Basketball Summary Notes DE-CLASSIFY Fouls December 15, 2017 Classification of fouls and deciding the correct penalties is the bugaboo of many experienced officials, much less the newer one. We know that different fouls carry different penalties, but it is not always easy soring out some to the odd situations that can crop up. Rule 4-19 defines the “kinds” of fouls we encounter, while the penalty summary in Rule 10 list the penalties for each kind of foul. In that context, it is still somewhat difficult to discern what fouls and penalties take precedence when different kinds of fouls occur together. For example, if a shooter is intentionally fouled on a made basket, is one or two free throws awarded? It is important to learn that the value of information is often in the way it is presented. I will try to re- create a chart I found to illustrate fouls being either personal or technical, and then prioritize how they are penalized. Being familiar with the basic definitions (multiple, double, intentional, etc.), you need only remember the sequence of what takes priority, when rules conflict. Fouls that never permit free throws come first, then those that always produce free throws are next, and then common and false fouls come last. Within each of these categories priorities still apply, but the bottom line is you ONLY apply the penalty corresponding to the highest priority in the foul situation. Here are a few examples to see how this works: PLAY 1: On a successful layup, A10 is intentionally fouled by B20. RULING: Both fouls are in the “always” category of personal fouls. Intentional is third on the list; shooter is sixth. You can only apply one penalty, so A10 is entitled to two free throws for the intentional part, and team A gets the throw-in, nearest the spot of the foul. PLAY2: A10 intentionally elbows B2 in the face because B2 had two hands on A10. RULING: That is a double foul, one of which is flagrant. The double foul is in the “never” category, at the top of the list, and take precedence over the flagrant element. There will be no free throws taken, because double foul is in the “never” category, and play will be resumed from the point of interruption, after A10 is ejected (fill out the Ejection Form on the NCHSAA web site). Play 3: A10 is fouled by B25 on a successful layup. After landing, A10 kicks B25. RULING: That is treated as a false double foul, meaning penalties will be applied for the individual fouls, in the order of occurrence. The first foul was on a shooter, meaning A10’s substitute (A10 is ejected for kicking/fighting) is entitled to one free throw with the free throw lane being cleared. Any team B player is then entitled to two free throws for the flagrant technical foul, and team B gets the ball out of bounds for a throw-in at the division line opposite the table. PLAY 4: A10 drives the free-throw lane and attempts a layup, but sees B20 in the desired path, in legal guarding position. A10 gives up on the shot and extends a foot, contacting B20 in the chest, while still airborne. RULING: That would be a player-control foul on A10, but it is also intentional, if not flagrant. While a simple player-control foul would not result in free throws, the intentional element has higher priority and awards two free throws to B20, with team B getting the ball out of bounds. PLAY 5: Team A trails by three points with seconds remaining. A10 attempts a three-pointer and is fouled by B20 and B25 at the same time. B20’s foul involves simple contact, but B25 deliberately grabs A10’s wrist, preventing the shot from being released. RULING: That is a multiple foul, including an intentional foul by B25. The penalty for the multiple element takes precedence over the fact that the fouls were on the airborne shooter. Even though only one element was intentional, A10 is entitled to two free throws for each foul (Rule 10 Penalty – 7b). Had A10 somehow made the 3-pointer, it could have been a 7-point play! NFHS Foul Chart – In Priority Order PERSONAL FOULS PRODUCE FREE THROWS? TECHNICAL FOULS Double NEVER Double Simultaneous NEVER Simultaneous Intentional Always (Two plus ball) Intentional/Flagrant Personal, while dead Flagrant Always (Two plus ball) Intentional Multiple Always (Two plus ball) Multiple Shooter Always – 2 if intentional/flagrant Multiple Common Foul: Sometimes *NOT on shooter 1-6 fouls/No; 7-9 fouls/bonus; 10+ fouls/2 free throws *NOT intentional or flagrant Same as above *NOT multiple, double or simultaneous Same as above NFHS FOULS FLAGRANT TECHNICAL FOUL – Violent or savage in nature. Unacceptable conduct. Dead-ball contact/noncontact that is persistent, vulgar or abusive. (Resume play with two free throws and a division line throw-in opposite the table). FLAGRANT PERSONAL FOUL – Violent or savage in nature. Unacceptable behavior during a live ball. Involves, but not limited to, violent contact such as: striking, kicking and kneeing. (Resume play with two free throws and a throw-in at the spot nearest the foul). INTENTIONAL TECHNICAL FOUL – A technical foul that may or may not be premeditated and is not based solely on the severity of the act. Generally illegal contact against an opponent during a dead ball that cannot be ignored but is not flagrant. (Resume play following two free throws with a division line throw-in opposite the table. INTENTIONAL PERSONAL FOUL – A personal foul that may or may not be premeditated and is not based solely on the severity of the act. (Resume play with two free throws and a throw-in at the spot nearest the foul). TECHNICAL FOUL – A foul by a nonplayer or a noncontact foul by a player. Includes team, substitute, player, bench and double technical fouls. Substitute and bench technical fouls are charged directly to the head coach (North Carolina Sportsmanship protocol). (Resume play with two free throws and a division line throw-in opposite the table). PERSONAL FOUL – A player foul that involves illegal contact with an opponent while the ball is live, including contact by or on an airborne shooter. Can be double, false and simultaneous fouls. Includes common fouls such as: player control, team control, illegal use of hands, handcheck, holding, blocking, charging, and/or pushing fouls. (Resume play with a throw-in nearest the spot of the foul, if not in the bonus…and with a free throw(s) if in the bonus)..