
In basketball, a turnover occurs when a player from one team loses possession of the ball to the opposing team before a shot is attempted. This can occur due to a violation or a player error, such as dribbling mistakes or inaccurate passes. A charge, on the other hand, is an offensive foul that happens when an offensive player collides with a defender who is in a legal guarding position. This defensive player must be outside of the restricted area near the basket. While a charge can result in a turnover, not all turnovers are charges, as there are various other ways for turnovers to occur.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of turnover | Action that occurs during a basketball game when an offensive team loses possession of the ball to the opposing team prior to a shot attempt that ends team control |
| Reasons for turnover | Violations or errors by offensive players, such as dribbling mistakes, inaccurate passes, or other on-court blunders |
| Common violations | Traveling, double dribble, carrying, out of bounds, 3-second violation, 5-second violation, 10-second violation, backcourt violation, shot clock violation, illegal screen, or charging |
| Definition of charge | An offensive foul that occurs when an offensive player collides with a defender who is in a legal guarding position |
| Criteria for charge | The defender must be in a legal guarding position and not standing in the restricted area (except in high school) |
| Safety aspect of charge | Encourages smarter plays and discourages offensive players from recklessly charging into defenders, minimizing the risk of dangerous collisions |
| Defensive advantage of charge | Empowers defenders by allowing them to protect the basket without giving up their position |
| Result of charge | Turnover and personal foul on the offensive player |
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What You'll Learn

A charge is an offensive foul
Charges are called to discourage offensive players from recklessly charging into defenders. The possibility of a charge encourages smarter plays and minimises the risk of dangerous collisions. Without this rule, defenders would be vulnerable to offensive players ploughing through them.
To draw a charge, defensive players must be in front of and facing the basketball. They must be able to anticipate where the offence is trying to drive and get there first. This requires a degree of anticipation and skill.
A charging foul can also occur when an offensive player collides with a defender after passing the ball to a teammate. This is called a "pass and crash" play. It usually happens when an offensive player attacks the rim but is unable to slow down or stop their momentum after dribbling and passing.
A charge results in a turnover, where the offensive team loses possession of the ball, and the defensive team gains it.
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Criteria for a charge
A charge is an offensive foul that occurs when an offensive player collides with a defender. This defender must be in a legal guarding position when the contact occurs.
For a charge to be called, three criteria must be met:
- The defender must be in a legal guarding position when the contact occurs. This means that they are in front of and facing the basketball. They must be able to get to where the ball is headed before it gets there, anticipating where the offense is trying to drive and getting there first.
- The defender must not be standing in the restricted area, marked by the semicircle under the basket. This does not apply to high school games.
- The defender must not impede the progress of the offensive player or cause excessive contact. Even if the defender has established a legal guarding position, they can still be called for a blocking foul if the contact is deemed excessive or avoidable.
A charge can also occur when an offensive player passes to a teammate but continues to run into a defensive player without the basketball. This typically happens in a fast break situation when the offensive player makes a late pass near the basket, and the defender has been set.
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A turnover results in a change of possession
A turnover in basketball occurs when a player from the offensive team loses possession of the ball to the opposing team before a shot is attempted. This can happen due to a violation or a player error. Violations include travelling, double dribbling, carrying, stepping out of bounds, backcourt violations, shot clock violations, and offensive fouls (such as a charge). Player errors include inaccurate passes, poor dribbling, or other mistakes that result in the defence gaining possession of the ball.
Charges, also known as offensive fouls, occur when an offensive player collides with a defender who is in a legal guarding position. To be considered a charge, the defender must meet several criteria. Firstly, they must be in a legal guarding position, facing the basketball and outside the restricted area under the basket. Secondly, the offensive player must be driving to the basket and make contact with the defender. This can happen even if the offensive player has passed the ball to a teammate, as long as they continue running into the defender without the ball.
When a charge is called, it results in a turnover, with the offensive team losing possession of the ball and the defensive team gaining an opportunity to transition to offence and reset. This rule encourages player safety by discouraging offensive players from recklessly charging into defenders and empowering defenders to protect the basket without giving up their position.
Coaches often focus on dribbling and passing drills to help players develop their skills and reduce the number of turnovers. While turnovers can be costly for a team, they can also be advantageous when drawn strategically by defenders to regain possession and create scoring opportunities.
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Types of violations
A turnover in basketball occurs when the offensive team loses possession of the ball to the opposing team before a shot is attempted. This can be due to a violation, dribbling errors, inaccurate passes, or other on-court mistakes. Here are some common types of violations that can result in turnovers:
Traveling
Traveling occurs when an offensive player in possession of the ball illegally moves their pivot foot before starting or after ending their dribble. This results in a turnover, and the opposing team gains possession of the ball.
Backcourt Violation
A backcourt violation occurs when an offensive player changes the status of the ball from the frontcourt to the backcourt. This can happen when the offensive player dribbles or passes the ball into the backcourt or steps on the half-court line while in possession. The penalty is a turnover, and the opposing team gains possession.
Shot Clock Violation
If an offensive player remains in the backcourt for more than ten seconds, and the ball does not advance to the frontcourt within that time, a shot clock violation is called, resulting in a turnover.
Three-Second Violation
An offensive player must not remain in the area between the endline and an extended imaginary line 4 feet off the court for more than three seconds while their team controls the ball. A violation occurs if they do so, resulting in a turnover.
Charging Foul (Offensive Foul)
A charging foul occurs when an offensive player, usually with the ball, collides with a defender in a legal guarding position. This often happens when the offensive player is dribbling to an area, but the defender reaches that area first. It can also occur during a "pass and crash" play, where the offensive player passes and then crashes into a defender due to momentum.
Illegal Screen
An illegal screen occurs when an offensive player moves their body, particularly their arms, legs, or hips, while screening a defender who is also in motion.
These are some of the common types of violations in basketball that can lead to turnovers. Each violation has specific rules and consequences outlined in the official rulebooks of organizations like the NBA, WNBA, FIBA, and NFHS.
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Avoiding turnovers
A turnover in basketball occurs when there is a change of possession due to an error by the offensive team. This can include violations, such as a shot clock violation, or other errors like inaccurate passes or dribbling mistakes. Turnovers can be costly for a team as they not only lose possession but also give the opposing team an opportunity to score.
A charge, which is a type of turnover, is an offensive foul that occurs when an offensive player collides with a defender who is in a legal guarding position. To avoid committing a charge, players must have good court vision and play under control. They should be able to recognize when the defense is already set and avoid lowering their shoulder or using their off-arm to bump or hook the defender, as this will result in an offensive foul.
To avoid turnovers in general, players should focus on improving their fundamental skills, such as dribbling and passing. Dribbling drills are essential, especially for developing weak hand strength, as they enable players to drive in either direction and reduce the risk of turnovers. Passing drills are also crucial, as many turnovers result from poor passing or simply not catching the ball. A good pass is one that is on-target and caught in a spot where the receiver has the opportunity to do something productive. Passers must "see the defense" and keep it simple, avoiding jump-passes and instead using dribbles to create open passing lanes.
Additionally, mastering basic moves like jump stops, facing the basket upon receiving the ball, and perfecting pivots can help players turn vulnerable moments into opportunities. It's also important to remember that turnovers are often a result of the opposing team's defensive play, such as a full-court or half-court press, which rattles the opponent and breaks up their flow. Therefore, creating practice situations that mimic and even exceed the challenges of a game can help players stay composed when facing tough pressure defenses. While it's impossible to completely eliminate turnovers, implementing these strategies can significantly reduce their occurrence and improve a team's chances of success.
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Frequently asked questions
A charge is an offensive foul that occurs when an offensive player collides with a defender who is in a legal guarding position.
A turnover occurs when a player from one team loses possession of the ball to the opposing team before a shot is attempted.
Yes, a charge can result in a turnover, where the offensive team loses possession of the ball and the defensive team gains it.
Turnovers can occur due to violations, such as traveling, double dribble, carrying, out of bounds, backcourt violation, or a shot clock violation. They can also occur due to player errors, such as inaccurate passes or dribbling mistakes.











































