Offensive Foul in Basketball: Basic Information Explained

What is an offensive foul in basketball

An offensive foul is an infraction that occurs during a basketball game when an offensive player uses any part of their body such as their hands, arms, legs, or feet to make illegal contact with an opposing defensive player.

What is notable information about the imaginary cylinder in relation to offensive foul

The imaginary cylinder surrounds the offensive player from the floor to as far as that player can jump or extend their arms above their hands.

Furthermore, the diameter of the imaginary cylinder does not extend beyond any particular player’s hand/arms on the front side, a player’s rear on the back side, or the sides of a player’s legs.

Nevertheless, a cylinder’s dimensions may change depending on the height and size of a player.

With that being said, if an offensive player makes illegal contact with an opposing defender after extending any part of their body beyond their own cylinder, then that action is effectively an offensive foul.

It is also important to note that the concepts of the imaginary cylinder also apply to any opposing defender as well.

That is to say, if an opposing defender were to extend a part of their body beyond their own cylinder, then that player could be assessed a defensive foul by the referee.

What are examples of player actions that typically result in an offensive foul

Offensive player pushes or moves into the torso of a legally guarding defender

When an offensive player, with or without possession of the basketball, pushes or moves a part of their body into the torso of a defender who is in legal guarding position, this is known as a charging foul or an offensive foul for charging.

It should be stated as well that if an offensive player collides with a legally guarding defender while attempting to pass the ball to a teammate, which is commonly known as a pass and crash, the result will be an offensive foul for charging.

Offensive player sets illegal screen

An illegal screen occurs when a offensive player makes prohibited contact while setting a screen and/or the offensive player does not allow an opposing defender, who would be the target of the screen, enough time and/or distance to avoid the screen.

A screener must stay within their own vertical plane approximately shoulder width apart while setting a basketball screen.

The vertical plane also includes an imaginary cylinder of occupied space that surrounds the screener, or any other active player from the floor to as far as they can jump or extend their arms above their head.

Once an offensive player sets an illegal screen, the result is an offensive foul.

Offensive player pushes opponent with hands

If an offensive player pushes with their hands in the front area or back area of an opponent, then that would lead to an offensive foul via illegal contact.

Offensive player pushes away opponent’s contesting hand

If an offensive player illegally pushes away a defensive opponent’s hand in an attempt to prevent that opponent from contesting their shot and/or possibly blocking it, then that would be an offensive foul.

This offensive foul situation usually occurs when the offensive player is attempting to make a layup that could very likely be blocked by the defender.

Offensive player grabs opponent’s jersey and/or other attire

If an offensive player grabs the jersey and/or other attire such as basketball shorts of an opponent, then that is an offensive foul.

This is not allowed because by grabbing the jersey and/or other attire of an opponent, the offensive player is able to potentially create a speed and/or space advantage against the opposing defender.

Offensive player makes illegal contact with a knee

If an offensive player uses their knee to make illegal contact with an opponent, then that is an offensive foul.

This particular instance most likely would occur while the offensive player is in mid-air attempting a layup or potential jump shot.

Utilizing the knee to make illegal contact is not permitted because it would lead to an unfair advantage that does not give the opposing defender an opportunity to contest or block the offensive player’s field goal attempt.

Offensive player illegally contacts opponent with extended leg

If an offensive player makes illegal contact with an opponent by extending their leg beyond their own cylinder, then that is an offensive foul.

Extending a leg beyond the cylinder is not allowed because it could be utilized as an unfair advantage such as to prevent the opposing defender from properly guarding the offensive player while on the ground.

It could also be used as a illegitimate tactic to lower the defender’s chances of blocking the offensive player’s shot in the air.

Moreover, some savvy offensive players would be able to extend their leg out at abnormal angle during a jump shot as an unauthorized method for drawing a fraudulent foul on the opposing defender.

Offensive player hooks opponent

If an offensive player hooks their arm around the back of an opposing defender, then that will be an offensive foul.

Hooking is not permitted because the offensive player could use that action to inhibit a defender’s speed, which could then lead to unnatural separation from that defender, especially near perimeter areas of the court.

Furthermore, in terms of the low post area, hooking would also give the offensive player an opportunity to have a potential easy shot at the rim because the opposing low post defender would not be able to properly contest and/or block the shot attempt.

What are common penalties for an offensive foul

When a player gets assessed an offensive foul, it will result in a personal foul being added to that player’s total number.

Additionally, the offensive team would lose possession of the ball via turnover to the opposing team who would also be able to execute an inbound pass at a designated spot near the sideline.