
In basketball, a double foul occurs when two opposing players are called for fouling simultaneously. This can happen when two players get in a scuffle and the referee is unable to determine who initiated the contact. In this case, both players are typically assessed a technical foul, but neither team's foul count increases. Double fouls add to each player's total fouls but not the team's total foul count. When a double foul is called, the team in possession of the ball retains possession. If neither team has clear possession, a jump ball is called.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Occurrence | Double fouls occur when two players on opposing teams are called for fouling simultaneously. |
| Types | Double fouls can be personal or technical. |
| Free throws | No free throw attempts are awarded for double fouls. |
| Foul count | Double fouls add to a player's total fouls but not the team's. |
| Possession | If a double foul occurs, the team in possession of the ball at the time of the call retains possession. |
| Possession (II) | If neither team is in possession, play is resumed with a jump ball at the center circle between any two opponents in the game at that time. |
| Play resumption | Play is resumed on the sideline, nearest the point where play was interrupted but no nearer to the baseline than the free throw line extended. |
| Shot clock | The shot clock is reset to 24 seconds if the ball is to be inbounded in the team's backcourt or stays the same or is reset to 14, whichever is greater, if the ball is to be inbounded in the frontcourt. |
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What You'll Learn
- Double fouls do not result in free throws or turnovers
- Double fouls add to a player's total fouls, but not the team's
- Double fouls are called when two players get in a scuffle
- If a double foul occurs when neither team has possession, play resumes with a jump ball
- No free throw attempts are awarded when a double technical foul is assessed

Double fouls do not result in free throws or turnovers
When a double foul is called in basketball, it means that two players from opposing teams have committed a foul simultaneously or have been involved in an altercation, resulting in a violation of the rules. Double fouls are typically called when the infractions are deemed to be roughly equal in severity, and they do not result in free throws or turnovers.
In basketball, a foul occurs when a player commits a violation that gives the opposing team an advantage or breaks the rules of the game. Fouls can be called on offensive or defensive players and can result from a wide range of actions, including illegal contact, holding, pushing, charging, and unsportsmanlike behavior. Free throws are typically awarded to the fouled player's team as a penalty for a foul, and turnovers can occur when a player loses possession of the ball due to a foul.
However, in the case of a double foul, neither team gains an advantage in terms of free throws or turnovers. This is because the fouls cancel each other out, and the game continues without any penalty shots or change of possession. The players involved in the double foul may receive additional penalties, such as ejection from the game if their actions are deemed severe enough by the referees.
It's important to note that not all simultaneous fouls result in a double foul call. Referees will use their judgment to determine whether the fouls are of equal magnitude and if they truly occurred at the same time. If one foul is deemed more detrimental or occurred slightly before the other, the appropriate penalties, including free throws and turnovers, will be enforced.
Double fouls are relatively rare in basketball and usually only occur when both players are excessively aggressive or engage in unsportsmanlike conduct. They can happen during live ball or dead ball situations and are at the discretion of the game officials, who have a thorough understanding of the rules and are trained to make these judgment calls.
By not awarding free throws or turnovers in the case of a double foul, the rules aim to maintain fairness and balance in the game. Each team is held accountable for their actions, and neither gains an advantage from the other's mistake. This rule also helps to discourage players from intentionally committing fouls to gain an advantage, as it emphasizes the importance of clean and fair play.
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Double fouls add to a player's total fouls, but not the team's
In basketball, a double foul occurs when two players on opposing teams are called for fouling simultaneously. Double fouls add to a player's total fouls but not to the team's total foul count. This means that double fouls do not result in free throws or turnovers.
If a double foul occurs when it is unclear which team has possession, it is decided by either a jump ball (in the NBA/WNBA) or the possession arrow (in college and high school basketball). If a double foul occurs with neither team in possession, or when the ball is in the air on an unsuccessful field goal or free throw attempt, play will be resumed with a jump ball at the center circle between any two opponents in the game at that time.
If a double foul occurs on a successful field goal or free throw attempt, the team that has been scored upon will inbound the ball at the baseline as after any other. If a double foul occurs, the team in possession of the ball at the time of the call shall retain possession. Play is resumed on the sideline, nearest the point where play was interrupted but no nearer to the baseline than the free throw line extended. The shot clock is reset to 24 seconds if the ball is to be inbounded in the team's backcourt or stays the same or is reset to 14, whichever is greater, if the ball is to be inbounded in the front court.
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Double fouls are called when two players get in a scuffle
A double foul can also occur when neither team is in possession of the ball, or when the ball is in the air during an unsuccessful field goal or free throw attempt. In these instances, play is resumed with a jump ball at the center circle between any two opponents on the court at that time. No substitutes are allowed to participate in the jump ball. If a double foul occurs on a successful field goal or free throw attempt, the team that has been scored upon will inbound the ball at the baseline.
When a double foul is called, the team in possession of the ball retains possession. Play is then resumed on the sideline, as close as possible to the point where play was interrupted but no nearer to the baseline than the free throw line extended. The shot clock is reset to 24 seconds if the ball is inbounded in the team's backcourt, or it stays the same or is reset to 14 seconds, whichever is greater, if the ball is inbounded in the frontcourt.
It's important to note that no free throw attempts are awarded when a double foul is called, whether they are personal or technical fouls. Double personal fouls contribute to a player's total fouls but not the team's total foul count.
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If a double foul occurs when neither team has possession, play resumes with a jump ball
A double foul in basketball occurs when two players from opposing teams commit fouls simultaneously. Double fouls add to a player's total fouls but not to the team's total fouls. They do not result in free throws or turnovers.
In the NBA and WNBA, a jump ball is always used to resume play after a double foul when possession is unclear. However, in college and high school basketball, the possession arrow is used instead.
When a double foul occurs and one team has possession, that team retains possession. Play resumes on the sideline nearest the point where play was interrupted but no nearer to the baseline than the free-throw line. The shot clock is reset to 24 seconds if the ball is inbounded in the team's backcourt, or reset to 14 seconds if greater.
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No free throw attempts are awarded when a double technical foul is assessed
A double foul in basketball occurs when two players on opposing teams are called for fouling simultaneously. Double fouls add to a player's total fouls but not to the team's total foul count. They do not result in free throws or turnovers.
A double technical foul occurs when both teams commit technical fouls at once, such as when two players act in an unsportsmanlike manner towards each other. Technical fouls are penalties for violating the game's administrative rules. They are commonly assessed for fighting, verbal abuse, and other unsportsmanlike conduct. When a double technical foul is assessed, no free throw attempts are awarded to either team. Instead, the team in possession of the ball at the time of the call shall retain possession.
Technical fouls can be assessed to players or coaches for a variety of reasons, including baiting or taunting an opponent, disrespectfully addressing an official, fighting or threatening to fight, goaltending a free throw, and hanging on the rim. In the NBA, non-unsportsmanlike technical fouls, like defensive 3 seconds or calling excessive timeouts, result in 1 free throw for the opposing team. Unsportsmanlike technical fouls, on the other hand, result in 2 free throws and possession of the ball for the opposing team.
It's important to note that the rules and penalties for technical fouls may vary depending on the level of basketball being played, such as high school, college, or professional leagues like the NBA.
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Frequently asked questions
A double foul occurs when two players on opposing teams are called for fouling simultaneously. It adds to a player's total fouls but not the team's.
When a double foul is called, the team in possession of the ball retains possession. If a double foul is called when it's unclear which team has possession, it's decided by either a jump ball (in the NBA/WNBA) or the possession arrow (in college and high school basketball).
Double fouls can occur when two players get in a scuffle and the referee doesn't know who started it, or when two players go up to block an opponent's shot and both foul them.










































