When is the ball out in basketball, and can you kick it?
I · Intermediate · Violations · 4 of 13The boundary lines are out. The ball is out of bounds when it touches the floor on or outside a line, a player who is standing on or outside a line, or the back or supports of the backboard. Deliberately kicking the ball or striking it with the fist is a violation; an accidental touch off the leg is not.
How it works
- The boundary lines are not part of the court.
- A player is out when any part of the body touches the floor on or outside the line.
- The ball is out when it touches an out-of-bounds player or person, the floor or any object on or outside the line, the backboard supports, the back of the backboard or anything above the court.
- The ball is put out by the last player to touch it, and the other team gets the throw-in.
- A player in the air keeps the status of where they last touched the floor, so a player who jumps from inside may throw the ball back in before landing.
- The ball is played with the hands. Running with it, deliberately kicking or blocking it with the leg, or punching it is a violation.
Tricky cases
Is the line in or out?
Out. A foot on the line is out of bounds.
Can a player jump out of bounds and save the ball?
Yes, if they jumped from inside the court and release the ball before touching the floor outside.
The ball hit a defender's foot. Is it a kicked ball?
It depends on whether it was deliberate. An accidental touch with the leg is not a violation.
The ball went over the top of the backboard. Is it out?
It depends on what it touched. Touching the back of the backboard, the supports or anything above the court is out.
Why the rule exists
Clear edges keep play on the court, and the kicking rule keeps basketball a game of the hands.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FIBA rules | As above | A13; A23; A2.5.1; A11.1 |
From the rule book
FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026, Articles 2.5.1, 11.1, 13 and 23, valid from 1 October 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: FIBA Official Basketball Rules (PDF).