Team Fouls and the Bonus

Also known as: Penalty, Bonus, One-and-one, Double bonus

When ordinary fouls start giving free throws.

The rule

Every foul a team commits adds to its team foul count. Early on, a non-shooting foul just gives the other team the ball. Once a team passes its limit, it’s “in the penalty” and every defensive foul sends the other team to the free-throw line. Offensive fouls never give free throws.

The penalty

Free throws for the fouled team, as listed below.

The reason

It stops teams from fouling over and over to break up good plays. Without it, a well-timed foul would almost always be worth it.

Around the leagues

• 5th foul per quarter: NBA, WNBA. Then 2 free throws. In the last 2 minutes, the 2nd foul if they weren’t in it yet. In overtime, the 4th foul.
• 5th foul per quarter: FIBA, Wheelchair. Then 2 free throws. Overtime counts as part of the fourth quarter.
• 5th foul per quarter: NCAA W. Then 2 free throws. The count resets every quarter.
• 7th foul per half: NCAA M. Fouls 7 to 9: one-and-one (make the first to earn the second). From the 10th: 2 free throws.
• 7th foul per game: 3x3. Fouls 7 to 9: 2 free throws. From the 10th: 2 free throws and the ball.

Related: Fouling Out, Shooting Foul

In the Dictionary: Foul