Intentional fouls aren't all excessive contact. Fouling for an intended advantage can't be ignored.

This is another Rule Review segment covering plays involving intentional fouls. This video is dedicated to educating basketball officials on the proper way to look at intentional foul plays, including excessive contact but also intentional acts to put the opponent at a disadvantage. Watching actual videos of intentional fouls help officials learn faster and retain rule information better. We can all learn together by continually discussing the rules as they are written pertaining to intentional foul acts and reinforce those rules by applying them to actual high school basketball videos. Many officials shy away from categorizing fouls as intentional because the penalty is high, two free throws and the ball at the spot of the foul. But not calling these fouls properly not only leads to unfair advantages by one team over another, but could lead to hard to manage plays later in the game.
In this segment of Rule Review, the foul intentional foul video clips we reference are all high school games and involve different aspects to improving your ability to successfully recognize if a play indeed had an act that rose to the level of an intentional foul.
Video #1
- A player has an easy layup off of a great pass by a teammate. One of the defenders runs full speed toward the shooter and blocks the ball clean but the speed and force of his body hits the shooter so hard, the contact is deemed excessive and severe and therefore ruled an intentional foul.
Video #2
- After the ball is stolen the opponent of the dribbler grabs his jersey in an attempt to stop him but the official passes on the foul. So, the play continues down the court where the opponent then grabs the arm of the shooter, with no attempt to play the ball whatsoever and pulling him down toward the ground to prohibit him shooting any further. After the officials gather together and discuss the play, the calling official signals an intentional foul. It is noted that intentional fouls should not be ruled solely on the severity of the contact.
Video #3
- When a player receives the ball near the division line, a defender rushes to guard him stopping just short of contact. In an attempt to move the defender away, the ball handler takes his hand off the ball and swings his elbow up and toward the face of his opponent, creating contact in the face. This should be considered an excessive swinging elbow, but cannot be a violation due to the contact being made. However, it is noted the NFHS does not have any specific rule stating contact above the head is a mandatory intentional or flagrant foul. Every foul, regardless of where it happens should be evaluated independently and ruled accordingly to the severity of the contact.
Video #4
- On a throw in, a defensive player is able to tip the ball and get in position between the ball and the offensive player to have a good shot of retrieving the loose ball, but the offensive player grabs him by the face and chin and pulls back creating a severely dangerous act with a high probability of injury to his opponent. The excessive nature of this foul should be ruled intentional and possibly even flagrant.
Watching video clips is a good way to stay connected to the skill of officiating basketball but true education and learning can more effectively be attained when each video is annotated with diagrams and shading to point out key teaching points. Taking away and remembering specifics on a rule such as the intentional foul is easier when visual aids are used to present in a way that is easy to listen to and understand.
The Officials Institute, and the Rule Review segment, creates videos that don't leave you guessing about whether there was a foul, violation or not. Even though we cannot officiate in slow motion or freeze frames, by watching and reviewing video video in this fashion, we are able to "retrain our brain" so we can start seeing plays more accurately when we do see them in real time and increase our ability to get the call right.
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All rules referenced in this video are taken from the official rules book provided by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). To find out more about the NFHS, you can visit them at nfhs.org/

[@chrisarnold6267]

I like how college has F1 and F2 fouls because intention isn't always a factor. I learned this last year when I should have upgraded a hard foul, but I was stuck in the mindset of "intention". I talked to a couple of colleagues after the game and got it right the following week when I had the exact same scenario.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

I agree. I wish the NFHS would adopt this system but until then, we are bound by the intentional and flagrant fouls as they are written.

[@donevans2496]

Thanks for posting the videos, they are very helpful.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Glad you like them!

[@gregniemczyk3565]

All the videos are very instructive and a great way to learn.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Glad you like them!

[@jeffreyjewett8690]

Very informative. Excellent situations with clear explanations. Thanks for sharing.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Our pleasure!

[@rkdemierre]

Great stuff Josh. I really enjoyed the clinic last night as well. Thanks again

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thanks for being a part of it with us.

[@davegiffels6910]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Glad it was helpful!

[@barrymestemaker4503]

Nicely explained. Always helpful

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thanks for watching.

[@johnharrison5861]

You are so right if we don’t make the call the games will get out of control

[@OfficialsInstitute]

100% Thanks for the comment.

[@valerierussell1555]

Very Helpful. Thanks Valerie Russell

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Glad it was helpful!

[@clarisejones2702]

Very informative and videos were great examples

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Glad it was helpful!

[@luiscorrea2958]

Thanks for making me aware of this site.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

You bet

[@vjcarrasco14]

Great video

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thanks!

[@robertbragg4534]

very informative

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Glad you liked it

[@ronaldwarren6916]

Nice job!

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thanks for the visit

[@anthonycummins8951]

Great expectations on the examples

[@OfficialsInstitute]

ty. glad you enjoyed it.

[@georgeyarzak572]

very helpful and a very good video

[@georgeyarzak572]

George Yarzak

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Glad you liked it

[@DKolb1]

Good info, good plays

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Glad you like them!

[@lauriekeats8538]

I'm confused. There is no mention I can find in the FIBA rules about an "intentional" foul. I thought that many years ago the "intentional" foul was removed from the rules and (more or less) replaced with the unsportsmanlike foul. Which by the way I thought was a great innovation. There is no way someone can determine intent but definitely the nature of the foul is there for everyone to see.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Can’t speak directly about FIBA rules. All rule references on this page is based on NFHS.

[@matthale236]

What about the NFHS Point of Emphasis a few years back that said any contact to the head must be called either intentional or flagrant? A common foul is off the table for an elbow to the head. Or are you not counting NFHS POE’s as part of NFHS rules?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

This is a great point and one worth addressing. Yes, POE's are important but remember, they are NOT rules. They are changed annually to provide guidance on rules that are already written, on what the NHFS believes needs extra attention for that particular season. So we cannot reference something that cannot be found in the rules book today. If the NFHS wanted to require mandatory penalties for such acts as the excessive swinging elbow, they would add additional wording into the rules book and publish them as rule changes. We thank you for your comment, truly, as we try very hard to give out accurate information according to the rules. I hope this helps.

[@dyoung3837]

2021-22 Case Book 4.19.3 Situation F?

[@robgray_]

Could the jersey grab at 2:04 also be considered Intentional?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Yes, in fact, this play has been discussed a lot among many of us and there is an argument to be made that it should be intentional.

[@aldrichchua9298]

The last play is intentional or flagrant? If it’s a possible flagrant foul, is it automatic ejection?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

A flagrant foul disqualifies the player from the game but they should remain on the bench.

[@999954387]

okay so on an intentional foul, it’s 2 shots and possession near the spot of the foul? but what about on a shot attempt? like for example is it 3 free throws on a 3 pointer that was missed? and what if the shot goes in? do they still get the and-1 free throw and then 2 free throw? or just one or the other?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Penalty for intentional fouls is ALWAYS 2 free throws and the ball out of bounds nearest the spot of the foul, regardless of whether the try is successful or not, ALWAYS. There is one exception, however. If a 3 point attempt is missed you would you would give 3 free throws. Does that help?

[@999954387]

@@OfficialsInstitute okay so for example if the basket goes in, you count the basket and then shoot 2 free throws and then get possession? so basically a made 3 pointer becomes a 5 point play and a made 2 pointer becomes a 4 point play, correct?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Correct.

[@999954387]

@@OfficialsInstitute okay, thank you so much for the clarification!

[@aldrichchua9298]

Play # 4 is player control foul?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Can't be a player control foul as NO player is in control at the time of the foul. It would, however, be a team control foul.

[@bobbarrick2455]

I suspect the foul by the offensive player with an elbow to the head without even having that hand on the ball is flagrant.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thanks for watching

[@channingman]

Do we have an argument for a flagrant foul on the elbow to the head?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

If you judge the action to be deliberate with the intention to hurt or injure, you could rule this to be flagrant.

[@allmusicfan88]

Not good for all 3 officials to gather away from all the players, and have a meeting, while not paying attention to all the players on the court after a foul like that! Or any foul!! Officials should separate teams before having a meeting. I've seen so many instances where players take cheap shots on other players when the officials aren't watching.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Agreed. Thanks for sharing your comments.

[@allmusicfan88]

@@OfficialsInstitute Absolutely, and thank you! :)

[@jamesmarzullo8870]

Where is the throw-in administered after a Personal or technical flagrant foul - At the point of the foul or mid court ???

[@OfficialsInstitute]

All throw-ins after a technical foul, even intentional or flagrant technicals, are at the division line.

[@jeffwright7587]

@@OfficialsInstitute are we using NFHS rules? If so, an intentional foul is 2 free throws, then the ball out of bounds nearest the spot of the foul (not division line)--see rule 7-5-4b. This is the only difference between intentional vs. flagrant foul administration. Great video!

[@OfficialsInstitute]

@@jeffwright7587 , the question was about an a flagrant technical foul. All technical fouls, including intentional technicals and a flagrant technicals, are administered at the division line per NFHS 7.5.6a. Thanks for watching.

[@jeffwright7587]

@@OfficialsInstitute Indeed, good catch. I missed that detail in the question.

[@bamalstheoneduringshelteri8338]

Pizza is good

[@OfficialsInstitute]

TY

[@gabrioncaushi167]

VERY HELPFUL! I WANT PIZZAAAAAAA

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Ha. You're on the list. Cross your fingers.

[@iwannisdimoulas7262]

@1:37 play grabbing a player's jersey is unsportsmanlike (intentional) foul in FIBA. @3:17 play FIBA rules: excessive use of elbows: if there's no contact it's a technical foul. If there's a contact it's unsportsmanlike (international) foul.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thank you for your FIBA input.

[@eleazarenriquez]

Penalties of a successful try on intentional foul

[@OfficialsInstitute]

thank you for watching

[@eleazarenriquez]

What is the penalty of a successful and UNsuccessful tries of intentional foul?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

All intentional fouls, regardless of whether they are successful or not, are 2 free throws and the ball for a throw-in near the spot of the foul, with one exception. If a 3 point try is unsuccessful it would be awarded 3 free throws. Hope that helps.

[@eleazarenriquez]

@@OfficialsInstitute Thank you for your prompt y

[@eleazarenriquez]

Thanks