Basketball Foul Types and Penalties

Blocking: Defender impedes progress without established position
Charging: Offensive player runs into a defender with established position
Reach-in: Attempting to steal the ball results in contact
Pushing: Using hands or body to displace an opponent

By Sarah Miller · September 30, 2026

Personal Fouls

The most common type of foul in basketball. A personal foul involves illegal physical contact with an opponent.

When contact occurs during a shooting motion, the shooter receives free throws:

Non-contact fouls for unsportsmanlike behavior: arguing with officials, delay of game, too many timeouts. Penalty: 1 free throw and possession.

Unnecessary contact. Penalty: 2 free throws and possession. Two Flagrant 1s in one game results in ejection.

Unnecessary AND excessive contact. Penalty: 2 free throws, possession, and immediate ejection.

After 5 team fouls in a quarter (NBA) or 7 in a half (college), the opposing team enters the bonus and receives free throws for non-shooting fouls.