Basketball · Official Basketball Rules

Law 34: Personal Foul

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

What a personal foul is, the late-game throw-in foul, and the throw-ins and free throws that follow.

34.341Personal and Throw-in Fouls

The definition, the actions it covers and the throw-in foul.

A personal foul is a player's illegal contact with an opponent.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 34.1.1 · recall
Live ball or dead, illegal contact can still be called.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 34.1.1 · applied
Impeding an opponent by bending the body into an abnormal position outside the cylinder is listed as a personal foul.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 34.1.1 · applied
Holding, blocking, pushing, charging, tripping and impeding are listed; travelling is a violation.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 34.1.1 · recall
A throw-in foul applies when the game clock shows 2:00 or less in the 4th quarter and in each overtime.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 34.1.2 · recall
A throw-in foul is committed while the ball is out of bounds for a throw-in and at the thrower-in's disposal.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 34.1.2 · recall
A throw-in foul is a defensive player's foul on an opponent on the court.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 34.1.2 · recall
All four together make it a throw-in foul.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 34.1.2 · applied
Tripping an opponent is one of the listed personal fouls.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 34.1.1 · applied
Only A has under 2:00 of the 4th quarter with the ball out and at the thrower's disposal.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 34.1.2 · applied

Throw-ins, free throws for shooters and the throw-in foul penalty.

Without a shot and below the team-foul penalty, the non-offending team throws in from the place nearest the infraction.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 34.2.1 · recall
A successful shot counts and the shooter adds 1 free throw.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 34.2.2 · recall
A missed shot from the 2-point area gives 2 free throws.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 34.2.2 · recall
A made shot counts, whatever its value, plus 1 free throw.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 34.2.2 · applied
A personal foul is charged against the offender.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 34.2 · recall
A throw-in foul gives 1 free throw, whether or not the team is already in the penalty.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 34.2.3 · applied
After the 1 free throw, the non-offending team throws in from the place nearest the infraction.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 34.2.3 · recall
From beyond the arc, the miss earns three attempts.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 34.2.2 · applied
1 with a made basket, 2 or 3 after a miss by the shot's value.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 34.2.2 · recall
Beyond the arc and no basket means three attempts at the line.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 34.2.2 · applied

FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (v1.1), Article 34 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)