Understanding NBA Violations
A violation occurs when a player or team breaks a basketball rule without necessarily committing a personal foul. Most NBA violations result in a turnover, with possession awarded to the opposing team at a designated out-of-bounds location.
Other violations carry different consequences. For example, a defensive three-second violation results in a technical foul, a free throw opportunity for the offensive team and continued possession.
NBA Rule No. 10 defines the principal violations involving player movement, dribbling, throw-ins, positioning and use of the basketball.
This page follows the current official rulebook while preserving historically important rules from earlier versions of NBAHoopsOnline.
Section I — Out-of-Bounds
A player may not be the last person to touch the basketball before it goes out of bounds.
When the basketball goes out of bounds, possession is ordinarily awarded to the opposing team at the boundary line nearest the location of the violation.
Exception — Untouched Throw-In
If a throw-in goes out of bounds without being touched by a player on the court, the basketball is returned to the original throw-in location and awarded to the opposing team.
Example
A player drives toward the baseline and loses control of the basketball. If it crosses the boundary line without touching a defender, the defensive team receives possession.
Penalty: Loss of possession.
Section II — Dribble
NBA dribbling rules prevent players from illegally carrying the basketball, beginning a second dribble or continuing to dribble after stepping out of bounds.
A. Running Without Dribbling
A player may not run with the basketball without dribbling or otherwise complying with the NBA traveling rules.
B. Dribbling Out of Bounds
A player who is dribbling and steps on or beyond a boundary line may not return to the court and continue the dribble.
The player also may not be the first to touch the basketball after returning in bounds.
C. Double Dribble
A player who voluntarily ends a dribble may not begin another dribble unless an exception applies.
D. Carrying or Palming
A player may not place a hand underneath the basketball and carry it from one location to another or bring it to a pause before continuing the dribble.
E. Exceptions Allowing Another Dribble
A player may begin another dribble after losing control because of:
- A field goal attempt that touches the backboard or basket ring.
- An opponent touching the basketball.
- A pass or fumble that touches the player's backboard or basket ring, or another player.
Penalty: Loss of possession. The opposing team receives a sideline throw-in nearest the violation, but no nearer the baseline than the free throw line extended.
Section III — Thrower-In
A player making a throw-in must comply with specific restrictions governing the release of the basketball and the player's position outside the court.
The thrower-in may not:
- Carry the basketball onto the court.
- Fail to release the basketball within five seconds.
- Touch the basketball on the court before another player touches it.
- Leave the designated throw-in location beyond the permitted movement of one step to either side.
- Throw the basketball directly into the basket without another player touching it.
- Step onto the court over the boundary line before releasing the basketball.
- Throw the basketball out of bounds without it touching a player in the game.
- Leave the playing surface to gain an advantage.
- Hand the basketball directly to a player on the court.
Exception — Running the Baseline
Following a successful field goal, a qualifying free throw resulting from a personal foul, or at the start of a period, the thrower-in may move along the endline or pass to a teammate positioned behind it.
Penalty: Loss of possession. The opposing team receives the basketball at the original throw-in location.
Section IV — Strike the Ball
A player may not intentionally kick the basketball or strike it with a fist.
A player also may not intentionally use any part of the leg to move or secure the basketball.
Accidental contact between the basketball and a player's foot, leg or fist is not automatically a violation.
Offensive Violation
If the offensive team intentionally kicks or strikes the basketball illegally, possession is awarded to the defensive team at the applicable sideline location.
Defensive Violation
If the defensive team commits the violation while the basketball is in play, the offensive team retains possession at the applicable sideline location.
The shot clock is administered according to NBA Rule No. 7, including the applicable 14-second or 24-second reset provisions.
Violation During a Throw-In
When a violation occurs during a throw-in, the opposing team retains possession at the original throw-in location, with any applicable throw-in privileges.
Section V — Jump Ball
Players must comply with the jump-ball procedures established in NBA Rule No. 6.
A personal foul committed during a jump ball before either team obtains possession is classified as a loose-ball foul.
Jump-Ball Violation
A jump-ball violation ordinarily results in possession being awarded to the opposing team at the nearest sideline.
Violations by Both Teams
If both teams violate the jump-ball rules, or the official makes an improper toss, the jump ball is repeated with the same jumpers.
Clock Administration
If a violation or foul occurs before the basketball is legally tapped, neither the game clock nor the shot clock starts.
Loose-ball fouls are penalized according to the applicable team-foul situation.
Section VI — Offensive Three-Second Rule
An offensive player may not remain in the restricted portion of the free throw lane for more than three consecutive seconds while that player's team controls the basketball in its frontcourt.
The restricted area includes the lane between the endline, an imaginary line extending four feet beyond the court and the farther edge of the free throw line.
When the Count Begins
The offensive three-second count begins only when the offensive team controls the basketball in its frontcourt.
Exceptions
An allowance is made when a player begins a continuous shooting motion before the three-second period expires.
The count also may be suspended when the player is clearly about to leave the restricted area.
No offensive three-second violation occurs if an opponent bats the basketball away and team control is lost.
Penalty: Loss of possession. The opposing team receives a sideline throw-in at the free throw line extended.
Section VII — Defensive Three-Second Rule
A defensive player positioned inside the 16-foot lane, including the area extending four feet beyond the endline, generally must actively guard an opponent within three seconds.
The count begins when the offensive team controls the basketball in its frontcourt.
Actively Guarding an Opponent
Actively guarding generally means being within arm's length of an offensive player and in a guarding position.
Defenders may guard any offensive player and may double-team an opponent.
When the Count Is Suspended
The defensive three-second count is suspended when:
- A player begins a shooting attempt.
- The offensive team loses control of the basketball.
- The defender actively guards an opponent.
- The defender completely leaves the lane.
- The defender is about to establish a legal position.
Guarding the Ballhandler
A defender guarding the player with the basketball may remain in the lane without necessarily being within arm's length.
Once the offensive player passes the basketball, the defender must actively guard an opponent or leave the lane.
Penalty
A defensive three-second violation results in a technical foul.
The offensive team receives one free throw and retains possession for a sideline throw-in at the free throw line extended nearest the point of interruption.
The shot clock remains at its previous reading or is reset to 14 seconds, whichever is greater.
If the violation is called during a successful field goal attempt, the violation is disregarded and play resumes after the made basket.
Section VIII — Eight-Second Rule
An NBA team may not maintain continuous possession of the basketball in its backcourt for more than eight consecutive seconds.
The team must advance the basketball into its frontcourt before the count expires.
Situations That Produce a New Eight-Second Count
A new count may be awarded when the defensive team:
- Intentionally kicks or punches the basketball.
- Commits a personal or technical foul.
- Receives a delay-of-game warning.
A new count also applies in certain infection-control stoppages, when a team gains control of a jump ball in its backcourt, and for qualifying frontcourt throw-ins into the backcourt during the final two minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime.
Penalty: Loss of possession. The opposing team receives the basketball at the midcourt line.
Historical note: The NBA formerly used a 10-second backcourt rule. The league adopted the eight-second standard beginning with the 2001-02 season.
Section IX — Ball in Backcourt
An offensive player may not be the first to touch a basketball that the player or a teammate caused to move from the frontcourt into the backcourt while the team controlled the basketball.
Example
A guard establishes possession in the frontcourt and passes the basketball to a teammate standing in the backcourt. If no exception applies, the play is a backcourt violation.
Exceptions
Backcourt restrictions do not apply in the same way when neither team controls the basketball, including certain situations involving:
- Jump balls.
- Field goal attempts.
- Loose balls tapped away from a group of players during rebounding.
- Special throw-in procedures permitted under NBA Rule No. 8.
Penalty: Loss of possession. The opposing team receives a throw-in at the midcourt line.
Section X — Swinging of Elbows
A player holding the basketball may not swing the elbows excessively or vigorously when a defensive player is nearby, even if no contact occurs.
This rule is intended to discourage dangerous or unnecessary movements that could injure another player.
If contact occurs, the action may instead be evaluated under the applicable personal, flagrant or other foul provisions.
Penalty: Loss of possession. The opposing team receives a sideline throw-in nearest the violation, but no nearer the baseline than the free throw line extended.
Section XI — Entering Basket From Below
A player may not be the last to touch a basketball that rises above the level of the rim within the cylinder from below.
This prevents players from illegally manipulating the basketball upward through the basket.
Penalty: Loss of possession. The opposing team receives a sideline throw-in at the free throw line extended.
Section XII — Illegal Assist in Scoring
A player may not use any part of the basket, rim, net, backboard or basket support to lift, hold or raise the player's body while attempting to score.
A player also may not physically assist a teammate in gaining height during a scoring attempt.
Examples
- A player grabbing the rim to lift the body into a position to score.
- A teammate boosting another player upward during a shot attempt.
- A player using the basket support to gain an illegal scoring advantage.
Penalty: Loss of possession. The opposing team receives a sideline throw-in at the free throw line extended.
Section XIII — Traveling
Traveling occurs when a player moves while holding the basketball beyond the limits permitted by NBA rules.
The current traveling rule incorporates the gather, which determines when a player's permitted steps begin.
A. Player Receiving the Basketball While Stationary
A player who receives the basketball while standing still may pivot using either foot.
B. Gathering While Progressing
A player who gathers the basketball while progressing may take two steps to stop, pass or shoot.
A progressing player who has not yet dribbled may take one step before releasing the basketball to begin a dribble.
C. First and Second Steps
The first step occurs when one or both feet touch the floor after the gather.
The second step occurs when the other foot touches the floor or both feet touch simultaneously.
D. Establishing a Pivot Foot
A player who stops on the first step with both feet on the floor may pivot using either foot.
If one foot lands before the other, the first foot to land is generally the pivot foot.
When a progressing player jumps off one foot and lands simultaneously on both feet for the second step, neither foot may subsequently be used as a pivot foot.
E. Starting a Dribble
When beginning a dribble from a stationary position or after a legal stop, the basketball must leave the player's hand before the pivot foot is lifted.
F. Lifting the Pivot Foot
A player may lift the pivot foot to pass or shoot, but must release the basketball before that foot returns to the floor.
G. Returning to the Floor
A player who jumps while holding the basketball generally must release it before returning to the floor.
H. Sliding
A player who falls while holding the basketball or while coming to a stop may not gain an advantage by sliding.
I. Recovering a Missed Shot
A player may not be the first to touch the basketball after attempting a field goal if the attempt fails to touch the backboard, basket ring or another player.
J. Catching One's Own Pass
A player may not be the first to touch the player's own pass unless it contacts the backboard, basket ring or another player.
K. Consecutive Same-Foot Contact
After ending a dribble or gaining control, a player may not touch the floor consecutively with the same foot in a prohibited hopping action.
Penalty: Loss of possession. The opposing team receives a sideline throw-in nearest the violation, but no nearer the baseline than the free throw line extended.
Historical note: The NBA formally clarified the gather in its written rulebook in 2019. The change helped explain the footwork used in drives, step-backs and other modern offensive moves.
Section XIV — Offensive Screen Set Out-of-Bounds
An offensive player may not leave the playing area along the frontcourt endline for the purpose of setting a screen.
This prevents offensive players from gaining an advantage by using an illegal position outside the court.
Penalty: Loss of possession. The opposing team receives a sideline throw-in at the point of interruption, but no nearer the baseline than the free throw line extended.
Section XV — Offensive Player Out-of-Bounds
An offensive player may not leave the playing court without returning immediately.
An offensive player also may not repeatedly leave and reenter the court to gain an advantage.
Exceptions
- Injury.
- Making a legal throw-in.
- Other unusual circumstances recognized by the officials.
Penalty: Loss of possession. The opposing team receives a sideline throw-in at the point of interruption, but no nearer the baseline than the free throw line extended.
Section XVI — Five-Second Back-to-the-Basket Violation
An offensive player in the frontcourt below the free throw line extended may not dribble with the player's back or side to the basket for more than five seconds.
The count ends when the player:
- Stops dribbling and picks up the basketball.
- Dribbles above the free throw line extended.
- Loses control because a defensive player deflects the basketball away.
This rule is sometimes informally called the Charles Barkley rule or Mark Jackson rule, reflecting the post-up styles associated with those players.
Penalty: Loss of possession. The opposing team receives a throw-in on the nearest sideline at the free throw line extended.
NBA Violations and Penalties — Quick Reference
| Violation | Basic Rule | Penalty |
|---|
| Out of bounds | Last player to touch before the basketball goes out. | Turnover |
| Double dribble | Begins another dribble after voluntarily ending the first. | Turnover |
| Carrying | Illegally supports or pauses the basketball during a dribble. | Turnover |
| Throw-in violation | Breaks the five-second or other throw-in restrictions. | Turnover |
| Offensive kicked ball | Intentionally strikes or moves basketball with leg or fist. | Turnover |
| Defensive kicked ball | Illegally strikes or moves basketball with leg or fist. | Offense retains possession; clock adjusted |
| Jump-ball violation | Breaks the jump-ball procedure. | Usually turnover or retoss |
| Offensive three seconds | Remains too long in offensive lane. | Turnover |
| Defensive three seconds | Fails to actively guard while remaining in lane. | Technical foul; offense retains possession |
| Eight-second violation | Fails to advance basketball from backcourt in time. | Turnover |
| Backcourt violation | Illegally returns controlled basketball to backcourt. | Turnover |
| Swinging elbows | Excessive elbow motion without contact. | Turnover |
| Entering basket from below | Illegal contact with basketball rising through cylinder. | Turnover |
| Illegal assist in scoring | Uses basket equipment or teammate to gain height. | Turnover |
| Traveling | Illegal footwork while controlling basketball. | Turnover |
| Screen out of bounds | Leaves frontcourt endline to set screen. | Turnover |
| Offensive player out of bounds | Illegally leaves or repeatedly reenters playing court. | Turnover |
| Five-second post-up | Dribbles with back or side to basket too long. | Turnover |
Historical NBA Violations and Rule Changes
NBA violations have changed substantially throughout league history. Some rules were introduced to improve the pace of play, while others addressed offensive strategies that created advantages considered inconsistent with the intended flow of basketball.
The Original 10-Second Rule
For many years, NBA teams were allowed 10 seconds to advance the basketball from the backcourt into the frontcourt.
Beginning with the 2001-02 season, the league shortened the limit to eight seconds, encouraging quicker offensive possessions.
The Introduction of Defensive Three Seconds
The NBA introduced defensive three seconds for the 2001-02 season as part of a broader change in illegal-defense regulations.
The rule allows more defensive flexibility than the previous illegal-defense system while limiting how long defenders may remain in the lane without actively guarding an opponent.
The Five-Second Back-to-the-Basket Rule
The NBA introduced the five-second back-to-the-basket rule in 1999.
It was designed to prevent offensive players from spending extended periods backing defenders toward the basket while dribbling.
The Gather and Traveling
The NBA clarified its traveling language in 2019 by formally incorporating the gather into the written rulebook.
This helped explain how officials count steps during drives, jump stops and other modern basketball movements.
Historical Rule — Illegal Isolation
The original NBAHoopsOnline page included an isolation violation under which an offensive team could be penalized for positioning three or more players above the tip of the circle on the weak side of the court.
This was part of an older rule system intended to restrict certain offensive isolation formations.
Current status: The old isolation violation is no longer included in NBA Rule No. 10. Modern offenses may legally use isolation formations, subject to other applicable rules.
Historical Rule — Stick-um
The original page also prohibited players from using Stick-um or similar substances and specified a $25 fine for the first violation, with increasing penalties for subsequent offenses.
Current status: This specific provision and its historical fine schedule are not included in the current Rule No. 10.
Equipment and substance restrictions may still be addressed through other NBA regulations and league policies.
Historical Rule — Free Throw Violations
The older page included free throw violations as Section I of Rule No. 10.
In the current rulebook, free throw procedures and their penalties are addressed primarily in NBA Rule No. 9.
These include the 10-second free throw limit, lane violations, illegal contact with the basketball and disconcertion of the free throw shooter.
Older NBA Rules vs. Current NBA Rules
| Rule | Older NBAHoopsOnline Page | Current Regulation |
|---|
| Backcourt time limit | 10 seconds | 8 seconds |
| Defensive three seconds | Not included | Section VII |
| Traveling | Older two-count wording | Gather-based step definitions |
| Five-second post-up | Not included | Section XVI |
| Free throw violations | Rule 10, Section I | Primarily Rule No. 9 |
| Illegal isolation | Separate violation | Removed from Rule No. 10 |
| Stick-um | $25 initial fine | Not listed in current Rule No. 10 |
| Offensive player out of bounds | Not separately listed | Section XV |
| Carrying | Covered through dribbling restrictions | Expressly addressed in Section II |
| Throw-in procedure | Eight prohibited actions | Nine prohibited actions, plus exceptions |
Frequently Asked Questions About NBA Violations
What is the difference between a violation and a foul?
A violation generally involves illegal movement, positioning or handling of the basketball. A foul usually involves illegal contact or certain forms of unsportsmanlike conduct. Violations commonly result in turnovers, while fouls may result in free throws or other penalties.
How long does an NBA team have to cross half court?
Eight seconds, subject to specific exceptions that may result in a new count.
What is the offensive three-second rule?
An offensive player generally may not remain in the restricted portion of the lane for more than three seconds while the team controls the basketball in the frontcourt.
What is defensive three seconds?
A defensive player generally cannot remain in the lane for more than three seconds without actively guarding an opponent or satisfying another exception.
What happens after a defensive three-second violation?
The offensive team is awarded a technical free throw and retains possession, unless a special provision applies.
What is a double dribble?
A double dribble occurs when a player begins another dribble after voluntarily ending the first without an applicable exception.
How many steps can an NBA player take?
A player who gathers the basketball while progressing may generally take two steps to stop, pass or shoot.
What is the five-second back-to-the-basket rule?
A player below the free throw line extended may not dribble with the back or side to the basket for more than five seconds.
Can a player intentionally kick the basketball?
No. Intentionally kicking or using the leg to move or secure the basketball is a violation.
Is the old NBA isolation violation still in effect?
No. The historical isolation rule is not included in the current NBA Rule No. 10.
What happens if a player travels?
The opposing team receives possession for a throw-in at the applicable location.
Official NBA Rules and References
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