Law 30: Ball Returned to the Backcourt

A player touching the frontcourt with both feet holds, catches or dribbles the ball there, or it is passed between team-mates there.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 30.1.1 · recall

Its player last touches it in the frontcourt and a team-mate is first to touch it in, or after it touches, the backcourt.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 30.1.2 · recall

First touched by the team after it has touched the team's backcourt is an illegal return.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 30.1.2 · applied

The restriction applies to all situations in a team's frontcourt, including throw-ins.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 30.1.2 · recall

The rule does not apply to a player who jumps from the frontcourt, establishes new control while airborne and lands in the backcourt.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 30.1.2 · recall

The centre line is part of the backcourt, so he has part of his body in contact with it.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 2.5.2, 30.1.2 · applied

The rule is for a team in control of a live ball in its frontcourt.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 30.2 · applied

Last touch in front, first touch behind, by the same team.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 30.1.2 · applied

New control in the air is the exception.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 30.1.2 · applied

A pass back from the frontcourt to a team-mate in the backcourt is illegal; the defender's tip, the airborne steal and a backcourt dribble are not.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 30.1.2 · applied

The opponents throw in in their frontcourt from the place nearest the infraction, not directly behind the backboard.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 30.3 · recall

The ball is awarded to the opponents for a throw-in in their frontcourt.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 30.3 · recall

The ball being passed between players of the team in the frontcourt is frontcourt control.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 30.1.1 · recall

With a foot on the centre line he is touching the backcourt, and he is first to touch the ball there.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 30.1.2 · applied

The violation needs a Team A player to be the last to touch the ball in the frontcourt.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 30.1.2 · applied

At the start of a quarter the thrower-in may pass to a team-mate at any place on the court.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 17.2.3, 30 · applied

Touching a referee is touching the floor where he stands, here the backcourt, so the team's next touch is an illegal return.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 11.2, 30.1.2 · applied

A foot on the centre line is in the backcourt.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 30.1.2 · applied

The throw-in is in the opponents' frontcourt.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 30.3 · applied

The opponents throw in in their own frontcourt (the right half here) from the place nearest X.

Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 30.3 · applied