General
foul trouble
What does foul trouble mean?
When a player has accumulated enough fouls to risk fouling out, forcing cautious play or bench time.
"He picked up two quick fouls and was in foul trouble early."
Origin
Descriptive; being in 'trouble' with fouls.
Frequently asked questions
What does foul trouble mean in basketball?
Foul trouble is when a player has accumulated enough personal fouls to risk fouling out, forcing them to play cautiously or sit on the bench.
How many fouls before you foul out?
In the NBA a player fouls out after six personal fouls, while in college and high school the limit is five.
Why is foul trouble a problem for a team?
It can force a coach to bench a key player to avoid disqualification, weakening the lineup and altering how aggressively that player can defend.
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