What is a Flagrant Foul in Basketball?

A flagrant foul in basketball is the most “serious” type of foul that a player can be given on the sliding scale of fouls. There are two types of flagrant fouls in basketball: flagrant 1 fouls and flagrant 2 fouls. A flagrant 1 foul is a bit less “serious” than a flagrant 2, but both involve unnecessary contact towards another player. They also may carry fines and/or game suspensions, depending on the league and the type of foul committed. Here, we’ll go through both types of flagrant fouls, the differences between them, and some tips on how to avoid committing them when you’re on the court.

What is a Flagrant 1 Foul?

Per the official rule book of the National Basketball Association (NBA), a flagrant 1 foul is accessed if “contact committed against a player, with or without the ball, is interpreted to be unnecessary.” We’ll explain examples that depict a flagrant 1 foul against an offensive player, as well as one against a defensive player. Also note that if the same player was to commit two flagrant 1 fouls in the same game, they would be ejected.

Offensive Player Flagrant 1 Foul

Let’s say the offensive player, “Player O” for short, is driving towards the basket while being defended by a defensive player who we’ll call “Player D.” Player O flails their arm out and makes hard, significant contact above the shoulder towards the face or head of Player D. Not only is there contact, but there’s potential for an injury, too. The call on the floor at the time is a flagrant 1 foul against Player O, being that the contact has been defined as unnecessary. Player O would be accessed a personal foul, and their team a team foul. Player D would be awarded two free throws, as well as possession granted to their team after. 

Defensive Player Flagrant 1 Foul

We’ll use the same Player O (offense), Player D (defense) examples for this one, as well as any remaining examples. Okay, so Player O goes up for a jumper beyond the three-point line. Player D goes to defend the shot, but extends their right foot into the landing area of Player O. In doing so. Player O rolls their ankle. Whether going into the landing area was intentional or not, it’s a dangerous play that has the potential for injury. This is unnecessary contact by Player D, resulting in a flagrant 1 foul with a review coming from Instant Replay to access. If left as a flagrant 1 foul, Player O would be awarded two free throws, as well as possession for their team.

What is a Flagrant 2 Foul?

Per the NBA’s rule book, a flagrant 2 foul is accessed if “contact committed against a player, with or without the ball, is interpreted to be unnecessary and excessive.” If a player is called for a flagrant 2 foul, they are ejected from the game. We’ll explain examples that depict a flagrant 2 foul against an offensive player, as well as one against a defensive player. Note that these aren’t the only examples of actions that result in Flagrant 2 Foul calls. Multiple examples of flagrant 2 fouls can be found later. 

Offensive Player Flagrant 2 Foul

Player O unnaturally extends their leg or arm resulting in hard contact towards Player D. Per the NBA, something like this would be an example of an “Unnatural Act” that would “be reviewed as a hostile act, and would then be ruled as a flagrant foul, Penalty 2.” It’s a non-basketball play by Player O, with a high potential for injury towards Player D. Player D would shoot two free throws, and their team would retain possession. Player O, on the other hand, is ejected from the game, and their team is penalized with a team foul.

Defensive Player Flagrant 2 Foul

While driving to the basket, Player D deliberately winds up and hits Player O hard on the head while they’re airborne going up for a shot. Not only is this unnecessary, but it’s also excessive contact that has a high potential to result in an injury. Player O would shoot two free throws, and their team would retain possession. Player D, on the other hand, is ejected from the game, and their team is penalized with a team foul. 

Similarities & Differences Between Flagrant Fouls

You might’ve noticed a bit of a difference between the definitions of flagrant fouls. If you haven’t, the real big difference is with a flagrant 2 foul, there’s contact that is unnecessary, sure, but it’s also excessive. With a flagrant 1 foul, there’s no mention of excessive contact.  

Also, if given a flagrant 2 foul, the offending player is ejected from the game. Both types of flagrant fouls can be assessed whether the ball is dead or alive as well. 

There’re also some technical differences between the two flagrant foul types. For example, here’s differences you’d see when it comes to shooting free throws:

• Flagrant 1 foul: If the player who fell victim to a flagrant 1 foul is injured and unable to shoot free throws, their coach can pick from one of the remaining four players on the court to shoot them. Then, they’ll pick a substitute to come in for the injured player. 

• Flagrant 2 foul: If the player who fell victim to a flagrant 2 foul is injured and unable to shoot free throws, their coach can pick any player from their team to attempt them. Then, they’ll pick a substitute to come in for the injured player. 

There’re a few differences when it comes to returning to the game after being injured as a result of a flagrant foul. 

• If injured by a flagrant 1 foul: An injured player can’t return to the game at any time after the free throws are attempted. But wait! There’s an exception! If the injured player is removed for a concussion evaluation and then completes the evaluation and is deemed not to have a concussion, they can reenter. 

• If injured by a flagrant 2 foul: A player can return to the game at any time after the free throws are attempted.

   

Note the difference in requirements when it comes to returning to a game when injured by either a Flagrant 1 or a Flagrant 2 Foul.  

Consequences of Flagrant Fouls

Depending on which league you look at, the consequences of receiving flagrant fouls might differ. In the NBA, any player who is given a flagrant 2 foul is not only ejected from the game, but is fined a minimum of $2,000. From here, the incident is reported to the League Office, which might result in further fines and even game suspensions. The league will take things like repeat offenses, severity of the foul(s), and more into consideration when it comes to game suspensions.

Flagrant Fouls vs. Technical Fouls

The two, if you want to call them the “most serious” fouls, you can get in basketball are flagrant fouls and technical fouls. One of the key differences between the two is that a flagrant foul comes depending on contact between players, while a technical foul doesn’t always depend on contact to be called. A technical foul can even be called on a fan within the arena. Here’s the three different categories of technical fouls: Administrative, Unsportsmanlike Foul, and a Double Technical. Just like receiving a flagrant 2 foul, if a player were to receive two technical fouls in one game, they’re automatically ejected. 

Administrative Technical Fouls

These take the term “technical” to heart. Things like having too many players on the court during a live play, players not complying with uniform rules, and a coach or player calling a timeout when their team has none all can be considered an administrative technical foul. 

Unsportsmanlike Technical Fouls

Take these as literal as possible, meaning anything that goes against the flow of the game or causes a disturbance in it might be seen as an unsportsmanlike technical foul. Continued arguing with referees and opponents, taunting opponents, and actions like hanging on the rim too long, slamming the ball in frustration, and other interferences can cause this to be called. One of the newer rules within the NBA, is accessing a technical foul after a flopping call. 

Double Technical Fouls

When both teams end up committing a technical foul at once, an official will call a double technical foul. In this case, both players are assessed for a technical foul, but neither team’s foul count increases.

How to Avoid Committing a Flagrant Foul

You’re not always going to be perfect on the defensive side of the ball, but you can always work to be better at it. Across all sports, playing defense can be tougher than playing offense. You’ve got to react to the unknown, making sure you’re careful not to do things like overextend and get yourself in a compromised position to be exposed by the offense. Here’s some tips and tricks to consider when training yourself to be better on defense:

• Learn to pressure the ball correctly: You’ll hear coaches say to play defense with your feet and not your hands. What they mean by this is that by staying lateral and quick to the ball and to a defender, you’re less inclined to reach in and hand-check an offensive player. Keeping the ball in front of you while defending helps too, as defending on an angle can lead to unnecessary reaching in and a higher chance of picking up a foul. 

• Scouting: This might be more of a technical standpoint, but if you’re able to find certain tendencies from your opponent like if they try to draw fouls more beyond the three-point line, or shot-fake a bunch down low, you can stay more disciplined. 

• Controlling your emotions: Sounds easy, but things get heightened when the game gets close, chippy, and competitive. It’s better to walk away and let officials and your coach take care of any foul call or anything else pertaining to the flow of the game. It’s their job. Let them do it! 

• Drills, drills drills: Check in with your coach and teammates to look for defensive drills you can do together that’ll tackle all different kinds of situations that translate into the game. How to deal with uneven fast breaks, 4 on 3’s, keeping defenders away from the paint, and more all help keep your defense clean throughout a game.