Understanding the rules of basketball can be a game-changer, especially when it comes to the often misunderstood “illegal use of hands” foul.
You’ve probably seen players reaching in, swatting at the ball, or making contact with their opponents and wondered why some actions are called fouls while others aren’t. The distinction lies in the specifics of what constitutes illegal contact.
In basketball, it’s perfectly legal to hit an opponent’s hand if it’s in contact with the ball, whether they’re holding, dribbling, or shooting. However, the moment you strike their wrist, forearm, or any part not in contact with the ball, it becomes a foul.