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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/bball-backcourt-violation

Your team controls the ball past half court, sends it back, then touches it first. What is that?

A backcourt violation, also called over and back.

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  1. Backcourt violation ✔
  2. Traveling
  3. Goaltending

Why: Once your team controls the ball in the frontcourt, it may not send the ball into the backcourt and be the first team to touch it there. The other team gets the ball at midcourt.

Huh, didn't know that: It is not a violation if the defense caused the ball to go back.

The dad joke
Why did the ball keep crossing half court? It could not decide which side it was on.
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References

Answer: Backcourt violation. Once your team controls the ball in the frontcourt, it may not send the ball into the backcourt and be the first team to touch it there. The other team gets the ball at midcourt.

  1. NBA Official Rules, Rule 10: Violations and Penalties official.nba.com/rule-no-10-violations-and-penalties
    A player shall not be the first to touch a ball which he or a teammate caused to go from frontcourt to backcourt
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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Test yourself in the game

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