Definition

Noun: 1. A rule violation in sports, especially basketball, penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct or procedural infractions: A "technical foul" is a type of penalty called for behavior or actions that violate the spirit or administrative rules of the game, rather than for illegal physical contact during active play. It can be assessed against a player, coach, or the entire team.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The referee called a technical foul on the coach for arguing too aggressively.
  • He received a technical foul for hanging on the rim after the dunk.
  • Two technical fouls in one game result in an automatic ejection.

Advanced Usage

• "To assess a technical foul": The formal act of a referee calling and recording this penalty.
  • The official assessed a technical foul for delay of game.
• "To be charged with a technical foul": To be the person or team receiving the penalty.
  • The star player was charged with a technical foul for using abusive language.

Variants and Related Words

• Tech (n): A common informal abbreviation for "technical foul."
  • He got a tech for taunting the opponent.
• Flagrant foul (n): A different, often more severe, foul involving excessive or violent contact, as opposed to the non-contact nature of a typical technical foul.
• Unsportsmanlike conduct (n): The general category of behavior for which a technical foul is often called.

Synonyms

• Procedural foul: Emphasizes the violation of game procedures or administrative rules.
• Conduct foul: Highlights that the infraction is related to player or coach behavior.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "To get T'd up": Slang phrase meaning to receive a technical foul.
  • The coach is going to get T'd up if he doesn't calm down.
• "To shoot a technical": Refers to the free throw awarded to the opposing team after a technical foul is called.
  • Our best free-throw shooter will shoot the technical.

Noun

1. (basketball) a foul that can be assessed on a player or a coach or a team for unsportsmanlike conduct; does not usually involve physical contact during play