In basketball, which of the following describes a common foul?

A common foul is indeed identified as a non-flagrant foul that occurs during a basketball play. This type of foul can happen in various scenarios, but it is primarily characterized by its more routine nature, affecting the flow of the game rather than constituting dangerous or unsportsmanlike behavior.

When a player is fouled while attempting to shoot, the foul is generally classified as a common foul unless it meets criteria for more severe penalties, such as being a flagrant foul. A flagrant foul involves excessive or violent contact and is treated more harshly than a common foul. In contrast, common fouls typically result in the opposing team receiving free throws only under certain conditions (like the team being in the bonus situation) but are not guaranteed to lead to free throws in every instance.

The other options focus on different classifications of fouls or conditions that do not accurately convey the standard definition of a common foul. For instance, not all common fouls are punished with free throws, not all lead to ejections, and stepping out of bounds does not technically classify as a foul. Therefore, identifying a common foul as one that is a non-flagrant foul against a shooting player clearly captures its essence within the framework of basketball rules.