What is a flagrant foul in basketball?
A · Advanced · Technical, disruptive, flagrant and disqualifying fouls · 5 of 9A flagrant foul is contact that goes beyond a normal foul: not a real basketball play, reckless or dangerous, or excessively hard. The penalty is 2 free throws and the ball. A second flagrant foul, or one flagrant and one category 1 technical foul, disqualifies the player.
How it works
A foul is flagrant when it is any of:
- Not a legitimate basketball play against an opponent, with or without the ball.
- A reckless, violent or dangerous act that causes or may cause injury.
- Excessive, hard contact in an effort to play the ball or an opponent.
Penalty:
- 2 free throws to the fouled player if they were not shooting.
- If they were shooting: the basket counts plus 1 free throw, or 2 or 3 free throws if it missed.
- Then a throw-in for the same team from the throw-in line in its frontcourt.
- It counts as a player foul and a team foul.
- Two flagrant fouls, or one flagrant and one category 1 technical: disqualified for the rest of the game.
Moving under a player who is in the air and causing contact is usually a flagrant foul.
Tricky cases
The defender was going for the ball. Can it still be flagrant?
Yes. Excessive, hard contact is flagrant even in an effort to play the ball.
Is one flagrant foul an ejection?
No. One flagrant foul keeps the player in the game. A foul bad enough to remove a player at once is a disqualifying foul.
Can the referees change the call after watching a replay?
Yes, where the instant replay system is used. They may upgrade or downgrade a personal, disruptive, flagrant or disqualifying foul.
Why the rule exists
It marks the line between hard play and dangerous play, and it makes the second offence the player's last.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FIBA rules 2026 | As above | A38 |
| Earlier FIBA books | Covered by the "unsportsmanlike foul" | C |
| NBA | "Flagrant 1" and "Flagrant 2", with different penalties | Not covered |
From the rule book
FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026, Articles 33.6 and 38 and Appendix F.3.3, valid from 1 October 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: FIBA Official Basketball Rules (PDF).