What is the inbound pass in basketball
The inbound pass, officially known as a throw-in, consists of action in which an offensive player who has current possession of the basketball throws it to a teammate after initially standing out of bounds behind the sideline or baseline.
What are basic example diagrams of the inbound pass
The following diagrams demonstrate basic examples of sideline and baseline inbound passes that are thrown by an offensive player.
Moreover, in terms of a formal name or title, the offensive player executing the inbound pass is typically known as the thrower-in, such as mentioned within Rule Number 6 of the NBA Official Rulebook.
However, for this particular page, the thrower-in will be simply called the thrower as a very minor type of shorthand.
Furthermore, the offensive player, who would be the recipient of the inbound pass, will catch it in their team’s backcourt or frontcourt.
Also, for the following diagrams as well as any additional ones in later sections, each offensive player is typically indicated by a number that represents a standard basketball position and each defensive player has a correlated number to a similar position that is shown alongside the letter X.
Essentially, 1 is the offensive point guard while X1 is the defensive point guard.
2 is the offensive shooting guard while X2 is the defensive shooting guard.
3 is the offensive small forward while X3 is the defensive small forward.
4 is the offensive power forward while X4 is the defensive power forward.
Finally, 5 is the offensive center while X5 is the defensive center.
In addition to all of that and as a general side note, certain rule books could use the term endline interchangeably with the term baseline as a reference to the boundary line that is behind the basket where a throw-in could occur.
In essence, the baseline would technically be the boundary line behind the basket in the offensive team’s frontcourt while simultaneously, the endline would technically be the boundary line behind the basket in the defensive team’s backcourt.
Nevertheless, to keep things as straightforward as possible, this web page will simply use the term baseline when referring to a boundary line behind the basket.
Related: Basketball 101: The Court Lines – Mojo
Example of baseline inbound pass into the offensive team’s backcourt area
This is a very simple example diagram of an offensive thrower executing an inbound pass behind the baseline into their team’s backcourt area.
Generally speaking, this particular throw-in could happen after the opposing team scores points via a field goal or free throw, or after a timeout, or after some other relevant stoppage of play by the referee such as a turnover by the opposing team.
For the diagram, 1 receives the ball, represented by the black dot, from 5, who is initially standing out of bounds near the baseline.
Afterwards, 1 can begin to dribble towards the offensive team’s frontcourt, represented by the arrow with wavy lines while the other team members also move towards the frontcourt as well.
Example of sideline inbound pass into the offensive team’s backcourt area
This is a very basic example of an sideline inbound pass that is thrown into the offensive team’s backcourt.
Additionally, the opposing team is executing man to man defense and due to that, each offensive player is being guarded by a respective defender.
Therefore, 1 attempts to create space from the adjacent defender X1, by utilizing a small V-cut to get open in the backcourt.
Afterwards, 1 receives the ball from the thrower, indicated as 3.
Following that, 1 dribbles toward the frontcourt while being guarded by X1, indicated by the gray arrow.
Moreover, 3 moves onto the inbound side of the court while receiving a moderate amount of defensive pressure from X3, also shown with a gray arrow.
It should be noted as well that although the player who is executing the throw-in is positioned near the sideline on the offensive team’s frontcourt side, it is still feasible to throw the ball into the backcourt area.
This is legal action because the player executing the throw-in and by extension, the ball itself, does not have frontcourt or backcourt status while that player is initially standing out of bounds prior to live play being started or resumed.
This would also generally apply if the player receiving the ball was initially in the frontcourt and then stepped into the backcourt to actually catch the ball.
Example of baseline inbound pass into the offensive team’s frontcourt area
This is an example of a simple baseline inbound pass into the offensive team’s frontcourt, particularly from the defensive team’s endline area.
The offensive team also initiates the action with a stack formation.
What’s more, this action serves as a very basic baseline out of bounds play as well.
To start, 2 cuts to the right side corner via screens set by 1 and 5 while 3 cuts to the left side corner.
After those initial cuts occur, 1 breaks away to the left slot area near the top following the screening action.
From there, 2 can receive the ball from the thrower, denoted as 4, and take the jump shot if open.
Otherwise, 1 or 3 could receive the ball as additional safety options.
What signifies the beginning of an inbound pass
An inbound pass begins when an eligible player who would be the thrower receives the basketball from the referee.
Generally speaking, the referee will usually bounce the ball to the player during a sideline inbound pass or hand the ball to a player, typically during a baseline inbound pass that is nearest to the offensive team’s frontcourt.
Once the player has possession of the ball, then this commonly starts the five second count by the referee in which the player has five seconds to release the ball, particularly onto the inbound side of the court.
Furthermore, in some situations, if an eligible thrower is not immediately available at the time of the throw-in, then the referee could place the ball on the out of bounds side of the court and start the five second count.
What signifies the end of an inbound pass
An inbound pass typically ends when the thrower releases the ball onto the inbound side of the court and afterwards, that same ball gets touched by any player that is already on the court.
An inbound pass could also end if the team in possession of the ball receives some type of throw-in violation as well.
What action starts the clock during an inbound pass
When a thrower successfully releases the ball onto the inbound side of the court and the ball is legally touched by any player, the referee will utilize a hand signal for the official timer who will then start the clock to continue live play.
Can a thrower receive an assist from an inbound pass
A thrower can receive an assist from an inbound pass after releasing the ball, particularly to a teammate on the inbound side of the court, provided that the teammate which received the ball demonstrates an immediate reaction towards the basket such as a quick jump shot or another type of scoring action such as a layup or dunk.
Related: Assist, inbound pass leads directly to made field goal – NBA Video Playbook
Related: No Assist, inbound pass does not lead directly to made field goal – NBA Video Playbook
Which typical situations lead to the occurrence of a baseline inbound pass
An inbound pass at the baseline typically occurs after an awarded score but it could also happen after certain situations that do not involve an awarded score.
Types of awarded scores commonly include the free throw, the two-point field goal, the three-point field goal, defensive basket interference, or defensive goaltending.
Additionally, awarded scores could be referred to as awarded goals, scoring a goal, or scoring a made basket.
However, this web page will primarily use the term known as awarded score for general purposes.
Free Throw
A free throw is comprised of offensive action in which a player in possession of the ball typically receives one to three uncontested shot attempts.
When a player makes a free throw attempt, it is worth one point.
One of the most common times a player would shoot a free throw is after that same player gets fouled in the act of shooting a two-point field goal attempt or three-point field goal attempt by a defender on the opposing team.
Another general time that a player might shoot at least one free throw is when one or more members of an opposing team receives a technical foul.
Also, if an offensive player takes one to three free throw attempts and then makes the final attempt, (regardless if it was one, two, or three attempts) then a thrower on the opposing team will generally receive the ball and execute an inbound pass, particularly at the baseline adjacent to their team’s backcourt.
Nonetheless, after a team technical free throw, it is feasible as well for a thrower on the opposing team to receive the ball and execute an inbound pass at the sideline.
Two-point field goal
A two-point field goal includes any field goal attempt that is inside of the three-point line.
The primary types of two-point field goal attempts include the layup, the dunk, the floater or runner, and the mid-range jump shot.
If an offensive player makes a two-point field goal, then a thrower on the opposing team can receive the ball and execute an inbound pass, particularly at the baseline adjacent to their team’s backcourt.
Three-point field goal
A three-point field goal includes field goal attempts that are outside of the three-point line.
If an offensive player makes a three-point field goal, then a player on the opposing team can receive the ball and execute an inbound pass, particularly at the baseline adjacent to their team’s backcourt.
Basket Interference
In the NBA, NCAA, and the NFHS, basket interference generally occurs when a player interferes with the ball while it is above the basket ring itself and within the imaginary cylinder of the basket ring.
Conversely though, in FIBA, if the ball touches the rim but then bounces with an upward motion above the basket ring, it can be played by either the offensive or defensive players even when it is in the imaginary cylinder.
In other words, in terms of FIBA rules, as long as the ball touches the rim first and it is not in a downward motion as if to pass through the basket ring, then offensive players could tap the ball into the basket ring via a tip-in or defensive players could swat the ball away from the basket ring.
Related: Rule Differences – FIBA
Also, if a defensive team gets called for a basket interference violation, then the offensive team could receive between two or three points, depending on if the shot is a two-point field goal or three-point field goal.
Afterwards, the defensive team would convert into the new offensive team, then a thrower could receive the ball and have an opportunity to execute an inbound pass, particularly at the baseline adjacent to their team’s backcourt.
Goaltending
Goaltending occurs when a certain player (usually a defensive player) hinders the chance or opportunity for an offensive player to score a legitimate field goal, typically before the ball touches the basket ring.
A goaltending violation most likely would occur if the ball did not touch the rim but it is above the basket ring and it is in downward flight.
As a common example of goaltending, let’s say that an offensive player takes a mid-range shot.
However, another player on the defensive team jumps in the air to swat the ball away from the basket on its downward motion before the ball even has an opportunity to go into the basket ring.
When that occurs, it would be a goaltending violation and the offensive team would be awarded a score of two points.
After that, the defensive team would become the new offensive team, then a thrower could receive the ball, and have an opportunity to execute an inbound pass, particularly at the baseline adjacent to their team’s backcourt.
Non-scoring situations
Non-scoring situations that could result in an inbound pass, specifically at the baseline adjacent to the offensive team’s frontcourt, includes a defensive deflection out of bounds near the frontcourt baseline or a shot that is blocked out of bounds near the frontcourt baseline.
Also, when play gets stopped, usually due to some type of defensive violation that is also not a shooting foul, then an inbound pass could happen near the baseline of the offensive team’s frontcourt.
This will generally happen while the ball is located at certain areas of the court such as within the key or just outside of the lane lines, or within the free throw semi-circle area, depending on the rules of the respective league.
Which typical situations lead to the occurrence of a sideline inbound pass
An inbound pass at the sideline generally happens after a situation that does not result in an awarded score.
For example, if a defender deflects the ball out of bounds towards a sideline, then the offensive team would have the opportunity to execute an inbound pass near that same sideline.
Furthermore, when play gets stopped, typically due to some type of defensive violation that is also not a shooting foul, then that could result in a sideline inbound pass as well.
This will generally happen while the ball is near various perimeter areas of the court.
What is a designated spot during an inbound pass
A designated spot is a three-foot area that extends back from the edge of the court until there is no viable space left.
In certain situations, particularly those which do not involve scoring, the referee will assign a designated spot for the thrower to stand within during the throw-in action.
What’s more, when a designated spot is set, the thrower has to keep one foot on or over the designated spot at all times until they release the ball towards the inbound side of the court.
However, it should be known that the thrower can also jump into the air and/or move one or both feet, provided the thrower keeps one foot on or over the designated spot.
The example diagram below attempts to demonstrate common designated spot areas within the offensive team’s frontcourt, primarily based on the rules of NCAA men’s and women’s college basketball, particularly when stoppage of play occurs due to some type of defensive infraction.
Additionally, please be aware that the designated spot areas are not drawn to scale and so it is possible that an offensive player may not execute the throw-in at those very exact locations.
Example of designated spots within the offensive team’s frontcourt area
In basic terms, if a stoppage of play were to happen within the gray area, mainly due to a defensive infraction, then an offensive thrower would receive possession of the ball at one of the designated spots, represented by the arrows pointing towards the baseline.
To give a little more clarity of this, let’s say that an offensive player has possession of the ball near the right side wing and is driving towards the middle near the key area.
Nevertheless, let’s also say that a defender makes illegal contact with the offensive player in the key, while not in the act of shooting nor in the bonus situation.
When that happens, the defender would get charged with a personal foul and afterwards an offensive player would receive possession of the ball near the right side of the baseline at the designated spot.
Conversely, if a stoppage of play were to happen anywhere outside of that gray area, mainly due to a defensive infraction, then an offensive player would receive possession of the ball at one of the designated spots, indicated by the arrows pointing towards the sidelines.
Moreover, within the rules of NCAA men’s and women’s college basketball, these sideline designated spots are normally referred to as the 28-foot mark.
What generally determines if a thrower is assigned a designated spot
Generally speaking, a thrower would typically be assigned a designated spot to execute the throw-in after non-scoring situations such as a backcourt violation, three-second rule violation, a flagrant foul penalty, or an offensive free throw violation.
Nonetheless, it should also be stated that at the NFHS level, a thrower could receive a designated spot, particularly at the sideline (near the half court line) after an offensive player has an opportunity to score free throws via a team technical foul.
In other words, a team technical foul is probably one of the few occasions in which a designated spot could get assigned after a scoring situation.
What can a thrower do if a designated spot is not assigned
Generally speaking, if a designated spot is not assigned by a referee, then a thrower with the ball can either run the baseline or the original thrower can pass the ball to a new thrower in certain instances.
It should be stated as well that this would typically happen after an awarded score is given to the offensive team that was in possession of the ball at the time.
Run the baseline
An offensive player can generally run the baseline, particularly if the referee does not assign a designated spot for that player to execute the throw-in.
This typically occurs immediately following an awarded score such as the free throw, two-point field goal, three-point field goal, defensive basket interference, or defensive goaltending.
It should also be noted that the referee will usually not touch the ball after an immediate score assuming there is not some other type of situation that would call for the stoppage of play.
For example, if the team in possession of the ball calls a timeout immediately after an awarded score prior to the baseline inbound pass near the backcourt area, then following that timeout, the referee would administer the ball to the eligible thrower at the baseline near the offensive team’s backcourt.
As another example, let’s say that a team would like to make player substitutions during a free throw situation.
Following the last free throw attempt, the referee will generally blow the whistle to indicate play stoppage, allow the substitution to occur during the dead ball period, administer the ball to the eligible thrower at the baseline near the offensive team’s backcourt area, and blow the whistle once more to put the ball in play again.
Furthermore, if play stoppage such as a timeout or substitution does occur, particularly after an awarded score, then the player executing the inbound pass is still allowed to run the baseline if necessary and the referee will most likely tell this information to the player as well.
Pass the ball to a new thrower
A thrower can execute a throw-in to a teammate that is already on the inbound side of the court, which is not surprising at all.
However, if the referee does not designate a spot for the thrower, usually after an awarded score, then it is possible for at least one player that is currently on the inbound side of the court to step out of bounds adjacent to the area of the original thrower.
Next, the original thrower could pass the ball to the new thrower and as that occurs, the original thrower could step on the inbound side of the court.
Following that, the new thrower could release the ball to any player on the court.
It should also be noted that multiple teammates could actually step out of bounds to receive the ball from the original thrower but only one of those teammates could become the new thrower.
If that occurs, then the teammates which did not receive the ball should step onto the inbound side of the court to become potential passing options for the new thrower.
What are the typical inbound pass violations for the thrower
The typical inbound pass violations for the thrower include infractions such as the five second violation, the backboard contact violation, and the first to touch violation among others.
Additionally, for each of the different violations, it is assumed that the thrower received the ball, either via a designated spot provision from the referee or the thrower simply grabbed the ball after it passed through the basket ring following a score by the opposing team during live play.
The general penalty for a throw-in violation is that the opposing team would receive the ball at the original spot of the initial throw-in.
Five second violation
Upon receiving the ball while standing out of bounds, if the thrower does not inbound the ball to any player on the court within five seconds, then this will result in a throw-in violation.
Backboard contact violation
Upon receiving the ball while standing out of bounds, particularly at the baseline, if the thrower releases the ball so that it makes initial contact with the backboard, especially on the backside, then this will result in a throw-in violation.
Step inbound prior to release violation
Upon receiving the ball while standing out of bounds, if the thrower steps inbound before releasing the ball to any player that is already inbound on the court, then this will result in a throw-in violation.
Even if the thrower does release the ball at the same time of the inbound step, this would still be a violation because the ball must be totally released completely out of the hands of the thrower before the thrower is allowed to step onto the inbound side of the court.
It should also be stated that a thrower can step on the boundary line, just not over it. In essence, this is valid because the boundary line itself is considered out of bounds.
First to touch violation
Upon receiving the ball while standing out of bounds, if the thrower is the first player to touch the ball once the ball is released onto the inbound side of the court, the outcome of this will be a throw-in violation.
For example, the thrower cannot throw the ball into the air on the inbound side of the court, step onto the inbound side of the court, and then catch the ball while it is still in the air.
In this case, the thrower would be essentially passing the ball to themselves, which is also informally known as a self pass.
Nevertheless, it is possible for a thrower to execute a type of trick play, commonly referred to as an off the back inbound pass.
Generally speaking, this action could potentially happen if a defender adjacent to the thrower turns their back away from that same thrower.
Following that, the thrower could release the ball off the back of that defender, catch the ball quickly before the defender has a chance to react and attempt to immediately score.
If this play occurs near the baseline, the thrower would commonly attempt to score via a quick layup or dunk at the rim.
Conversely, if this play occurs near the sideline, the thrower would typically try to score by way of a quick jump shot.
This off the back inbound pass is legal action because it is not a first to touch violation.
Related: Most Genius ‘Off The Player’s Back’ Inbound Passes – YouTube
Furthermore the thrower cannot simply dribble the ball onto the court as that is another type of first to touch violation.
Out of bounds floor contact violation
Upon receiving the ball while standing out of bounds, especially during a designated spot throw-in, if the thrower drops the ball or generally releases the ball so that it touches the floor, particularly at any area out of bounds or even on the boundary line, then this will result in a throw-in violation.
Interesting enough, in the NFHS rules, the floor contact violation mentioned above would still be in effect but a thrower can actually dribble the ball while standing out of bounds, particularly during a designated spot throw-in.
This is valid in the NFHS rules because the traveling and dribbling rules are not currently active at the time of that throw-in.
However, this also does not mean that a thrower can dribble the ball on the inbound side of the court, even if that same thrower remains out of bounds as that would effectively be a first to touch and/or a general out of bounds violation.
Ball into the basket violation
Upon receiving the ball while standing out of bounds, if the thrower releases the ball so that it enters into a basket ring, then this will result in a throw-in violation.
This is illegal because the ball did not initially touch any player on the inbound side of the court before being released.
Nevertheless, it is possible for a thrower to release the ball which then incidentally touches the basket ring.
For example, a thrower can release the ball as to set up a lob pass for a teammate at the rim.
If the ball initially makes contact with the rim before a teammate or an opponent catches it, this would still be legal action.
Furthermore, if the ball makes contact with the backboard after initially touching the rim, this would also not violate the backboard contact rule because the ball touched the rim first.
Ball lodged between the basket and the backboard violation
Upon receiving the ball while standing out of bounds, if the thrower releases the ball so that it becomes lodged between the basket and the backboard, then the outcome of that would be a throw-in violation.
Invalid pass reception via boundary line violation
Upon receiving the ball while standing out of bounds, particularly during a designated spot throw-in, if the thrower hands the ball to a teammate that is extending their arms through the boundary line on the out of bounds side of the court, then this will result in a throw-in violation.
This is illegal because the thrower has to release (i.e. throw) the ball onto the inbound side of the court.
Illegal movement violation
Upon receiving the ball while standing out of bounds, particularly during a designated spot throw-in, if the thrower does not keep one foot on or over the three-foot designated spot, then this will result in a throw-in violation.
Omit stepping out of bounds violation
Upon receiving the ball through the basket immediately after the opponent scores, if the thrower does not step completely over the boundary line and establish out of bounds before attempting a throw-in, then the outcome of that would be a throw-in violation.
In other words, the thrower cannot grab the ball once it passes through the basket ring and either throw the ball to a teammate immediately while still on the inbound side or only step out of bounds with one foot before throwing the ball to a teammate.
Essentially, the thrower cannot omit stepping out of bounds, particularly following an awarded score or after a made basket by the opposing team.
That is to say, the thrower has to be fully out of bounds before initiating the throw-in and releasing the ball, particularly to a teammate that is on the inbound side of the court.
What are the primary restrictions for an on-ball defender guarding an inbound pass
An on-ball defender should not reach or extend any part of their body over the boundary plane of the baseline or sideline in general, nor should the defender reach over the boundary plane, particularly to touch the ball or the offensive player in possession of the ball.
It should be noted though that an on-ball defender can jump into the air or move side to side to hinder the effectiveness of the inbound pass as long as that same defender does not reach over the boundary plane.
Additionally, if the thrower releases the ball onto the court, the on-ball defender is then permitted to extend their arms over the boundary plane.
Although in that case, it would most likely be generally ineffective to do so as the ball has already been released on to the court.
Moreover, if a gymnasium or some other type of arena has a limited amount of space, particularly near the baseline and/or sideline, the on-ball defender guarding the thrower could be asked by the referee to step back no more than three feet.
Furthermore, it should be noted as well that an offensive player on the inbound side of the court should not occupy an area that is parallel or near the baseline, particularly if an on-ball defender wants to occupy that same area.
Basically, an offensive player cannot stop a defensive player, and more specifically, an on-ball defender from executing defensive pressure on the player with the ball.
In other words, an offensive player cannot stand in between the thrower and a potential defender who would like to guard that same thrower during the throw-in sequence.
Here are general examples of what the on-ball defender should not do while guarding an inbound pass, primarily based on NFHS rules.
Should not extend over the boundary plane in general
If an on-ball defender reaches over the boundary plane even without touching the ball or the thrower, then that could result in a team delay warning, also referred to as a delay of game warning, or a team technical foul by the referee if the team already received a previous warning for any valid reason.
Should not extend over the boundary plane to touch the ball
If an on-ball defender reaches over the boundary plane to touch the basketball, then this would result in a delay of game warning for the team and a player technical foul for the on-ball defender.
Also, at the NFHS level, if a player technical foul occurs, then any player on the team in current possession of the ball (i.e. the team that was executing the inbound pass) would shoot two free throws, the team would afterwards receive the ball again, and execute a throw-in on the sideline near the division line (i.e. the half court line) opposite the scorer’s table.
It should be noted though that in the NBA, if a player touches the ball, then that would result in a delay of game warning followed by a technical foul (for a maximum of two technical fouls), if the defender does it again.
Should not extend over the boundary plane to touch the thrower
If an on-ball defender reaches over the boundary plane to touch the thrower, then that would result in a delay of game warning for the team as well as an intentional foul for the on-ball defender.
Furthermore, at the NFHS level, after the on-ball defender receives an intentional foul due to touching the thrower, this would result in a possible delay of game warning as well as two free throws for the thrower (or a qualified substitute) plus the possession of the ball for the team on offense.
Afterwards, the offensive team would have an opportunity to execute the inbound pass again at the original spot near the baseline of their frontcourt.
Additionally, it should be known that the thrower can extend their arms over the boundary plane while holding the ball.
Basically, the thrower does not have to follow the same restrictions as the on-ball defender in reference to the boundary plane.
If the thrower does extend their arms so that the ball is on the inbound side of the court, then the on-ball defender could technically touch the ball, or attempt to knock it out of the hands of the thrower, or grab hold of the ball with two hands, which would typically result in a held ball call by the referee.
This is valid and legal because the on-ball defender did not reach over the boundary plane towards the out of bounds area so no defensive infraction would occur in that case.
However, even if the thrower does extend their arms over the boundary plane, then on-ball defender is still not allowed to touch the thrower.
If that occurs, it would still result in an intentional foul for the on-ball defender.
What are additional resources to possibly learn more about the inbound pass
Below are links to additional resources that could be useful in learning more about the inbound pass.
It should also be noted that the information on this web page was generally based on the basketball rules of the NFHS in addition to guidelines within the NCAA, NBA, WNBA, and FIBA to one degree or another.
Miscellaneous Throw-In Rules – CYC Basketball Officials
Basic Court Coverage for Officials – USA Basketball
Duties of the Officials – NBA Official Rulebook
Putting Ball in Play – Live/Dead Ball – NBA Official Rulebook
Out of Bounds and Throw-In – NBA Official Rulebook
Violations and Penalties – NBA Official Rulebook
Inbound Violations – NBA Video Rulebook
New Referee? GOTTA NAIL THIS MECHANIC!! | NFHS Throw In Administration – A Better Official – YouTube
Hey Ref! DO YOU EVEN KNOW THE RULES?? | Basketball Throw In NFHS Rules – A Better Official – YouTube