<P> In basketball, a flagrant foul is a personal foul that involves excessive or violent contact that could injure the fouled player . A flagrant foul may be unintentional or purposeful; the latter type is also called an "intentional foul" in the NBA . However, most intentional fouls are not considered flagrant and fouling intentionally is an accepted tactic to regain possession of the ball with minimal time off the game clock . </P> <P> The NBA enacted its flagrant foul rule in the 1990 - 91 season, to deter contact which, in addition to being against the rules, puts an opponent's safety or health at risk . </P> <P> The NBA defines two levels of flagrant fouls, "Flagrant 1" and "Flagrant 2". Flagrant 2 has the additional element of "excessive" violence and results in the immediate ejection of the offender . Flagrant 1 does not result in the offender's ejection unless the same player commits a second Flagrant 1 foul in the same game . Referees have discretion in determining which level to call . </P>

When did flagrant fouls start in the nba