Which of the following is NOT considered a technical foul?

In the context of basketball, a technical foul is generally assessed for actions that violate the rules of conduct rather than physical contact during gameplay. A noncontact foul by a player, a foul by a nonplayer, and a direct technical charged to the head coach all fit within the definition of a technical foul.

A noncontact foul by a player could include actions like taunting or using inappropriate language. A foul by a nonplayer, such as a bench player entering the court or a coach interacting improperly with officials, is also deemed a technical foul. Additionally, a direct technical foul on the head coach may stem from unsportsmanlike conduct.

On the other hand, a contact foul while the ball is live occurs during active play and typically falls under common fouls rather than technical fouls. This distinction helps to categorize fouls based on the context in which they occur—technical fouls are more associated with behavior and violations of sportsmanship rather than the physical aspects of the game.