What is a loose ball foul in basketball
A loose ball foul is an infraction that occurs during a basketball game when one particular player on the court commits illegal contact against an opposing player while there is a loose ball situation and/or while there is no team control.
What is notable information about a loose ball situation and team control in relation to the loose ball foul
Loose ball situation simple definition
A loose ball situation, sometimes referred to as a 50/50 ball, generally happens when any particular player on the court has an opportunity to gain possession of the basketball during live play.
In essence, any time a player is not holding or dribbling a live ball and/or no team is in control of a live ball, then it is usually a loose ball situation.
Therefore, if any player were to commit illegal contact against an opponent during a loose ball situation, then the result would typically be a loose ball foul.
Team control basics
Generally speaking, team control is established and can continue as long as a player is holding the ball, dribbling it, or passing it to a teammate.
Furthermore, team control ends when an offensive player in possession of the ball attempts a field goal, which is also referred to as a try for goal.
However, within the rules of at least the NBA and WNBA, team control also ends when a defensive player is able to successfully deflect the ball.
So, if any player were to commit illegal contact against an opponent during the time of no team control, then that violation could lead to a loose ball foul assessment.
Examples of situations that could lead to loose ball fouls
Jump ball action
A jump ball consists of action that occurs during the basketball game when two opposing players will jump in the air and generally attempt to legally tap the ball towards one of their teammates.
The jump ball scenario typically takes place at the center circle, also known as the jump circle, in the middle of the court, especially at the start of the first quarter or overtime periods.
However, players could also participate in the jump ball action at the half circle with dash marks near the free throw line area during certain instances.
At the moment of a jump ball, no team is in control of the ball and it is also a loose ball situation until a player legally taps it to a teammate who gains possession of it.
This also means that if any particular player during the jump ball scenario makes illegal contact with an opposing player, then the result could be a loose ball foul.
Ball tapped for a rebound
Whenever a player taps the ball in an attempt to collect it as a rebound, regardless if it is an offensive rebound or defensive rebound, it is usually a loose ball situation.
What’s more, while the ball is being tapped for a potential rebound, no team is generally in control of it at that moment.
So, if one particular player commits illegal contact against an opponent while there is a tap for a rebound, then that could result in a loose ball foul.
However, it should be noted that if a player is attempting to tap the ball as an offensive putback, then that will generally be considered a field goal attempt.
In other words, if a player taps the ball towards the rim, regardless if it goes through the basket ring or not, it will be generally assumed that the player successfully collected the rebound prior to the immediate putback attempt.
Therefore, because of that rebound collection and subsequent putback, team control was established and the player would also be credited with an offensive rebound, which would be added to the team’s total rebounds as well.
Furthermore, if that player was targeted with illegal contact during that putback action, then the result would be a shooting foul as opposed to a loose ball foul.
Ball in flight during a try for a goal
Generally speaking, any time the ball is in flight after an offensive player attempts a field goal, it is a loose ball situation and there will be no team control of the ball as well.
This also means that any illegal contact committed by any particular player against an opposing player while the ball is in flight could result in a loose ball foul.
Player temporarily loses the ball while dribbling
If a player is dribbling the ball but afterwards, that same player temporarily loses handle of the ball, then that could be representative of a loose ball situation.
From there, if that player who lost handle of the ball while dribbling made illegal contact with an opponent or any other player committed illegal contact against other opposing players, then the result could be a loose ball foul on the offending player.
However, it should also be noted that when a player temporarily loses handle of the ball, this is loss of player control but not necessarily loss of team control.
Essentially, if that same player or a teammate is able to quickly recover the ball before the opposition gains possession of it, then team control would still be in effect.
Player muffs or fumbles pass
If a player muffs or fumbles a pass that is thrown by a teammate, then that could be representative of a loose ball situation.
From that point, if the player that muffed the ball were to commit illegal contact with an opponent or any other player made illegal contact against other opposing players, then the result could be a loose ball assessment on the offending player.
Also, once again, similar to the previous scenario, this would be loss of player control but not necessarily team control, especially if the fumbled pass is recovered instantly by the same player or a teammate.
Defender deflects dribble or pass
If a defensive player, particularly one that is playing on-ball defense is able to deflect a dribble or a pass, then that could be representative of a loose ball situation.
From there, the defender or a teammate of that defender could steal the ball, which would also result in a turnover and change of team control.
Alternatively, the player whose dribble or pass was deflected or one of that player’s teammates could recover the ball to end the loose ball situation.
It is also interesting to note that within the rules of the NBA and WNBA, this deflection would automatically end team control.
However, if the player whose dribble or pass was deflected or one of their teammates recovers the ball, then that would simply establish new team control.
Conversely, within the rules of NCAA men’s and women’s college basketball, the deflection would only be a loose ball due to the loss of player control but team control would remain in effect.
The exception of team control loss would be when the opposing team successfully gains possession of the ball, primarily by stealing it in that instance.
What are general penalties that could occur after a loose ball foul gets assessed
These are general penalties that could happen after a loose ball foul gets assessed. It is also assumed that the loose ball foul is not a flagrant foul, which would potentially carry its own set of penalties as well.
Also, these penalties are primarily based on the rules within the NBA/WNBA so mileage may vary in reference to other notable basketball leagues of competition.
Personal foul for player who commits loose ball foul
When a player commits a loose ball foul, that will be recorded, typically by an official scorer, as a personal foul.
It would also be added to that player’s total number of personal fouls accumulated throughout the game.
This could also lead to that player fouling out of the game upon reaching the maximum number of allowed personal fouls.
Team foul increases by one
In addition to the personal foul for the player who committed the loose ball foul, that player’s team would be charged with a team foul as well.
From there, if that team accumulates the requisite number of team fouls, then that could trigger the bonus or penalty situation.
Following that, any defensive fouls committed against an opposing player who is not in the act of shooting would give that same player an opportunity to take at least one free throw attempt.
This process would continue until the end of the period, which would also reset the number of team fouls.
Team who was the target of the loose ball foul typically receives ball on the sideline
After the loose ball assessment against any particular player, the team who was the target of that foul will typically receive the ball on the sideline for an inbound pass opportunity, assuming the bonus is not in effect.
Also, the designated spot for that inbound pass will usually be near the spot where play was interrupted but it will not be nearer to the baseline that the free throw line extended area.
It should also be mentioned that if an offensive player successfully makes a field goal while that player’s team commits a loose ball foul, then the field goal will not count and the opposing team would receive the ball on the sideline, similar to the previously aforementioned rule.
Free throw special situations
Bonus/penalty
If a loose ball foul occurs while a team is in the bonus or penalty situation, the player (of the team in the bonus/penalty situation) who was the target of the loose ball foul would receive one free throw attempt plus a penalty free throw attempt.
Successful field goal
If a defensive player commits a loose ball foul and at the same time, an offensive player successfully makes a field goal attempt, then the player who was the target of the foul would receive one free throw attempt.
It should also be stated that the player who shoots the free throw attempt would not necessarily be the player who actually shot and made the field goal attempt.
This is effectively a special situation in which the offensive team can convert a three-point play or four-point play that is not by the same player.
Also, this rule is set, at least within the rules of the NBA and WNBA, because the team who was the target of a loose ball foul could never receive the ball out of bounds after scoring points on the same play.
Successful free throw
If a defensive player commits a loose ball foul and at the same time, an offensive player successfully makes a free throw, then the player who was the target of the foul would receive one free throw attempt.
Moreover, it would not matter if the bonus/penalty situation was in effect or not.
Related: RULE NO. 12: Fouls and Penalties – NBA Official
Related: Official Rules – WNBA
Related: Men’s and Women’s college basketball rule books – NCAA Publications