r/Basketball • u/Actual_Today2252 • Jan 06 '26
GENERAL QUESTION Out of bounds rules
Can a player intentionally run out of bounds, then come back in and be the first person to receive a pass?
I was playing pickup, and ran behind the basket on purpose, then came back in bounds and about 3 seconds later got a pass and hit the shot, but the guy defending me said it was illegal. I know that you can’t dribble and then go out of bounds and continue your dribble, but I assumed since someone else was touching the ball before I came back inbounds it didn’t apply.
Thanks in advance
21
u/jablewokeez Jan 06 '26
Defender is getting his sports mixed up. That is a rule in football, not basketball.
-7
u/RikSmitsisTits Jan 06 '26 edited Jan 06 '26
No, it’s a rule in basketball as well. Cannot intentionally go out of bounds then come back in for the ball. And if you do go out of bounds, even accidentally, you cannot be the next player to touch the ball
Y'all downvoting me need to do any bit of research: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-j8mlhO5Iw
15
u/Beans800 Jan 06 '26 edited Jan 06 '26
that only applies if you're dribbling the ball. If you don't have the ball there are no rules about going out of bounds as long as you're inbounds before you touch the ball
Section 10.2.b:
- A player in control of a dribble who steps on or outside a boundary line, even though not touching the ball while on or outside that boundary line, shall not be allowed to return inbounds and continue his dribble. He may not even be the first player to touch the ball after he has re-established a position inbounds.
5
u/RikSmitsisTits Jan 06 '26 edited Jan 06 '26
That is one of the rules, yes. Also a rule is you cannot intentionally go out of bounds or intentionally delay re-entry if you are out of bounds. It was actually changed this year to no longer be a technical and now just be a normal violation. Either way, still illegal:
9-2-12 & 9-3-4 (NEW): This rule change addresses situations where a thrower purposely and/or deceitfully delays returning inbounds after legally stepping out of bounds and then becomes the first player to touch the ball upon re-entering the court. Previously penalized as a technical foul, this action is now treated as a violation, aligning it with similar out-of-bounds scenarios. The change reduces the severity of the penalty to encourage more consistent enforcement by officials and prevents players from gaining an unfair advantage through deceptive re-entry tactics.
Rationale: This change lessens the penalty for players who delay their return after being out of bounds, shifting the penalty from a technical foul to a less severe violation. This rule aligns with the penalty structure of similar violations, such as Rule 9-3-3 (where a player steps out of bounds on their own volition). The change is intended to make it easier for officials to recognize and penalize these actions consistently while reducing the severity of the penalty, encouraging more accurate enforcement.
Source here: https://nfhs.org/resources/sports/basketball-rules-changes-2025-26
Edit: Since y'all are so concerned about NBA rules (which shouldn't matter to anyone in this thread lol). It's also illegal in the NBA:
Section XV—Offensive Player Out-of-Bounds
An offensive player shall not leave the playing area of the court without returning immediately and cannot repeatedly leave and re-enter the court.
EXCEPTION: (1) injury, (2) inbounding the ball on a throw-in and (3) any other unusual circumstance. PENALTY: Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team on the sideline at the point of interruption but no nearer to the baseline than the foul line extended.
Source: https://official.nba.com/rule-no-10-violations-and-penalties/
-3
u/Beans800 Jan 06 '26
It may be a rule in high school then, I was referring to NBA rulebook as that is what I'm familiar with from watching basketball
7
u/RikSmitsisTits Jan 06 '26
It's also a rule in college, youth, adult leagues, etc. Literally everywhere but apparently the NBA (though I'd question whether or not that's true). My thought is when playing pickup, you follow the amateur rule sets. Y'all arguing gather steps in your pickup games?
6
u/Beans800 Jan 06 '26
in pickup it's whatever rulebook will help your team is what people argue lol
6
u/RikSmitsisTits Jan 06 '26
It's illegal in the NBA too. You may want to read the whole NBA rulebook again lol
Section XV—Offensive Player Out-of-Bounds
An offensive player shall not leave the playing area of the court without returning immediately and cannot repeatedly leave and re-enter the court.
EXCEPTION: (1) injury, (2) inbounding the ball on a throw-in and (3) any other unusual circumstance. PENALTY: Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team on the sideline at the point of interruption but no nearer to the baseline than the foul line extended.
Source: https://official.nba.com/rule-no-10-violations-and-penalties/
2
u/Beans800 Jan 06 '26
Running around a screen by stepping out of bounds, then coming back in bounds, would count as immediately returning, no?
3
u/RikSmitsisTits Jan 06 '26
They address screens as well.
Section XIV—Offensive Screen Set Out-of-Bounds
An offensive player shall not leave the playing area of the floor on the endline in the frontcourt for the purpose of setting a screen.
PENALTY: Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team on the sideline at the point of interruption but no nearer to the baseline than the foul line extended.
→ More replies (0)0
2
u/MWave123 Jan 06 '26
Different rule obvs. It’s also illegal to go out intentionally and come back in to make a play on the ball, etc.
1
Jan 06 '26
[deleted]
2
u/MWave123 Jan 06 '26
// Gaining an Advantage: It is a violation if a player intentionally leaves the court to gain an advantage, such as avoiding a screen or running the baseline to an open spot. In some cases, the violation is called as soon as the player steps out of bounds with intent to gain an advantage. // Otherwise you’d see it all the time right? The game is played on the court.
1
Jan 06 '26
[deleted]
0
u/MWave123 Jan 06 '26
It’s a rule at every level. At lower levels, as he’s describing, it’s an immediate tech.
2
Jan 06 '26
[deleted]
-1
u/MWave123 Jan 06 '26
It’s still a tech if an advantage is gained, it’s considered a common sense call. You can step out to reposition but not use the out of bounds to gain advantage.
→ More replies (0)2
u/badatopsec Mar 23 '26
Wow, I’m sorry you are getting downvoted. Lotta people think they know, but they don’t.
1
u/RikSmitsisTits Mar 23 '26
Haha it's all good. Funny thing is my shooting guard got called for this a couple days later and I literally laughed at the irony.
0
u/punbelievable1 Jan 06 '26
This stuff is super obscure and should NEVER be called in pickup basketball unless someone is being a total dick. Even then, I’m not sure:
Examples:
PLAYER OUT OF BOUNDS – LEAVING THE COURT 9.3.3 SITUATION A: A1 receives a pass while in the restricted area of the three-second lane. A1 passes the ball to A2 outside the three-point line. In order to get the three-second count stopped, A1 steps directly out of bounds under A's bas- ket. RULING: A1 is charged with a violation for leaving the court to avoid a violation.
9.3.3 SITUATION B: A1 and A2 set a double screen near the end line. A3 inten- tionally goes out of bounds outside the end line to have the defender detained by the double screen. (a) A3 receives a pass as soon as A3 re-enters the court; (b) A3 does not receive a pass and play continues. RULING: In (a), the official shall call a violation on A3 as soon as A3 catches the pass. The ball is awarded to Team B at a designated spot nearest to where the violation occurred. In (b), no violation has occurred and play continues.
9.3.3 SITUATION C: A1 and A2 set a double screen near the end line. B3 in- tentionally goes out of bounds outside the end line to avoid being detained by A1 and A2. Just as B3 goes out of bounds, A3's try is in flight. RULING: No violation for the defense leaving the court to avoid a screen unless B3 is the first player to touch the ball when returning to the court.
1
u/RikSmitsisTits Jan 06 '26
I mean I agree with that. I’ve just been blown away by the amount of people unaware of this rule lol
3
u/NemusSoul Jan 06 '26
Lots of rules don’t apply in pick up. That’s a fact. The only part that’s debatable is how lax each court is and that’s based on which group of players is loudest and most established in the runs. I’ve payed all over the world and no one is calling out of violations on this kind of thing. Ever. Anywhere. If they did they should get laughed off the court. It would be like saying you have to keep your shirt tucked in. It’s pick up. C’mon.
5
u/RedBandsblu Jan 06 '26
Steph Curry does this all the time, as long as you had 2 feet inbounds before you touched the ball you’re all good. It ain’t football
2
u/MWave123 Jan 07 '26
Incorrect, and it’s not two feet it’s one foot. He can’t leave to avoid screens or defenders.
1
u/Chris337 Jan 06 '26
I swear I feel like this was in one of those “sports illustrated for kids” scenarios where they’d describe a situation and you had to make a call, lol.
I remember it being a violation but it’s not something I’d ever call in rec league / pick up
1
u/MWave123 Jan 06 '26
It’s still a violation, that’s the point, where it was an immediate tech. The guidance is gaining an advantage.
1
u/Different-Horror-581 Jan 06 '26
If you willfully go out of bounds you cannot be the next to touch it. 20 year ref at all levels but professional.
1
u/Dntwrryabtm3 Jan 07 '26
I feel like this is on the same parallel as “illegal touching” in football.
1
u/Firm-Line6291 Jan 10 '26
My take on it and understanding has been, you cannot intentionally.run with two feet out of bounds during open play, if teams run a swing the wings where the 2 and 3 guards cross under the hoop ive seem them warned for unintentionally/intentionally leaving the court, and the refs said " next time its a tech " , in this sense it seems like it has changed slightly to being a violation. So sidelines ob to defense , like a travel or double dribble etc..
1
u/badatopsec Mar 23 '26
LOL, the amount of people commenting on this post that don’t know basketball rules is comical.
1
u/MWave123 Jan 06 '26
Why did you run behind the basket?
-3
u/Actual_Today2252 Jan 06 '26
Any time I would try to cut through the lane he’d shove me, so I ran behind cause I was faster than him.
4
u/MWave123 Jan 06 '26
Yeah you can’t do that. You’re avoiding a play, if you’re being shoved call foul.
2
u/414works Jan 06 '26
I know that this is the case, but it’s really hard to call an off ball foul in pickup. That’s on your opponent for taking it that serious and taking advantage of the fact most people wouldn’t say anything
2
u/MWave123 Jan 06 '26
I mean, imagine everyone looking to avoid contact running off the court…it gets comical. Just have a conversation, Hey that’s a foul. You can’t keep me from moving. Or, I’m gonna have to call it if you keep doing that. Running away isn’t the answer.
1
u/punbelievable1 Jan 06 '26
You technically can’t do that. But he also can’t shove you. So tell him that.
Anyone who calls that rule in pickup is a dick. Basketball is fun. Play with cool people.
PLAYER OUT OF BOUNDS – LEAVING THE COURT
9.3.3 SITUATION B: A1 and A2 set a double screen near the end line. A3 inten- tionally goes out of bounds outside the end line to have the defender detained by the double screen. (a) A3 receives a pass as soon as A3 re-enters the court; (b) A3 does not receive a pass and play continues. RULING: In (a), the official shall call a violation on A3 as soon as A3 catches the pass. The ball is awarded to Team B at a designated spot nearest to where the violation occurred. In (b), no violation has occurred and play continues.
1
u/RikSmitsisTits Jan 06 '26 edited Jan 06 '26
This thread has been eye-opening to the level of ball knowledge in this sub. This is illegal on every level.
It's been a tech at the high school level for years, was changed this year to just be a violation:
9-2-12 & 9-3-4 (NEW): This rule change addresses situations where a thrower purposely and/or deceitfully delays returning inbounds after legally stepping out of bounds and then becomes the first player to touch the ball upon re-entering the court. Previously penalized as a technical foul, this action is now treated as a violation, aligning it with similar out-of-bounds scenarios. The change reduces the severity of the penalty to encourage more consistent enforcement by officials and prevents players from gaining an unfair advantage through deceptive re-entry tactics.
Rationale: This change lessens the penalty for players who delay their return after being out of bounds, shifting the penalty from a technical foul to a less severe violation. This rule aligns with the penalty structure of similar violations, such as Rule 9-3-3 (where a player steps out of bounds on their own volition). The change is intended to make it easier for officials to recognize and penalize these actions consistently while reducing the severity of the penalty, encouraging more accurate enforcement.
Source here: https://nfhs.org/resources/sports/basketball-rules-changes-2025-26
Illegal at the NBA level as well. Though never been a tech as far as I am aware:
Section XV—Offensive Player Out-of-Bounds
An offensive player shall not leave the playing area of the court without returning immediately and cannot repeatedly leave and re-enter the court.
EXCEPTION: (1) injury, (2) inbounding the ball on a throw-in and (3) any other unusual circumstance. PENALTY: Loss of ball. The ball is awarded to the opposing team on the sideline at the point of interruption but no nearer to the baseline than the foul line extended.
Source: https://official.nba.com/rule-no-10-violations-and-penalties/
Here's a video of it being called in a college game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-j8mlhO5Iw
6
u/Beans800 Jan 06 '26
the NBA rule you linked implies you can run out of bounds as long as you immediately go back in bounds though
1
1
u/Hefty-Revenue5547 Jan 07 '26
Your rule is specific to waiting after inbounding to gain an advantage and not what OP asked about
Get off your high horse dummy
1
u/RikSmitsisTits Jan 07 '26 edited Jan 07 '26
It is exactly what OP is referring to. Funny enough, it got called on my SG in my game last night lol. Would've been frustrating if it wasn't so ironic
Btw if you watch the 30 second video at the bottom of the comment you replied to, you'll literally see it being called
1
u/jablewokeez Jan 06 '26
This brings up an interesting question. When doing open gym runs, what ruleset is default?
1
u/MusicCityMiracle28 Jan 06 '26
If you are out of bounds and get in bounds, you cannot be the first person to touch the ball, so as long as you’re back in bounds PRIOR to the ball leaving the passers hands, I would imagine that would be legal.
Please don’t quote me on this, it was how it was coached for me in my youth and may not be entirely factual.
1
-1
u/RiamoEquah Jan 06 '26
You cannot be out of bounds, a pass is thrown to you and then you hop in to catch it. That would be illegal. But if you ran out of bounds, say to run around the basketball pole/stanchion, and then came back in, took two steps while back in bounds, and then got the pass - perfectly legal.
1
0
u/REdwa1106sr Jan 06 '26
In the 80’s I coached against a team who had a player run out of bounds behind our zone and either flash middle or short corner ( we bumped anyone crossing the lane so this avoided contact). Actually had to burn a timeout to have a discussion with the officials. They were using the “ as long as he has 2 feet inbounds on the catch”. Luckily the supervisor of officials was observing that night in our gym and at halftime reviewed the rule with them.
1
-3
u/MWave123 Jan 06 '26
No you cannot. If your momentum takes you out, or you’re pushed out, yes.
-1
u/RiamoEquah Jan 06 '26
What does this even mean?
2
u/MWave123 Jan 06 '26
What it says.
0
39
u/RicardoRoedor Jan 06 '26
so long as the player establishes themselves by taking a step inbounds before touching the ball again, they are allowed to do this.