Violations &
Penalties
Rule #9
Violations of the Free Throw
Provisions… Sect. #1

Failure to Attempt the Free Throw
from Within the Semi-circle &
Behind the free throw line


Failure of opponent to occupy end
spaces


Penalty: Violation by the thrower, no
point scored. Lost throw. May attempt
other throws, or throw in by opponent
Opponents MUST occupy spaces
unless after a time-out. Failure to do so
is a Tech Foul (Team). After T/O, use
Resuming Play Procedure (rule 8.1)
Failure to release free throw w/i 10
sec. after at disposal

Violation…no points…lost throw. May
attempt other throws, or throw in by
opponent
Violations of the Free Throw
Provisions… Sect. #1

Faking to Cause Violation


Faking is not a violation in itself. Causing
an opponent to violate IS. If faking is by
free thrower or teammate, no point can be
scored. Throw is lost – results in throw in
or next free throw. If opponent fakes, only
the faking is penalized
Disconcerting the Free Thrower

Disconcerting is penalized if it is by the
opponent. It is any action done to distract
the free thrower. (a free throw is meant
to be free from distraction, free from
defense,etc.) This is a Delayed
Violation. If the throw is successful, no
violation, Unsuccessful, a violation is
penalized by a substitute throw.
Violations of the Free Throw
Provisions… Sect. #1

Enter or Leave a Marked Lane Space
Too Soon
Once at the disposal of thrower,
restrictions from entering/leaving marked
spaces begin. These end when the ball
touches the ring, backboard or when the
free throw ends
Marked spaces are 3’ square. A player leaves


a marked lane space when he or she contacts
any part of the court outside the marked lane
space.
A player occupying a marked lane space must
have one foot positioned near the outer edge
of the free-throw lane line with the other foot
positioned anywhere within the designated 36
inch lane space

Violation by teammate of thrower, ball
dead immediately, no point. Violation by
opponent (Delayed Dead ball signal
given) violation ignored if throw is
successful. Unsuccessful, a substitute
free throw is awarded
Violations of the Free Throw
Provisions… Sect. #1

Players Occupying Position
Outside Arc – Penetrating Arc
too soon



Players not occupying marked
spaces must remain behind the 3
point arc and free throw line, until
the ball touches the ring,
backboard, or the throw ends.
Violation by teammate – no point
scored, throw lost (throw in or next
throw)
Violation by opponent (Delayed
Dead Ball Signal), successful no
violation; unsuccessful – violation –
substitute free throw awarded
Violations of the Throw-in
Provisions… Section 2
Violation by the Throw-in Team…Loss of
Possession…Opponent Get Ball

Thrower Shall Not Leave Designated Spot
until the ball has been released


Foot must be on or over designated spot
Designated spot 3’ wide, may move back as
far as facility permits

Thrower must throw/pass directly into court
so it touches, or is touched by another player
on court before going out of bounds

Thrower shall not pass ball so it is touched by a
teammate while out of bounds (except after
made basket)

Thrower shall not consume five sec. from
throw in start till released on pass into court.
(Throw in count ends on release)

Thrower shall not Carry Ball onto Court
Note: Stepping on Boundary Line is NOT on the
Court. Must be beyond the Boundary Line
Violations of the Throw-in
Provisions… Section 2

Thrower shall not be first player on court
to touch, or be touched by ball (Violation
– ball at spot)

Thrower shall not throw the ball so it
enters the basket before it touches or is
touched by another on court player.

Thrower shall not throw ball so it lodges
between ring/backboard or rest on flange
before he touches or is touched by
another player

No player shall replace the thrower after
ball is at the disposal

No player shall be out of bounds when
he/she touches or is touched by ball after
release

No teammate of the thrower shall be out
of bounds after a designated spot throw
in begins.
Violations of the Throw-in
Provisions… Section 2

Opponents shall not have any part of his
body across the Boundary Plane until the
ball has been released by the thrower:

The first violation shall result in a team
warning for delay (one
warning/team/game)

The second violation (for any delay of
game) will result in a Technical foul



If defense touches the ball…technical
foul (charged regardless of warning
and serves as warning)
If defense fouls thrower…Intentional
Personal Foul (charged regardless of
warning and serves as warning)
If an opponent contact the thrower
and intentional fouls must be called.
No warning required.
Out-Of-Bounds Violation
Section 3

A player shall not “Cause” the ball
to go out of bounds. A dribbler is
out of bounds even though he is
not touching the ball while out of
bounds.

A player shall not leave the court
for unauthorized reasons.
NOTE: By definition, the word cause
means, the last person to touch or
be touched by the ball
NOTE: The dribbler has committed a
violation if he steps out of bounds,
even though he is not touching the
ball while he is out of bounds
Violations for Travel, Kick &
Striking Ball with Fist
Section 4

A Player SHALL NOT Travel
with the ball

NOTE: A player can never travel
without holding a live ball inbounds

A Player Shall Not Intentionally
Kick the Ball

A Player Shall Not Strike the
Ball with the Fist

A Player Shall Not Cause the
Ball to Enter/Pass Through the
Basket from Below
Double Dribble Violations
Section 5

A Player SHALL NOT Dribble a
Second Time after his first dribble
has ended, unless he has lost control
because of one of the following:



A try for goal
The ball is batted away by an opponent.
A pass or fumble, which has been
touched, or touches another player
 Note: A player can always recover a
fumble (even if the fumble occurred
while airborne)
 Note: A dribble is always an
intentional act…the dribble never
begins accidentally
 Note: A fumble is always
unintentional…it is always accidental
 Note: A player can never travel while
dribbling the ball
Jump Ball Violations
Section 6

A Player Shall Not Violate Any
Provisions Of The Jump Ball

NOTE: See Rule 4.28 for jump ball
definition & Rule 6.4 for
administration
Violations of the 3-Second
Rule
Section 7
THE RULE: A player shall not remain in
his free throw lane for three
continuous seconds while his team is
in control of the ball in the frontcourt

Key Words:
Lane, Team Control & Frontcourt

The Only Way Officials Can Make
Proper 3 Sec. Rulings is:



Know the definitions of the key words
Know the “spirit & intent” of the rule
Know that this is the only count which
officials are permitted to suspend (note the
word is Suspend … not END
Violations of the 3-Second Rule
Section 7
KEY WORDS:

Lane: That part of the floor
between the end line and the
farther edge of the free throw
line, bounded on each side by
the farther edge of the free throw
LANE line. (the lines are PART
of the LANE

Team Control: (Rule 4.12.2)

Front Court: (Rule 4.13.1)
Violations of the 3-Second Rule
Section 7
To Enter the Lane: The player
steps ONTO or OVER the Lane.
(Arms extended over the lane is
not in the lane) A foot extended
over the lane IS in the lane.
To Leave the Lane: Player must
move completely out of the lane.
They cannot have a foot over
the lane (merely lifting the foot
does not exit)
Violations of the 3 Second Rule
Section 7
Suspending the Count:
 If a player, who has been in the lane for fewer
than 3 sec., receives the ball and
IMMEDIATELY moves to the basket
(dribble/pivot) to try for goal…the count is
SUSPENDED to allow for the completion of the
try. (NOT ENDED)
 If the player completes the try…no violation
 If the player passes or fails to attempt the
try…3 sec. or more…violation immediately
 This suspension pertains ONLY to player with
the Ball
 A player in the lane for less than 3 sec making
a serious attempt to leave…SUSPEND the
count. If player decides not to
leave…VIOLATION IMMEDIATELY.
 Before Calling 3 sec…visually find the ball and
“peek” to see where the ball is
 No need for 3 sec count
 During REBOUNDING
 During THROW-IN
Violations of the 3 Second Rule
Section 7

If a Try is on the way or about to
leave the Shooter’s hand
DO NOT SOUND WHISTLE

A three second violation cannot
be called when a team no longer
has control of the ball
When does this happen?
Ten Seconds Backcourt
Violations…Section 8

A Player Shall Not Be, nor may
his Team be, in Continuous
CONTROL of a ball in his
BACKCOURT for 10 Seconds



When does a team have or lose
control?
When does the ball have Frontcourt
status?
When does the Count end?
Backcourt
Violations…Section 9

A player of the team in Control
shall not be the First to touch the
ball in the BACKCOURT AFTER
it has been in the
FRONTCOURT…
If a player on that team last
touched or was touched by the
ball in the frontcourt…BEFORE it
went to the backcourt
Backcourt
Violations…Section 9

1.
2.
3.
4.
In order to have “OVER & BACK”
Team A must have Team Control (4.12)
The Ball must have Frontcourt status (4.4)
Team A must have been the Last to touch or
be touched by the ball in the frontcourt
Team A must be the FIRST to touch or be
touched by the ball after the ball is in the
BACKCOURT
Note: Number 4 does not require that the Team A
player be in the backcourt. The rule refers to
the touching of the ball after the ball has been
in the backcourt. So, a pass near the division
line, which touches the backcourt, and then is
first touched or touches a player on Team A
is a violation
Backcourt
Violations…Section 9
NOTE:
“If any of the four points listed previously
are absent…no backcourt violation
can occur”
A player of the team in control shall
not…while in the backcourt…cause
the ball to go from backcourt to
frontcourt…and return to
backcourt…without touching another
player in the frontcourt…and then be
in the first to touch the ball in the
backcourt.
Backcourt
Violations…Section 9
EXCEPTIONS:
It is NOT a violation when…during a
JUMP BALL or THROW-IN...a
player secures CONTOL of the ball
while BOTH FEET ARE OFF THE
FLOOR…then lands in the
backcourt. The normal landing
makes no difference as to whether
the first foot was in the frontcourt
and then the other foot landed in the
backcourt. It is NOT a violation if a
Defensive player…who jumped
from frontcourt…secures CONTROL
of the ball (intercepts) while BOTH
feet are OFF the floor…then returns
to the floor with one or both feet in
the backcourt.
Closely Guarded Violations
Section 10
Rule 4.10 & Rule 9.10:
“A closely guarded situation
occurs when a player…in control
of the ball…in his frontcourt…is
guarded by an opponent who is
within 6’ of the player who is
HOLDING or DRIBBLING the ball”
Closely Guarded Violations
Section 10
Officials should easily recognize, and
begin the VISIBLE count, when the
defensive player is within 6’.
There is NO REQUIREMENT that the
defensive player be so close (in the
face) that it is easy for the offensive
player to “Drive Around” the
defender.
The count should begin
IMMEDIATELY when the defender
has met the 6’ requirement.
(Point of reference: the distance
between the free-throw line and top of
the free-throw semi-circle is 6’)
Closely Guarded Violations
Section 10

A player shall NOT, while
closely guarded, hold the ball
for 5 continuous sec, or
DRIBBLLE for 5 continuous
sec.

The Count Shall NOT begin (or
it shall be terminated) during
an INTERRUPTED DRIBBLE
Basket Interference
Violations
Section 11

A player shall NOT commit
BASKET INTERFERENCE

Definition…Rule 4.6 & Rule 9.11
Goaltending Violations
Section 12

A player shall NOT Commit
GOALTENDING

Definition…Rule 4.22 & Rule
9.12
(See IAABO Lesson for
Goaltending)