Defensive three-second violation
A defensive three-second violation, also known as illegal defense, is a basketball rules infraction in the National Basketball Association (NBA) introduced in the 2001–2002 season. It is assessed when a member of the defending team spends more than three seconds in the free throw lane (also known as the 16-foot lane, or colloquially as "in the paint") while not actively guarding an opponent. To be considered actively guarding, a defender must be within arm's length of an opponent and in a guarding position.[1] A three-second count is suspended if:[2]
- a player is in the act of shooting
- there is a loss of team control
- the defender is actively guarding an opponent
- the defender clears the painted area
- it is imminent the defender will become legal
In addition, a player guarding an opponent with the ball may be in the paint without actively guarding the opponent.[3]
The team committing a defensive three-second violation is assessed a team technical foul. The offense will receive one free throw and retain possession of the ball.[4]
Prior to the 2001–2002 NBA season, any form of zone defense was considered an illegal defense violation and resulted in a warning on the first violation and then a technical foul for any subsequent violations.[5] However, the defensive three-second violation makes it difficult for NBA defenses to play zone, since zone defenses usually position a player in the middle of the key to stop penetration.[6] The Philippine Basketball Association used to follow the illegal defense rule until the 2003 PBA season when it was abolished and reverted its rule starting in the 2015–16 PBA season.[7] The high school game does not use this rule, nor does European basketball.
The WNBA started using it in 2013.[8]
References
- ↑ NBA Official Rules (2009-2010) Rule 10, Section VII, B. Retrieved July 25, 2010
- ↑ NBA Official Rules (2009-2010) Rule 10, Section VII, D. Retrieved July 25, 2010
- ↑ NBA Official Rules (2009-2010) Rule 10, Section VII, E. Retrieved July 25, 2010
- ↑ NBA Official Rules (2009-2010) Rule 10, Section VII, Penalty. Retrieved July 25, 2010
- ↑ Blinebury, Fran (June 8, 2006). "Rule changes have NBA back in the fast lane". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
- ↑ http://www.sportingcharts.com/dictionary/nba/defensive-three-second-violation.aspx
- ↑ Cruz, Agnes (January 24, 2003). "PBA get fresh look this season". Arab News. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
- ↑ "WNBA Announces Rules Changes for 2013 Season". WNBA. Retrieved Dec 16, 2012.