You obviously can’t tackle somebody like in football or rugby, but there is contact in basketball. Webster’s dictionary defines contact sport as “a sport in which the participants necessarily come into bodily contact with one another”.
So is basketball a contact sport?
Yes, it is considered a contact sport. No matter what position you play, you will have some physical contact. Basketball players encounter physical contact on the court, from setting screens to taking a charge and dunking in traffic. The rules of basketball do protect players from excessive physical contact but they can’t eliminate it.
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Contact in Basketball
There are several different contact situations in basketball. Offensive players can be in contact with their defender, or they can be in contact with an offensive player who has the ball. Defenders can also be in contact with each other. The difference between these situations are the rules that apply to them.
What is a Foul In Basketball?
A foul in basketball is an infraction of the rules. A foul is usually defined as an illegal action committed by a player, usually as an offensive foul or a defensive foul.
Fouls in basketball are divided into two categories: personal fouls and technical fouls. Examples of personal fouls would be charging, holding, illegal screen, or illegal defense.
You can review the NCAA specific rules on fouls here and the NBA’s rules here.
Technical Foul
Technical fouls are given to players, coaches or a team for violating the rules during the game. A technical foul may be assessed for unsportsmanlike conduct, including excessive arguing with the officials.
Flagrant Foul
There are also two levels of flagrant fouls: Flagrant 1 and Flagrant 2. A flagrant foul is a foul committed with excessive or unnecessary force. Flagrant fouls, along with technical fouls, are considered to be “personal fouls” in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
The penalty is two free throws and possession of the ball. A flagrant foul is often accompanied by ejection from the game.
Contact Based on Position in Basketball
Some positions are much more physically demanding than others. Players who play within the 3 second lane (in paint) are going to draw more contact and fouls than players who play around the perimeter or 3 point line.
You will have contact when players are trying to weave in-and-out of traffic and setting screens while trying to block shots or offensive players are trying to “posterize” (dunk on) their defender. Here are some common parts of the game that involve contact.
- Setting screens
- Taking a charge
- Slashing to the basket
Concussions and Injuries
Concussions and injuries are very common in basketball. The most common injury is a tear or strain to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which is an injury that occurs in the knee. Another common injury is an ankle fracture, which happens when you roll or twist your ankle. You can check out our post on ankle braces and knee braces for basketball to learn how to protect yourself from these injuries.
Concussions are a major concern in basketball. Every time you get hit in the head, there’s a potential for a concussion. The most common concussion is a contusion. No matter how many concussion protocols and safety precautions you have in place, there is simply no way to eliminate all the risk of injury in basketball. However, there are ways to reduce the risk of serious injury. As an example, The NBA is requiring a player to leave the game and not return if they suffer a concussion. Is basketball a contact sport? Again, we say yes!
You can check out some of our posts on basketball rules such as carrying, traveling, or charging.
Troy Wright
I am a lifetime basketball enthusiast and loved playing basketball competitively through high school. I still try and play at least 3 times a week and explore all kinds of equipment and training to keep myself on the court and continually getting better. I am a college basketball fanatic and move onto the NBA when March Madness ends.
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