An offensive foul is an infraction that occurs during a basketball game when an offensive player uses any part of their body such as their hands, arms, legs, or feet to make illegal contact with an opposing defensive player.

The rulebook says the offensive team gets no points and the offending player gets a personal foul, but the team does not get a team foul, according to NBA.com. The exception to the rule is if the offensive foul occurs after the ball has gone in the hoop. The offensive player is still charged with a foul, but the basket counts.

A defensive foul occurs when illegal contact is made by a defensive player toward an offensive player. If the offensive player is fouled in the act of shooting, they are awarded free throw attempts, the number of which depends on the field goal attempted.

Offensive fouls are also called for when a player’s push or barrage of punches or kicks connects with an opponent either high or low enough to warrant a contact from the officials. As mentioned above, blocks are also part of the game and are called when an offensive player takes violation after violation against a defender.