The 5-second foul is a common occurrence in every basketball game.
And the reason it’s so popular is because it can be called in so many different situations on the basketball court.
But while the call itself is common, there are slight differences regarding the 5-second violation for different levels of basketball.
This article will discuss the different variations of the 5 second foul and how you can help your team avoid getting called for it.
What is a 5 second foul in basketball?
There are 2 different versions of the 5 second offense that high school and youth teams can apply.
1. Throwing violation
Whenever an offensive player drives to the basketball, whether it’s against a backcourt press or out of play in the front court, they have 5 seconds to throw the ball in.
The count starts when the attacking player picks up the ball or is handed the ball by the referee and continues until the ball is released.
2. Strictly guarded
Once a player catches the ball, they have 5 seconds to either shoot, dribble, or pass the basketball.
The count is restored when the attacking player is able to get his head and shoulders out of the defender or break the required distance from the defender.
Why the goal of a 5 second offense?
The 5 second foul is a rule to improve the overall flow of the game.
If the offense can last as long as they want to start offense or throw the ball inbounds, it creates an unfair advantage for them.
The 5-second foul helps reward the defender for keeping the ball or making a good inbounds play.
What is the penalty for a 5 second violation?
The penalty for a 5-second violation is a death bullet circulation with crime.
The defense will take over at the base position if it was fouled on the inbounds play or closest to where the foul occurred if it is strictly guarded.
Variations on a strictly observed rule
Different levels are different basketball rules 5 seconds for a strictly enforced violation.
In NCAA men’s and high school basketball, a defender must be within 6 feet of the ball in the frontcourt to force a count.
However, in NCAA women’s basketball, the distance is 3 feet and can occur anywhere on the basketball court.
At the NCAA level, whether men’s or women’s, a closely guarded count can only occur when the ball is held behind the offensive player.
However, at the high school level, the count can happen whether the ball is being held or dribbled.
The last change has to do with who exactly is defending the ball. In NCAA basketball, the same defender must be within the required distance to continue the count.
But at the high school level, even if the defense changes, the count can continue as long as they stay within 6 feet.
Teach players to avoid the 5 second foul
Being called for a 5 second foul is an instant disruption to a foul, especially late in the game.
Here are some key points to remember for each version of the 5-second foul to help your team avoid getting called for it.
Throwing 5 second foul
a. Always have a safety valve
Every basketball coach loves to score in BLOB games.
It’s a great way to score points for your team, especially in a close game.
However, as the season progresses, your opponents will have the advantage of scouting your team.
Meaning your chances of scoring in your primary actions become more and more difficult as the season goes on.
So you need to make sure that each of your BLOB plays has a player as an outlet that you can sneak the ball into as time runs out.
This usually means a player who goes deep near the top of the key.
Because while scoring from your BLOB plays is a huge benefit to your offense, getting called for a 5 second foul on one is instead a huge momentum changer for the defense and should be avoided.
b. Use a good passer as an inbound
The player you assign to throw the ball is a decision that should not be taken lightly.
Because if your game is perfect, it doesn’t matter if you don’t have a ball player who can pass for a score.
But being a “good passer” isn’t the only requirement for this point.
You need someone who can predict the play before it happens, read the defense and see what’s going to happen based on their alignment.
They need to be able to make split second decisions because if they hesitate, the game will no longer be open.
Putting your point guard is a common way to go in this spot and it should work because that player should be able to make a good pass.
However, sometimes a player with a bit more size who can see over defenders is an even better option if you can handle it.
Tightly guarded 5-second offense
a. Watch the referee
Asking a player to know how many 6-footers are on the court while the game is in progress is a big ask.
But what your players need to realize is that the referee will always indicate whether a player is being heavily guarded or not based on their hand signals.
If the defense is too far, the referee will release both hands, indicating that the defense is too far to start a count.
However, if the defending player is within 6 feet, the referee will open and call back one of their hands to preserve the count.
Seeing the referee’s hand signals will let your players know if they need to do something else with the ball or if they can keep doing what they are doing without fear of a turnover.
b. Learn how to hack an account
Just because the referee is counting does not mean that the offensive player should automatically shoot or pass the basketball.
Make sure your players understand how they can break the score by getting their head and shoulders on the defender’s body to reset the 5 seconds.
To do this, an offensive player must be strong with the basketball and be able to cover the defense with a quick first step to create separation.
Helping your players understand that if they’re having trouble turning it over, they can take a few dribbles to buy themselves more time with the basketball is an upper-level skill that will help your players develop quickly.
Conclusion
A 5-second foul call, no matter what it is, can be an absolute catalyst for offense.
Not only does it cause your team to turn over and you lose a scoring opportunity, but it injects more life and energy into the defense that can help them run.
So make sure your players know the different types of 5 second fouls and how to avoid getting called for them.
A good awareness of the referees and defenders will help your players avoid uncertain situations.
And making quick decisions to either pass or drive will also keep them in control of the ball and away from the 5-second foul.
