12 of the Most
Confusing Basketball Rules
When taking a charge, does
the defensive player have to be still?
Basketball rules state that if a defensive player is in a legal
defensive stance or position, the defensive player has the right to move
in order to maintain his legal positioning. A charging call can be made
even if the defensive player has one or both feet off of the ground when
the offensive player makes contact with the defensive player. The
basketball rule of “verticality” applies here. If a defensive player
jumps straight up to block a shot and the offensive player jumps into
and creates contact with the defender, an offensive charging call could
be made. (Therefore, it is more important if a defender is squared up
and contact is made to the defender’s chest than if the defender is
moving.)
Is a dribble illegal if it goes over the ball handler’s head?
Basketball rules states if the ball handler doesn’t “palm” the ball or
place their hand under the ball, there is no dribbling violation. There
is no basketball rule or restriction on how high a dribble can go.
Is reaching into an offensive player's area a foul?
If a defensive player “reaches in” to attempt a steal or distract the
offensive player they are guarding and doesn’t create any contact, no
foul should be called. Reaching in isn’t necessarily a foul until
contact is created. Basketball rules state that the foul isn’t called
reaching in, but holding or pushing.
Is over the back a foul when rebounding a basketball?
Officials should only make a foul call when contact is made. Just like
the basketball rules term “reaching in,” over the back is not a foul
until contact is made - then it should be called a pushing foul. Even if
a smaller player has good rebounding position against a taller player, a
foul should not be called if the taller player can get the rebound
without touching the smaller player.
Can an offensive player travel when he is not in control of the ball?
If an offensive player attempts to catch a pass and bobbles or fumbles
the ball, that player is not in control of the ball. There cannot be a
traveling call when the offensive player doesn’t have the ball under
control. Basketball rules states that once an offensive player has
control of the ball and establishes a pivot foot, then a traveling
violation should be called when appropriate.
Is there a violation when an offensive player stops his dribble,
fumbles the ball away, and then recovers the ball?
Basketball rules determine that if an offensive ball handler
accidentally looses the ball after they have picked up their dribble,
they may go and recover the ball without a violation being called.
Typically, a traveling call would be made, but it is always legal to
recover a fumble.
Should calls be made by refs that decide the game’s outcome?
Referees need and should be consistent. If they perceive a foul early in
the game and make a correct call, that same call should be made at the
end of a close game. Players and coaches decide the outcome of games
with their decisions and actions. It is up to the refs to interpret and
enforce the basketball rules.
When is there no three-second-lane violation?
Offensive players may position themselves in the free throw lane and
move out before the ref counts to three seconds. As soon as the
offensive team moves the ball into the offensive end of the court, the
referee will be able to call a three second violation. When a shot is
taken, the three second count for someone in the lane stops. During a
shot, during the rebounding of a shot, and during an immediate put back
off of the rebound, no three-second violation can be called.
When should over and back be ruled against an offensive team?
When an offensive ball handler approaches the half court line, the ball
and both feet need to cross the line before an over and back call can be
made. If a ball handler crosses the half court line with the ball and
one foot, they are allowed to go into the backcourt to elude the
defenders. Basketball rules provide that once the ball and both feet
cross the line, then when any foot or if the ball crosses back into the
defensive end, then over and back can be called.
When is a five second violation called against an offensive player?
A referee will call a five second violation if the same defender closely
guards (within six feet) their offensive player who is dribbling the
ball or is holding the ball for five consecutive seconds. Once a
defender moves more than six feet away from their offensive player, who
is in possession of the ball, the five-second count will stop.
Basketball rules says if a player catches a pass and is being closely
guarded, the offensive player may dribble the ball for four seconds,
pick up and hold the ball for four seconds, then pass the ball with no
violation being called.
When is an inbound pass called for five seconds?
The offensive team has five seconds to put the ball into play from out
of bounds. Once the offensive player who is inbounding the ball takes
control of the ball after a basket or takes control of the ball from the
referee, the five second count starts. The five second count stops once
it leaves the inbounder’s hands—not when it is touch on the court.
Is traveling allowed when trying to inbound the ball?
There are two situations where an in bounder may travel when trying to
inbound the ball. Basketball rules states that after a made basket, the
inbounder may run the baseline as they look for a teammate to pass the
ball too. The inbounder can run the baseline after a timeout if the
timeout was taken after a made basket. The second situation is an out of
bounds play other than after a made basket. Once the referee hands the
ball to the in bounder, the player must stay within a three-foot area of
the place they were given the ball. The in bounder may move both feet,
but once they move beyond the three foot area, it becomes a violation.