Basketball Rules ~ Intentional Foul

This basketball rule is one of the more costly rules of basketball for the team who commits the intentional foul, which is usually the defensive team.  An intentional foul is when a player intentionally fouls the other team by hitting, slapping, tripping, grabbing, bumping, or pushing a player on the other team.  An intentional foul can also be called if a player grabs the jersey of a player on the other team.  An intentional foul can also be called if a player fouls another player in a way where there was no intent to go after the basketball.  This usually occurs during fast break situations.  When an intentional foul is called the other team is awarded two free throw attempts plus possession of the basketball.  The intentional foul is similar to the flagrant foul and sometimes is called a technical foul.  The intentional foul counts toward an individual player's foul total as well as the team's foul total.