As written in the 2025-26 NFHS Basketball Rules Book:
A player shall not:
ART. 1 … Participate after changing the player’s number without reporting it to the scorer and an official.
PENALTY: (Art. 1) Flagrant foul. Penalized if discovered while being violated.
ART. 2 … Hang on the ring of either basket at any time during the game except to prevent injury; dunk or stuff, or attempt to dunk or stuff a dead ball.
ART. 3 … Illegally contact the backboard/ring by placing a hand on the backboard or ring to gain an advantage.
ART. 4 … Delay the game by acts such as:
a. Preventing the ball from being made live promptly or from being put in play.
b. The free thrower failing to be in the free-throw semicircle when the official is ready to administer the free throw unless the resumption-of-play procedure is in effect following a time-out or intermission.
c. Repeated violations of the throw-in, as in Rule 9-2-10.
ART. 5 … Commit an unsporting foul. This includes, but is not limited to, acts or conduct such as:
a. Disrespectfully addressing or contacting an official or gesturing in such a manner as to indicate resentment.
b. Using profane or inappropriate language or obscene gestures.
c. Baiting or taunting an opponent.
Note: The NFHS disapproves of any form of taunting which is intended or designed to embarrass, ridicule or demean others under any circumstances including on the basis of race, religion, gender or national origin.
d. Purposely obstructing an opponent’s vision by waving or placing hand(s) near an opponent’s eyes.
Note: Purposely diverting an opponent’s attention by waving is different than holding or waving the hands near the opponent’s eyes for the express purpose of obstructing the vision so that the opponent cannot see.
e. Climbing on or lifting a teammate to secure greater height.
f. Knowingly attempting a free throw or accepting a foul to which the player was not entitled.
g. Using alcohol, or any form of tobacco product (e-cigarette or similar items) beginning with arrival at the competition site until departure following the completion of the contest.
h. Removing the jersey and/or uniform bottom within the visual confines of the playing area.
i. Leaving the playing court for an unauthorized reason to demonstrate resentment, disgust or intimidation.
ART. 6 … Intentionally or flagrantly contacting an opponent when the ball is dead and such contact is not a personal foul.
ART. 7 … Be charged with fighting.
PENALTY: (Art. 7) Flagrant foul.
ART. 8 … Commit goaltending during a free throw.
ART. 9 … Reach through the throw-in boundary-line plane and touch or dislodge the ball as in Rule 9-2 Penalty 3.
PENALTY: (Section 4) Two free throws plus the ball for a division-line throw-in.
Note: A single flagrant technical foul or the second technical foul charged to a player results in disqualification of the offender to the team bench.
10-4-4b: This rule prohibits players from illegally contacting the backboard or ring in ways that create an unfair advantage or interfere with a scoring attempt. This rule is designed to maintain fair play and protect the integrity of scoring opportunities by penalizing actions affecting the outcome of a shot, with a technical foul.
Rationale: The rule change aims to standardize and clarify the enforcement of basket interference, leading to fairer outcomes and more consistent officiating. The removal of subjective judgments around intent allows for clearer rulings and better alignment with current game dynamics.