Each time a player commits a personal foul their team will also receive a “Team Foul” with the following exceptions; If the foul was an offensive foul, if the foul was part of a “double foul” with one personal foul called on a player from each team or if the call was a technical foul. ‘Loose Ball’, ‘Flagrant’ and ‘Fouls Away from Play’ all attract a team foul as well as a personal foul. In regulation quarters teams can accumulate 4 team fouls before entering the bonus, where the opposition will automatically shoot free throws from the 5th team foul onwards. In overtime periods teams can accumulate 3 team fouls before entering the bonus.
We have linked to the section of the NBA Rule Book that covers fouls here. There are some slight differences between how the NBA defines team fouls and how the world governing body for Basketball, FIBA does.
What counts as a team foul in FIBA?
The global basketball rules that govern international play and competitions like Eurobasket, very closely match those used in the NBA, however, there are some subtle differences. One of this is what counts as a team foul. Something that an NBA fan might not even notice while watching a game using FIBA rules.
While free throws are awarded from the 5th team foul onwards in each quarter, just as in the NBA and offensive fouls do not count as team fouls, just as in the NBA. The big difference with team fouls between FIBA and the NBA is that technical fouls do count as team fouls in FIBA. So while a technical foul counts towards a players personal foul count in FIBA, which they do not in the NBA, they do not go onto the teams foul count for that quarter, which they would in the NBA.
This is an interesting divergence of rules between FIBA and the NBA as they seem to be at odds in the ways they are used.
What other differences are there between the NBA and FIBA?
With the increase in competition the US Men’s team are seeing in both the Olympics and the FIBA World Cup and with ESPN’s decision to broadcast some live Eurobasket action inside the US starting with the 2023-24 season, NBA fans have more reason than ever to watch games played under FIBA rules. FIBA.com have put together a handy table of the differences of the rules between FIBA and the NBA, they have also included the NCAA. We have pulled out the most important bits below for you;
| Rule | FIBA | NBA | NCAA |
| Playing time | 4×10 minutes 5 minutes over-time (OT) | 4×12 minutes 5 minutes over-time | 2×20 minutes 5 minutes over-time |
| Shot clock | 24 seconds After offensive rebound: 14 seconds | 24 seconds | Men: 35 seconds Women: 30 seconds |
| 3-point line | 6.75m (6.60 on baseline) | 7.24m (6.70m on baseline) | Men: 6.25m Women: 6.325m |
| Time-outs | 2 in first half 3 in second half (but only 2 in last two minutes of the 4th period) 1 per OT period Always 60 seconds Never carried over | 6 regular 2 per OT period = 60 or 100 seconds + 1 short time-out (20 seconds) per half The second short time-out can be carried over to OT period !!! additional regulations | 4 regular 30 seconds + long 60 seconds Maximum 3 regular and 1 long in second half !!! additional regulations |
| Jump ball and alternating possession | Jump ball to star game The one losing initial jump ball gets possession for the next jump ball situation Alternating possession between teams thereafter for all jump ball situations | Jump ball to star game The one losing initial jump ball gets possession to start 2nd and 4th quarters The one winning initial jump ball gets possession to start 3rd quarter All other jump ball situations played as “real jump ball | Jump ball to star game The one losing initial jump ball gets possession for the next jump ball situation Alternating possession between teams thereafter for all jump ball situations Jump ball to start OT |
| Individual foul | Foul out on 5 (personal and technical) | Foul out on 6 or 2 technical | Foul out on 5 (personal and technical) |
| Team fouls and bonus free-throws | 2 free-throws awarded for each (non-shooting) foul after the 4th period (includes player technical fouls) Does not include offensive fouls/fouls by team in possession | 2 free-throws awarded for each foul after the 4th team foul or last two minutes of each quarter, whichever comes first Does not include offensive fouls and technical fouls | 1 free throw, plus another if the first is successful is awarded on the 7th, 8th and 9th foul of each half; the penalty is increased to two shots on the 10th and subsequent fouls; overtime is an extension of the second half. Does not include offensive fouls |
| Technical foul (penalty) | 1 free throw and possession of the ball at centre | 1 free throw per technical foul; play resumes at the point of interruption; foul is charged to individual in question (and automatic fine assessed) | 2 free throws, play resumes at point of interruption |
| Goaltending/basket interference | No blocking a ball in downward flight towards the rim. Once the ball strikes the rim, any player can play the ball (i.e. swat it away or tap it in) | No blocking a ball in downward flight towards the rim. An imaginary cylinder exists that has the basket as its base. Touching the ball while any part of it is in this cylinder (and still has a chance to go in) is a violation | No blocking a ball in downward flight towards the rim. An imaginary cylinder exists that has the basket as its base. Touching the ball while any part of it is in this cylinder (and still has a chance to go in) is a violation. |
| Zone defense | Legal | Legal but… defensive player may not stay in the lane (a.k.a. key, restricted area) for longer than three seconds if he is not actively guarding an opponent | Legal |
| Player numbers | 00, 0, 1-99 | Any one or two digit number | 00 (or 0), 1-5, 10-15, 20-25, 30-35, 40-45, 50-55 |