In basketball, a “bonus” refers to a situation where a team has committed a certain number of fouls in a period (usually a quarter or half, depending on the league’s rules), and the opposing team is awarded free throws as a result.
Here’s how it works:
1. Team Foul Limit: In most leagues, once a team commits a specific number of team fouls (commonly 5 or 6 fouls in a quarter), the opposing team enters the “bonus.”
2. Free Throws: Once a team is in the bonus, any subsequent non-shooting foul committed by the team in the bonus results in the opposing team being awarded free throws, even if the foul was not committed during a shot attempt.
– In some cases, the first foul in the bonus leads to a “1-and-1” free throw attempt. The player must make the first free throw to earn a second attempt.
– In other situations, especially in the NBA or FIBA, once the team is in the bonus, they receive two free throws for any subsequent fouls, regardless of whether the foul was during a shot attempt.
The bonus rule is designed to discourage excessive fouling and to reward the team that has been fouled often.
