
In basketball, free throws are unopposed attempts to score points by shooting from behind the free-throw line. In the NCAA, the rules for free throws differ from those in the NBA. For instance, in men's NCAA basketball, beginning with the seventh foul of the half, one free throw is awarded; if the player makes the free throw, another is given. This is called shooting a one-and-one. Starting with the tenth foul of the half, two free throws are awarded. In NCAA women's basketball, once a team is in the bonus, they automatically shoot two free throws. Additionally, the 3-point line in the NCAA is closer to the basket than in the NBA.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of foul | Personal, technical, team, flagrant, unsportsmanlike, violent or serious unsportsmanlike conduct, or less egregious violations |
| Free throw line distance | 22 feet, 1¾ inches from the centre of the basket; 21 feet, 7 7/8 inches in the corners of the court |
| Free throw line width | 12 feet |
| Foul count for free throws | Beginning with the seventh foul of the half, one free throw is awarded; if the player makes the free throw, another is given. This is called "one-and-one". Starting with the tenth foul of the half, two free throws are awarded. |
| Bonus | In NCAA, once a team is in the bonus, they automatically shoot 2. |
| Bonus+ | The player gets both free throws no matter what. |
| Overtime | Overtime periods are 5 minutes long. |
| Time for shot | Teams have 30 seconds to take a shot. The clock resets to 20 seconds if an attempted shot hits the rim. |
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What You'll Learn

Technical fouls
In NCAA basketball, technical fouls are divided into two classes: "Class A" and "Class B". Class A technical fouls refer to violent or serious unsportsmanlike conduct, and they result in two free throws for the opposing team. Class B technical fouls, on the other hand, are less egregious violations, such as hanging on the rim or delaying the game. These result in only one free throw for the opposing team.
- Hanging on the rim for too long: This occurs when a player hangs on to the rim after a dunk or a layup, and it is considered a Class B technical foul.
- Fighting or altercations: When players are involved in a physical or verbal altercation, they can both be issued a "double technical" foul. If a player or coach leaves the bench during a fight, they can also be charged with a technical foul and ejected.
- Disrespect towards officials: Disrespectfully addressing or gesturing towards officials can result in a technical foul.
- Faking being fouled (flopping): In NCAA women's basketball, the first offense is a warning, and subsequent offenses are considered technical fouls.
- Violations during warm-ups: This includes grasping the basket or attempting to dunk during pre-game or halftime warm-ups.
- Illegal substitution or entering the game at the wrong time.
- Kicking or striking the basketball with the foot in an unsportsmanlike manner.
- Shattering the backboard or rim of a goal.
- Use of electronic devices for coaching during the game.
- Delay of game: This includes going out of bounds during an opponent's throw-in or touching an opposing thrower-in.
It is important to note that the rules and penalties for technical fouls may vary slightly between NCAA men's and women's basketball, and they can also change over time. For example, before the 2015-16 season, college basketball awarded two free throws for all technical fouls, but now only Class A technicals result in two free throws, while Class B technicals result in one. Additionally, the accumulation of technical fouls can lead to fines and suspensions, depending on the league and the number of previous offenses.
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Bonus and bonus+ rules
In NCAA basketball, there are a set of rules that dictate when a team is awarded free throws. These rules are different for men's and women's basketball. In men's basketball, beginning with the seventh foul of the half, one free throw is awarded; if the player makes the free throw, they get another attempt. This is called shooting a "one-and-one". Starting with the tenth foul of the half, two free throws are awarded.
In women's NCAA basketball, once a team is in the bonus, they automatically shoot two free throws. The only other time a single free throw is awarded is if there is a foul on a made shot, which results in counting the bucket and one free throw.
In both men's and women's NCAA basketball, a foul in the act of shooting is a two- or three-shot foul, depending on the value of the shot attempt, with one free throw being awarded if the shot is good.
In addition, overtime is considered an extension of the second half for purposes of accumulated team fouls. Free throws are not awarded for offensive fouls (most often charging fouls), even if the team fouled is in the bonus. The number of fouls that triggers a penalty is higher in college basketball because the game is divided into two 20-minute halves, as opposed to quarters in the NBA, WNBA, college women's basketball, or FIBA play.
In NCAA basketball, technical fouls are divided into "Class A" and "Class B". Class A technicals refer to violent or serious unsportsmanlike conduct, while Class B technicals refer to less egregious violations such as hanging on the rim or delay of game. Class A technicals result in two free throws, while Class B technicals result in one.
In summary, the "bonus" and "bonus+" rules in NCAA basketball refer to the number of free throws awarded to a team after they have committed a certain number of fouls. The specific rules vary between men's and women's basketball, with men's basketball having more complex bonus rules.
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Differences between men's and women's NCAA rules
The rules of NCAA basketball have undergone several changes over the years, with differences between the men's and women's games. Here are some of the key differences:
Game Format
The men's game consists of two halves of 20 minutes each, while the women's game is played in four 10-minute quarters, similar to the NBA and WNBA formats. This difference in format impacts the flow and strategy of the game.
Shot Clock
In the men's game, teams have 30 seconds to take a shot, with the clock resetting to 20 seconds if the ball hits the rim. In contrast, the women's game follows the NBA format, with teams having 24 seconds to take a shot and the clock resetting to 14 seconds if the ball hits the rim.
Ball Size and Weight
The size of the basketball differs between the men's and women's tournaments. In the women's tournament, the ball size is 28.5 inches, while in the men's tournament, it is 29.5 inches. Additionally, the ball weight is specified as a maximum of 20 ounces for women and 22 ounces for men.
Scoring
Men's games tend to have slightly higher scores, typically ending with scores of around 70-80 points per team. Women's games are equally competitive but generally have slightly lower scores, with games ending with an average score of around 60-65 points.
Three-Point Line
Historically, the three-point line in men's and women's NCAA basketball has undergone adjustments. In 2019, the men's three-point line was moved to the international basketball distance of 22 feet and 1.75 inches, with the change taking effect in Division I for the 2019-20 season. This change aimed to make the lane more available for dribble/drive plays and slow down the trend of the three-point shot becoming too prevalent. The women's three-point line was also moved to match the men's distance, but this change had a less significant impact on the game.
Despite these adjustments, men's games tend to have a higher conversion rate for three-point shots. However, there are exceptions, with some women's teams outscoring even the men's teams in three-point shooting.
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Differences between NCAA and NBA rules
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) share fundamental principles, such as dribbling, shooting, and scoring. However, there are some differences in rules and regulations that give each level of play its own unique flavour. Here are some of the key differences between NCAA and NBA rules:
Free Throws
In the NBA, if a shooter is fouled while attempting a three-pointer and misses the shot, they are awarded three free-throw attempts. If they make the three-pointer while being fouled, they are awarded one free throw for a possible four-point play. In contrast, the NCAA rulebook allows "one-and-one", which means that if a player makes a free throw, they receive a second attempt.
Fouls
In the NBA, players are disqualified from the game after six individual fouls (a combination of personal and technical fouls) or two technical fouls. In the NCAA, players are disqualified after five individual fouls.
Jump Balls
In the NBA, the team that wins the initial jump ball gets possession at the start of the third quarter. The team that loses the initial jump ball gets possession at the start of the second and fourth quarters. In the NCAA, the team that loses the initial jump ball automatically gets possession at the next jump-ball situation.
Court Dimensions
The distance from the basket to the three-point line varies between the NBA and NCAA. In the NBA, the arc is 23 feet 9 inches from the centre of the basket in most places, and 22 feet away in the corners. In the NCAA, the arc is 22 feet 1¾ inches from the centre of the basket and 21 feet 7 7/8 inches in the corners.
Game Length
NCAA regulation games run for a total of 40 minutes, divided into two 20-minute halves. NBA games are played in four 12-minute quarters, resulting in a total game time of 48 minutes.
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How to award a free throw
In basketball, free throws are unopposed attempts to score extra points by shooting from behind the free-throw line, after a foul has been committed. In the NCAA, the free-throw line is 12 feet wide and is 22 feet, 1 and 3/4 inches from the centre of the basket.
There are four types of fouls that can generate free throws: personal, technical, team, and flagrant. Personal fouls involve blocking or striking a player while they are shooting. Team fouls occur when a team exceeds its allotted number of fouls per game. In NCAA college basketball, teams are only allowed five fouls per game. Once a team surpasses this number, the opposing team goes "into the bonus", which means they get a free throw for every additional foul per player in a game quarter.
In NCAA men's basketball, beginning with the seventh foul of the half, one free throw is awarded. If the player makes the free throw, they are then given another one. This is called shooting a "one-and-one". Starting with the tenth foul of the half, two free throws are awarded.
Technical fouls are divided into Class A and Class B. Class A technicals refer to violent or serious unsportsmanlike conduct, and result in two free throws. Class B technicals refer to less egregious violations, such as hanging on the rim or delaying the game, and result in one free throw.
In addition, if a player is attempting a shot and they are fouled, it's automatically one free throw if the basket is made, and two free throws if it is missed. If the attempted shot is a three-point shot, then the player will receive three free throws.
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Frequently asked questions
A free throw, or foul shot, is an unguarded scoring attempt awarded to a basketball player after a foul by an opposing team member. Each successful free throw is worth one point.
In NCAA basketball, a player will receive three free throws if they are fouled behind the three-point arc.
In NCAA basketball, technical fouls are divided into Class A and Class B. Class A technicals result in two free throws, while Class B technicals result in one.
The free throw line, or key, is 12 feet wide in NCAA basketball. For reference, it is 16 feet wide in the NBA and WNBA.
"One-and-one" is a rule in NCAA basketball that comes into effect when a team enters the bonus. If a player makes the first free throw, they get to shoot a second one. However, if they miss the first one, they don't get a second attempt.

























