What Is A Violation In Basketball?

A violation in basketball is an infraction of the rules that does not involve contact with another player that could be considered a foul. The penalty for a violation is the awarding of the ball to the opposing team for a throw-in. Basketball violations are spelled out in rule books so players and coaches can know what is expected of them during a game.

Traveling Violation

The travel is one of the more common types of violations in basketball. The traveling violation is intended to prevent offensive players who have the ball from gaining an advantage over the defense by moving while not dribbling the basketball. A traveling violation occurs when a player picks up and then puts back down his pivot foot before releasing the ball for a shot, pass or dribble. A player may establish a pivot foot, which must be planted on the floor at all times while not dribbling. Once the player lifts the pivot foot, he must pass or shoot the ball before placing the pivot foot back on the floor. If a player jumps and catches the ball in mid-air, then lands on both feet, he may use either foot as the pivot foot.

Illegal Dribble

An illegal dribble, or double dribble, involves a player dribbling the ball, stopping his dribble by picking up the basketball and holding it in one or both hands, then starting to dribble again. A player may start a new dribble if the ball touches or is touched by an opposing player. A palming violation is similar to an illegal dribble. A palming violation is similar to carrying the ball with one hand while dribbling.

3-Second Violation

The 3-second violation is designed to prevent offensive players from gaining an advantage by standing in the free throw lane area near the basket. Offensive players may be in the free throw lane -- with one or both feet -- for 3 seconds, then must make an attempt to move out of the area. Failure to do so results in a violation and the ball being awarded to the other team. A player who has the ball is given extra leeway, according to the rules, if she is making an attempt to shoot the ball after the 3 seconds have expired. The 3-second rule starts over when the ball is in the air on a shot.

Out-of-Bounds Violation

The out-of-bounds violation is one of the simpler violations in basketball. The basketball court is marked by an outside border. Whenever the ball -- or any part of a player in contact with the ball -- touches this border or any part of the court outside the border, the ball is considered to be out of bounds. The last player to touch the ball is called for an out-of-bounds violation and the ball is awarded to the opposing team.