A fast break in basketball occurs when a player on one team gains possession of the ball without any defenders between him and his basket. Fast breaks often occur after the team with possession of the ball commits a turnover. Because a fast break usually leads to an easy score, professional and college level basketball associations maintain rules that penalize the defense if a foul is committed to intentionally spoil the fast break opportunity.
NBA
The NBA addresses the penalties for fast break violations in rule 12 of its official rulebook. A player is on a fast break once his team is on offense and he has a clear path to the basket. A player does not need to be in possession of the basketball to be on a fast break. If a defender commits a foul, the offensive player will shoot one free throw and his team will retain possession of the ball. This foul must take place between the tips of the center circle that extend into the frontcourt and backcourt, with no defender between the ball and the basket when the foul occurs. The offensive team must be in full possession of the basketball and the fast break must originate in the backcourt. In order for a foul to be considered a fast break violation, the offensive team must be deprived of a chance to score.
WNBA
The Women's National Basketball Association maintains similar regulations to the NBA's fast break rule with minor modifications. Starting at the beginning of the 2007 WNBA season, the league decided to award two free throws and possession of the ball to the offensive team if a clear-path-to-the-basket foul was committed. Previously, the WNBA awarded one free throw and possession of the ball to the offensive team, similar to the NBA. Just because a foul is committed when an offensive player has a clear path to the basket, the offensive team may not necessarily be awarded free throws and possession. If the basketball is loose after situations such as a bobbled rebound or errant pass, any foul that is committed is a common foul. This is so because neither team has possession of the basketball, so neither team is on offense or defense.
NCAA
The NCAA's rules award the same penalty to the defensive side as the WNBA rules in the event of a fast break foul. The offensive team in Divisions I, II and III gets two free throws and the ball if one of its players is fouled with a clear path to the basket. The college rules also prohibit any defender from establishing position under the basket in the event of any outnumbering fast break. If illegal contact occurs when a defender is under the basket in this situation, a blocking foul will be called. If a blocking foul is called when an offensive player is in the act of shooting, the offensive player will be awarded one free throw if he makes the shot and two free throws if he misses.
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