Disruptive foul

37.1.1

A disruptive foul is a player’s illegal contact with an opponent which does not rise to the level of a flagrant foul, and which disrupts the flow of the game and places the opponent at a disadvantage. The criteria for disruptive fouls are the following:

• An unnecessary contact caused by the defensive player, not legitimately attempting to directly play the ball, to stop the progress of the offensive team in transition. This applies until the offensive player starts the act of shooting.
• An unnecessary contact caused by the defensive player anywhere on the court, not legitimately attempting to directly play the ball, to stop the game clock and/or shot clock, at the end of a quarter or overtime.
• An illegal contact caused by a player from behind or laterally on an opponent, who is progressing towards the opponent’s basket and with no opponents between the progressing player and the basket, and: This applies until the offensive player starts the act of shooting.
  • The progressing player is in control of the ball, or
  • The progressing player is attempting to gain control of the ball, or
  • The ball has been released on a pass to the progressing player.

37.1.2

The referee must interpret disruptive fouls consistently throughout the game and judge only the action.

37.2.1

A disruptive foul shall be charged against the offender and shall count as one of the team fouls.

37.2.2

Free throw(s) shall be awarded to the player who was fouled, followed by:

• A throw-in from the throw-in line in the team’s frontcourt, opposite the scorer’s table. The number of free throws shall be awarded as follows:
• If the foul is committed on a player not in the act of shooting: 2 free throws.
• If the foul is committed on a player in the act of shooting: the goal, if made, shall count and, in addition, 1 free throw.
• If the foul is committed on a player in the act of shooting and the goal is not made, 2 or 3 free throws.