in certain team games, esp. basketball, a foul other than a personal foul charged against a player, a team, or a coach, usually for misconduct or a rule infraction not involving active play
See technical foul in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun Sports
A foul, especially in basketball, that is called on a player, coach, or team for unsportsmanlike conduct or infringement of a rule and does not usually involve physical contact with an opponent during play.