What’s the difference between a take foul and a clear path foul in the NBA?
By Lior Lampert
NBA basketball is played at an extremely fast pace. As a result, we tend to see defenses try to stop their opponents from running fast breaks and transition opportunities by fouling.
Transition and fast-break basketball are the most exhilarating styles of play to watch. With that being said, it is frustrating to see defenses deprive us as viewers of being able to witness that style of play by stopping it with a silly foul. Fans are being robbed of potential highlight reels on a nightly basis!
To prevent this from continuing to happen and to ensure that fans get the best experience possible, the NBA has implemented a new “transition take foul” this year in addition to the league’s already existing “clear path foul” rule.
What is an NBA transition take foul?
A “transition take foul” is a foul that is purposely committed by the defense to stop the offensive team from having a fast-break opportunity without making a legitimate play on the ball. In other words, if you are going to foul the offensive team on a fast break, you must make a concerted effort to go after the ball.
When a transition take foul is called, the offensive team is rewarded with one free throw and the ball. However, under the new rule, teams are still allowed to commit a take foul within the final two minutes of the fourth quarter/overtime. This caveat is included to ensure defensive teams can still try to make comeback efforts or prevent the opposition from having the chance to tie the game with a 3-pointer.
What is an NBA clear path foul?
A clear path foul is when a foul is committed with no defender ahead of the offensive player who has control of the ball and is running in transition, denying the offensive team an opportunity to score in transition. If a foul is deemed a clear path foul, the offensive team receives two free throws and the ball.
What’s the difference?
Clear-path fouls are easier to distinguish. A transition take foul can be called regardless of if there is a defender ahead of the offensive player or not. A clear path foul is only when there is no one ahead of the offense. Additionally, teams are given two free throws on a clear path foul as opposed to one when a take foul is committed.
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