Rules of the Game

Ruling Body

Official Rules - FIBA

4x10 minutes 5 minutes over-time (OT)
24 seconds
After offensive rebound: 14 seconds
6.75m (6.60 on baseline)
2 in first half, 3 in second half (but only 2 in last two minutes of the 4th period) 1 per OT period. Always 60 seconds Never carried over.
Jump ball to start game The one losing initial jump ball gets possession for the next jump ball situation Alternating possession between teams thereafter for all jump ball situations.
Foul out on 5 (personal and technical)
2 free-throws awarded for each (non-shooting) foul after the 4th period (includes player technical fouls) Does not include offensive fouls/fouls by team in possession.
1 free throw and possession of the ball at center.
No blocking a ball in downward flight towards the rim. Once the ball strikes the rim, any player can play the ball (i.e. swat it away or tap it in).
Legal
00, 0, 1-99

Basic Rules

Two teams of maximum 12 players, with a maximum of five players of each team on the court at any time.

Teams may make as many substitutions as they like.
  • The objective of the game is to put the ball in the opposing team’s basket.

  • The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.
  • The game consists of four periods of 10 minutes.

  • If the scores are tied, overtime periods of five minutes will be played until one team has more points than the other (at the end of the 5-minute period).
  • A basket scored from near the basket (inside the three-point arc) is worth two points.

  • A basket scored from far (beyond the three-point arc) is worth three points.

  • A basket scored from the free-throw line is worth one point.
  • The ball may either be passed from one player to another, or dribbled by a player from one point to another (bounced while walking or running).

  • Before passing or shooting the ball, a player may take two steps (without dribbling).

  • Once a player has stopped dribbling, he may not start to dribble again.

  • Once the team in possession of the ball has passed the half-court line, it may not cross back over the line with the ball.
  • When a team gains possession of the ball, they have a maximum of 24 seconds to attempt a shot.

  • Additionally, offensive players may not remain within the restricted area (key) for more than three consecutive seconds.
  • A personal foul occurs when there is illegal contact between two opponents. A player who makes more than five personal fouls is excluded from the game.

  • A foul made on a player attempting a shot results in the awarding of the same number of free-throws as those of the shot taken (two from inside the arc, three from outside). If a player is fouled but makes the attempted shot, the shot counts and an additional free-throw will be awarded.

  • Once a team has made four fouls in a period, each additional foul (on a player not attempting a shot) will result in the automatic awarding of two free-throws.

Official Rules - NBA

Regulation: 4x12 minutes
Over-time: 5 minutes
24 seconds
7.24m (6.70m on baseline)
6 regular (60 or 100 seconds). 2 per OT period. 1 short time-out (20 seconds) per half. The second short time-out can be carried over to OT period
Jump ball to start game. The one losing initial jump ball gets possession to start 2nd and 4th quarters The one winning initial jump ball gets possession to start 3rd quarter All other jump ball situations played as "real jump ball".
Foul out on 6 or 2 technical.
2 free-throws awarded for each foul after the 4th team foul or last two minutes of each quarter, whichever comes first Does not include offensive fouls and technical fouls.
1 free throw per technical foul; play resumes at the point of interruption; foul is charged to individual in question (and automatic fine assessed).
No blocking a ball in downward flight towards the rim. An imaginary cylinder exists that has the basket as its base. Touching the ball while any part of it is in this cylinder (and still has a chance to go in) is a violation.
Legal but… defensive player may not stay in the lane (a.k.a. key, restricted area) for longer than three seconds if he is not actively guarding an opponent.
Any one or two digit number

Basic Rules

  • Two teams of maximum 12 players, with a maximum of five players of each team on the court at any time.
  • Teams may make as many substitutions as they like.
  • The objective of the game is to put the ball in the opposing team’s basket.

  • The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.
  • The game consists of four periods of 10 minutes.

  • If the scores are tied, overtime periods of five minutes will be played until one team has more points than the other (at the end of the 5-minute period).
  • A basket scored from near the basket (inside the three-point arc) is worth two points.

  • A basket scored from far (beyond the three-point arc) is worth three points.

  • A basket scored from the free-throw line is worth one point.
  • The ball may either be passed from one player to another, or dribbled by a player from one point to another (bounced while walking or running).

  • Before passing or shooting the ball, a player may take two steps (without dribbling).

  • Once a player has stopped dribbling, he may not start to dribble again.

  • Once the team in possession of the ball has passed the half-court line, it may not cross back over the line with the ball.
  • When a team gains possession of the ball, they have a maximum of 24 seconds to attempt a shot.

  • Additionally, offensive players may not remain within the restricted area (key) for more than three consecutive seconds.
  • A personal foul occurs when there is illegal contact between two opponents. A player who makes more than five personal fouls is excluded from the game.

  • A foul made on a player attempting a shot results in the awarding of the same number of free-throws as those of the shot taken (two from inside the arc, three from outside). If a player is fouled but makes the attempted shot, the shot counts and an additional free-throw will be awarded.

  • Once a team has made four fouls in a period, each additional foul (on a player not attempting a shot) will result in the automatic awarding of two free-throws.

Official Rules - NCAA

Regulation: 2x20 minutes.
Over-time: 5 minutes.
Men: 35 seconds
Women: 30 seconds
Men: 6.25m
Women: 6.325m
4 regular (30 seconds) + 1 long (60 seconds). Maximum 3 regular and 1 long in second half. *Additional regulations.
Jump ball to start game. The one losing initial jump ball gets possession for the next jump ball situation. Alternating possession between teams thereafter for all jump ball situations. Jump ball to start OT.
Foul out on 5 (personal and technical).
1 free throw, plus another if the first is successful is awarded on the 7th, 8th and 9th foul of each half; the penalty is increased to two shots on the 10th and subsequent fouls; overtime is an extension of the second half. Does not include offensive fouls.
2 free throws, play resumes at point of interruption.
No blocking a ball in downward flight towards the rim.

An imaginary cylinder exists that has the basket as its base. Touching the ball while any part of it is in this cylinder (and still has a chance to go in) is a violation.
Legal.
00 (or 0), 1-5, 10-15, 20-25, 30-35, 40-45, 50-55.

Basic Rules

  • Two teams of maximum 12 players, with a maximum of five players of each team on the court at any time.
  • Teams may make as many substitutions as they like.
  • The objective of the game is to put the ball in the opposing team’s basket.

  • The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.
  • The game consists of four periods of 10 minutes.

  • If the scores are tied, overtime periods of five minutes will be played until one team has more points than the other (at the end of the 5-minute period).
  • A basket scored from near the basket (inside the three-point arc) is worth two points.

  • A basket scored from far (beyond the three-point arc) is worth three points.

  • A basket scored from the free-throw line is worth one point.
  • The ball may either be passed from one player to another, or dribbled by a player from one point to another (bounced while walking or running).

  • Before passing or shooting the ball, a player may take two steps (without dribbling).

  • Once a player has stopped dribbling, he may not start to dribble again.

  • Once the team in possession of the ball has passed the half-court line, it may not cross back over the line with the ball.
  • When a team gains possession of the ball, they have a maximum of 24 seconds to attempt a shot.

  • Additionally, offensive players may not remain within the restricted area (key) for more than three consecutive seconds.
  • A personal foul occurs when there is illegal contact between two opponents. A player who makes more than five personal fouls is excluded from the game.

  • A foul made on a player attempting a shot results in the awarding of the same number of free-throws as those of the shot taken (two from inside the arc, three from outside). If a player is fouled but makes the attempted shot, the shot counts and an additional free-throw will be awarded.

  • Once a team has made four fouls in a period, each additional foul (on a player not attempting a shot) will result in the automatic awarding of two free-throws.