When is it a backcourt violation?
Rule- England
- Basketball England
- FIBA rules
- FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026
- All ages
- 2026/27
- Referees
A team in control of a live ball in its frontcourt may not cause the ball to go illegally back to its backcourt (FIBA Article 30).
A team is in control in its frontcourt when a player is touching the frontcourt with both feet while holding, catching or dribbling the ball there, or when the ball is passed between team-mates in the frontcourt.
It's a violation if a player of that team is last to touch the ball in the frontcourt and a player of the same team is first to touch it:
- while having any part of the body touching the backcourt, or
- after the ball has touched that team's backcourt.
This applies in all frontcourt situations, including throw-ins. Exception: a player who jumps from the frontcourt, gains new team control while in the air and lands with the ball in the backcourt has not committed a violation.
Penalty: a throw-in to the opponents in their frontcourt, from the place nearest the infraction (not directly behind the backboard).
Added 21 Oct 2026