In basketball, a Clear-Path Foul is a penalty called when a defender illegally stops a player on a breakaway.
A clear-path foul is a foul in basketball that is committed when a player fouls an opposing player who already has a clear path to scoring. It is one of the newer official rules of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Many consider it unnecessary, some even going so far as calling it a “dumb” rule.
Both FIBA and the NBA implement the clear-path foul rule.
It happens when an offensive player is fouled while having a clear path to the basket with no defenders between them. The NBA has specific rules to determine a clear-path foul:
- The ball must be ahead of the tip of the circle in the backcourt.
- No defender can be ahead of the offensive player with the scoring opportunity.
- The fouled player must have control of the ball or have received a pass.
- The foul must prevent the offensive team from having a chance to score.
If all these conditions are met, the offensive team gets two free throws and keeps possession of the ball.
The rule helps protect players on fast breaks from potentially harmful fouls.
Penalty
When a clear-path foul is called, possession of the ball will be given to the opposing team. In addition, the opposing team will be given two free shots or two free throws.This penalty is the same that is given to Offensive Fouls. It is done to keep players from attempting plays at stopping clear-path scores as it is often dangerous and can lead to injuries on the court.
Example
At the 2010 NBA Playoffs, in a game between the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs, Richard Jefferson committed a clear-path foul against Jason Kidd.As per the rule, no defender was in between Kidd and the basket. This gave him a clear path to scoring.
You can find the video here:
Another example is in a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns. Kendal Marshall commits a clear path foul against Suns player Gerald Green.
In this foul, the ball was ahead of the top of the circle. There was also no defender in front of Green. Green ended up scoring and a foul was called.
Video here:
Controversy
The foul is considered controversial because the penalty for it is equivalent to that of a technical foul and not just a personal foul.Also, since it often requires referees to check replays of the game to determine if a clear-path foul was indeed committed, many fans say that a clear-path foul only disrupts the flow of the game.