The NBA has long had an issue with some of the fouling that takes place in games. One of the most egregious examples of this has been the take foul in transition that many have called for eradication. The take foul occurs when a defender intentionally fouls without making a play for the ball just to stop a fast break.
There have been discussions about making changes to the rule earlier in the year, and now the NBA has released a statement adjusting the rule. While the penalty for such a foul before was a common foul assessed to the defender, moving forward, the team in transition will be awarded a free throw as well as retaining possession of the ball.
The NBA Board of Governors today approved a change to the playing rules that will impose a heightened penalty when a defensive player commits a “transition take foul”and approved the adoption of the NBA Play-In Tournament on a full-time basis. pic.twitter.com/zeEDP4JEp5
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) July 13, 2022
“The NBA defines a take foul as ‘a foul in which the defender does not make a play on the ball’ and a transition scoring opportunity as the offensive team ‘continuously advancing the ball while it has an advantage based on the speed of play, the position of the defenders or both.’
The Board of Governors has thoroughly explained how the new penalties will be enforced:
“Any immediate foul after a change in possession but before the offensive team is able to advance the ball will incur the increased penalty.
“Any offensive player off the ball who is fouled during a transition scoring opportunity will trigger the new, increased penalty.
“The increased penalty will not be applied if the offensive player is in the act of shooting. In that case, a shooting foul will be applied.
“A defensive player making a legitimate play on the ball won’t receive the new, increased penalty, though they may still be subject to clear-path-to-the-basket fouls.”
This new rule should make players think twice about taking away transition opportunities from the opposition, which will allow for more highlight plays on the fast break. This rule has been debated about for a while, and if nobody else, the fans will be quite excited that it has finally been addressed.
