Basketball · Official Basketball Rules

Law 41: Foul Limits and Game Disqualifications

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

Five fouls and the excluded player, the player head coach, the GD marker and leaving within 30 seconds.

41.411Five Fouls

Leaving the game, excluded players and the player head coach.

A player with 5 fouls is informed by an official and must leave the game immediately.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 41.1 · recall
The player is informed of it by a referee.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 41.1 · recall
A player head coach with 5 player fouls becomes an excluded player but may continue as head coach.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 41.2 · applied
A foul by a player who already has 5 fouls is an excluded player's foul, entered against the head coach ('B').
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 41.3 · applied
A player who has committed 5 fouls must leave the game.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 41.1 · recall
It is entered against the head coach with a 'B'.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 41.3 · applied
A player who has committed 5 fouls is an excluded player.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 41.2-41.3 · recall
Five fouls: told by an official, out immediately.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 41.1 · applied
An excluded player head coach may keep coaching.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 41.2 · applied
He becomes an excluded player but keeps the bench.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 41.2 · applied

The GD marker and leaving the game.

The timer informs the player of the game disqualification by raising the GD marker.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 41.4 · recall
The GD marker is the game disqualification marker.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 41.4 · recall
The same marker is used for a head coach as for a player.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 41.5 · applied
Any disqualified person must leave the game immediately, taking no more than 30 seconds.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 41.6 · recall
Category 2 technicals do not count towards game disqualification.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 41.4 · applied
A player with 5 fouls leaves the game and is an excluded player from then on.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 41.1-41.2 · recall
Any disqualified player, substitute, coach, assistant, excluded player or delegation member must leave within 30 seconds.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 41.6 · applied
GD marker, out within 30 seconds, then the dressing room or out of the building.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 41.4, 41.6 · applied
Three 'B' technicals disqualify a head coach; the timer signals it with the GD marker.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 41.5 · applied
The timer informs him by raising the GD marker.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 41.4 · applied

FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (v1.1), Article 41 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)