Definition

Noun: A rule violation in certain sports, particularly basketball and American football, that involves illegal physical contact with an opponent that is deemed unnecessary or excessively rough. The penalty is assessed against the individual player who committed the foul.

Usage

A "personal foul" is called by a game official (referee) when a player makes prohibited contact that impedes an opponent's movement or gives the offending player an unfair advantage. It is a common term in the rules of basketball and American football.

Examples

• The referee called a personal foul on the defender for pushing the shooter.
• He committed his fifth personal foul and was disqualified from the basketball game.
• In football, holding is a common personal foul penalty.

Advanced Usage

• "To commit a personal foul": The standard phrase for describing the action of violating this rule.
  • The coach was angry when his star player committed a careless personal foul.
• "To be in foul trouble": A situation where a player has accumulated several personal fouls and is at risk of being disqualified from the game.
  • The center is in foul trouble with four personal fouls in the third quarter.

Variants and Related Words

• Foul (n/v): The general term for a rules infraction in sports. A "personal foul" is a specific type of foul.
• Technical foul (n): In basketball, a foul assessed for unsportsmanlike conduct or violations of procedure, not typically for direct physical contact.
• Flagrant foul (n): In basketball, a severe type of personal foul involving violent or reckless contact, often resulting in ejection.

Synonyms

• Infraction
• Violation (in this specific sporting context)

Related Phrases

• "And one": A common phrase in basketball used when a player scores a basket despite being fouled (a personal foul is called), earning an additional free throw attempt.
  • He made the layup and got the personal foul call for an "and one".
• "Send someone to the line": To commit a personal foul against an opponent, resulting in them receiving free throws (in basketball) or an advantage (in other sports).
  • Don't send him to the line; he's a 90% free throw shooter.

Noun

1. a foul that involves unnecessarily rough contact (as in basketball or football)