Becoming an effective basketball player takes skill, speed and hand-eye coordination. It also takes knowledge of the rules. Players have to understand what the referees are looking for when they call fouls; players must know the violations that will be called and they have to understand what it takes to avoid a technical foul.
Foul Calls
Basketball is a game that prevents one player from initiating contact with another. However, it does permit contact when both players are going after a rebound or a loose ball. If the player who has the ball is shooting at the time the defender makes contact with the shooter's body, the shooter will get one, two or three free throws. If the shooter made his shot from the field, he gets one additional free throw. If he missed a two-point shot, he gets two free throws. If he missed a three-pointer, he gets three free throws.
Violations
Violations are called for traveling, discontinued dribble, kicking the ball, three-second violation, 24-second violation and going out of bounds. If a player double dribbles, the opponent gets the ball. If an offensive player is in the lane---often called "the paint"---for more than three seconds, the opponent takes possession. If a defensive player kicks the ball in an attempt to deflect a pass, the offensive team retains possession of the ball and gets a full 24 seconds to shoot the ball.
Technical Fouls
Referees can call technical fouls for conduct violations by players or coaches. No player or coach may argue with the referee about a call and conduct himself in a disrespectful manner. If a player or coach uses abusive language or the referee feels threatened in any way, the referee will award a technical free throw. This will send a player from the opposing team to the free throw line where he will shoot one free throw. A referee can also award a technical free throw if a player does not enter the game in the correct way. Players coming into the game must report to the scorer's table, say who he is going in for and get waved into the game by the referee. If a player goes from the bench to the court without reporting in, the referee can award a technical free throw to the opponent.
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