How do category 1 and category 2 technical fouls work?

From 2026, FIBA splits technical fouls into two categories (Article 36). Only category 1 counts towards game disqualification.

Category 1 (behavioural, non-contact or contact), for example:

• Disrespectfully dealing or communicating with referees, the commissioner, table officials, opponents or bench personnel.
• Language or gestures likely to offend or incite spectators.
• Baiting, taunting or provoking an opponent (including contact that isn't flagrant or disqualifying).
• Waving or placing hands near an opponent's eyes.
• Excessive swinging of elbows without contact.
• Faking being fouled.

Any bench technical for disrespect, touching officials or opponents, or a procedural or administrative infraction is also category 1.

Category 2 (behavioural or administrative, non-contact), for example:

• Delaying the game (touching the ball after a basket, preventing a prompt throw-in or free throw, coming on court late to start the game or second half).
• Hanging on the ring, unless briefly after a dunk or to avoid injury.
• Goaltending by a defender on the last free throw (1 point awarded, then the technical penalty).

Penalty (either category): 1 free throw to the opponents, taken immediately. Play then restarts with the team that had or was entitled to the ball, from where play stopped. A player's technical counts as a player foul and a team foul; a bench category 1 technical is charged to the head coach and isn't a team foul.

Scoresheet: player technicals are "T" (category 1 is circled, as it counts towards disqualification); head coach "C"; bench "B".