fouls

Fouls are rule violations in sports and games, typically involving unfair, dangerous, or unsportsmanlike conduct. When a foul is committed, officials impose a penalty or restart the play to restore fair competition. The term is also used in ordinary language to describe wrongdoing, though such usage operates outside formal sport rules.

In organized sports, fouls are judged by referees or officials and are categorized to determine penalties. Personal fouls involve contact or unsafe plays; technical fouls cover unsportsmanlike conduct or procedural violations. In many sports, fouls accumulate and can lead to penalties such as free kicks, free throws, penalties, or loss of possession, with more serious fouls attracting harsher sanctions.

Examples by sport: In soccer, tripping, pushing, or handball can be fouls, often resulting in free kicks or penalties. In basketball, personal fouls are charged for illegal contact, while technical fouls address unsportsmanlike behavior; outcomes include free throws or a change of possession. In American football, fouls include offsides, holding, pass interference, and personal fouls, typically resulting in yardage penalties or the replay of a down.

Beyond sports, the term foul appears in law and everyday language to denote wrongdoing or contamination. The concept has evolved with officiating practices, including video review in some leagues, to improve accuracy in foul calls and game flow.