Violation (basketball)

In basketball, a common violation is the most minor class of illegal action. It is when any pass play is made across the half court line when any other player of the same team is still on the opposite side of the half court line. Most violations are committed by the team with possession of the ball, when a player mishandles the ball or makes an illegal move. The typical penalty for a violation is loss of the ball to the other team. This is one type of turnover.

Wikipedia has the following articles on violations:

• Ball-handling violations:
  • Backcourt violation (Over and back)
  • [pushing (basketball)|pushing]]
  • Double-dribble
  • Traveling
• Excessive time taken:
  • Defensive three-second violation (Illegal defense) (penalized as a technical foul)
  • Five-second rule
  • Shot clock violation, and the related time limit to reach the frontcourt (8- or 10-second violation)
  • Three seconds rule (Lane violation)
• Other violations:
  • Basket interference
  • Goaltending

Stepping out of bounds and throwing the ball out of bounds may also be considered violations that result in loss of the ball.

Acts involving contact between opponents or unsportsmanlike conduct are called fouls, usually a personal foul.