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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/bball-personal-foul-definition

What is a personal foul in basketball?

Illegal contact with an opponent is a personal foul.

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  1. Illegal contact with an opponent ✔
  2. Any contact inside the paint
  3. A missed shot attempt

Why: A personal foul is illegal contact with an opponent, such as holding, pushing or charging into them. Not all contact is a foul.

Huh, didn't know that: In the NBA, every personal foul counts toward the player's total. Defensive personal fouls count toward the team total, but ordinary offensive fouls do not.

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Why did the basketball player hold his opponent? He wanted to stay close.
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References

Answer: Illegal contact with an opponent. A personal foul is illegal contact with an opponent, such as holding, pushing or charging into them. Not all contact is a foul.

  1. NBA Official Rules, Rule 12: Fouls and Penalties official.nba.com/rule-no-12-fouls-and-penalties
    A player shall not hold, push, charge into, impede the progress of an opponent
    Checked 2026-10-12.
  2. NBA Official Rules, Rule 12: Fouls and Penalties official.nba.com/rule-no-12-fouls-and-penalties
    The offending team is charged with a team foul if the illegal contact was caused by the defender.
    Checked 2026-10-12.
  3. NBA Official Rules, Rule 12: Fouls and Penalties official.nba.com/rule-no-12-fouls-and-penalties
    There is no team foul if there are personal fouls on one member of each team or the personal foul is against an offensive player.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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