As the world of professional sports has continued to evolve and change, new terms and abbreviations have cropped up to describe certain aspects of the game. One of these terms is “PS,” which stands for “personal fouls” in basketball. In this article, we’ll explain what personal fouls are, how they’re recorded, and the different types of personal fouls.
What Are Personal Fouls?
Personal fouls, or PS, are the most common type of foul in basketball. These are when a player commits an illegal physical contact against an opposing player, such as pushing, tripping, elbowing, and more. Personal fouls are usually called by referees when a player commits an infraction that could cause injury to another player.
How Are Personal Fouls Recorded?
When a personal foul is called, the referee will note the foul on the official score sheet. This is noted as “PS” or “PF” for personal fouls, depending on the league. The player who committed the foul will also receive a technical foul for the infraction.
Different Types of Personal Fouls
There are several different types of personal fouls, and each one carries a different penalty. Here are some of the most common types of personal fouls:
• Flagrant foul: This type of foul is when a player commits an excessively violent contact with an opposing player, usually involving pushing, punching, or kicking. Flagrant fouls are usually given a harsher punishment, such as a suspension or ejection from the game.
• Technical foul: This type of foul is when a player commits an infraction that does not involve physical contact with an opposing player. This could include verbal abuse, taunting, or arguing with a referee. Technical fouls typically result in a free throw for the opposing team.
• Double foul: This type of foul is when two players from opposing teams commit a personal foul against each other at the same time. In this case, no free throws are awarded and play is restarted with a throw-in.
• Charging foul: This type of foul is when a player runs into an opposing player and makes contact with them while they’re still in the air. This is a very dangerous foul and can result in serious injury.
Conclusion
Understanding what PS means in basketball is important for players and fans alike. Personal fouls are the most common type of foul in basketball, and they are usually called when a player commits an illegal physical contact against an opposing player. They are recorded as “PF” or “PS” on the official score sheet, and there are several different types of personal fouls, each with its own penalty.