Here is all you need to know about the NBA flopping rule and how the anti-flopping penalty will be applied in the Summer League games along with the fines in 2023
The NBA has some good news if it drives you nuts to watch basketball players fall all over the place, introducing you to the NBA flopping rule.
What is the NBA flopping rule, problem meaning explained and its fines in 2023
The NBA will implement an in-game flopping penalty during this year’s Summer League games in an effort to reduce instances of embellishment. It’s uncertain if the league would adopt the rule change for the 2023–24 season, but Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the NBA’s board of governors will vote on the matter later this month.
NBA flopping rule, explained: A look at anti-flopping penalty at Summer League games
The NBA declared on July 4 that all Summer League games would be subject to a flopping penalty on a temporary basis. On July 5, the league then released a revised description of the regulation.
- A free throw will be given to the other team if an official rules that a player has flopped.
- A non-unsportsmanlike technical foul will be issued against the player who flopped. It won’t result in an ejection or count as a personal foul.
- An official can declare a flopping infraction without pausing a live play. The official can defer making the decision until the following neutral opportunity.
What were the NBA’s previous flopping rules?
The NBA has targeted floppers in the past as well. The league first enacted anti-flopping fines that penalised persistent violators back in 2012. Have a look at how the NBA used to deal with flopping:
- Violation 1: Warning
- Violation 2: $5,000 fine
- Violation 3: $10,000 fine
- Violation 4: $15,000 fine
- Violation 5: $30,000 fine
- Violation 6 and above: Increased fine and/or suspension
Officials at that time were unable to make decisions regarding flopping during games. After reviewing the video review of the play, the league decided if a player had flopped.
What is flopping in the NBA?
In its announcement for 2012, the NBA provided the following definition of flopping:
A “flop” is an attempt to either fool referees into calling undeserved fouls or fool fans into thinking the referees missed a foul call by exaggerating the effect of contact with an opposing player.
The main factor in determining whether a player committed a flop is whether his physical reaction to contact with another player is inconsistent with what would have been expected given the force or direction of the contact.
For instance, a player will be seen to have committed a “flop” if he collapses to the ground after making a minor contact or lunges in the opposite direction of the contact.