For years, fans have lamented the rise of take fouls, also known as Euro fouls because of their origin in overseas basketball. These plays have drastically risen in popularity, and they've robbed fans of watching fun dunks to end transition plays.
To the joy of fans and pundits alike, the NBA has attempted to legislate those plays out of the game for the upcoming 2022-23 season.
Here's what that means on paper and — more importantly — how it will change viewing for fans.
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What is a take foul?
The NBA defines a transition take foul as "an intentional foul committed by a defender to deprive the offensive team of a fast-break opportunity." It's been a constant presence across NBA games, rising in popularity and destroying opportunities to witness athletic finishes at the rim.
The league has provided numerous video examples, such as the one below:
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How will the take foul rule be enforced?
The take foul rule will take effect when the defender does not make a play on the ball and stops a transition opportunity.
In the event of a take foul, the team on offense will get one free throw, shot by one of their five players on the court of their choice, and also retain possession.
The take foul rule will not be enforced during the last two minutes of the fourth quarter and the last two minutes of overtime. The reasoning for this exception is that it will allow teams to continue to intentionally foul at the end of games to stop the clock during an attempted comeback, or foul to prevent a 3-pointer when they are up by three in the last few seconds of a game.
The clear path to the basket rule will also remain in effect, for when a player fouls behind the play. That is a more severe penalty, resulting in two free throws instead of one.
What is the intended benefit of the rule change?
Changing the rule should theoretically result in much more pleasant basketball to watch. Transition opportunities result in some of the most fun basketball plays and coolest dunks.
We should see more of those, instead of watching a team shoot free throws or inbound the ball from the sideline like before.
look what happens when referees dont reward lazy defense by calling the take foul. https://t.co/MGG4RcgtFx
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) September 3, 2022
Take fouls have been good strategy, but they have also rewarded lazy defense. These players were the biggest offenders. They probably won't be happy with the rule change.
Players with the most "take fouls" last season:
— mathketball (@Mathketball1) July 13, 2022
1) Russell Westbrook - 59
2) Donovan Mitchell - 38
3) Mike Conley - 37
4) Jae'Sean Tate - 35
5) Bojan Bogdanovic - 34
6) Alec Burks - 32
7) Bones Hyland - 30
8) Seth Curry - 29
9) Miles Bridges - 28
10) Patrick Beverley - 27 https://t.co/GdrF5CmTRo
