Suppose you are in the heat of a tight game. The clock is running out and suddenly a player just kicked the ball. And the referee just stopped the game. How will you feel? What will be the referee’s decision? What will happen next? Wanna know?
Well, first, let me clarify this “Can you kick the ball in basketball?” topic with one word: ‘NO’! Kicking the ball in basketball during a game is not allowed. But here is a twist! In some cases, if a player kicks the ball, then it will not be considered as a violation. But when?
And just like that, if you want to get all the answers, keep digging this blog. Because this one is well-cooked to satisfy your hunger for knowledge on “Can you kick the ball in basketball?”
Can You Kick the Ball in Basketball?
Nope! You can’t just kick the ball in basketball on purpose. It’s illegal and considered a violation of the rules. Even blocking passes, messing up someone’s dribbling, and using the leg to control the ball are prohibited in basketball.
Though, kicking the ball is not a foul, it’s more like a turnover. That means if a player kicks the ball intentionally then the opponent team will get the ball.
On the other hand, if you kick the ball accidentally, then it will not count as a violation. So, no kicking in basketball. Instead, you can use your legs to show off some cool moves.
What Happen If you Kick the Ball in Basketball
Basketball is the game of dribbling, dunking, and clutching. So, when a player kicks the ball, the game gets slow. Refs need to stop the game and check whether this kicking situation happened intentionally or accidentally.
If the referees find that a player just touches the ball with his/her foot subconsciously, then no harm, no foul. It generally depends on intention. And if a player deliberately uses their leg or foot to control, deflect, or pass the ball, then it will be a kicking violation.
What are the Consequences of Kick Violation in Basketball?
The consequences are simple and plain. Kicking the ball in the basketball intentionally will lead you to give up the ball to the opponent team. That means they will get the chance to throw the ball in from the closet spot.
In some leagues, you might also see referees penalizing the offending player with a technical foul. Now, what does that mean? Easy, PAL; ops probably gets free throws. Tell me, what can be more worse than that?
What Constitutes a Kicking Violation in the NBA?
Purposely kicking the ball constitutes a kicking violation. And there are some examples of those foot-to-ball interactions that are considered a rule-breaking thing in basketball. What are they? Let’s see:
- If a player tries to block a pass and accidentally touches the ball, it’s fine. But if the player seems way too rough or trying to kick it on purpose, it will be counted as a violation.
- Deliberately touching the ball with any part of the knee, shin, calf, and obviously, the foot can be called a violation.
- It will be a violation if a player does not just kick the ball away, even uses the foot to
control, deflect, or pass the ball.
What are the Official Rules For Kicking the Ball in Basketball?
The core rule of kicking the ball in basketball is that it’s illegal with intent. But there might be some slight difference about kicking the ball across distinct leagues and organizations. Take a quick look at the following section to learn about them:
Official Rules for Kicking the Ball in Basketball:
- Players don’t have the right to kick the ball intentionally with any part of their leg or foot while striking, controlling, deflecting, or passing the ball.
- Accidental contacts don’t cause a violation.
Rules for Diffrent Leagues on Kicking the Ball in Basketball:
Here is a simple table for understanding the different rules of different leagues.
| League | Intentionality Emphasis | Technical Fouls for Kicking | Deflections | Tip-offs |
| NFHS (High School) | High emphasis | No | May not be called if instinctive | Not allowed |
| NCAA | Similar to NFHS | Possible for egregious violations or repetition | More likely to be called than NFHS | Depends on league’s interpretation |
| NBA | Referee discretion based on context | Rarer, but possible for unsportsmanlike conduct | Judged based on intent and situation | Not allowed |
| FIBA | Similar to NCAA | Possible for unsportsmanlike conduct | Considered on a case-by-case basis | One-handed tip-off with open palm allowed |
Final Thoughts
So, your asking was, “Can you kick the ball in basketball?” If I’m not wrong, I guess you know the answer by now. Though, let’s take a flashback trip.
Kicking the basketball means violating the rules of basketball sport and disrupting the flow of the game. Players should show respect for the rules and avoid kicking the ball intentionally.
And if somehow that kicking thing happens, then the refs will give it a close look to examine whether it occurred on purpose or not and take action accordingly.