
The number of fouls a player can commit before being disqualified varies across basketball leagues. In the NBA, a player fouls out after committing six personal fouls during a game. In college basketball, players are allowed up to four or five fouls before disqualification. The WNBA follows a similar rule, allowing five personal fouls before a player is disqualified. FIBA rules, used in the Olympics, count personal and technical fouls together, and players foul out after five fouls. The penalties for committing fouls also vary, with some leagues imposing fines or requiring free throws.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of fouls before disqualification in the NBA | 6 |
| Number of fouls before disqualification in NCAA college basketball and most high school leagues | 5 |
| Number of fouls before disqualification in women's college basketball | 4 |
| Number of fouls before disqualification in men's college basketball before 2017 | 5 |
| Number of fouls before disqualification in men's college basketball after 2017 | 6 |
| Number of team fouls allowed per quarter in the NBA | 5 |
| Number of team fouls allowed per 20-minute half in men's college basketball | 6 |
| Number of team fouls allowed per 10-minute quarter in women's college basketball | 4 |
| Number of free throws awarded when fouled on a 2-pointer | 2 |
| Number of free throws awarded when fouled on a 3-pointer | 3 |
| Number of free throws awarded when fouled in the last 2 minutes of a period or overtime | 1, plus possession of the ball |
| Number of free throws awarded when the fouled player is injured | 2, attempted by a substitute |
| Number of FF1 fouls before ejection | 2 |
| Number of FF2 fouls before ejection | 1 |
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What You'll Learn

Ejection and disqualification
Disqualification, on the other hand, is also known as "fouling out." In basketball, a player who commits a certain number of personal fouls in a game (usually five or six) is disqualified and must leave the game. Unlike ejection, disqualification is not considered punitive but rather a natural consequence of a physical sport with many instances of contact. Disqualified players are permitted to remain on the bench with the team and are not subject to further penalties such as fines or suspensions. They can resume playing in the next game.
In the NBA, the rules outline specific scenarios that will result in ejection or disqualification. For example, a player will be ejected if they deliberately throw the ball or any object at an official, and they are subject to ejection for fighting. Additionally, a player who commits two flagrant fouls in the same game will be ejected. As per Rule 12, if injury, ejection, or disqualification makes it necessary for a player to be replaced, no substitute may participate in the jump ball.
It is important to note that the specific rules regarding ejection and disqualification may vary depending on the league and level of play. For example, in college basketball, the maximum number of fouls allowed is five before disqualification, while in the NBA, it is six.
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Flagrant fouls
In basketball, a flagrant foul is a personal foul that involves excessive or violent contact that could injure the fouled player. A flagrant foul may be unintentional or purposeful; the latter type is also called an "intentional foul" in the National Basketball Association (NBA). However, not all intentional fouls are flagrant fouls, as it is a common strategy to intentionally commit a foul (without the intent to injure) to regain possession of the ball while minimising the time elapsed on the game clock.
The NBA established the flagrant foul rule to deter contact that puts an opponent's safety or health at risk. When the rule was introduced in the 1980–81 season, flagrant fouls were treated almost identically to common personal fouls, except that the coach of the offended team could choose a player to shoot the resulting free-throw attempts.
There are two types of flagrant fouls: flagrant 1 and flagrant 2. A flagrant 1 foul is assessed if contact committed against a player, regardless of whether they have the ball or not, is deemed unnecessary. The opposing team is awarded two free throws and possession of the ball after the foul. These fouls count toward the six personal fouls each player is allowed before they are disqualified. If a player commits two flagrant 1 fouls in the same game, they are automatically ejected.
A flagrant 2 foul is assessed if contact committed against a player, with or without the ball, is deemed unnecessary and excessive. The difference between a flagrant 1 and a flagrant 2 foul is the use of the word "excessive", making the distinction between the two foul types entirely subjective to the officials. The opposing team is awarded two free throws and possession of the ball. A flagrant 2 foul results in the automatic ejection of the offending player and an additional fine.
The NBA has a "penalty points" system, where players committing a flagrant 1 or flagrant 2 are assessed one or two penalty points, respectively. During the regular season, accumulating more than five points results in an automatic suspension. During the NBA playoffs, suspensions of one or two games are imposed for every penalty point a player accrues above a total of three.
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Personal fouls
The number of personal fouls a player can commit varies depending on the league and level of play.
In the National Basketball Association (NBA), a player is allowed a maximum of six personal fouls in a game before being disqualified, or "fouling out". If the game goes into overtime, the foul limit remains the same. Technical fouls, which are generally for conduct contrary to the spirit of the game, do not typically count towards the personal foul total. However, receiving six personal fouls disqualifies the player, regardless of how many technical fouls they have.
In college basketball, players are allowed up to four personal fouls before fouling out. A fifth foul results in disqualification from the game. Personal fouls and technical fouls are included in a player's game total. Technical fouls are given for unsportsmanlike conduct, such as the use of profane language or disruptive behaviour.
In the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), players are allowed five personal fouls before being disqualified. A sixth personal foul results in automatic disqualification, or "fouling out". When a foul is deemed reckless, it may be upgraded to a flagrant foul, which carries stricter penalties.
At lower levels of basketball, the maximum number of fouls may be five before disqualification, with six being the maximum in the NBA.
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Offensive fouls
In basketball, players are allowed a certain number of fouls before they are ejected from the game. In the NBA, the limit is six fouls, while at lower levels, it is typically five. Offensive fouls are committed by an offensive player who uses any part of their body to make illegal contact with a defensive player. This includes using their hands, arms, legs, or feet to gain an advantage over their opponent.
One example of an offensive foul is a charging foul, which occurs when an offensive player, with or without the ball, pushes or moves into the torso of a defender who is in a legal guarding position. The defender must be facing their opponent straight-on with their feet firmly on the ground and must not lean into the offensive player. Another example of an offensive foul is an illegal screen, where the offensive player makes prohibited contact while setting a screen or does not allow the defender enough room to avoid contact.
Additionally, if an offensive player grabs the jersey or attire of an opponent, they can be called for an offensive foul as it gives them a potential speed or space advantage. Similarly, using the knee to make illegal contact with an opponent is also an offensive foul, as it does not give the defender a chance to contest or block the offensive player's field goal attempt.
It is important to note that offensive fouls do not result in free throws. Instead, the penalty is a turnover, and the ball is given to the opposing team. Every foul is considered a violation, but not all violations are fouls. Basketball violations, unlike fouls, are not tracked to individual players.
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Loose ball fouls
A loose ball foul is a type of foul in basketball that occurs when neither team has possession of the ball. This can happen after a deflection, after a rebound, or when there is an opportunity for either team to gain possession of the ball during live play. In other words, a loose ball situation, also known as a 50/50 ball, occurs when the ball is not being held, dribbled, or passed between teammates.
A loose ball foul is whistled when a player commits a foul against an opponent during a loose ball situation. This type of foul can be called on both offensive and defensive players. For example, if a player dives on a loose ball to gain possession, they must be careful not to dive at an opponent's legs, as this will undercut them and result in a loose ball foul. Another example is when players jockey for position to secure a rebound. Players may legally block or box out their opponents, but it is a foul if they make illegal contact by reaching up and over their back.
It is important to note that loose ball fouls can sometimes escalate tensions between players. In such cases, referees may call technical fouls or flagrant fouls to regain control of the situation. A flagrant foul is a more serious type of foul that occurs when a player makes unnecessary or excessive contact. For example, if a player is excessively shoved to the ground while going for a loose ball, the referee may determine that a flagrant foul occurred.
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Frequently asked questions
A player is allowed a maximum of six fouls in the NBA before they are disqualified for the remainder of the game.
In college basketball, players may commit up to four fouls. A fifth foul results in disqualification from the game.
A player is allowed five personal fouls in a game in the WNBA. On the sixth personal foul, the player is automatically disqualified.
A flagrant foul is a penalty assessed when contact committed against a player, with or without the ball, is interpreted to be unnecessary and sometimes excessive. A personal foul is charged to the offender and a team foul is charged to the player's team.
When a player is ejected, they must leave the playing area immediately and remain in the dressing room of their team during the suspension until the completion of the game or leave the building.











































