What is a turnover in basketball
A turnover consists of action that occurs during a basketball game when an offensive team loses possession of the ball to the opposing team prior to a shot attempt that ends team control.
Generally speaking, turnovers occur because of violations or due to other types of errors by offensive players, which are typically dribbling mistakes, inaccurate passes, or some other variation of on-court blunders.
What are violations or other player errors that could result in a turnover
These are violations or other players that could result in a turnover and it should also be stated that these violations are derived from the rules of the NBA, WNBA, FIBA, as well as the NFHS to a degree.
Traveling violation that results in a turnover
Traveling generally occurs when an offensive player in possession of the ball illegally shifts their pivot foot before the start of their dribble or after ending their dribble.
Once that happens, the referee could assess a traveling violation on the offensive player and that would result in a loss of possession via a turnover to the opposing team.
Carrying violation that results in a turnover
Carrying consists of action that occurs when an offensive player initially dribbles the basketball towards the floor in a normal fashion but when the ball bounces back upwards, the offensive player gathers it, particularly in the palm of that same dribbling hand, and then dribbles it again.
Once that happens, the referee would most likely call a carrying violation, which could also be referred to as a discontinued dribble, on the offensive player.
As a result, the offensive team would lose possession of the ball by way of a turnover to the opposing team.
Double dribble violation that results in a turnover
A double dribble consists of action that occurs when an offensive player initially dribbles the basketball at least one time, touches it or gathers the ball with both hands, and then dribbles it again.
When that happens, the referee would usually signal a double dribble violation on the offensive player.
It should also be noted that carrying could be considered a type of double dribble because the offensive player gathers the ball, especially with one hand, after initially dribbling it at least one time.
Out of bounds violation that results in a turnover
Out of bounds occurs when a player has possession of the basketball while standing on or over the boundary line that is on the opposite side of the playing court.
Once that happens, the referee would call an out of bounds violation that would result in a loss of possession via a turnover to the opposing team.
Three-second violation that results in a turnover
The three-second rule in terms of offensive action states that an offensive player cannot remain in their team’s frontcourt lane area for more than three seconds.
If an offensive player does remain in their team’s frontcourt lane area for more than three seconds, then the referee could call a three-second violation on that player.
Afterwards, the penalty would be a turnover for the offensive team and the opposing team would gain possession of the ball.
Five-second violation that results in a turnover
The five-second rule requires an offensive player to execute certain actions within five seconds or less and if that player violates the rule, then the result would be a penalty, which results in a subsequent turnover.
Essentially, there are four variations or sub-types of the five-second rule, which are the five-second throw-in rule, the five-second closely guarded rule, the five-second back to the basket rule, and the five-second free throw rule.
However, only the first three variations would subsequently result in a turnover if their rules were violated by an offensive player.
The five-second throw-in rule states that an offensive player has five seconds to execute an inbound pass following a made basket or stoppage of play.
The five-second closely guarded rule states that an offensive player cannot continuously hold the ball, particularly while being closely guarded in the frontcourt, and must pass or shoot it within five seconds. Additionally, since the 2015-16 season, the NCAA men’s basketball rules allow an offensive player the opportunity to dribble the ball to stop the five-second closely guarded count. It should be noted as well that under NFHS rules, an offensive player has to get their head and shoulders past the defender closely guarding them to stop the five-second count, which is typically only possible when the offensive player dribbles the ball by that defender.
The five-second back to the basket rule primarily applies to the NBA and it states that an offensive player in possession of the ball, particularly in the frontcourt below the free throw line extended, cannot dribble it with their back or side towards the basket for more than five seconds.
Related: Five-second rule – Wikipedia
Related: NFHS Rule 4, Section 10; Closely Guarded – A Better Official
Eight-second violation that results in a turnover
The eight-second rule is effectively implemented in the NBA, WNBA, as well as FIBA and it effectively states that an offensive team cannot be in continuous possession of the basketball within their backcourt for more than eight consecutive seconds.
In other words, if an offensive player is in possession of the ball, then that same player would need to dribble it or pass it from the offensive team’s backcourt into their own frontcourt within eight consecutive seconds.
However, if an offensive player in possession of the ball keeps it within the offensive team’s backcourt for more than eight seconds in succession, then the result would be an eight-second violation for that same offensive team.
Afterwards, the offensive team would lose possession of the ball via turnover to the opposing team at the midcourt line as a penalty for breaking the eight-second rule.
Ten-second violation that results in a turnover
The ten-second rule, most notably implemented within the NFHS and NCAA college basketball, states that an offensive player in possession of the ball should move it from the offensive team’s backcourt into their own frontcourt within ten consecutive seconds.
If an offensive player stays in the backcourt more than ten seconds and the ball does not receive frontcourt status at that time, then the offensive team would be charged within a ten-second violation, which would result in a turnover.
Backcourt violation that results in a turnover
A backcourt violation occurs when an offensive player invalidly changes the status of the basketball from frontcourt status to backcourt status.
This typically occurs anytime that an offensive player has possession of the ball initially within the offensive team’s frontcourt but at some point thereafter, that same player steps on the half court line, dribbles the ball into the backcourt, or passes it into the backcourt.
As a result, the offensive player most likely would be signaled by the referee for a backcourt violation and the penalty would be a turnover credited to the offensive player.
From there, the opposing team would gain possession of the ball and would be able to execute an inbound pass, usually near a sideline.
Shot clock violation that results in a turnover
A shot clock violation is an infraction that occurs once the shot clock timer reaches zero and an offensive team still has control of the ball.
Following that, the offensive team would be penalized by losing possession of the basketball via turnover and the opposing team would receive the ball at the nearest sideline where the played was stopped but not as close to the baseline than the free throw line extended.
Charging foul that results in a turnover
A charging foul, also referred to as an offensive foul for charging, occurs when an offensive player, usually with possession of the basketball, collides into a defender currently in a legal guarding position on the court.
Generally speaking, a charging foul typically happens when an offensive player is dribbling the ball to a certain area of the court but a defender is able to get to that same area before the offensive player.
Related: Charging, on-ball defender in transition establishes legal position – NBA Video Rulebook
However, a charging foul could also happen when an offensive player collides with a secondary defender who is outside of the restricted area near the basket while attempting to shoot a layup or floater in the lane.
Furthermore, a charging foul could be called because of a pass and crash play that occurs when an offensive player in possession of the ball passes it to a teammate, usually via a kick pass, but afterwards, that same player collides with a defender who is in a legal guarding possession.
Pass and crash action would generally happen when an offensive player attacks the rim, but following the dribble penetration and subsequent pass, the offensive player is not able to slow down or completely stop their momentum.
Therefore, that same offensive player crashes into a defender of legal guarding position, which then results in an offensive foul and turnover.
Related: Charging, pass & crash play – NBA Video Rulebook
Illegal screen that results in a turnover
An illegal screen commonly occurs when an offensive player initially moves their body, particularly their arms, legs, or hips, while screening a defender who is also in motion.
Put another way, if an offensive player makes illegal contact while screening a defender in motion, then that is typically called an illegal screen or moving screen.
The illegal screen seeks to totally block the defender or at least limit the defender’s ability to stay near or attached to the offensive player that would be using the screen.
However, the main problem is that the illegal screen does not give the defender enough time to fully avoid making contact with it, especially while in motion at the exact moment of the screening action.
When that occurs, the referee would most likely call an offensive foul on the player that set the illegal screen and afterwards, the offensive team would lose possession of the ball via turnover.
Screen set out of bounds that results in a turnover
In the NBA and WNBA, at the very least, an offensive player cannot set a screen on the baseline or over the baseline in the frontcourt.
In other words, an offensive player is not allowed to set a screen while standing out of bounds at the frontcourt baseline, and if that happens, it would be a penalty that would result in the offensive team losing possession of the ball via turnover.
It should be noted as well that a screen set out of bounds could also be considered a type of illegal screen.
However, in this case, the illegal screener would not be called for an offensive foul.
Related: Violation, offensive player sets screen with foot out of bounds – NBA Video Rulebook
Offensive player standing out of bounds that results in a turnover
In the NBA and WNBA, at the very least, an offensive player that is standing out of bounds must promptly return to the playing court unless the offensive player is injured, the offensive player is executing a inbound pass/throw-in or there is another atypical situation occurring during that time.
Otherwise, the offensive team would be called for a violation and the penalty would be losing possession of the ball via turnover to the opposing team.
Related: Violation, Offensive Player Standing out of Bounds – NBA Video Rulebook
Offensive player swing elbows that results in a turnover
In the NBA and WNBA, at the very least, an offensive player that has possession of the ball cannot forcefully swing their elbows at an on-ball defender, even if no contact is made between the two players.
If that occurs, it would be a violation and the offensive team would lose possession of the ball via turnover to the opposing team.
Throw-in violation that results in a turnover
Alongside the common five-second throw-in violation, there are a variety of additional infractions that could result in a turnover during an inbound pass/throw-in sequence.
Here are various actions that could result in a throw-in violation and a penalty that would typically give the opposing team possession of the ball at the original spot of the throw-in.
Upon receiving the basketball while standing out of bounds, particularly on the baseline, the thrower cannot release the ball so that it makes initial contact with the backboard, especially on the backside.
The thrower cannot step inbound before releasing the ball to any player that is already inbound on the court.
The thrower cannot be the first player to touch the ball once it is released onto the inbound side of the court.
Upon receiving the ball while standing out of bounds, especially during a designated spot throw-in, the thrower cannot drop the ball or generally release the ball so that it touches the floor, particularly on any area out of bounds or even on the boundary line.
The thrower cannot release the ball so that it enters into a basket ring. Instead, the ball has to first touch any player on the court or it is possible for the ball to make incidental contact with the rim and/or backboard first.
The thrower cannot release the ball so that it becomes lodged between the basket and the backboard.
Upon receiving the ball while standing out of bounds, particularly during a designated spot throw-in, the thrower cannot hand the ball to a teammate that is extending their arms through the boundary line on the out of bounds side of the court.
During a designated spot throw-in, the thrower must stay within that designated spot, which is apparently a three-foot area in the NFHS as well as one step to the left or right within the rules of the NBA/WNBA.
Upon receiving the ball through the basket ring immediately after the opponent scores, the thrower must step completely over the boundary line and be fully established out of bounds before attempting a throw-in.
Dribbling error that results in a turnover
There are several ways that a turnover could be the result of an offensive player’s dribbling errors.
For example, an offensive player could simply lose possession of the ball while dribbling it. This could happen if the offensive player has sub-par dribbling skills or when the offensive player attempts to execute a dribbling move such as a crossover dribble, which ultimately fails.
An offensive player could also make a simple mistake such as dribbling the ball off of their own foot.
After that, the ball could bounce or roll out of bounds or an opposing player could grab the ball before the offensive player who mishandled the dribble or other teammates are able to gain possession.
Furthermore, an offensive player who is initially dribbling the ball could lose possession of it to an on-ball defender via a steal, which could result in a turnover.
An offensive player could also be initially dribbling the ball but then step on or over the half court line while in the frontcourt or step on or over any of the boundary lines of the court.
If the offensive player steps on or over the half court line while in the frontcourt, then that would be a backcourt violation as mentioned earlier or if the offensive player steps on or over the boundary lines, then the offensive player would effectively be out of bounds, which is also not allowed.
Passing error that results in a turnover
There are several ways that a turnover could be the result of an offensive player’s passing errors.
For example, an offensive player could attempt to pass the ball to a teammate but afterwards, that same pass could be deflected by a defender, which could result in a turnover if the defensive team is able to steal the ball and gain possession of it following the deflection.
Similarly, an offensive player could attempt to pass the ball to a teammate but after that, the ball could be intercepted by a defender, which would also result in a steal for the defender and a turnover for the offensive player.
Additionally, an offensive player could get caught in a trap and then attempt to pass out of that same trap that could result in a bad pass and subsequent turnover.
What’s more, an offensive player could simply execute a very bad pass with little to no defensive pressure that floats out of bounds and becomes a turnover for the offensive player as well as the offensive team.