What is the difference between category 1 and category 2 technical fouls?

From 2026, technical fouls are split by severity (Art. 36.2). Category 1 counts towards game disqualification; category 2 does not.

Category 1 (player) covers behavioural fouls, contact or non-contact, including:

• disrespectfully dealing or communicating with referees, the commissioner, table officials, opponents or people on the team benches;
• language or gestures likely to offend or incite spectators;
• baiting, taunting or provoking an opponent, including contact with hands, arms, body or ball that doesn't reach flagrant or disqualifying level;
• waving or placing hands near an opponent's eyes;
• excessive swinging of elbows without contact;
• faking being fouled.

Category 2 (player) covers non-contact behavioural or administrative fouls, including:

• delaying the game: touching the ball after it goes through the basket, stopping a throw-in or free throw from being taken promptly, or coming on court late to start the game or second half;
• hanging on the ring so it holds your weight (except momentarily after a dunk or to prevent injury);
• goaltending by a defender on the last free throw (1 point is awarded, then the technical foul penalty).

Bench technicals: a technical by anyone permitted to sit on the bench, for disrespect to or touching officials or opponents, or a procedural or administrative infraction, is category 1. It is charged to the head coach and does not count as a team foul.

Penalty (both categories): 1 free throw to the opponents, taken immediately. Play then resumes with the team that had the ball, or was entitled to it, from where the game stopped. A player's technical foul, of either category, counts as a player foul and a team foul.