Interpretations

Article 39

Disqualifying foul

39-1Statement

A disqualifying foul is any flagrant unsportsmanlike action by players, substitutes, head coaches, assistant coaches, excluded players and accompanying delegation members.

39-2Example

A1 and B1 come together after the play is stopped for an out-of-bounds. B1 then aggressively swings an elbow and hits A1’s neck.

Interpretation

B1 shall be disqualified for flagrant unsportsmanlike behaviour. The nature of the action and the severity of the contact exceed the limits of a flagrant foul. A1 shall be awarded 2 free throws without a line-up. The game shall be resumed by 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.

39-3Example

A1 and B1 come together after the play is stopped for a shot clock violation. With the head B1 hits A1 in the face.

Interpretation

B1 shall be disqualified for flagrant unsportsmanlike behaviour. The nature of the action and the severity of the contact exceed the limits of a flagrant foul. A1 shall be awarded 2 free throws without a line-up, followed by 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.

39-4Statement

Any disqualified person is no longer a person permitted to sit on the team bench. Therefore, that person may no longer be penalised for any unsportsmanlike behaviour.

39-5Example

A1 is disqualified for a flagrant unsportsmanlike behaviour. A1 leaves the court and verbally abuses a referee.

Interpretation

A1 is already disqualified and may no longer be penalised for the verbal abuses. The crew chief or the commissioner, if present, shall send a report describing the incident to the organising body of the competition.

39-6Statement

When a player is disqualified for a flagrant unsportsmanlike behaviour, the penalty shall be the same as for any other disqualifying non-contact foul.

39-7Example

A1 commits a travelling violation. Frustrated, A1 verbally abuses a referee. A1 is charged with a disqualifying foul.

Interpretation

A1 becomes a disqualified player. A1’s disqualifying foul is charged against A1, entered as a ‘D ’. Any team B player 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.

39-8Statement

When the head coach is charged with a disqualifying foul, it shall be entered as a ‘D ’. When any other person permitted to sit on the team bench is disqualified, the head coach shall be charged with a technical foul, entered as a ‘B ’ or ‘BD ’. The penalty shall be the same as for any other disqualifying foul.

39-9Example

A1 is charged with a fifth personal foul. This is the second team A foul in the quarter. While going to the team bench,

  • (a) A1 verbally abuses a referee.
  • (b) A1 punches B2 in the face. In both cases, A1 is assessed a disqualifying foul.
Interpretation

With the fifth personal foul, A1 becomes an excluded player. A1 becomes a disqualified excluded player for verbally abusing a referee or for punching B2. A1’s disqualifying foul shall be entered on the scoresheet against A1 as a ‘D’ and against the team A head coach, as a ‘B ’.

  • (a) Any team B player or substitute shall attempt 2 free throws with no line-up.
  • (b) B2 shall attempt 2 free throws with no line-up. In both cases, 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.
39-10Statement

Any flagrant unsportsmanlike action by a player or a person permitted to sit on the team bench is a disqualifying foul. The disqualifying foul can be a result of their actions

  • directed towards a person from the opposing team, referees, table officials, commissioner or spectators.
  • directed against any member of the own team.
  • for intentionally damaging game equipment.
39-11Example

The following flagrant unsportsmanlike actions may occur:

  • (a) A1 punches team-mate A2.
  • (b) A1 leaves the court and punches a spectator.
  • (c) A6 in the team bench area punches team-mate A7.
  • (d) A6 hits the scorer’s table and damages the shot clock.
Interpretation
  • (a) and (b) A1 shall be disqualified. A1’s disqualifying foul shall be charged against A1, entered as a ‘D ’.
  • (c) and (d) A6 shall be disqualified. A6’s disqualifying foul shall be assessed against A6 entered as a ‘D’ and charged against A6’s head coach, entered as a ‘B’. Any team B player 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.
39-12Statement

If a player is disqualified and on the way to the dressing room acts in a manner that is consistent with a flagrant or disqualifying foul, these additional actions shall not be penalised and shall only be reported to the governing body of the competition.

39-13Example

A1 is charged with a disqualifying foul for verbally abusing a referee. On the way to the dressing room

  • (a) A1 pushes B1 in a manner that is consistent with a flagrant foul.
  • (b) A1 punches B1 in a manner that is consistent with a disqualifying foul.
Interpretation

After A1 is disqualified, A1’s additional foul cannot be charged and penalised. A1’s action shall be reported by the crew chief or commissioner, if present, to the governing body of the competition. In both cases, team B shall be awarded 2 free throws with no line-up for A1’s disqualifying foul. The game shall be resumed with a team B throw-in from the throwin line in its frontcourt opposite the scorer’s table. Team B shall have 14 seconds on the shot clock.