Defensive Foul

A defensive foul in basketball is a foul that is committed by a player who is defending. There are four main categories of fouls in basketball, including technical fouls, flagrant fouls, personal fouls and team fouls. Defensive fouls are most likely to be committed under the personal fouls bracket, as they’re a common foul to take place during a game and are where most defensive players are more likely to foul.

To understand why a defensive foul is called, it’s important to know why personal fouls are usually called, and think about who is fouling during a personal foul.

Why is a Defensive Foul Called in Basketball?

A defensive foul is called when a personal foul is committed by a defensive player. A personal foul, generally speaking, is when a player is checked by either using a hand, foot or arm when in possession of the ball. These are usually common fouls to take place during a game of basketball, and the punishment for such fouls is typically a free throw awarded to the player who had been fouled.

Some technical fouls can also be called on a defensive player, especially when it comes to timing rules. For example, defensive players are also likely to impede on the three second rule, which is when they hold onto the ball for a prolonged period of time when within the key.