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RULE NO. 10: Violations and Penalties

Section I—Out-of-Bounds

  1. A player shall not be the last to touch the ball before it goes out-of-bounds.
    1. PENALTY: Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team at the boundary line nearest the spot of the violation.
    2. EXCEPTION: On a throw-in which goes out of bounds and is not touched by a player in the game, the ball is returned to the original throw-in spot.

 

Section II—Dribble

  1. A player shall not run with the ball without dribbling it.
  2. A player in control of a dribble who steps on or outside a boundary line, even though not touching the ball while on or outside that boundary line, shall not be allowed to return inbounds and continue his dribble. He may not even be the first player to touch the ball after he has re-established a position inbounds.
  3. A player may not dribble a second time after he has voluntarily ended his first dribble.
  4. A player who is dribbling may not put any part of his hand under the ball and (1) carry it from one point to another or (2) bring it to a pause and then continue to dribble again.
  5. A player may dribble a second time if he lost control of the ball because of:
    1. A field goal attempt at his basket, provided the ball touches the backboard or basket ring
    2. An opponent touching the ball
    3. A pass or fumble which touches his backboard, basket ring or is touched by another player.
      1. PENALTY: Loss of ball. Ball is awarded to the opposing team on the sideline nearest the spot of the violation but no nearer the baseline than the foul line extended.

 

Section III—Thrower-in

A thrower-in shall not (1) carry the ball onto the court; (2) fail to release the ball within 5 seconds; (3) touch it on the court before it has touched another player; (4) leave the designated throw-in spot which is one step to his left or right; (5) throw the ball so that it enters the basket before touching anyone on the court; (6) step on the court over the boundary line before the ball is released; (7) throw the ball out-of-bounds without it being touched by a player in the game; (8) exit the playing surface to gain an advantage on a throw-in; (9) hand the ball to a player on the court.

  1. EXCEPTION: After a field goal or free throw as a result of a personal foul or the start of a period, the thrower-in may run the end line or pass to a teammate behind the end line.
  2. PENALTY: Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team at the original spot of the throw-in.

 

Section IV—Strike the Ball

  1. A player shall not kick the ball or strike it with the fist.
  2. Kicking the ball or striking it with any part of the leg is a violation when it is an intentional act.  The ball accidentally striking the foot, the leg or fist is not a violation.
  3. A player may not use any part of his leg to intentionally move or secure the ball.
    1. PENALTY:
      1. If the violation is by the offense, the ball is awarded to the opposing team on the sideline nearest the spot of the violation but no nearer to the baseline than the free throw line extended.
      2. If the violation is by the defense while the ball is in play, the offensive team retains possession of the ball on the sideline nearest the spot of the violation but no nearer the baseline than the foul line extended.
      3. If the violation occurs during a throw-in, the opposing team retains possession at the spot of the original throw-in with all privileges, if any,

 

Section V—Jump Ball

  1. A player shall not violate the jump ball rule (Rule 6—Section VII).
  2. During a jump ball, a personal foul committed prior to either team obtaining possession, shall be ruled a “loose ball” foul.
    1. If the violation or foul occurs prior to the ball being legally tapped, neither the game clock or shot clock shall be started.
    2. PENALTY:
      1. In (a) above, the ball is awarded to the opposing team on the sideline nearest the spot of the violation.
      2. In (a) above, if there is a violation by each team, or if the official makes a bad toss, the toss shall be repeated with the same jumpers.
      3. In (b) above, free throws may or may not be awarded, consistent with whether the penalty is in effect (Rule 12B—Section VIII).

 

Section VI—Offensive Three-Second Rule

  1. An offensive player shall not remain for more than three seconds in that part of his free throw lane between the endline and extended 4’ (imaginary) off the court and the farther edge of the free throw line while the ball is in control of his team.
  2. Allowance may be made for a player who, having been in this area for less than three seconds, is in the act of shooting at the end of the third second. Under these conditions, the 3-second count is discontinued while his continuous motion is toward the basket. If that continuous motion ceases, the previous 3-second count is continued. This is also true if it is imminent the offensive player will exit this area.
  3. The 3-second count shall not begin until the ball is in control in the offensive team’s frontcourt. No violation can occur if the ball is batted away by an opponent.
    1. PENALTY: Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team on the sideline at the free throw line extended.

 

Section VII—Defensive Three-Second Rule

  1. The count starts when the offensive team is in control of the ball in the frontcourt.
  2. Any defensive player, who is positioned in the 16-foot lane or the area extending 4 feet past the lane endline, must be actively guarding an opponent within three seconds.  Actively guarding means being within arm’s length of an offensive player and in a guarding position.
  3. Any defensive player may play any offensive player. The defenders may double-team any player.
  4. The defensive three-second count is suspended when: (1) a player is in the act of shooting, (2) there is a loss of team control, (3) the defender is actively guarding an opponent, (4) the defender completely clears the 16-foot lane or (5) it is imminent the defender will become legal.
  5. If the defender is guarding the player with the ball, he may be located in the 16-foot lane. This defender is not required to be in an actively guarding/arms distance position. If another defender actively guards the player with the ball, the original defender must actively guard an opponent or exit the 16-foot lane. Once the offensive player passes the ball, the defender must actively guard an opponent or exit the 16-foot lane.
    1. PENALTY: A technical foul shall be assessed. The offensive team retains possession on the sideline at the free throw line extended nearest the point of interruption. The shot clock shall remain the same as when play was interrupted or reset to 14 seconds, whichever is greater.
    2. If a violation is whistled during a successful field goal attempt, the violation shall be ignored and play shall resume as after any successful basket.

 

Section VIII—Eight-Second Rule

A team shall not be in continuous possession of a ball which is in its backcourt for more than 8 consecutive seconds.

  1. EXCEPTION (1): A new 8 seconds is awarded if the defense: (1) kicks or punches the ball, (2) is assessed a personal or technical foul, or (3) is issued a delay of game warning.
  2. EXCEPTION (2): A new 8 seconds is awarded: (1) if play is suspended to administer Comments on the Rules—N—Infection Control, (2) when a team gains control of a jump ball in the backcourt, or (3) during a frontcourt throw-in into the backcourt in the last two minutes of the fourth and last two minutes of any overtime period.
  3. PENALTY: Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team at the midcourt line.

 

Section IX—Ball in Backcourt

  1. A player shall not be the first to touch a ball which he or a teammate caused to go from frontcourt to backcourt while his team was in control of the ball.
    1. EXCEPTION: Rule 8—Section III—e.
  2. During a jump ball, a try for a goal, or a situation in which a player taps the ball away from a congested area, as during rebounding, in an attempt to get the ball out where player control may be secured, the ball is not in control of either team. Hence, the restriction on first touching does not apply.
    1. PENALTY: Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team at the midcourt line.

 

Section X—Swinging of Elbows

A player shall not be allowed excessive and/or vigorous swinging of the elbows in swinging motion (no contact) when a defensive player is nearby and the offensive player has the ball.

  1. PENALTY: Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team on the sideline, near- est the spot of the violation but no nearer the baseline than the foul line extended.

 

Section XI—Entering Basket From Below

A player shall not be the last to touch a ball which rises above the rim level within the cylinder from below.

  1. PENALTY: Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team on the sideline at the free throw line extended.

 

Section XII—Illegal Assist in Scoring

  1. A player may not assist himself in an attempt to score by using any part of the rim, net, backboard or basket support to lift, hold or raise himself.
  2. A player may not assist a teammate to gain height while attempting to score.
    1. PENALTY: Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team on the sideline at the free throw line extended.

 

Section XIII—Traveling

  1. A player who receives the ball while standing still may pivot, using either foot as the pivot foot.
  2. A player who gathers the ball while progressing may take (1) two steps in coming to a stop, passing or shooting the ball, or (2) if he has not yet dribbled, one step prior to releasing the ball. A player who gathers the ball while dribbling may take two steps in coming to a stop, passing, or shooting the ball.
    1. The first step occurs when a foot, or both feet, touch the floor after gaining control of the ball.
    2. The second step occurs after the first step when the other foot touches the floor, or both feet touch the floor simultaneously.
    3. A player who comes to a stop on step one when both feet are on the floor or touch the floor simultaneously may pivot using either foot as his pivot. If he jumps with both feet he must release the ball before either foot touches the floor.
    4. A player who lands with one foot first may only pivot using that foot.
    5. A progressing player who jumps off one foot on the first step may land with both feet simultaneously for the second step. In this situation, the player may not pivot with either foot and if one or both feet leave the floor the ball must be released before either returns to the floor.
  3. In starting a dribble after (1) receiving the ball while standing still, or (2) coming to a legal stop, the ball must be out of the player’s hand before the pivot foot is raised off the floor.
  4. If a player, with the ball in his possession, raises his pivot foot off the floor, he must pass or shoot before his pivot foot returns to the floor. If he drops the ball while in the air, he may not be the first to touch the ball.
  5. A player who falls to the floor while holding the ball, or while coming to a stop, may not gain an advantage by sliding.
  6. A player who attempts a field goal may not be the first to touch the ball if it fails to touch the backboard, basket ring or another player.
  7. A player may not be the first to touch his own pass unless the ball touches his back- board, basket ring or another player.
  8. Upon ending his dribble or gaining control of the ball, a player may not touch the floor consecutively with the same foot (hop).
    1. PENALTY: Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team on the sideline, nearest spot of the violation but no nearer the baseline than the foul line extended.

 

Section XIV—Offensive Screen Set Out-of-Bounds

An offensive player shall not leave the playing area of the floor on the endline in the frontcourt for the purpose of setting a screen.

  1. PENALTY: Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team on the sideline at the point of interruption but no nearer to the baseline than the foul line extended.

 

Section XV—Offensive Player Out-of-Bounds

An offensive player shall not leave the playing area of the court without returning immediately and cannot repeatedly leave and re-enter the court.

  1. EXCEPTION: (1) injury, (2) inbounding the ball on a throw-in and (3) any other unusual circumstance.
  2. PENALTY: Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team on the sideline at the point of interruption but no nearer to the baseline than the foul line extended.

 

Section XVI—Five-Second Back-to-the-Basket Violation

An offensive player in his frontcourt below the free throw line extended shall not be permitted to dribble with his back or side to the basket for more than five seconds.

The count ends when (1) the player picks up the ball, (2) dribbles above the free throw line extended or (3) a defensive player deflects the ball away.

  1. PENALTY: Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team out-of-bounds on the nearest sideline at the free throw line extended.