[Basketball]What is an unsportsmanlike foul? Learn about fouls and enjoy the game even more Alpen Group Magazine

All sports, including basketball, exist as competitions by establishing various rules and prohibiting fouls. There is a foul called an “unsportsmanlike foul” in basketball, but what exactly is it?
Here we will provide an overview of unsportsmanlike fouls, which are one of the fouls in basketball.

【table of contents】

■What is an unsportsmanlike foul?

■Scene where an unsportsmanlike foul is called

・Examples of unsportsmanlike fouls

・What is the impact on the match?

・Changes due to rule revisions

■Basketball fouls other than unsuspecting fouls

・Technical foul

・Disqualifying foul

■Let’s enjoy basketball even more by knowing the criteria for judging fouls!

■What is an unsportsmanlike foul?

An unsportsmanlike foul is a foul that involves physical contact between players. It is sometimes abbreviated as “Anspo” or “UF”.
Specifically, a foul that violates any of the following four criteria is considered an unsportsmanlike foul.

・Criteria 1: Contact that is not considered a legal play and is not a play on the ball.
Criterion 2: Excessively violent contact, even when attempting to play the ball or opponent.
・Criteria 3: Unnecessary contact by the defense with the purpose of hindering the progress of the offense
・Criteria 4: Unreasonable contact from behind or from the side of an opposing player who is running alone towards the goal.

Basically, it is a foul called against a defensive player.

■Scene where an unsportsmanlike foul is called

Specifically, in what situations is an unsportsmanlike foul determined? Examples of unsportsmanlike fouls and the impact on the game if a foul is called are as follows:

・Examples of unsportsmanlike fouls

As mentioned above, an unsportsmanlike foul is a general term for fouls that interfere with an opponent’s play through contact. Examples of unsportsmanlike fouls that are often seen in actual games include:

・Pull the opponent’s uniform
・Excessive contact with the opponent using elbows, feet, etc.
・Contact the opponent from behind or from the side after making a one-man quick attack.
-Grab your opponent’s arm to prevent a shot
・Getting under the feet of a jumping opponent, etc.

For example, if your hand hits someone’s arm while trying to prevent a shot, it is a normal foul, but if you intentionally grab or slap an opponent’s arm to prevent a shot, it is an unsportsmanlike foul.

・What is the impact on the match?

Normally, in basketball, if a team commits five or more fouls in a period, or if a player fouls a player who is shooting, the opposing team is awarded a free throw.

On the other hand, when an unsportsmanlike foul is called, the opposing team is awarded two free throws, regardless of the number of team fouls. It is also important to note that after the free throw, the game restarts with a throw-in for the team that was fouled.
If an unsportsmanlike foul occurs during the shooting motion, the number of free throws will change as follows:

[If the shot does not go in]
Two free throws will be awarded if the shot is within the 2-point area (2-point shot), and 3 free throws will be awarded if the shot is within the 3-point area.

[If the shot is decided]
A point is recognized and one free throw is awarded.

Additionally, a player who is charged with two unsportsmanlike fouls in one match will be sent off and will not be allowed to stand on the court during that match.
You will have to wait outside the venue or in the locker room until the match is over.

・Changes due to rule revisions

In the final stages of a game, a team that is trailing may commit a tactical foul for reasons such as wanting to stop the game clock.
In the past, this play was not a problem, but please be aware that the rules were revised in 2018 to state that foul acts aimed at preventing an opponent’s attack or controlling the flow of the game can be considered an unsportsmanlike foul. is.

Additionally, previously, if a defender committed a foul before a throw-in with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, it was considered an unsportsmanlike foul.
Due to the 2023 rule revision, this has also been changed to a different foul called a “throw-in foul.”

■Basketball fouls other than unsuspecting fouls

There are many other types of fouls in basketball besides unsportsmanlike fouls. Remember the rules so you don’t accidentally violate the rules.
The main types and summaries of basketball fouls are as follows:

・Technical foul

A technical foul is a foul that is called for behavior such as verbal abuse towards opposing players or the referee, ignoring the referee’s warning, faking (pretending to have been fouled), delaying the game, or punching or kicking equipment.
If a technical foul is called, regardless of the number of team fouls, the opposing team will be awarded one free throw and the game will be restarted with a throw-in.

The difference will be easier to understand if you remember that fouls that involve physical contact between players are called unsportsmanlike fouls, and fouls that involve the behavior of players are called technical fouls.

In addition to players on the court participating in the game, technical fouls may also be assessed against substitute players on the bench, coaches, and team personnel. Players and coaches who are not participating in the game also need to be careful in their words and actions.

・Disqualifying foul

A “disqualifying foul” may be declared for acts that violate sportsmanship and are more serious than an unsportsmanlike foul. Examples include acts of violence, vandalism, abusive language, and dangerous contact that exceeds an unsportsmanlike foul.

“Disqualify” is an English word that means “to be disqualified” or “to be stripped of one’s qualifications,” and a player who has been sentenced to this is literally sent off with one shot. It’s easy to understand if you think of it as a foul, which is equivalent to a red card in soccer.
Similar to technical fouls, this applies not only to players on the court, but also to substitute players on the bench, coaches, and team personnel.

■Let’s enjoy basketball even more by knowing the criteria for judging fouls!

All sports, including basketball, are played under a variety of rules. If you know what fouls are and the criteria for judging them, you’ll be able to enjoy the game even more when you’re playing or watching.

Although it is not often seen, an unsportsmanlike foul is one of the fouls that can have a big impact on the game. Why not enjoy basketball even more by referring to the information we have introduced?

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