
Basketball is a fast-paced sport governed by many rules designed to keep the game safe and fair. A foul is an infraction that occurs during a basketball game that generally comprises illegal contact between opposing players on the court, unsportsmanlike conduct from a particular player, coach, or bench personnel, as well as other violations of rules that might justify the assessment of a foul by an official. In this context, what constitutes a foul on a layup in basketball? A layup is a common basketball move where a player drives towards the basket and shoots the ball off the backboard or glass. If a player is fouled while attempting a layup, it is considered a shooting foul, and the fouled player is rewarded with free throws from the foul line. The number of free throws awarded depends on the type of foul and whether the player made the initial shot. For example, if a player is fouled while attempting a two-point layup, they will receive two free throws. If they are fouled during a three-point layup attempt, they will receive three free throws. If the player makes the layup despite being fouled, they will still receive one free throw.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of fouls allowed per game | 6 in the NBA; 5 in NCAA college basketball and most high school leagues |
| Types of fouls | Personal, offensive, loose ball, team, flagrant, technical, holding |
| Personal fouls | Pushing, blocking, striking another player in the act of shooting |
| Offensive fouls | Charging, illegal ball screens |
| Loose ball fouls | When neither team has established possession of the ball |
| Team fouls | NBA allots 5 fouls per quarter; "one and one" shots in NCAA |
| Flagrant fouls | Unnecessary or excessive contact, e.g. swinging an elbow at an opponent's face |
| Technical fouls | Detrimental to the game; can be assessed to anyone on the court or bench |
| Holding fouls | When a player limits the movement of their opponents |
| Double fouls | Add to a player's total fouls, but not the team's; no free throws or turnovers |
| Incidental contact | Unintentional contact that is not a foul |
| Intentional fouls | Deliberately committed by the defense to stop the clock or regain possession |
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Offensive fouls
An offensive foul can also occur when an offensive player collides with a legally guarding defender while attempting to pass the ball to a teammate, commonly known as a pass and crash. This results in an offensive foul for charging. An offensive foul can also occur when an offensive player sets an illegal screen, making prohibited contact while setting a screen or not allowing the defensive player to move about the court.
An offensive foul can also be called when an offensive player uses their knee to make illegal contact with an opponent. This usually occurs when the offensive player is in mid-air attempting a layup or jump shot. Another example of an offensive foul is when an offensive player grabs the jersey and/or shorts of an opponent, creating a speed and/or space advantage.
In addition, if an offensive player hangs on their basket ring, net, backboard, or support during the game, they will be assessed a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul. This does not apply if the player is hanging on to prevent an injury to themselves or another player.
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Defensive fouls
Types of Defensive Fouls
- Personal Fouls: These are infractions that violate the rules of the game. Pushing, blocking, or striking an opponent during a shot attempt are examples of personal fouls. Personal fouls result in free throw attempts for the fouled player.
- Flagrant Fouls: Flagrant fouls are more serious and often involve excessive or unnecessary contact that could injure an opponent. Examples include swinging an elbow at an opponent's face or body-checking a player in mid-air. Flagrant fouls carry heavier penalties, such as fines, ejection, or suspension.
- Holding Fouls: Holding fouls occur when a defender limits the movement of an opponent. This can include illegal contact, such as reaching over an opponent's back.
- Hand-Check Fouls: This foul is called when a defender uses their hands illegally to impede or slow down an opponent's progress.
- Technical Fouls: Technical fouls are assessed for unsportsmanlike conduct, such as profanity or arguing with officials. They can be called on players, coaches, or anyone on the bench.
Rules and Scenarios
- Charging: Charging occurs when an offensive player runs into a defender who has established a legal guarding position. The defender must be stationary, with their feet planted, and their arms kept to their sides. If the defender maintains proper positioning and does not initiate contact, the offensive player is responsible for the contact and may be charged with a foul.
- Blocking: Blocking is a defensive foul that occurs when a defender illegally obstructs an offensive player's path or makes contact with them.
- Late-Hit Fouls: If a defender makes contact with an offensive player after they have released the ball, it is considered a late-hit foul. This can be deemed a technical or flagrant foul, depending on the severity of the contact.
- Double Fouls: In some situations, both offensive and defensive players may be called for simultaneous fouls. These double fouls do not result in free throws or turnovers but can impact individual player foul counts.
- Loose Ball Fouls: When the ball is loose, and neither team has established possession, a player can be called for a foul if they make illegal contact while scrambling for the ball.
It's important to note that the rules regarding defensive fouls may vary slightly between different basketball leagues and organizations, and the interpretation of fouls can be subject to the referee's judgment.
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Personal fouls
A personal foul is any violation of the rules of the game that involves personal contact with an opposing player. This includes hitting a player while they are shooting the ball, impeding the path of a player while they are dribbling the ball, hitting the arms or body of an opponent in an attempt to steal the ball, and many other violations.
Personal contact does not necessarily constitute a personal foul, unless it gives a player an advantage or puts the opponent at a disadvantage. For example, incidental contact while reaching for a loose ball or performing normal defensive or offensive movements should not be considered a foul.
In the NBA, once a player commits their sixth personal foul in a single game, they have "fouled out" and are disqualified for the remainder of the game. A player control foul, a type of personal foul, occurs when an offensive player in control of the ball commits a foul against an opponent. A team control foul, another type of personal foul, occurs when an offensive player, typically without possession of the ball, commits a foul against an opponent.
If a defender is charged with a personal foul while an offensive player is shooting, the penalty is one or more free throw attempts for the offensive player. If the offensive player makes a field goal attempt during or after the personal foul, they receive one free throw attempt. If they miss the field goal attempt, they receive two or three free throw attempts, depending on the shot.
Other examples of personal fouls include:
- Failing to immediately pass the ball to the nearest official when a personal foul or violation is assessed.
- Touching the ball before the throw-in has been released.
- Preventing play from commencing at any time.
- Any player, coach, or trainer interfering with a ball that has crossed the boundary line.
- A free throw shooter venturing fully beyond the three-point line between attempts.
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Flagrant fouls
The flagrant foul was introduced in the 1980-81 NBA season, initially treated like a common personal foul. Over the years, the NBA has made changes to the rules to increase the penalties and deter players from committing flagrant fouls. The league added that the team that was fouled would retain possession after the free throws. Instant replay was introduced in 2006-07 to review potential flagrant fouls, allowing officials to upgrade or downgrade the severity of the foul.
There are two types of flagrant fouls: flagrant 1 and flagrant 2. A flagrant 1 is reckless contact that could result in a minor injury but is not deemed excessive. An example would be a defender hitting the shooting player's head while attempting to block a shot. A flagrant 2 is unnecessary and excessive contact with an opponent, which can result in immediate ejection and fines.
The penalties for a flagrant foul include free throws and the fouled team retaining possession. A flagrant 2 foul will result in an automatic fine and ejection, and the player may be suspended. The NBA also has a "penalty points" system, where players committing a flagrant 1 or 2 are assessed penalty points, which can lead to suspension during the regular season or playoffs.
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Holding fouls
A holding foul in basketball is any foul committed when neither team has control of the ball. This often happens when one player fouls another while they fight to gain control of a loose ball. Holding fouls can also occur when players jockey for position to secure a rebound. Players may legally block out or box out their opponents, but it's a foul if they make illegal contact with an opponent by reaching up and over their back.
In basketball, a foul refers to illegal personal contact or unsportsmanlike conduct on the court or sidelines of a game. Most player fouls involve contact that impedes an opposing player's gameplay. When a player fouls another player on an opposing team in the act of shooting, the referee rewards the fouled player with unguarded free throws from the foul line. Each successfully made free throw counts for one point.
It's important to note that not all rule violations count as fouls. For example, illegal plays such as traveling, shot clock violations, lane violations, or double dribbling result in a change of possession rather than a foul. Additionally, incidental contact, which is common due to the fast-paced nature of the game, is not considered a foul. Referees must use their judgment to determine whether contact between players is incidental or a foul.
Flagrant fouls are a more serious type of foul that is less common. These are fouls that referees deem unnecessary or excessive and often involve contact likely to cause injuries. Flagrant fouls can result in heavier penalties such as fines, immediate ejection, and even suspension.
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Frequently asked questions
A foul in basketball is an infraction that occurs during a game that generally comprises illegal contact between opposing players on the court, unsportsmanlike conduct from a particular player, coach, or bench personnel, as well as other violations of the rules.
A personal foul is an infraction that occurs when a player uses any part of their body, such as their hands, arms, legs, or feet, to make illegal contact with an opposing player. This includes pushing, blocking, or striking another player in the act of shooting.
An offensive foul is a type of personal foul committed by an offensive player when their team possesses the ball. The two most common offensive fouls are charging and illegal ball screens. Charging occurs when an offensive player makes contact with a defensive player who has established a legal guarding position.
A flagrant foul is any foul that referees deem unnecessary or excessive and likely to cause injury. An FF1 involves unnecessary but not excessive contact, while an FF2 involves both unnecessary and excessive contact, resulting in automatic ejection from the game.
If a player is fouled during a layup, they are rewarded with free throws. If the player makes the layup, they will receive one free throw. If they miss the layup, they will receive two free throws.

























