A technical foul in basketball typically is assessed for disciplinary reasons. It may be assessed for unsportsmanlike behavior or for activities that threaten the integrity of the game. Unlike personal fouls, a technical foul can be assessed against a coach. For most types of technical fouls, two free throw attempts will be awarded to the other team, and that team also will be awarded possession of the ball.
Timeouts
When a coach requests a timeout in excess of the total number allowed for the team, the referee may grant the request but then must assess a technical foul, according to the National Basketball Association. Under some circumstances, a coach may call an excessive timeout intentionally, even at the cost of a technical foul.
Delay of Game
A referee can call a technical foul against a coach for tactics that unnecessarily delay a game. These tactics include keeping the team in a huddle after a timeout has expired and interfering with a ball that has gone out of bounds. In general, any behavior that results in unnecessary delay of a game can trigger a technical foul.
Substitutions
A coach can be assessed a technical foul for attempting to substitute into the game a player who has fouled out or has been ejected from the game. A technical foul also is committed if the coach sends more than five players onto the court at one time.
Unsportsmanlike Behavior
A coach can be assessed a technical foul for unsportsmanlike behavior if he verbally abuses or touches an official, gestures inappropriately, uses profanity, leaves the coaching box, steps onto the court or taunts an official or players. In general, any disrespectful behavior can trigger a technical foul. The referee has the discretion to eject a coach after one technical foul, but must eject the coach after the second technical. Any foul assessed against anyone on the team's bench also will be assessed against the coach, according to the Hoops Vibe website. Failure to comply with penalties for a technical foul also is considered unsportsmanlike conduct, and can lead to forfeiture of the game.
Fighting
If a coach participates in a fight during an NBA game, regardless of whether or not actual physical contact is made, he will be ejected immediately, although the opposing team will not receive free throws. The coach may be fined up to $35,000 or suspended from his position, at the discretion of the NBA commissioner.
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