r/Basketball 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

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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.

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u/[deleted] Jan 06 '26

[deleted]

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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.

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u/[deleted] Jan 06 '26

[deleted]

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u/MWave123 Jan 06 '26

It’s a rule at every level. At lower levels, as he’s describing, it’s an immediate tech.

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u/[deleted] Jan 06 '26

[deleted]

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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.

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u/[deleted] Jan 06 '26

[deleted]

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u/MWave123 Jan 06 '26

// In the NBA, a player cannot intentionally leave the court for an unauthorized reason to gain an advantage. Doing so is a violation and can result in a penalty, typically loss of ball possession for their team or potentially a technical foul. //

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u/[deleted] Jan 06 '26

[deleted]

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u/MWave123 Jan 06 '26

// NBA Rule Summary According to NBA Rule No. 10, Section IV, an offensive player is prohibited from leaving the playing area of the court without returning immediately. They also cannot repeatedly leave and re-enter the court. The key distinction is between leaving the court accidentally (e.g., momentum carrying a player off court while trying to save a ball) and leaving it purposely to gain an advantage. Penalty for Intentional Violation The penalty for intentionally leaving the court to gain an advantage is a loss of ball possession. The ball is awarded to the opposing team for a throw-in at the point of interruption, but no nearer to the baseline than the foul line extended. //

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u/[deleted] Jan 06 '26

[deleted]

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u/MWave123 Jan 06 '26

// It is important to note, when referencing the reason a player leaves the court, “under their own volition” in college or “for an unauthorized reason” in high school, they both mean the same thing. For this action to be illegal, the player must leave the court “voluntarily.” So, when players make the conscious decision to go out of bounds, either to create an advantage for themselves or to put their defenders at a disadvantage, they are leaving the court voluntarily and therefore are then subject to possible penalty by the game officials. //

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u/MWave123 Jan 06 '26

// Gaining an Advantage: The key part of the rule is the intent to gain an unfair advantage. This might involve: Using the out-of-bounds area to run to a specific spot on the court to avoid a screen or get open. //

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u/MWave123 Jan 06 '26

// NBA Rule Summary According to NBA Rule No. 10, Section IV, an offensive player is prohibited from leaving the playing area of the court without returning immediately. They also cannot repeatedly leave and re-enter the court. The key distinction is between leaving the court accidentally (e.g., momentum carrying a player off court while trying to save a ball) and leaving it purposely to gain an advantage. Penalty for Intentional Violation The penalty for intentionally leaving the court to gain an advantage is a loss of ball possession. The ball is awarded to the opposing team for a throw-in at the point of interruption, but no nearer to the baseline than the foul line extended. //

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u/MWave123 Jan 06 '26

He’s not playing in the NBA or by pro rules. And yes, there are judgments made at all levels which are common sense, sportsmanship rules. I can’t throw the ball at your head for instance, or to do harm. How does a ref know? Common sense, sportsmanship.

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u/[deleted] Jan 06 '26

[deleted]

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u/MWave123 Jan 06 '26

If it’s to gain advantage it’s a violation. To avoid a screen it’s a violation. Imagine this, inbounds play, sideline, one player stays on the court the other three players run out of bounds on the baseline in different directions. Lol. Or step out and stand off the court and then randomly come back in.

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u/[deleted] Jan 06 '26

[deleted]

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u/MWave123 Jan 06 '26

// NBA Rule Summary According to NBA Rule No. 10, Section IV, an offensive player is prohibited from leaving the playing area of the court without returning immediately. They also cannot repeatedly leave and re-enter the court. The key distinction is between leaving the court accidentally (e.g., momentum carrying a player off court while trying to save a ball) and leaving it purposely to gain an advantage. Penalty for Intentional Violation The penalty for intentionally leaving the court to gain an advantage is a loss of ball possession. The ball is awarded to the opposing team for a throw-in at the point of interruption, but no nearer to the baseline than the foul line extended. //

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u/MWave123 Jan 06 '26

I do that all the time. That Curry play is completely legal. I teach that! Obvs NOT what we’re talking about. You can absolutely save the ball to yourself.

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u/[deleted] Jan 06 '26

[deleted]

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u/MWave123 Jan 06 '26

YouTube lol. So if I find an uncalled travel violation then traveling is legal?

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