Is Hack-a-Shaq legal?
William Rodriguez
Published Jan 17, 2026
While the NBA's memo on Tuesday will scare teams from jumping on the backs of opposing players, Hack-A-Shaq remains legal. "Players remain free to commit deliberate fouls during free throw attempts, but such fouls will be assessed as Flagrant if they meet the applicable criteria," the memo said.
Can you still hack-a-Shaq in the NBA?
The NBA discussed expanding the off-the-ball foul rule to cover more than just the final two minutes of the game, or another rule change that would discourage the use of Hack-a-Shaq. Ultimately, though, the NBA did not change any rules to discourage the Hack-a-Shaq strategy.
Is there a rule against Hack-a-Shaq?
In the more modern NBA, prior to the new rule prohibiting these tactics, a player with poor execution of free throws was fouled right after the start of the attack to force him to throw free throws over and over again. Shaq popularized this tactic, but he was not the first, on whom teams started to use it.
What was hack-a-Shaq rule?
More specifically, teams are trying the “Hack-A-Shaq” strategy — the strategy of intentionally fouling the opposing team's worst free-throw shooter named after Shaquille O'Neal. O'Neal, during his prime, was so dominant as an interior scorer that fouling him was seemingly the best way to slow him down.
Can you hack-a-Shaq in college?
'Hack-a-Shaq' tactic a thing of the past in NCAA as officials impose tougher penalties. INTENTIONAL fouls away from the ball in the last two minutes will result in harsher penalties this season in the NCAA, the league's management committee announced on Wednesday.
26 related questions foundHow many free throws did Shaq attempt?
Shaquille O'Neal attempted 11,252 free throws in his career.
Can you intentionally foul in NBA?
Using an intentional foul to prevent a score is a risky move, as blatant or overly aggressive contact can result in a flagrant foul being called. This results in the offense being given two foul shots and possession of the ball afterward.
Can you bank a free throw?
Five sides of the backboard (front, two sides, bottom and top) are considered in play when contacted by the basketball. The back of the backboard and the area directly behind it are out-of-bounds. Show activity on this post. Yes it's allowed, and yes it happens.
Which team started Hack-A-Shaq?
Don Nelson—then coach of the Dallas Mavericks—created the Hack-A-Shaq defensive strategy in the late 90's. Initially created with Dennis Rodman in mind, it eventually became synonymous with Shaquille O'Neal.
Is Shaq good at free throws?
While O'Neal has always been a poor free throw shooter who teetered around 50 percent for most of his career, he has always had a good sense of humor about it and even had the occasional “hot streak.”
Can you pump fake a free throw?
In the NBA, you are not allowed to pump-fake a free throw, that's considered a violation.
Can you intentionally miss a free throw?
The free throw shooter shall not purposely fake a free throw attempt. PENALTY: This is a violation by the shooter on all free throw attempts and a double violation should not be called if an opponent violates any free throw rules.
How long is a 3 pointer?
Though the distances differ between all levels of basketball, the 3-point line is universal. The NBA has a 22-foot 3-point line in the corners and a 23-foot, 9-inch line elsewhere. The WNBA and the international game plays with a 20-foot, 6-inch line.
What is illegal contact in basketball?
Illegal contact, also known as a 'foul', occurs when an offensive or defensive player makes contact with an opposing player such that they are unable to finish a play.
Can you block in basketball?
A block in basketball is a successful deflection of an attempted shot by a defender. Defenders often play with their hands up or out, ready to stop any pass or shot attempts by an offensive player. Blocks can be made anywhere on the court, but are most commonly seen at the low post, close to the basket.
Can u foul player without ball?
two free throw attempts if a personal foul is committed against an offensive player without the ball when his team has at least a one-man advantage on a fast break and the defensive player takes a foul to stop play.
How many 3s has Shaq made?
Shaquille O'neal has made one three pointer in his career. In the 1995–96 season he took a turnaround 3 pointer at the buzzer and it went in.
What was Shaq's worst free-throw percentage?
Shaquille O'Neal had his worst free-throw percentage in a single NBA playoff run in 2010-11, at 0.0 percent.
When was the dunk banned?
1- The Slam Dunk
Lew Alcindor, who later became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, dominated his opponents because he was a master of this move. To limit the player's dominance, the NCAA banned the slam dunk from 1967 to 1976.
How far is a free throw?
The free-throw line, where one stands while taking a foul shot, is located within the three-point arc at 15 feet from the plane of the backboard. A foul shot is worth 1 point, but if a shot is made from the foul line while in play it is still worth 2 points.
What happens if a player is unable to shoot free throws?
If a player is injured upon being fouled and cannot shoot free throws, the offensive team may designate any player from the bench to shoot in the place of the injured player in college; in the NBA, the opposing team designates the player to shoot, and the injured player cannot return unless the foul committed was a ...
Why do NBA players touch the ball after free throws?
There's a reason NBA players try to grab the rebound after a made or missed first free throw and hold onto the ball, and there's a reason NBA free throw shooters back off of the line after the initial shot and take part in needless fist bumps or low fives. It's to delay the game.
What happens if you airball the first free throw?
No. The ball is automatically dead on the miss....violation or not. No need for a whistle. There is no action (i.e., signal, mechanic, etc) necessary for you to display after 1st shot misses.