Basketball Rules: Personal Fouls


Per basic basketball rules, personal fouls can be called for pushing, slapping, bumping, hitting, nudging, elbowing, jumping into someone, etc.  Personal fouls can also be called for running into an opposing player or tripping an opposing player.  Personal fouls can be called on both offensive and defensive players.  In high school and college each player is allowed four personal fouls per game.  If they get a fifth foul they must leave the game and are not eligible to return.  In the NBA each player is allowed 5 personal fouls per game and must leave the game if they pick up their sixth foul.  No additional fouls are granted for overtime in college or the NBA.