Foul (basketball)

In basketball, a foul is an infraction of the rules concerning illegal personal contact with an opponent and/or unsportsmanlike behavior. A personal foul is the most common type of foul in basketball. Due to the nature of the game, personal fouls occur on occasion and are not always regarded as unsportsmanlike. However, a contact foul involving excessive or unjustified contact is classed as an unsportsmanlike foul (or in the National Basketball Association (NBA), a flagrant foul). It is common for a home crowd to sway a referee's decision, resulting in a 'home-court advantage' that is hard-fought for during the season. Frequently in the NBA, a foul is assumed when any players may possibly make contact at some point. Any number of fouls may be called against a team. Irrespective of the penalty, each foul shall be charged against the offender and penalized accordingly.

Flagrant foul

A flagrant foul, an equivalent of the other league's unsportsmanlike foul, is a player contact foul which, in the judgment of the official, is not a legitimate attempt to directly play the ball within the spirit and intent of the rules. Also is very common

Technical foul

A technical foul is instigated when a member of a team (players, coaches, etc.) engage in a significant infraction that go beyond regular fouls or do not fit the description of regular fouls. Also Striking the ball with your hand and hitting your opponents hand in the process is also considered a foul.

Team foul

A team is in a team foul penalty situation when it has committed four (4) team fouls in a period. All team fouls committed in an interval of play shall be considered to be part of the period or extra period following. All team fouls committed in an extra period shall be considered as being committed in the fourth period. This awarded for bad behaviour.....

External links

• Official Basketball Rules 2008; FIBA
• Official Rules of the National Basketball Association