What are violations in basketball
Violations in basketball are infractions that are committed by one or more offensive or defensive players during a game, which would commonly result in a penalty for the offending player and/or team.
Generally speaking, violations are implemented to prevent any player advantages that could be potentially unfair for both the offensive team and defensive team.
Common types of violations are typically the backcourt violation, basket interference violation, goaltending violation, carrying violation, double dribble violation, traveling violation, delay of game violation, three-second violation, five-second violation, ten-second violation, and shot clock violation.
Also, as a side note, the general information of the various violations below are mainly based on NBA rules but they could also apply to other competitive leagues as well.
Related: RULE NO. 10: Violations and Penalties – NBA Official Rulebook
What is general information about the backcourt violation
A backcourt violation occurs when an offensive player erroneously changes the status of the basketball from frontcourt status to backcourt status.
As a result, the offensive player would more than likely be signaled by the referee for a backcourt violation and the penalty would be a turnover credited to that same offensive player.
From there, the opposing team would gain possession of the ball and would be able to execute an inbound pass at a sideline or baseline depending on the area where the infraction occurred.
What is general information about the basket interference violation
A basket interference violation commonly occurs in the NBA, NCAA, and NFHS when a player interferes with the ball while it is above the basket ring itself and within the imaginary cylinder of the basket ring.
On the other hand, in FIBA, if the ball touches the rim but then bounces with an upward motion above the basket ring, then it can be played by either the offensive or defensive players even when it is in the imaginary cylinder.
In other words, for 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 would receive two or three points, depending on if the shot is a two-point field goal or three-point field goal.
Additionally, if there is an offensive basket interference, then no points would be given to the offensive team and the opposing team would receive the ball near the free throw line extended area on either sideline.
Related: OBI, offensive player contacts the ball while it is within the cylinder – NBA Video Rulebook
What is general information about the carrying violation
A carrying violation occurs when an offensive player initially dribbles the basketball towards the floor in a normal fashion but when the ball bounces upwards, the offensive player gathers it, particularly in the palm of that same dribbling hand, and then dribbles it again.
As a result, the offensive team would lose possession of the ball by way of a turnover to the opposing team.
What is general information about the delay of game violation
A delay of game violation occurs when a player slows downs or delays game play usually by making contact with the ball at an inappropriate time.
In general, the most common instance of a delay of game violation is when a player on a new defensive team holds or hits the ball after that same player’s team makes a basket.
In the NBA and possibly other competitive leagues, the penalty for a delay of game violation is a delay of game warning from the referee for the first offense and then team technical fouls for any additional offenses.
Related: RULE NO. 12: Fouls and Penalties; Section II, Delay of Game – NBA Official Rulebook
What is general information about the double dribble violation
A double dribble violation 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.
Once an offensive player gets called for a double dribble violation, the offensive team would lose possession of the ball to the opposing team as a penalty.
It should also be noted that it is possible for an offensive player to dribble the ball one time only with both hands. This action is sometimes referred to as a power dribble, especially if it is executed around the basket as a potential low post move.
An offensive player is technically allowed to dribble the ball one time only with both hands because there is no rule restricting that particular action.
However, an offensive player cannot dribble the ball with both hands again following that one time exception.
The reason being is because after dribbling the ball with both hands and catching it with both hands, that is the end of the dribble.
From there, if the offensive player dribbles the ball again, then that would be a double dribble.
What’s more, if an offensive player receives the ball from a teammate but fumbles the pass through their hands, resulting in the ball bouncing to the floor, then the player is still allowed to dribble the ball.
This is not considered a double dribble violation and is legal because the player technically never gained full control of the ball, although the fumbled pass may have looked like the player took at least one dribble.
In other words, dribble action normally does not start until a player has full control of the ball.
What is general information about the five-second violation
The five-second violation occurs when an offensive player does not execute certain actions within five seconds.
There are four types of five-second violations, which are the five-second throw-in violation, the five-second closely guarded violation, the five-second back to the basket violation, and the five-second free throw violation.
The penalty for each of the five-second violations except the free throw violation is loss of ball possession, which would also result in a turnover.
The five-second throw-in violation occurs when an offensive player does not execute an inbound pass within five seconds following a made basket or stoppage of play.
Related: Inbound Violation, player take longer than 5 seconds to inbound the ball – NBA Video Rulebook
The five-second closely guarded violation occurs when an offensive player continuously holds the ball, especially while being closely guarded in the frontcourt, without passing or shooting the ball 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 must 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 violation primarily applies to the NBA and it occurs when an offensive player in possession of the ball, particularly in the frontcourt below the free throw line extended, dribbles it with their back or side towards the basket for more than five seconds.
The five-second free throw violation is mainly implemented within FIBA and it occurs when an offensive player does not release the basketball within five seconds after receiving it from a referee during a free throw attempt.
What is general information about the eight-second violation
The eight-second violation, as related to the eight-second rule, is effectively utilized in the NBA, WNBA, as well as FIBA and it occurs when an offensive player has continuous possession of the basketball within their team’s backcourt for more than eight consecutive seconds.
As the penalty for the eight-second violation, the offensive team would lose possession of the ball via turnover to the opposing team, who would also receive the ball at the midcourt line.
Related: Eight-Second Violation – NBA Video Rulebook
What is general information about the free throw violation
A free throw violation occurs when players execute one or more prohibited actions during a free throw attempt.
In other words, the free throw shooter, teammates of the free throw shooter, as well as opponents of the free throw shooter are not allowed to perform certain actions or maneuvers that could give a potentially unfair advantage.
The free throw shooter cannot break the plane before the free throw line after the ball is released but before it hits the rim.
Without that rule in place, the shooter could simply miss their free throw shot, quickly gather the offensive rebound, and then score points via a high percentage layup or possible dunk at the rim before the defensive team could react.
Also, the free throw shooter cannot fake the free throw shot, particularly to influence an opponent into committing a violation (which would not be called on the opponent in that case), and the free throw shooter has to release the ball within ten seconds (or five seconds within FIBA play) of receiving the ball from the referee.
Moreover, the free throw shooter cannot move above the three-point line after the first free throw attempt as that slows down play and could give the shooter and/or other teammates more time to rest. Interestingly enough, if the free throw shooter does this, then the result would be a delay of game violation.
Furthermore, prior to the ball being released, teammates and opponents of the free throw shooter cannot step into the lane or enter into the area inside of the three-point line if those players were initially outside of the three-point line.
If teammates or opponents of the free throw shooter were allowed to step into the lane or enter into the area inside of the three-point line prior to the ball being released, then that could create a potential rebounding advantage for either team or it could be used by the free throw shooter’s opponents to influence a missed shot.
What’s more, opponents cannot disconcert the free throw shooter, which could result in an unfair advantage, especially if the free throw shooter misses the attempt.
Examples of disconcerting actions include raising/waving the arms while being positioned along the lane line during a free throw attempt that will not remain in play (i.e. it would not be the last free throw attempt) or making sudden movements to distract the shooter.
Additionally, the opponent cannot talk directly to the shooter during a free throw attempt or shout loudly in general during a free throw attempt. If an opponent does that, then those would be considered disconcerting actions as well.
Besides that, an opponent cannot be in motion during a free throw attempt as that would be another type of disconcerting action.
In terms of penalties, if the free throw shooter or teammates of the free throw shooter commits a violation, then the opposing team could possibly receive immediate possession of the basketball, particularly near the sideline at the free throw line extended area.
Also, if the free throw shooter made the shot attempt during their own violation or a teammate’s violation, the shot would not count and no points would be given to the free throw shooter or the team.
Conversely, if an opponent of the free throw shooter commits a violation and the free throw shooter misses the shot attempt, then the shooter could receive a substitute free throw.
However, if an opponent of the free throw shooter commits a violation but the free throw shooter still makes the shot attempt, then the shooter would receive a point for the free throw make but would not receive a substitute free throw.
Related: RULE NO. 9: Free Throws and Penalties – NBA Official Rulebook
What is general information about the inbound pass violation
An inbound pass violation occurs when an offensive player, generally known as the thrower, executes different actions that are not allowed during a throw-in attempt near the baseline or sideline.
Alongside the common five-second throw-in violation, here are additional infractions that could result in a penalty, which would also give possession of the basketball to the opposing team at the original spot of the initial 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, especially 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 about 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.
Related: Inbound Violations – NBA Video Rulebook
Related: RULE NO. 8: Out-of-Bounds and Throw-In – NBA Official Rulebook
What is general information about the goaltending violation
A goaltending violation occurs when a certain player, which is usually a defender, hinders the chance or opportunity for an offensive player to score a legitimate field goal, typically before the ball touches the basket ring.
Essentially, if the ball does not touch the rim but at the same time, it is above the basket ring and it is in downward flight, a player cannot make contact with the ball as that would result in a goaltending violation.
As a common example of a goaltending violation, let’s say that an offensive player takes a three-point jump 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 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 three points.
What is general information about the jump ball violation
A jump ball violation occurs when one or both players attempting the jump ball or other players not involved in the jump ball execute actions or maneuvers that are not allowed during a jump ball attempt.
Players involved in the jump ball, also known as jumpers, must have both of their feet within the jumping circle, particularly with at least one of their feet on or inside of their half of the circle.
Jumpers cannot make contact with the ball before it reaches its maximum height or apex following the referee’s vertical throwing motion.
Jumpers are also not permitted to leave their respective half of the jumping circle until the ball is tossed in the air. Furthermore, jumpers cannot tap the ball more than two times on any particular jump.
Additionally, jumpers cannot gain possession of the tossed or tapped ball, primarily via a mid-air catch, until it first touches either the floor, the basket, the backboard, or one of the other eight players on the court that were not involved in the jump ball.
Players not involved in the jump ball, also known as non-jumpers, should remain on the outside of the jumping circle until the ball is tapped by one of the jumpers.
If any particular players violate these rules, then as a penalty, the opposing team would receive possession of the ball on the sideline that is nearest to the spot where the violation occurred.
Jump Ball Violation, jumper contacts the ball before it reaches its apex – NBA Video Rulebook
Jump Ball Violation, non-jumper enters circle before ball is tapped – NBA Video Rulebook
What is general information about the shot clock violation
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.
To prevent a shot clock violation from happening, an offensive team and more specifically, an offensive player on a particular team, has to shoot the basketball, which also means that the player/team is no longer in possession/control of the ball.
Nevertheless, it should be noted that when an offensive player shoots the ball, that same player’s attempt would have to make contact with the rim, particularly to reset the shot clock in the event of an offensive rebound.
In other words, when an offensive player attempts a field goal that results in an air ball and this is followed up by an offensive rebound for a possible second chance opportunity, the shot clock would not reset.
What this also means is that if an air ball occurs during or after the sounding of the shot clock alarm and a team tries to gains possession of the ball again via an offensive rebound, then this would automatically result in a shot clock violation.
What is general information about the strike the ball violation
A strike the ball violation occurs when an offensive or defensive player intentionally strikes the ball with the fist, the leg, or the foot.
However, if a player inadvertently strikes the ball with the fist, leg, or foot, then that action would not be generally considered a violation.
The penalty for violating this strike the ball rule would primarily depend on whether the rule was broken by a member of the offensive team or a member of the defensive team.
If a member of the offensive team strikes the ball with the fist, leg, or foot, then the defensive team would gain immediate possession of the basketball on the sideline adjacent to the area of the violation but not lower than the free throw line extended area going towards the baseline.
Conversely, if a member of the defensive team strikes the ball with the fist, leg, or foot while the ball is in play, then the offensive team keeps possession of the ball on the sideline adjacent to the area of the violation but not lower than the free throw line extended area going towards the baseline.
Furthermore, if a member of the defensive team strikes the ball with the fist, leg, or foot during an inbound pass, then the offensive team keeps possession of the ball at the spot of the original throw-in with all privileges intact, if necessary.
Moreover, as a side note, whenever a player intentionally kicks the ball, that is sometimes referred to as a kick ball violation or a breaking of the kick ball rule.
What is general information about the ten-second violation
There are two primary types of ten-second violations and they both occur when a player does not execute certain actions within ten seconds.
The first type, implemented within the rules of the NCAA as well as the NFHS, could be referred to as a ten-second time line violation and it occurs when an offensive player has continuous possession of the basketball within their team’s backcourt for more than ten consecutive seconds.
When that happens, the offensive team would lose possession of the ball as the penalty.
The second type, which is usually not as common, is the ten-second free throw violation, utilized in most competitive leagues besides FIBA, occurs when a free throw shooter does not release the ball towards the basket ring within ten seconds.
If the free throw shooter violates this rule and the ball is to remain in play (i.e it was the last free throw attempt), then the opposing team would receive the ball and inbound it near either sideline.
Conversely, if the ball is not to remain in play (i.e. it was not the last free throw attempt), then the shooter could take at least one more additional free throw if necessary.
Related: Giannis gets called for 10-second free throw violation – YouTube
What is general information about the three-second violation
There are two types of three-second violations, which are the offensive three-second violation and the defensive three-second violation.
The offensive three-second violation occurs when an offensive player with or without the basketball stays within the free throw lane, also known as the paint or the key, for more than three seconds.
An offensive team would lose possession of the basketball as the penalty for violating the offensive three-second rule.
Additionally, the offensive three-second violation is implemented within most (if not all) competitive leagues.
The defensive three-second violation, utilized within at least the NBA and WNBA, occurs when a defensive player remains within the free throw lane for more than three-seconds.
As the penalty for the defensive three-second violation, the defensive team receives a technical foul and the offensive team keeps possession of the basketball.
Furthermore, following the penalty, the offensive team would be able to inbound the ball on the sideline near the free throw line extended area.
Moreover, if the shot clock was above 14 seconds, then it would remain at the time of the violation. However, if the shot clock was below 14 seconds, then it would reset to 14 seconds.
What is general information about the traveling violation
A traveling violation 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.
Essentially, an offensive player who is gathering the ball to end a dribble is allowed to take two steps when coming to a stop or while in the process of passing the ball or shooting it.
If an offensive player has not yet dribbled the ball, then that player is allowed to take one step with one particular foot such as with a jab step before dribbling the ball or releasing it by way of a pass or shot at the basket ring.
Also, if an offensive player does take one step with one foot, then the opposite foot would be known as the pivot foot.
From that point, the offensive player is allowed to lift the pivot foot from the ground but that same pivot foot cannot be returned to the ground while still in possession of the ball, as that would result in a traveling violation.
As the penalty for a traveling violation, the offensive team loses possession of the ball to the opposing team.
What is general information about less common violations
Illegal assist to score violation
The illegal assist to score violation occurs when an offensive player assists themselves, particularly to lift or hold themselves up as an attempt to score points by utilizing the rim, the net, the backboard, or any part of the basket support.
Also, an illegal assist to score violation could happen when a player gains unfair height by being lifted or raised by a teammate.
What’s more, an illegal assist to score violation commonly occurs when an offensive player tries to score points by making contact with the rim and the ball at the same time.
For example, let’s say that an offensive player misses a field goal attempt. From that point, let’s say as the ball bounces off the rim, a teammate of the offensive shooter jumps in the air, grabs the rim and simultaneously, executes a tip-in shot.
If that occurs, then that would be an illegal assist to score violation. The penalty would be no points given to the offensive player that performed the tip-in and then the opposing team would receive possession of the basketball on the sideline at the free throw line extended.
Ball becomes lodged violation
When the ball becomes lodged between the basket ring and the backboard, it would be a violation that would result in a jump ball situation, at least in the NBA, or a team could receive the ball based on possession arrow in other types of competitive leagues.
Related: Violation, ball gets stuck between rim and backboard – NBA Video Rulebook
Shot goes over top of backboard violation
When an offensive player takes a shot that goes over the top of the backboard from the playing court, particularly after bouncing off of the rim, this would be considered out of bounds as well as a violation.
From there, the opposing team would gain possession of the basketball, typically near the sideline at the free throw line extended.
It should also be stated though that, at least in the NBA, an offensive player is allowed to shoot the ball over the corner of the backboard.
Related: Legal play, offensive player shoots over corner of backboard, successful basket – NBA Video Rulebook
Offensive player forcefully swings elbows violation
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.
Ball goes through the basket ring from below violation
In the NBA and WNBA, at the very least, an offensive player cannot shoot or throw the ball so that it passes through the basket ring from below.
If that occurs, it is a violation and the offensive team would lose possession of the ball to the opposing team.
Related: Violation, ball goes up through the bottom of the rim – NBA Video Rulebook
Screen set out of bounds violation
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 violation that would result in the offensive team losing possession of the ball via turnover.
Related: Violation, offensive player sets screen with foot out of bounds – NBA Video Rulebook
Offensive player standing out of bounds violation
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 not fully established before receiving ball violation
In the NBA, at the very least, an offensive player that is initially out of bounds must be fully established on the playing court before gaining possession of the basketball.
For example, if the offensive player is initially out of bounds but then that same player receives the ball while stepping towards the playing court, then this would result in a violation.
As for the penalty, the offensive team would lose possession of the ball via turnover to the opposing team.