Basketball Pushing Rules
Pushing in basketball can result in an offensive or defensive foul. The foul is called when a player pushes their opponent, either when they have the ball or when they are on defense. Read on to learn more about how pushing is regulated in basketball.
Offensive Pushing Fouls
Pushing a player when you have the ball results in an offensive foul. This is counted as a personal foul. If a player collects too many personal fouls, they foul out and can not play in the remainder of the game.
Defensive Pushing Fouls
Pushing a player when you are on defense results in a defensive foul. Defensive fouls are counted both your personal foul count and the team foul count. If the push is especially aggressive or dangerous, a flagrant foul may be assessed.
Pushing Foul Result
If an offensive pushing foul is committed, possession of the ball is awarded to the defensive team. The ball is inbounded near the spot of the foul.
If a defensive pushing foul is committed, the team that was fouled will either get possession of the ball with a reset shot clock or take foul shots. Foul shots will be taken if the fouling team is in the bonus or if the push happened while the offensive player was shooting. In all other scenarios, the ball will simply be inbounded.
FAQ
Is it okay to push lightly in basketball?
Technically, you are not supposed to push at all in basketball. However, it is unlikely that you will be called for a pushing foul if it is very subtle.
What is flopping in basketball?
“Flopping” occurs when a player purposely falls over or fakes an injury with the hope of drawing a foul. Players might pretend to be pushed by falling over after they get slightly pushed. Flopping is technically illegal in basketball, but is rarely punished. Though there are no proven statistics on how well flopping actually works, because it is rarely punished, many players do it frequently.