
In basketball, a turnover occurs when a player loses possession of the ball to the opposing team before a shot is attempted. This can be due to a violation or error by the player in possession, such as a bad pass, stepping out of bounds, or committing a double dribble. Turnovers were first officially recorded in the American Basketball Association during the 1967–68 season, and they are an important part of the game as they can lead to scoring opportunities for the opposing team.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A turnover occurs when the offensive player loses possession of the ball to the opposing team, either through a mistake (like a bad pass or dribbling error) or a successful defensive play. |
| Types | There are several types of turnovers, including steals, offensive fouls, violations (like traveling or double dribbling), and out-of-bounds plays where the offensive team loses possession. |
| Impact | Turnovers can have a significant impact on the outcome of a basketball game. They can lead to easy scoring opportunities for the opposing team, disrupt the flow of the offense, and affect a player's confidence and rhythm. |
| Strategies | Defenses aim to force turnovers by applying pressure, trapping, and actively seeking steals. Offenses, on the other hand, focus on ball security, accurate passing, and adhering to fundamental techniques to minimize turnovers. |
| Statistics | Turnovers are recorded as a statistical category in basketball. They are tracked for individual players, as well as for teams. The number of turnovers is often compared to the number of possessions to calculate a turnover percentage, which is a key metric for evaluating team and player performance. |
| Prevention | Preventing turnovers is a crucial aspect of basketball strategy. This involves developing good decision-making skills, executing proper fundamentals, and maintaining focus and composure during gameplay. |
| Notable Players | Some players are known for their ability to create turnovers on defense, like Chris Paul and Kawhi Leonard. On the other hand, players like Stephen Curry and LeBron James are renowned for their ability to limit their turnovers despite their high usage rates on offense. |
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What You'll Learn

Violations vs errors
In basketball, a turnover is when a player loses possession of the ball to the opposing team before a shot is attempted. Turnovers can be caused by a variety of actions, including having the ball stolen by an opposing player, throwing a bad pass, throwing the ball out of bounds, or committing a violation. Violations and errors are two distinct concepts in basketball, with specific rules governing each.
A violation in basketball occurs when a player or team breaks a rule, resulting in a penalty such as loss of ball possession or a technical foul. For example, a player stepping out of bounds or failing to release the ball within 5 seconds during a throw-in are both violations. Violations are not always fouls, but every foul is considered a violation. Basketball violations are not tracked to individual players, as fouls are.
Errors in basketball can refer to a variety of mistakes made by players or officials that may or may not result in a violation or foul. For instance, an error could be a player accidentally throwing the ball out of bounds or a referee making a bad toss during a jump ball situation. Errors can also refer to procedural mistakes, such as having the wrong number of players on the court at the start of play. These errors can result in penalties, such as technical fouls or loss of possession, depending on the specific situation.
While violations and errors are distinct concepts, they can sometimes overlap. For example, a player committing a double dribble is a violation that would also be considered an error, as it breaks the rules of the game. Similarly, a player interfering with the ball after a successful field goal is an error that would result in a violation being called.
In summary, violations and errors in basketball refer to different types of infractions. Violations are specific rule-breaking actions that result in defined penalties, while errors are broader and can refer to any mistake made by players or officials, with consequences depending on the specific situation and context. Understanding the differences between violations and errors is important for players, coaches, and officials to ensure fair and consistent gameplay.
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Live ball vs dead ball turnovers
A turnover in basketball occurs when a player loses possession of the ball to the opposing team before a shot is attempted. There are many actions that can result in a turnover, including throwing a bad pass, stealing the ball, throwing the ball out of bounds, stepping out of bounds, committing a double dribble, palming or travelling violation, and committing a backcourt violation, among others.
Live ball turnovers and dead ball turnovers are two distinct types of turnovers in basketball. A live ball turnover occurs when the ball is still in play after a turnover, such as when the ball is stolen by the opposing team. This type of turnover keeps the action going and often leads to a transition basket for the defensive team. On the other hand, a dead ball turnover results in an inbounds play, as the ball is no longer in play. For example, when a player throws the ball out of bounds, it is considered a dead ball turnover. This type of turnover gives the offensive team a set possession to plan their next move.
The type of press employed by a team can also influence the likelihood of live ball or dead ball turnovers. An aggressive full-court press, for instance, tends to result in more live ball turnovers, while a trapping half-court press may encourage more dead ball turnovers. Additionally, data suggests that a dead ball turnover is often preferred over missing a shot and giving the defensive team a rebound. This is because dead ball turnovers tend to yield lower points per possession (PPP) values than live ball turnovers. By analysing the types of turnovers a team forces and concedes, coaches can gain valuable insights into their performance and make strategic adjustments.
While turnovers can be detrimental, they are not always negative. Possessions after a turnover can be highly efficient due to the opportunities they present for fast breaks. However, it is important to distinguish between live ball and dead ball turnovers when evaluating turnover efficiency. Possessions resulting from dead ball turnovers are generally less efficient than those from live ball turnovers or even made shots, as made shots can create a quasi-dead ball situation during the inbounding process.
In summary, live ball turnovers and dead ball turnovers differ in their immediate consequences and strategic implications. Live ball turnovers maintain the flow of the game and often favour the defensive team, while dead ball turnovers provide a momentary pause and allow the offensive team to strategise. By understanding the nuances of these turnovers, coaches and players can make more informed decisions to enhance their performance on the court.
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Out of bounds
In basketball, an out-of-bounds situation occurs when either a player or the ball goes out of the playing area. A player is considered out-of-bounds when they touch the floor or any object outside the boundary, including the air above it. Similarly, the ball is out-of-bounds when it touches a player who is out-of-bounds or any object outside the boundary, including the floor, supports, or back of the backboard.
The rules regarding out-of-bounds situations can vary slightly depending on the level of play, such as in US high school basketball, college, or the NBA. For example, in high school basketball, if a player goes out of bounds accidentally due to momentum, they can re-establish their position with one foot inbounds and then touch the ball first. However, in the NBA, this is not allowed, and a player who goes out of bounds cannot be the first to touch the ball upon returning inbounds.
Out-of-bounds plays are an important aspect of the game, and teams can use them to their advantage by executing well-practiced strategies. Coaches may choose to simply get the ball inbounds and then set up a play, or they may see it as an opportunity to attack, as many teams are poorly prepared to defend out-of-bounds situations. Successful out-of-bounds plays require precise execution of cuts, screens, and passes, as well as the ability to read and counter the defensive tactics.
There are specific rules regarding throw-ins, which is when the ball is given to a player to resume play after an out-of-bounds situation. The player must release the ball within 5 seconds of receiving it, and no teammate can be positioned parallel or adjacent to the baseline if an opponent desires that position. If the ball goes out-of-bounds without being touched by a player, it is returned to the original throw-in spot. Additionally, any ball that is in a team's frontcourt or at the midcourt line cannot be passed into the backcourt, and it must be awarded to the opposing team at the midcourt line.
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Double dribble
A turnover in basketball occurs when a player loses possession of the ball to the opposing team before a shot is attempted. There are many actions that can result in a turnover, including double dribbling.
A double dribble is a violation in basketball that occurs when a player dribbles the ball and then, instead of continuing the dribble, allows the ball to come to rest in one or both hands and then proceeds to dribble again. This is considered an illegal action. A player may dribble a second time if they lost control of the ball due to a field goal attempt, a pass or fumble that touched the backboard, basket ring, or another player.
Double dribbling is generally considered an easier call for referees to make compared to other violations such as traveling. However, in the fast-paced flow of a professional game, it is not uncommon for a double dribble violation to be missed occasionally.
When a double dribble violation occurs, the ball is turned over to the opposing team. In lower levels such as high school and college basketball, the ball is typically thrown in on the sideline or baseline near where the violation occurred. In the NBA, the rules require the ball to be inbounded between the free-throw line and the baseline to give the defense more of an advantage.
Some famous players who have committed turnovers are Jason Kidd, John Drew, James Harden, LeBron James, Ticha Penicheiro, and Sue Bird.
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Three-second violation
A turnover in basketball is when a player loses possession of the ball to the opposing team before a shot is attempted. There are many actions that can result in a turnover, including a steal, a bad pass, stepping out of bounds, or committing a violation. One such violation is the three-second violation.
The three-second violation, also known as 'three in the key' or a 'lane violation', is a rule that concerns players who operate in the low post or inside the shaded lane. It is designed to prevent offensive players from remaining idle and gaining an unfair positional advantage near the basket. It also discourages illegal defense tactics, such as standing around or camping out in the paint.
The rule states that an offensive player cannot remain in the restricted area, also known as the paint or the key, for more than three seconds while their team has possession of the ball in the frontcourt. The count starts when the offensive team gains control of the ball and both feet of the player are inside the key, and it stops once both feet are fully outside or if the ball is shot.
To avoid a violation, an offensive player who receives the ball while in the restricted area must pass or shoot within three seconds or step out of the lane. Defensive players can also avoid a violation by actively guarding an opponent within arm's length.
The three-second rule is enforced at all levels of basketball and is one of the most debated rules in the sport. It is intended to promote fairness and keep the action going by opening up the court and discouraging players from remaining stationary.
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Frequently asked questions
A turnover occurs when a player 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 that can result in a turnover include travelling, stepping out of bounds, committing a double dribble, committing a backcourt violation, shot clock violation, three-second violation, five-second violation, and offensive foul.
Player errors that can result in a turnover include throwing a bad pass, losing the ball out of bounds, or committing a charging foul.









































