# Law 40: Fighting (FIBA Official Basketball Rules)

Basketball · Law 40: Fighting · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/basketball/laws/law-40-fighting/)

Who may and may not leave the team bench area during a fight, the single 'B' technical, and how the game restarts.

## 40.401 Leaving the Bench Area

Who is disqualified and who may help the officials.

### Test 1: Leaving the bench in a fight

- Fighting is physical interaction between 2 or more opponents, players and anyone permitted on the team benches. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 40.1)
- It applies to substitutes, coaches, first assistants, excluded players and delegation members who leave the bench area. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 40.1)
- Stepping out during a fight is enough, contact or not. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 40.2.1)
- Only the head coach and first assistant may leave, to help the officials keep or restore order. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 40.2.2)
- A head coach or first assistant who leaves but does not help or try to help restore order is disqualified. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 40.2.3)
- Leaving the bench area during a fight or any situation which may lead to a fight is covered. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 40.2.1)
- A physio is a delegation member, and the same rule applies to him. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 40.2.1)
- Leaving to assist the officials is allowed for the head coach and first assistant. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 40.2.2)
- The substitute is disqualified, and the head coach gets a 'B' technical. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 40.2.1, 40.3.1)
- A head coach who goes on to help the officials stays; the substitute, the shoving assistant and the physio are disqualified. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 40.2)

## 40.402 The Penalty and the Restart

The 'B' technical, team fouls and the three restarts.

### Test 1: Penalty and restart after a fight

- Whatever the number disqualified for leaving, a single 'B' technical is charged against the head coach. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 40.3.1)
- They are entered on the scoresheet as set out in Appendix B and do not count as team fouls. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 40.3.3)
- With a goal or last free throw scored, the non-scoring team throws in from behind its end line. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 40.3.2)
- If neither team had control or was entitled to the ball, a jump ball situation occurs. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 40.3.2)
- It applies when persons of both teams are disqualified and no other foul penalties remain. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 40.3.2)
- Foul penalties against players on the court involved in a fight are dealt with under Article 43, special situations. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 40.3.4)
- The team in control throws in from the place nearest to where the ball was when the fight started. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 40.3.2)
- Each is disqualified, a single 'B' technical goes on the head coach, and no team fouls are added. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 40.3)
- Goal first, then control or entitlement, then a jump ball. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 40.3.2)
- A held the ball, so the restart is its throw-in near the ball's spot. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 40.3.2)

Sources: FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (v1.1), Article 40 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

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