
In basketball, a turnover occurs when the offensive team loses possession of the ball to the opposing team before a shot attempt that ends team control. This can be due to violations or errors made by offensive players, such as inaccurate passes, dribbling mistakes, or other on-court blunders. While missed shots are not specifically mentioned as turnovers, they can lead to turnovers if the defensive team gains possession of the ball. Additionally, specific rules like the five-second throw-in rule and the backcourt violation rule can result in turnovers if violated. Turnovers are recorded in professional basketball leagues like the NBA, WNBA, and ABA, with players like LeBron James and Sue Bird holding records for career turnovers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of a 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 a turnover | Violations or errors by offensive players, e.g. dribbling mistakes, inaccurate passes, or other on-court blunders |
| Types of violations | Traveling, backcourt violation, shot clock violation, double dribble, carrying, out of bounds |
| Tracking of turnovers | First officially recorded in the American Basketball Association (ABA) during the 1967-68 season; NBA team turnovers tracked since 1973-74 season and individual players since 1977-78 season; WNBA recorded turnovers since 1997 |
| Notable records | Most turnovers in an NBA game: Jason Kidd and John Drew (14); Most turnovers in an NBA playoff game: James Harden (13); Most career turnovers in NBA: LeBron James (4,966 regular season, 1,015 playoffs); Most turnovers by a WNBA team in one game: 33; Most turnovers by a WNBA player per season: Ticha Penicheiro (135 in 1999); Most turnovers by a WNBA player in career: Sue Bird (1,370) |
| Missed shots | Not specifically mentioned as a type of turnover, but can result in a foul or a steal by the defensive team |
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What You'll Learn
- Missed shots are considered turnovers if the opposing team gains possession
- Turnovers are caused by violations or errors by offensive players
- Examples of violations include travelling, backcourt violations, and double dribbles
- Turnovers were first recorded in the 1967-68 season of the ABA
- The record for most turnovers in an NBA game is 14, held by two players

Missed shots are considered turnovers if the opposing team gains possession
In basketball, a turnover occurs when the offensive team loses possession of the ball to the opposing team before a shot attempt that ends team control. Missed shots are considered turnovers if the opposing team gains possession. This can happen if a player commits a violation, such as travelling or a double dribble, or makes other errors like inaccurate passes or dribbling mistakes.
A double dribble occurs when a player initially dribbles the ball, touches or gathers it with both hands, and then dribbles again. Travelling occurs when a player with the ball illegally shifts their pivot foot before starting their dribble or after ending it. In both cases, the referee can call a violation, resulting in a turnover and the opposing team gaining possession.
Other violations that can lead to turnovers include backcourt violations, where an offensive player changes the ball's status from frontcourt to backcourt, and out-of-bounds violations, where a player with the ball steps on or over the boundary line. Shot clock violations can also result in turnovers if the offensive team still has control of the ball when the timer reaches zero.
It's worth noting that missed shots themselves are not always considered turnovers. A turnover specifically relates to the loss of possession by the offensive team. If a missed shot results in the opposing team gaining possession, then it can be considered a turnover. However, if the offensive team retains possession after a missed shot, such as through an offensive rebound, it is not a turnover.
Accurate statistics are crucial in basketball analytics. Software programs help ensure precise stat-keeping by guiding statisticians to make correct data entries. This includes differentiating between missed shots, turnovers, rebounds, and other game events, providing a more accurate understanding of team and player performance.
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Turnovers are caused by violations or errors by offensive players
A turnover in basketball is when the offensive team loses possession of the ball to the opposing team before they can attempt a shot. Turnovers are often caused by violations of the rules or errors made by offensive players. These can include:
- Dribbling mistakes: This includes losing control of the ball while dribbling, getting it poked away by a defender, or double dribbling (dribbling with two hands or dribbling again after stopping).
- Passing errors: Such as bad passes, intercepted passes, or errant bounce passes that are stolen by the opposing team.
- Travelling: When an offensive player in possession of the ball illegally shifts their pivot foot before or after their dribble.
- Carrying: When an offensive player gathers the ball in the palm of their dribbling hand after it bounces upwards and then dribbles it again.
- Out of bounds: When a player with the ball steps out of the playing court.
- Three-second violation: When an offensive player lingers in the key (the central painted area near the basket) for longer than three seconds while their team has possession of the ball in the frontcourt.
- Five-second violation: When an offensive player holds the ball for too long under certain conditions, such as being closely guarded in the frontcourt for more than five seconds without passing or shooting.
- Backcourt violation: When an offensive player changes the status of the ball from frontcourt to backcourt, such as by stepping on the half-court line or dribbling/passing the ball into the backcourt.
- Shot clock violation: Failing to get a shot off before the shot clock reaches zero.
- Charging foul: Charging into a defender who has an established position.
- Illegal screen: Using a moving screen or your arms to hinder a defender.
These turnovers can be either live ball turnovers, where the defence gains immediate possession of the ball, or dead ball turnovers, where the whistle is blown while a player still has the ball.
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Examples of violations include travelling, backcourt violations, and double dribbles
In basketball, a turnover occurs when a team loses possession of the ball due to a violation or a missed shot. While a missed shot is not considered a turnover, certain violations can result in turnovers, such as travelling, backcourt violations, and double dribbles.
Travelling is a violation where a player takes more steps than allowed while holding the ball. In the NBA and FIBA, travelling is called when a player takes more than two steps without dribbling. However, the NCAA and NFHS have stricter rules, not permitting any steps without a dribble. Pivoting, or moving the pivot foot while holding the ball, is also considered travelling.
A backcourt violation occurs when a player with the ball steps on or over the backcourt line after their team has established control in the frontcourt. Once a team has control in the frontcourt, the half-court line becomes the backcourt line, and crossing it with the ball results in a backcourt violation. It is important to note that if the defensive team deflects the ball into the backcourt, the offensive team can retrieve it without penalty.
A double dribble is another violation that occurs when a player dribbles the ball, stops, and then dribbles again before shooting or passing. This violation results in a turnover, giving possession of the ball to the other team.
These violations, including travelling, backcourt violations, and double dribbles, are crucial aspects of basketball rules and can significantly impact the flow and outcome of a game.
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Turnovers were first recorded in the 1967-68 season of the ABA
In the game of basketball, a turnover is defined as any loss of the ball by the offensive team without a shot being taken. This can occur due to violations or errors made by offensive players, such as dribbling mistakes, inaccurate passes, or other types of on-court blunders. Turnovers result in the opposing team gaining possession of the ball.
The concept of turnovers in basketball has evolved over time, with the first official recording of turnovers taking place during the 1967-68 season of the American Basketball Association (ABA). This inaugural ABA season witnessed 11 teams competing, with each team playing a 78-game schedule. The ABA introduced several unique features, including a red, white, and blue basketball, a 30-second shot clock, and the adoption of the three-point shot.
The 1967-68 ABA season holds historical significance as it marked the first challenge to the established National Basketball Association (NBA). The season saw the defection of NBA leading scorer Rick Barry to the Oakland team, making him the first superstar to join the upstart league. The ABA's inaugural game was played between the Oakland Oaks and the Anaheim Amigos, with Oakland securing a 134-129 victory.
Turnovers have since become an integral statistic in basketball, with the NBA beginning to track team turnovers during the 1973-74 season. The focus on individual players' turnovers commenced in the 1977-78 season, following the merger between the NBA and ABA. The recording of turnovers has also extended to other basketball leagues, such as the WNBA, which has maintained records of turnovers since its inaugural season in 1997.
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The record for most turnovers in an NBA game is 14, held by two players
In basketball, a turnover occurs when the offensive team loses possession of the ball to the opposing team before a shot is attempted, usually as a result of a violation or error by the offensive player. These errors typically include dribbling mistakes, inaccurate passes, or other on-court blunders. Traveling, for example, occurs when an offensive player illegally shifts their pivot foot before or after their dribble, resulting in a loss of possession to the other team. Other violations that can lead to turnovers include backcourt violations, shot clock violations, double dribbles, and out-of-bounds calls.
The record for the most turnovers in an NBA game is held by two players who each committed 14 turnovers in a single game. Jason Kidd of the Phoenix Suns achieved this dubious feat on November 17, 2000, against the New York Knicks. John Drew of the Atlanta Hawks matched this record on March 1, 1978, when he had 14 turnovers against the New Jersey Nets.
While the focus here is on the NBA, it is worth noting that the WNBA also tracks turnovers. The record for the most turnovers by a WNBA team in a single game is 33, and the record for the most turnovers by a WNBA player in a season is held by Ticha Penicheiro, who committed 135 turnovers in 1999. Sue Bird holds the career record for turnovers in the WNBA with 1,370.
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Frequently asked questions
A turnover occurs when the offensive team loses possession of the ball to the opposing team before a shot attempt. This can be due to violations or errors by offensive players, such as inaccurate passes, dribbling mistakes, or other on-court blunders. A missed shot is different from a turnover as it specifically refers to a failed attempt to score. Therefore, a missed shot in basketball is not considered a turnover, but it can lead to other consequences such as a rebound or a steal.
There are several violations that commonly result in turnovers in a basketball game. These include double dribbling, carrying, travelling, and backcourt violations. A double dribble occurs when a player dribbles, touches, or gathers the ball with both hands, and then dribbles again. Travelling occurs when an offensive player illegally moves their pivot foot before or after their dribble. A backcourt violation happens when an offensive player changes the status of the ball from the front court to the backcourt.
Basketball statistics have specific criteria for recording turnovers and missed shots. A turnover is credited when the offensive team loses possession of the ball to the opposing team. A missed shot is recorded when a player attempts to shoot, but the ball does not go into the basket. Advanced software programs ensure accuracy in stat-keeping, preventing errors such as more steals than turnovers or more assists than made shots.











































