Defensive three-second violation

Defensive three-second violation, also known as illegal defense, is a basketball rules infraction. It is assessed when a member of the defending team spends more than three seconds in the free throw lane (also known as the 16-foot lane, or colloquially as "in the paint") while not actively guarding an opponent. To be considered actively guarding, a defender must be within arm's length of an opponent and in a guarding position.[1] A three second count is suspended if:[2]

In addition, a player guarding an opponent with the ball may be in the paint without actively guarding the opponent.[3]

The team committing a defensive three-second violation is assessed a team technical foul. The offense will receive one free throw and retain possession of the ball.[4]

Prior to the 2001–2002 NBA season, any form of zone defense was considered an illegal defense violation and resulted in a warning on the first violation and then a technical foul for any subsequent violations.[5] The Philippine Basketball Association used to follow the illegal defense rule until the 2003 PBA season when it was abolished.[6] The high school game does not use this rule, nor does European basketball.

The WNBA started using it in 2013.[7]

References

  1. ↑ NBA Official Rules (2009-2010) Rule 10, Section VII, B. Retrieved July 25, 2010
  2. ↑ NBA Official Rules (2009-2010) Rule 10, Section VII, D. Retrieved July 25, 2010
  3. ↑ NBA Official Rules (2009-2010) Rule 10, Section VII, E. Retrieved July 25, 2010
  4. ↑ NBA Official Rules (2009-2010) Rule 10, Section VII, Penalty. Retrieved July 25, 2010
  5. ↑ Blinebury, Fran (June 8, 2006). "Rule changes have NBA back in the fast lane". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
  6. ↑ Cruz, Agnes (January 24, 2003). "PBA get fresh look this season". Arab News. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  7. ↑ "WNBA Announces Rules Changes for 2013 Season". WNBA. Retrieved Dec 16, 2012.