<p>If you've ever watched basketball and wondered why the ref keeps blowing the whistle, you're not alone. One minute someone's getting two free throws, the next minute it's just a turnover, and sometimes players get ejected for what looks like a normal foul. It's confusing.</p> <p>That happens because basketball has two different types of rule-breaking: fouls and violations. They're not the same thing, they don't have the same consequences, and understanding the difference will completely change how you watch the game.</p> <p>If you're thinking about <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-us">betting on the NBA</a>, you want to understand why your mate keeps yelling "that's traveling!" at the TV, or just want to know what a flagrant foul actually is, this guide will sort you out.</p> <p>By the end, you'll understand why Draymond Green keeps getting technicals, what goaltending means, and why double dribble is the most famous rule that nobody seems to call anymore.</p> <p>Let's break it down.</p> <h2>Fouls vs Violations: What's the Difference?</h2> <p>Before we dive into specific rules, you need to understand the fundamental difference between fouls and violations. This is crucial.</p> <p><strong>Fouls</strong> involve illegal physical contact or unsportsmanlike conduct. Someone pushes, holds, or acts like an idiot. Fouls can result in free throws, and they count toward a player fouling out of the game.</p> <p>Violations are procedural rule breaks. No contact required. Things like traveling, double dribbling, or standing in the paint too long. Violations simply result in a turnover – the other team gets the ball. Nobody shoots free throws for violations.</p> <p>Think of it this way: fouls are about how you play (too aggressive, too dirty), violations are about what you're doing with the ball (illegal moves, timing issues).</p> <p>Simple example:</p> <ul> <li>Push someone while they're shooting = foul (they shoot free throws)</li> <li>Take four steps without dribbling = violation (other team gets the ball)</li> </ul> <p>Got it? Right, let's get into the details.</p> <h2>Basketball Fouls Explained</h2> <p>A foul is any illegal physical contact or unsportsmanlike behavior. When a ref calls a foul, they blow the whistle, stop play, and assess a penalty.</p> <p>Most fouls are personal fouls – normal contact during play. But there are also technical fouls (conduct issues) and flagrant fouls (excessive contact).</p> <p>The consequences depend on the type of foul and the game situation. Sometimes it's just an inbound from the sideline. Sometimes it's free throws. Sometimes someone gets ejected.</p> <p>Let's break down each type.</p> <h3>Personal Fouls</h3> <p>Personal fouls are the bread and butter of basketball officiating. These are the normal contact fouls you see dozens of times per game.</p> <p><strong>Common personal fouls include:</strong></p> <p><strong>Shooting Fouls</strong></p> <p>When you foul someone while they're in the act of shooting, they get free throws. How many depends on where they were shooting from.</p> <p>Two free throws if they were shooting a two-pointer. Three free throws if they were attempting a three. And if the basket actually goes in despite the foul? They get the points plus one bonus free throw. That's called an "and-one."</p> <p>And-ones are massive momentum plays. Watch how the crowd reacts when someone gets fouled on a layup, the ball still goes in, and they get a chance for a three-point play.</p> <p><strong>Blocking vs Charging</strong></p> <p>This is where basketball gets properly contentious. These calls can swing games.</p> <p>A blocking foul happens when a defender isn't set and they impede an offensive player's path. Feet still moving? Block. You slid over at the last second? Block.</p> <p>A charging foul happens when the defender is set (feet planted, upright position) and the offensive player crashes into them. That's an offensive foul. The offensive player committed the foul, not the defender.</p> <p>The difference often comes down to split-second timing. Was the defender set before contact? It's one of the most debated calls in basketball.</p> <p>Players who master drawing charges become absolute pests on defense. They'll stand in just the right spot, take a hit, and get the call. Kyle Lowry made a career out of this.</p> <p><strong>Reach-In Fouls</strong></p> <p>"Reach-in foul" isn't technically an official term, but everyone uses it. It's when a defender reaches across an offensive player's body and makes illegal contact while going for the ball.</p> <p>You can reach. You can't hit someone's arm while reaching. That's the distinction.</p> <p>Some defenders are wizards at getting clean steals without fouling. Others rack up fouls trying the same move. It's about timing and positioning.</p> <p><strong>Hand-Checking</strong></p> <p>This rule changed basketball in the mid-2000s. Defenders used to be able to put a hand on their man and guide them around the court. Not anymore.</p> <p>Now, if you keep your hand on an offensive player to impede their movement, that's a foul. The NBA cracked down on this to create more offensive flow and higher scoring.</p> <p>Old-school defenders hated the change. Offensive players loved it. It's why scoring exploded in the modern NBA.</p> <p><strong>Holding</strong></p> <p>Exactly what it sounds like. You can't grab someone's jersey, arm, or body to slow them down. Common on screens, drives to the basket, and when someone's trying to get open.</p> <p>Refs let some holding go, especially off-ball. But blatant holding gets called every time.</p> <h3>Technical Fouls</h3> <p>Technical fouls are for conduct issues, not physical contact. These are the "stop being a dickhead" fouls.</p> <p><strong>What triggers a technical foul:</strong></p> <p><strong>Arguing with Refs</strong></p> <p>Complain too much about a call? Technical. Wave your arms and yell in the ref's face? Technical. Say something particularly colorful? Technical.</p> <p>Refs have thin skin when it comes to dissent. They'll tolerate a little griping, but cross the line and you're getting T'd up.</p> <p>Coaches get technicals for this all the time. Watch someone like Draymond Green or Rasheed Wallace in their prime – technical foul magnets.</p> <p><strong>Taunting and Trash Talk</strong></p> <p>A bit of trash talk is part of basketball. But excessive taunting, especially toward opponents or the crowd, can get you a technical.</p> <p>Stand over someone after dunking on them? Might be a tech. Stare them down too long? Could be a tech. The line is subjective, which drives players mental.</p> <p><strong>Delay of Game</strong></p> <p>Kick the ball away after a whistle? Technical. Hang on the rim for too long (when it's not for safety)? Technical. Touch the ball to prevent the other team from inbounding it quickly? Technical.</p> <p>These are fairly rare but incredibly frustrating when they happen.</p> <p><strong>Too Many Players on Court</strong></p> <p>If a substitution goes wrong and your team has six players on court, that's an automatic technical foul. Doesn't happen often, but when it does, it's embarrassing.</p> <p><strong>What happens when you get a technical:</strong></p> <p>The other team shoots one free throw, and they keep possession. So it's points plus the ball. Absolutely brutal.</p> <p>Get two technical fouls in one game? You're ejected. Automatic. Walk straight to the locker room.</p> <p>The NBA also tracks technical fouls across the season. Accumulate 16 technicals and you start getting suspended. Draymond Green knows this system intimately.</p> <h3>Flagrant Fouls</h3> <p>Flagrant fouls are the big ones. Unnecessary and excessive contact. These are dangerous plays that go beyond normal basketball contact.</p> <p><strong>What is a flagrant foul?</strong></p> <p>A flagrant happens when contact is deemed unnecessary (didn't need to foul) and excessive (way too hard). Wind up and hit someone's face? Flagrant. Take someone's legs out mid-air? Flagrant.</p> <p>There are two levels: Flagrant 1 and Flagrant 2.</p> <p><strong>Flagrant 1 vs Flagrant 2:</strong></p> <p><strong>Flagrant 1:</strong> Unnecessary contact that's not ridiculously excessive. You fouled too hard, but it wasn't completely out of order. Common example: hard foul to stop a fast break, but you caught mostly arm instead of going for the ball.</p> <p>Penalty: Two free throws plus the ball. Ouch.</p> <p><strong>Flagrant 2</strong>: Excessive and unnecessary contact. This is the "you could've hurt someone" tier. Closed fist to the face, dangerous takedown, anything that looks like it belongs in MMA rather than basketball.</p> <p>Penalty: Two free throws, the ball, and immediate ejection. You're done for the night.</p> <p>Refs review flagrant fouls to determine the severity. You'll see them walk over to the monitor, watch the replay a few times, then make the call. The review process can take several minutes.</p> <p><strong>Famous flagrant fouls:</strong></p> <p>Remember the Malice at the Palace? Multiple flagrants and ejections. Absolutely wild.</p> <p>Or Draymond's infamous kick to Steven Adams' groin? Flagrant.</p> <p>These moments become part of NBA lore. Playoff flagrants especially, because emotions run high and stakes are massive.</p> <h3>Offensive Fouls</h3> <p>Yes, offensive players can commit fouls too. Not every foul is on the defense.</p> <p><strong>Charging</strong></p> <p>We covered this earlier, but it bears repeating: if you're on offense and you plow into a defender who's set, that's a charging foul. Offensive foul on you.</p> <p>It's a turnover plus a personal foul on your record. Double whammy.</p> <p><strong>Illegal Screens / Moving Screens</strong></p> <p>When setting a screen (blocking a defender to free up your teammate), you need to be stationary. Feet set, not moving.</p> <p>If you're still shuffling your feet or sticking out a hip when contact occurs, that's an illegal screen. Offensive foul.</p> <p>Some players are sneaky with moving screens and get away with it constantly. Others get called for it religiously. It's one of the most inconsistently officiated calls in basketball.</p> <p><strong>Offensive Goaltending</strong></p> <p>We'll cover goaltending in detail later, but offensive goaltending happens when an offensive player touches the ball while it's on or above the rim, or interferes with the ball while it's in the cylinder above the basket.</p> <p>If called, the basket doesn't count and the defense gets the ball. Offensive foul, basically.</p> <h2>How Many Fouls Until You Foul Out?</h2> <p>This is one of the most important rules to understand, especially if you're watching a close game late.</p> <h3>NBA: 6 Personal Fouls</h3> <p>In the NBA, you can commit six personal fouls before you're disqualified. Once you hit that sixth foul, you're done. Out of the game. Can't come back.</p> <p>This is why you'll hear commentators say things like "LeBron's in foul trouble with 4 fouls in the third quarter." He needs to be careful or he'll foul out before the game ends.</p> <p>Star players in foul trouble completely changes how teams play. They become passive on defense because they can't risk another foul.</p> <h3>College: 5 Personal Fouls</h3> <p>College basketball is less forgiving. Five personal fouls and you're out.</p> <p>This makes foul management even more crucial in college. One bad quarter and you could lose your best player for the rest of the game.</p> <h3>What happens when you foul out?</h3> <p>You're done. Finished. Your team plays with one fewer rotation option. If it's a star player, it can completely swing the game.</p> <p>Coaches sometimes have to pull players in foul trouble even if they haven't fouled out yet, just to preserve them for crucial moments. It's a strategic nightmare.</p> <p><strong>Disqualifying Fouls (Instant Ejection):</strong></p> <p>Some fouls get you ejected immediately, regardless of your foul count:</p> <ul> <li>Two technical fouls in one game = automatic ejection</li> <li>One Flagrant 2 foul = automatic ejection</li> <li>Certain conduct violations (fighting, leaving bench during altercation) = ejection</li> </ul> <p>So yes, theoretically you could get ejected in the first minute of the game if you lose your head.</p> <h2>Team Fouls and the Bonus</h2> <p>Personal fouls don't just affect individual players. They also accumulate for the entire team, which triggers the bonus.</p> <h3>What Are Team Fouls?</h3> <p>Every personal foul (except offensive fouls and technicals in some situations) counts toward your team's total.</p> <p>The league tracks team fouls per quarter in the NBA, and per half in college. Once you hit a certain threshold, the other team enters "the bonus."</p> <h3>The Bonus (Free Throw Situations)</h3> <p>When a team is "in the bonus," any personal foul against them results in free throws, even if it's not a shooting foul.</p> <p>Normally, if you foul someone away from the basket (not shooting), the other team just inbounds the ball from the sideline. No free throws.</p> <p>But in the bonus? They shoot free throws for any personal foul. This completely changes late-game strategy.</p> <p><strong>NBA Bonus Rules:</strong></p> <p>After your team commits<strong> 5 fouls in a quarter</strong>, the other team is in the bonus. They shoot two free throws for any personal foul.</p> <p>The foul count resets every quarter. So you get a fresh slate each quarter – you can commit 4 fouls without penalty, but the 5th puts them in the bonus.</p> <p><strong>College Bonus Rules:</strong></p> <p>This is where it gets more complicated.</p> <p>After <strong>7 team fouls in a half</strong>, the other team shoots a "one-and-one." Make the first free throw, you get to shoot a second. Miss the first, no second shot.</p> <p>After <strong>10 team fouls in a half</strong>, the other team shoots two free throws (called the "double bonus"). No more one-and-one.</p> <p>The foul count resets at halftime, but not between quarters. So all fouls in the first and second quarter count together, and all fouls in the third and fourth quarter count together.</p> <p><strong>Why the bonus matters:</strong></p> <p>Late in games, teams in the bonus can completely change strategy. They'll foul intentionally because they're already in the penalty anyway. They'll pressure more aggressively on defense.</p> <p>You'll hear commentators say "they're in the bonus now" and the entire vibe of the game shifts. Every touch foul becomes two free throws. It can be brutal.</p> <p>Watch how carefully teams defend once the opponent is in the bonus. Hands straight up, minimal contact. One silly reach-in foul becomes two points at the line.</p> <h2>Basketball Violations Explained</h2> <p>Right, now we move from fouls (contact) to violations (procedural mistakes). These are the rules about what you can and can't do with the ball.</p> <p>Remember: violations result in turnovers. The other team gets the ball. That's it. No free throws, no accumulation toward fouling out.</p> <h3>Traveling</h3> <p>Traveling is probably the most famous violation in basketball, and also the most contentiously called.</p> <p><strong>What is traveling?</strong></p> <p>Taking too many steps without dribbling the ball. Simple as that.</p> <p>In theory, once you've stopped dribbling, you can take up to two steps. That's it. Third step? Travel. Should be a turnover.</p> <p>In practice, especially in the NBA, traveling calls are... inconsistent.</p> <p><strong>The gather step rule:</strong></p> <p>This is where it gets murky. The NBA now recognizes a "gather step" – the step you take while gathering the ball into your hands before your dribble officially ends.</p> <p>So the sequence can be: gather step, step one, step two, shoot/pass. Looks like three steps to the casual observer, but it's legal under current NBA rules.</p> <p>This is why you'll see players seemingly take four or five steps on a fast break and not get called. They're using the gather step rule.</p> <p><strong>Pivot foot:</strong></p> <p>Once you stop dribbling and establish a pivot foot, you can't lift that pivot foot before passing or shooting. If you do, it's traveling.</p> <p>You can spin, rotate, move your other foot – just can't lift that pivot foot.</p> <p><strong>Why traveling isn't called much in the NBA:</strong></p> <p>The NBA lets a lot of travels go. Partly it's the gather step interpretation. Partly it's because refs want to preserve offensive flow and highlight-reel plays.</p> <p>Watch closely during fast breaks. You'll see travels that don't get called. It's frustrating for purists but entertaining for casual fans.</p> <p>College refs call traveling much more strictly than NBA refs.</p> <h3>Double Dribble</h3> <p>This is one of those rules everyone knows from primary school basketball, but rarely sees called at the professional level.</p> <p><strong>What is double dribble?</strong></p> <p>Dribbling, stopping (holding the ball with both hands), then dribbling again. That's a double dribble. Violation. Turnover.</p> <p>Once you've picked up your dribble (stopped dribbling and held the ball), you can't start dribbling again. You either pass or shoot.</p> <p><strong>Why is it called "double dribble"?</strong></p> <p>Because you dribbled twice. First dribble, stop, second dribble. Two separate dribbles. Double dribble.</p> <p>It's not the most creative name in sports.</p> <p><strong>What about carrying and palming?</strong></p> <p>Carrying (also called palming) is when you let your hand get under the ball during a dribble, essentially carrying it for a moment before continuing to dribble.</p> <p>Technically, this is a form of double dribble. You stopped your legal dribble by putting your hand under the ball, then continued dribbling.</p> <p>In practice, carrying is almost never called in the NBA. Watch Allen Iverson highlights from the 2000s – absolute masterclass in carrying without getting called.</p> <p>Modern NBA ball-handlers carry constantly. It's just accepted now. College refs are slightly stricter, but not by much.</p> <p><strong>Why don't they call double dribble in the NBA?</strong></p> <p>Because it rarely happens at that level. Professional players have incredible ball control. They're not picking up their dribble accidentally.</p> <p>When it does happen, it's usually so obvious that there's no choice but to call it. But blatant double dribbles are rare.</p> <p>Carrying, though? That should be called constantly but isn't. The NBA has essentially decided that enforcing carrying would slow the game down too much. So they let it slide.</p> <h3>Goaltending and Basket Interference</h3> <p>Goaltending is one of those violations that looks cool in slow-motion replays but is absolutely infuriating when it goes against your team.</p> <p><strong>What is goaltending?</strong></p> <p>Touching the ball while it's in its downward flight toward the basket and has a chance to go in. Once the ball reaches its apex and starts coming down, it's hands-off.</p> <p>You can't swat it away. You can't touch it. You definitely can't grab it. If you do, that's goaltending.</p> <p>The penalty depends on which team committed the violation.</p> <p><strong>Defensive goaltending:</strong></p> <p>If the defense goaltends, the basket automatically counts. Two points (or three if it was a three-point attempt) are awarded to the offense.</p> <p>No free throws, no redo. The points just go on the board and play continues.</p> <p>This is why you'll sometimes see defenders pull their hand back at the last second near the rim. They're avoiding a goaltending call.</p> <p><strong>Offensive goaltending:</strong></p> <p>If the offense touches the ball while it's on or above the rim, or interferes with it while it's in the imaginary cylinder above the basket, that's offensive goaltending.</p> <p>The basket doesn't count (even if it goes in), and the defense gets the ball. Turnover.</p> <p><strong>The cylinder rule:</strong></p> <p>There's an imaginary cylinder extending straight up from the rim. If the ball is in that cylinder and you touch it, that's basket interference. Doesn't matter if the ball is going up, down, or sideways.</p> <p>Offensive players sometimes tap in rebounds while the ball is still in the cylinder. That's basket interference. No basket.</p> <h3>Shot Clock Violations</h3> <p>The shot clock keeps basketball moving. Without it, teams would just hold the ball forever.</p> <p><strong>NBA shot clock: 24 seconds</strong></p> <p>Once your team gets possession, you have 24 seconds to attempt a shot that hits the rim. If the clock hits zero before you get a shot off, that's a shot clock violation. Turnover.</p> <p>The shot doesn't have to go in. It just has to hit the rim. A complete airball that doesn't touch the rim? Shot clock violation.</p> <p><strong>14-second reset after offensive rebound:</strong></p> <p>If you get an offensive rebound (your team misses, you grab the rebound), the shot clock resets to 14 seconds instead of 24.</p> <p>This rule change happened in 2018 to speed up the game. Before that, offensive rebounds reset the clock to 24 seconds, which slowed things down.</p> <p><strong>College shot clock: 30 seconds</strong></p> <p>College basketball uses a 30-second shot clock. Same principle – get a shot off within 30 seconds or it's a turnover.</p> <p>Some people think college should drop to 24 seconds like the NBA. Others think 30 seconds allows for better offensive execution. The debate continues.</p> <p><strong>What happens when it expires?</strong></p> <p>The horn sounds, play stops immediately, and the other team gets the ball. Simple turnover.</p> <p>Teams will sometimes take a shot clock violation intentionally late in games if they're protecting a lead and don't want to risk a turnover on a bad shot. Rare, but it happens.</p> <h3>Backcourt Violation</h3> <p>This violation has two parts: the 8-second rule and the over-and-back rule.</p> <p><strong>8-second rule:</strong></p> <p>Once your team gets possession in the backcourt (your defensive half of the court), you have 8 seconds to advance the ball past halfcourt into the frontcourt.</p> <p>Take longer than 8 seconds? Backcourt violation. Turnover.</p> <p>This prevents teams from stalling in their own half. You have to push the ball forward.</p> <p>Point guards will sometimes dribble right up to the 8-second mark to kill time, especially late in games. It's called "milking the clock."</p> <p><strong>Over-and-back (backcourt violation):</strong></p> <p>Once you've advanced the ball into the frontcourt (past halfcourt), you can't bring it back into the backcourt. If the ball or a player with the ball touches the backcourt, that's a violation.</p> <p>Exception: if the defense deflects the ball back into the backcourt, you can go get it. It's only a violation if the offensive team causes it to go back.</p> <p><strong>Why it matters:</strong></p> <p>These rules keep the game flowing forward. Without them, teams could retreat into their own half and waste time.</p> <p>Watch how carefully ball-handlers stay in the frontcourt when they're being pressured near halfcourt. One step backward and it's a turnover.</p> <h3>Three-Second Violations</h3> <p>There are actually two different 3-second rules: offensive and defensive.</p> <p><strong>Offensive 3-second violation (lane violation):</strong></p> <p>An offensive player without the ball can't stand in the lane (the painted area under the basket, also called "the key" or "the paint") for more than 3 continuous seconds.</p> <p>If you camp out in there for longer than 3 seconds, it's a violation. Turnover.</p> <p>The point of this rule is to prevent offensive players from just posting up directly under the basket for the entire possession. It keeps the lane flowing.</p> <p><strong>Key detail:</strong> the 3-second count resets if you step out of the lane. So players will constantly dip one foot out to reset their count, then step back in.</p> <p>Watch big men operating in the post. They're always aware of the 3-second count. One foot out, one foot in, constant movement.</p> <p><strong>Defensive 3-second violation (NBA only):</strong></p> <p>In the NBA, defensive players also can't stand in the lane for more than 3 seconds unless they're actively guarding someone.</p> <p>If you're just camping in the lane with no offensive player near you, that's a defensive 3-second violation.</p> <p>Penalty: Technical foul. One free throw for the other team, and they keep possession.</p> <p><strong>Why doesn't college have defensive 3-second?</strong></p> <p>College basketball allows zone defense and camping in the lane. The NBA wanted to discourage zone defense and keep the lane open for drives, so they implemented the defensive 3-second rule.</p> <p>It's one of the major rule differences between NBA and college basketball.</p> <h3>Five-Second Violations</h3> <p>There are actually multiple 5-second rules, depending on the situation.</p> <p><strong>5 seconds to inbound the ball:</strong></p> <p>After a whistle, you have 5 seconds to inbound the ball from out of bounds. Take too long and it's a turnover.</p> <p>This matters most at the end of close games when the defense is pressuring the inbounder. They're trying to force a 5-second violation.</p> <p><strong>5-second closely guarded rule (college):</strong></p> <p>In college basketball, if you're holding or dribbling the ball and a defender is within 6 feet of you (closely guarding you) for 5 continuous seconds, that's a violation. Turnover.</p> <p>The NBA doesn't have this rule. In the NBA, you can hold the ball as long as the shot clock allows.</p> <p><strong>5 seconds to shoot a free throw:</strong></p> <p>Once the ref hands you the ball for a free throw, you have 5 seconds to shoot it. Go over 5 seconds and the free throw is waived off. Doesn't count.</p> <p>This rarely happens because players have their free throw routines down to a science. But occasionally someone takes too long and gets called for it.</p> <h3>Out of Bounds</h3> <p>This one's straightforward. If the ball or a player with the ball touches out of bounds (beyond the boundary lines of the court), it's a turnover.</p> <p>The last team to touch the ball before it went out loses possession.</p> <p><strong>Important detail:</strong> it's not about where your feet are when you catch the ball. It's about whether you or the ball touch out of bounds.</p> <p>You can jump from inbounds, catch the ball in mid-air, and land out of bounds – that's legal as long as you pass or shoot before landing.</p> <p><strong>Who touched it last?</strong></p> <p>This is where replays come in. Often it's unclear who touched the ball last before it went out. Modern NBA games have instant replay for these situations in the final two minutes.</p> <p>Before instant replay, refs just had to make their best guess. Led to some absolutely shocking calls.</p> <h3>Lane Violations on Free Throws</h3> <p>During free throws, players line up along the lane (the sides of the paint). There are specific rules about when they can move.</p> <p><strong>Lane violation:</strong></p> <p>Players on the lane can't enter the lane until the ball leaves the shooter's hands. If someone crosses the line too early, that's a lane violation.</p> <p>If the offensive team commits the lane violation and the free throw goes in, the basket doesn't count.</p> <p>If the defensive team commits the lane violation and the free throw misses, the shooter gets another attempt.</p> <p><strong>Why it matters:</strong></p> <p>Players on the lane are trying to get positioning for the rebound if the free throw misses. They're basically sprinting into the lane as soon as legally possible.</p> <p>Watch closely during free throws. Everyone's on their toes, ready to jump the line the microsecond the ball leaves the shooter's hands.</p> <p>Big men are absolute masters at toeing the line without crossing it.</p> <h2>FAQs About Basketball Fouls and Violations</h2> <h3>What's the difference between a foul and a violation?</h3> <p>Fouls involve illegal physical contact or unsportsmanlike conduct. Violations are procedural rule breaks with no contact required. Fouls can lead to free throws and count toward fouling out. Violations just result in turnovers – the other team gets the ball.</p> <h3>How many fouls before you foul out in the NBA?</h3> <p>Six personal fouls in the NBA. That's your limit. Hit your sixth foul and you're disqualified for the rest of the game.</p> <p>College and high school use five fouls instead of six.</p> <p>Also, two technical fouls in one game gets you ejected regardless of personal foul count. And one flagrant 2 foul = immediate ejection.</p> <h3>Is traveling ever called in the NBA?</h3> <p>Yes, but not as much as it should be. The NBA's "gather step" interpretation allows players to take what looks like an extra step before starting their two allowed steps. This makes travel calls less frequent.</p> <p>NBA refs also tend to let travels go to preserve offensive flow and allow spectacular plays. College refs call traveling more strictly.</p> <p>If you watch closely during fast breaks, you'll spot travels that don't get called. It's frustrating for purists.</p> <h3>What's the difference between flagrant 1 and flagrant 2?</h3> <ul> <li>Flagrant 1 is unnecessary contact that's not excessively violent. Hard foul, but not completely out of order.</li> <li>Flagrant 2 is excessive AND unnecessary contact. Dangerous, could injure someone, way over the line.</li> </ul> <p>The key difference: Flagrant 2 results in immediate ejection. Flagrant 1 doesn't.</p> <p>Both result in two free throws plus possession for the fouled team.</p> <h3>What does "in the bonus" mean?</h3> <p>When a team has accumulated enough fouls in a quarter (NBA) or half (college), the other team is "in the bonus." This means any personal foul against them results in free throws, even non-shooting fouls.</p> <p>In the NBA, it's 5 team fouls per quarter. In college, it's 7 fouls for one-and-one free throws, 10 fouls for two shots.</p> <p>Being in the bonus completely changes late-game strategy.</p> <h3>Can you get a technical foul for arguing?</h3> <p>Absolutely. Dissent toward officials is one of the most common reasons for technical fouls. Complain too much, yell at a ref, or say something particularly inappropriate and you're getting T'd up.</p> <p>Coaches get technicals for this all the time. Some coaches practically budget for a technical foul or two per season.</p> <p>Two technicals = automatic ejection.</p> <h3>What happens if you goaltend on defense?</h3> <p>The basket automatically counts. Two or three points are awarded to the offense (depending on where the shot came from), and play continues.</p> <p>No free throws. The points just go straight on the board.</p> <p>This is why defenders sometimes pull their hand back at the last second near the rim – they're avoiding a goaltending call.</p>