Skip to content
Insporta Book
en
EnglishРусскийDeutschEspañolEestiSuomiItalianoFrançaisPolski日本語한국어中文
FootballCricketFutsalTriathlonTennisGolfFigure SkatingBasketballMethodologyWhy it worksTake a test

Basketball · Official Basketball Rules

Law 37: Disruptive Foul

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

The new disruptive foul: stopping a break, stopping the clocks, fouls from behind on a breakaway, and the free throws and frontcourt throw-in that follow.

37.371What a Disruptive Foul Is

The three criteria and how they are judged.

Test 1The criteria of a disruptive foulTake a test

  1. A disruptive foul is illegal contact, not flagrant, that disrupts the flow of the game and puts the opponent at a disadvantage.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.1.1 · recall

  2. Unnecessary contact, not a legitimate try for the ball, to stop the attack in transition is disruptive.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.1.1 · applied

  3. The transition and the from-behind criteria apply until the offensive player starts the act of shooting.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.1.1 · recall

  4. Unnecessary contact, not a try for the ball, to stop the game or shot clock at the end of a period is disruptive.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.1.1 · applied

  5. Illegal contact from behind or laterally on a player progressing to the basket with no opponent in between is disruptive.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.1.1 · applied

  6. It covers a player in control, trying to gain control, or one to whom a pass has been released.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.1.1 · recall

  7. Disruptive fouls must be interpreted consistently throughout the game, judging only the action.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.1.2 · recall

  8. Grabbing the runner rather than the ball stops the break unfairly.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.1.1 · applied

  9. A released pass is enough: he need not have the ball yet.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.1.1 · applied

  10. A grab on the break with no try for the ball is disruptive; a swipe at the ball is personal, a dangerous trip flagrant, and the shooter is past the act.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.1.1 · applied

37.372The Penalty

Team fouls, free throws and the frontcourt throw-in.

Test 1Free throws and the throw-inTake a test

  1. A disruptive foul is charged against the offender and counts as one of the team fouls.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.2.1 · recall

  2. Not shooting: 2 free throws.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.2.2 · recall

  3. The fouled team throws in from the throw-in line in its frontcourt, opposite the scorer's table.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.2.2 · recall

  4. A made shot counts and 1 free throw is added, then the frontcourt throw-in.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.2.2 · applied

  5. A missed shot gives 2 or 3 free throws by its value: here 3.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.2.2 · applied

  6. Free throws are awarded to the player who was fouled.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.2.2 · recall

  7. The transition criterion needs contact made while not legitimately trying to play the ball.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.1.1 · recall

  8. Charged, a team foul, 2 free throws, then the frontcourt throw-in.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.2 · applied

  9. Stopping the clocks with contact that ignores the ball is disruptive; free throws and a frontcourt throw-in follow.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.2.2 · recall

  10. Only A has nobody in between before the act of shooting; B has a defender ahead, C is from the front, D is in the act.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.1.1 · applied

Sources

FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (v1.1), Article 37 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.1.111
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.2.26
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.1.21
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.2.11
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 37.21