When a free throw is given
Free throws may be given in a variety of circumstances.
The first and most frequent instance is when a player is fouled while attempting to make a shot. Depending on whether the shot was taken in front of or behind the three-point line, the player who committed the foul and missed the shot will either be awarded two or three free throws. The number of free throws is lowered to one if the player attempts and makes the shot notwithstanding the foul, and the basket counts. Depending on how many points the made basket is worth, this is referred to as a three-point or four-point play.
The second occurs when the team that committed the foul is in a team bonus (or foul penalty) circumstance. When a team commits a predetermined number of fouls in a single quarter, whether or not they are shooting, this occurs. The maximum number of fouls allowed in FIBA, (W)NBA, and NCAA women’s competition is four each quarter. In the NBA, the opposing team receives two free throws beginning with the fifth foul (fourth in overtime), or the second in the final two minutes if the team has fewer than five fouls (four in OT). In order to reset the team foul count in the final two minutes of any session, the WNBA adheres to the same regulations as the NBA (including overtime). In FIBA and NCAA women’s basketball, the fouled player also gets two free throws if the opponent commits their fifth foul in a period. This is because, for the purposes of accumulating team fouls, overtime is considered to be an extension of the fourth period. In NCAA men’s basketball, a player is given one free throw after the seventh foul of the half; if they make it, they are given another. Shooting a “one-and-one” is the term used for this. The half begins with the tenth foul, and two free throws are given. In addition, for the purposes of totaling team fouls, overtime is regarded as an extension of the second half. Even if the team that was fouled is in the bonus, free throws are not given for offensive fouls, which are typically charging fouls. Because the game is split into two 20-minute halves rather than the NBA’s 12 minute quarters or the WNBA’s 10 minute halves or FIBA play (note that the college women’s game was played in 20-minute halves before 2015-16), the number of fouls that result in a penalty is higher in college men’s basketball. In line with professional play, a foul committed while shooting results in two or three shots, depending on the effectiveness of the shot attempt, and one free throw if the shot is successful.
In the NBA, the opposing team chooses the player to shoot, and the injured player cannot return unless the foul was a flagrant-2, in which case the player’s own team also gets to choose the replacement shooter. In college, if a player is hurt after being fouled and unable to make free throws, the offensive team may designate any player from the bench to shoot in place of the injured player. Players who are fouled are not allowed to shoot their free throws if they object to the foul, initiate or join a fight, or are expelled. Instead, the opposing team will designate a replacement shooter. In all other cases, the player who was fouled must take his or her own foul shots.
A player, coach, or member of the team staff (such as the team doctor or statistician) may be charged with a more serious foul known as a technical foul if they engage in poor sportsmanship, which may include arguing with the referee, or commit a technical violation (delay of game, excessive time outs, or when a team has no eligible players left after a player has fouled out or when the last player to foul out must re-enter the game, the latter two A technical foul in the NBA and FIBA results in one free-throw attempt for the opposing team. Technical fouls are classified into “Class A” (violent or substantial unsportsmanlike conduct) and “Class B” according to NCAA regulations (less egregious violations such as hanging on the rim or delay of game). Two free throws are awarded for Class A technicals and one for Class B. At all levels, the opposing team may elect to have any player who is on the court at the time shoot the free throws. After the free throws, the opposition team retains possession of the ball. These free shots are made without any players in the lane since there is no chance for a rebound.
The referee may also call a violation that is even more serious, known as a “flagrant foul” in men’s and women’s basketball in the NBA and NCAA, if they believe the foul was particularly forceful or did not demonstrate an attempt to play the ball. The opponent receives two free throws and control of the ball as a result of this foul, which is assessed against the player (who, depending on the seriousness of the offence, may even be disqualified). The player who was fouled must attempt the given free throws, unlike with technical fouls.