Basketball · Official Basketball Rules

Law 22: Violations

2 parts · 2 tests · 20 facts · updated 22 October 2026 · markdown

What a violation is, how it differs from a foul, and the throw-in that usually follows.

22.221What a Violation Is

Violations against fouls, and examples from Rule Five.

A violation is an infraction of the rules.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 22.1 · recall
Travelling is one of the violations of Rule Five.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 22, 25 · recall
The 3-second rule is a violation.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 22, 26 · applied
Fouls concern illegal personal contact or unsporting behaviour; violations are the other infractions of the rules.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 22.1, 32.1 · applied
Running out of shot clock time is a violation.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 22, 29 · applied
Team fouls are counted from fouls; a violation is not a foul.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 22, 42 · applied
The scoresheet records players' fouls; a violation is not charged against a player.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 22, Appendix B · applied
A violation costs only the ball; fouls add free throws, and a disqualifying foul removes the player.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 22.2, 34, 39 · applied
Every violation is an infraction of the rules, and travelling is one particular violation.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 22.1 · recall
Pushing an opponent is illegal contact, a foul; travelling, 3 seconds and a deliberate kick are violations.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 22.1 · applied

The throw-in nearest the spot, its exceptions and who takes it.

The ball is awarded to the opponents for a throw-in from the place nearest the infraction.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 22.2 · recall
The throw-in is from the nearest place except directly behind the backboard.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 22.2 · recall
The usual throw-in applies unless the rules state otherwise for a particular violation.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 22.2 · recall
Defensive goaltending or basket interference awards the points (Art. 31), one of the 'otherwise stated' cases.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 22.2, 31 · applied
For a throw-in violation the rules state otherwise: the opponents throw in from the original throw-in place.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 17.4, 22.2 · applied
The whistle makes the ball dead.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 10.3, 22 · recall
The ball is awarded to the opponents.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 22.2 · recall
A whistle, a dead ball and an opponents' throw-in nearby.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 22.2 · recall
The throw-in is never taken directly behind the backboard.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 22.2 · applied
The throw-in is from the place nearest the infraction: the sideline beside X.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 22.2 · applied

FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (v1.1), Article 22 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)