A three-second violation in basketball occurs when an offensive player stays in the key (also called the paint or the lane) for more than three consecutive seconds while their team is in possession of the ball. The key is the rectangular area near the basket, and the rule is meant to prevent players from camping out near the hoop, which would give them an unfair advantage.
Here’s a breakdown of the violation:
– The player must be in the key area (the paint).
– The count starts when the player enters the key and continues as long as they remain there with the ball.
– The player can exit the key and re-enter, but if they stay for more than three seconds without making a move toward the basket, it results in a violation.
– The violation is usually called by the referee, and it results in a turnover, giving possession of the ball to the opposing team.
In the NBA, this rule applies only to offensive players (not to defenders). The purpose is to keep the game moving and ensure that offensive players are not clogging the area near the basket.
