of the rules. A1 may be charged with a category 1 technical foul.
A player who has committed two category 1 technical fouls or two flagrant fouls or one flagrant foul and one category 1 technical foul shall be game disqualified. A head coach who has committed two technical fouls (‘C’) because of the personal unsportsmanlike behaviour or three technical fouls, either all of them (‘B’) or one of them (‘C’) shall be game disqualified. When any persons are game disqualified, they shall leave the game immediately (taking no more than 30 seconds) and shall go to and remain in the team’s dressing room for the duration of the game or shall leave the building.
In the first half, A1 is charged with a category 1 technical foul for disrespectfully dealing or communicating with a referee. In the second half, A1 is charged with a second category 1 technical foul for an unsportsmanlike behaviour.
A1 shall be game disqualified. A1’s second technical foul is to be penalised and no additional penalty for the disqualification shall be administered. The timer must notify a referee immediately when A1 is charged with two category 1 technical fouls and that A1 should be game disqualified.
A1 is charged with one category 2 technical foul for hanging on the ring and with one category 1 technical foul for waving the hands close to the opponent`s face.
A1 shall not be game disqualified.
After being charged with a fifth foul, whether personal, technical, disruptive or flagrant, a player becomes an excluded player. After a fifth foul, any subsequent category 1 technical foul against an already excluded player shall be charged against that excluded player’s head coach, entered as a ‘B ’. The excluded player is not a disqualified team member and may stay in the team bench area.
In the first quarter, B1 is charged with
In both cases, B1 shall not be disqualified. With the fifth foul B1 becomes an excluded player. Any subsequent technical foul by B1 shall be charged as category 1 technical foul against B1’s head coach, entered as a ‘B ’. Any team A player or substitute 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 the ball was located when B1’s last technical foul occurred.
B1 fouls dribbler A1. This is B1’s fifth personal foul and the second team B foul in the quarter. While going to the team bench, B1 is assessed a disqualifying foul.
B1 is disqualified and shall go to the dressing room or if B1 so wishes, B1 shall leave the building. B1’s disqualifying foul shall be entered on the scoresheet against B1 as a ‘D’ in the space after B1’s fifth foul and against the team B head coach as a ‘B ’. Any team A player or substitute 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.
B1 fouls dribbler A1. This is B1’s fifth personal foul and the fifth team B foul in the quarter. While going to the team bench, B1 is assessed a disqualifying foul.
B1 is disqualified and shall go to the dressing room or if B1 so wishes, B1 shall leave the building. B1’s disqualifying foul shall be entered on the scoresheet against B1 as a ‘D’ and against the team B head coach as a ‘B ’. A1 shall attempt 2 free throws with no line-up. Any team A player or substitute then 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.
In the first half, A1 is charged with a category 2 technical foul for delaying the game. In the second half, A1 is charged with a foul against B1 for a contact which meets the criteria of a flagrant foul.
A1 is not game disqualified. A1’s flagrant foul is to be penalised. 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.
In the first half, A1 is charged with a category 1 technical foul for taunting the opponent. In the second half, A2 dribbles in the backcourt when A1 is charged with a second category 1 technical foul for faking being fouled away from the ball.
The timer must notify a referee immediately when a player is charged with two category 1 technical fouls and that A1 shall be game disqualified. Any team B player or substitute shall attempt 1 free throw with no line-up. No additional penalty for A1’s game disqualification shall be administered. The game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in from the place nearest to where the ball was located when A1’s second technical foul was called. Team A shall have the time remaining on the shot clock.
After a player is charged with a fifth foul, whether personal, technical, disruptive or flagrant, that player becomes an excluded player. Any subsequent technical, flagrant or disqualifying foul or other unsportsmanlike behaviour by this excluded player shall be charged and entered on the scoresheet against the head coach as a category 1 technical foul (‘B1’) and penalised accordingly.
B1 fouls dribbler A1. This is B1’s fifth foul and the second team B foul in the quarter. While going to the team bench, B1 pushes A2.
With the fifth foul, B1 becomes an excluded player. B1’s unsportsmanlike behaviour shall be charged as a category 1 technical foul against the team B head coach, entered as a ‘B1’. Any team A player or substitute shall attempt 1 free throw with no line-up. The game shall be resumed with a team A throwin from the place nearest to where B1’s unsportsmanlike behaviour occurred.
Dribbler A1 fouls B1. This is A1’s fifth foul in the quarter. While going to the team bench, A1 is assessed a technical foul for verbally abusing a referee.
With the fifth foul, A1 becomes an excluded player. A1’s technical foul shall be charged as a category 1 technical foul against the team A head coach, entered as a ‘B1’. Any team B player or substitute shall attempt 1 free throw with no line-up. The game shall be resumed with a team B throw-in from the place nearest to where A1’s team control foul occurred.
A1 fouls B1. This is A1’s fifth foul and the second team A foul in the quarter. While going to the team bench, A1 pushes B1. B1 now pushes A1. B1 is charged with a flagrant foul.
With the fifth foul, A1 becomes an excluded player. A1’s unsportsmanlike behaviour shall be charged as a category 1 technical foul against the team A head coach, entered as a ‘B1’. B1’s flagrant foul shall be charged against B1, entered as an ‘FL ’. Any team B player or substitute shall attempt 1 free throw with no line-up. The substitute for A1 shall attempt 2 free throws with no line-up opposite the scorer’s table. The game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in from the throwin line in its frontcourt. Team A shall have 14 seconds on the shot clock.
A player head coach shall be game disqualified (GD) when charged with the following fouls:
- Two category 1 technical fouls as a player.
- Two flagrant fouls as a player.
- One flagrant foul and one category 1 technical foul as a player.
- One technical foul as a head coach, entered as a ‘C ’ and one flagrant foul or one category 1 technical foul as a player.
- One technical foul as a head coach, entered as a ‘B ’ or ‘B ’, 1 technical foul as a head coach, entered as a ‘C ’ and one flagrant foul or one category 1 technical foul as a player.
- Two technical fouls as a head coach, entered as a ‘B ’ or ‘B ’ and one flagrant foul or one category 1 technical foul as a player.
- Two technical fouls as a head coach, entered as a ‘C ’.
- One technical foul as a head coach, entered as a ‘C ’ and two technical fouls as a head coach, entered as a ‘B ’ or ‘B ’.
- Three technical fouls as a head coach, entered as a ‘B ’ or ‘B ’. Whenever a player head coach is game disqualified a “GD” shall be entered in the scoresheet after the foul which led to the game disqualification. The player designated as the new captain shall become the new player head coach.
In the first quarter, player head coach A1 is charged with a category 1 technical foul as a player. In the third quarter, player head coach A1 is charged with a technical foul for an unsportsmanlike behaviour of a substitute, entered as a ‘B ’.
Player head coach A1 may continue as a player and as a head coach. Any team B player or substitute 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 the ball was located when the technical foul charged against the player head coach for the unsportsmanlike behaviour of the substitute occurred.
In the first quarter, player head coach A1 is charged with a category 1 technical foul for faking a foul as a player. In the fourth quarter, player head coach A1 is charged with a technical foul for A1’s personal unsportsmanlike behaviour as a head coach, entered as a ‘C ’.
Player head coach A1 shall be game disqualified (GD). A1’s second technical foul is to be penalised and no additional penalty for A1’s disqualification shall be administered. The timer shall raise the GD marker immediately to notify a referee when player head coach A1 is charged with the personal technical foul (‘C’) as a head coach and that A1 should be game disqualified (GD). Any team B player or substitute shall attempt 1 free throw with no line-up.
In the second quarter, player head coach A1 is charged with a flagrant foul against B1 as a player. In the third quarter, player head coach A1 is charged with a category 1 technical foul for an unsportsmanlike behaviour of the team’s physiotherapist, entered as a ‘B ’. In the fourth quarter, player head coach A1 is charged with a technical foul for an unsportsmanlike behaviour of substitute A6, entered as a ‘B ’.
Player head coach A1 shall be game disqualified (GD). The timer shall raise the GD marker immediately to notify a referee when player head coach A1 is charged with the second technical foul as the head coach as a result of the behaviour of the team bench personnel. A1’s second technical foul (for A6’s behaviour) is to be penalised and no additional penalty for A1’s game disqualification shall be administered. Any team B player or substitute shall attempt 1 free throw with no lineup.
In the second quarter, player head coach A1 is charged with a technical foul for A1’s personal unsportsmanlike behaviour as a head coach, entered as a ‘C ’. In the fourth quarter, player head coach A1 is charged with a flagrant foul against B1 as a player, entered as an ‘FL ’.
Player head coach A1 shall be game disqualified (GD). A1’s flagrant foul is to be penalised and no additional penalty for A1’s game disqualification shall be administered. The timer shall raise the GD marker immediately to notify a referee that A1 shall be game disqualified (GD) when player head coach A1 is charged with the flagrant foul as a player. 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.
Player head coach A1 is a player when substitute A6 is charged with a technical foul.
The category 1 technical foul, as a result of the unsportsmanlike behaviour of the persons permitted to sit on the team bench, shall be charged against the player head coach, entered as a ‘B ’, even if there is a first assistant coach entered on the scoresheet.
During an interval of play
This is a category 1 technical foul and is charged against
Player head coach A1 is charged with 4 personal fouls as a player and 1 category 1 technical foul as a head coach.
Player head coach A1 shall not continue as a player as A1 has committed a total of 5 fouls as a player and as a head coach. A1 may continue as a head coach.
When the game clock shows 2:00 or less in the fourth quarter and in each overtime, when the referee is required to place the ball at the disposal of the throwerin and with a player defending the thrower-in, the following procedure shall apply:
- The referee shall use an ‘illegal boundary line crossing’ signal as a warning to the defensive player before the ball is at the disposal of the thrower-in.
- If the defensive player then moves any part of the body over the boundary line to interfere with the throw-in, a category 2 technical foul for delaying the game shall be called without further warning.
With 1:08 on the game clock in the fourth quarter, A1 has the ball in the hands for a throw-in from behind the sideline in its
As the referee showed a warning signal to B1 before handing the ball to A1, B1 shall be charged with a category 2 technical foul for interfering with the throw-in (for delaying the game). Any team A player or substitute 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 the ball was located when B1’s technical foul occurred. Team A shall have on the shot clock:
During the first 3 quarters and when the game clock shows more than 2:00 in the fourth quarter and in each overtime, a throw-in situation occurs. If a defensive player moves any part of the body over the boundary line to interfere with the throw-in, the following procedure shall apply:
- The referee shall interrupt the game immediately and use a verbal ‘delay of game’ warning, while showing the corresponding signal, to the defensive player and that team’s head coach. This warning shall apply to all players of that team for the remainder of the game.
- If a defensive player then again moves any part of the body over the boundary line to interfere with the throw-in, a category 2 technical foul for delaying the game shall be called without further warning.
With 4:27 on the game clock in the second quarter, after B1’s goal A1 has the ball in the hands for a throw-in from behind the endline. B1 moves the hands over the endline to block A1’s throw-in.
When a technical foul of any category is called, the 1 free-throw penalty with no line-up shall be administered immediately. After the free throw, the game shall be resumed from the place nearest to where the ball was located when the technical foul occurred.
With 21 seconds on the shot clock, A1 dribbles in the backcourt when B1 is charged with a technical foul.
Any team A player or substitute 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 the ball was located when B1’s technical foul occurred. Team A shall have a new 8-second period and 24 seconds on the shot clock.
With 21 seconds on the shot clock, A1 dribbles in the backcourt when A2 is charged with a technical foul.
Any team B player or substitute 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 the ball was located when A2’s technical foul occurred. Team A shall have 5 seconds to move the ball to the frontcourt. Team A shall have 21 seconds on the shot clock.
B1 fouls A1 on an attempt for a 2-point goal. The ball does not enter the basket.
A1 is charged with a technical foul. Team A head coach requests a timeout.
The time-out shall be granted. After the time-out, any team B player or substitute shall attempt 1 free throw with no line-up. The game shall be resumed from the place nearest to where the game was stopped.
During a time-out, A2 is charged with a category 1 technical foul.
The time-out shall be completed. After the time-out, any team B player or substitute shall attempt 1 free throw with no line-up. The game shall be resumed from the place nearest to where the game was stopped before the time-out.
A1’s shot for a goal is in the air when a category 1 technical foul is called against
A1 has the ball in the hands during an act of shooting when a category 1 technical foul is called against