Official Basketball Rules 2010 

As approved by 

FIBA Central Board 

San Juan, Puerto Rico, 17th

April 2010 

Valid as of 1

 October 2010 April 2010 

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010 OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010 

Throughout the Official Basketball Rules, all references made to a player, coach, official, etc. in the male gender also apply to the female gender. It must be understood that this is done for practical reasons only. 

RULE ONE – THE GAME 

Art. 1 Definitions 
1.1  Basketball game 

Basketball is played by two (2) teams of five (5) players each. The aim of each team is to score in the opponents' basket and to prevent the other team from scoring. The game is controlled by officials, table officials and a commissioner, if present. 

1.2  Basket: opponents'/own 

The basket that is attacked by a team is the opponents' basket and the basket which is defended by a team is the team's own basket.  

1.3  Winner of a game 

The team that has scored the greater number of points at the end of playing time shall be the winner.  

RULE TWO – COURT AND EQUIPMENT 

Art. 2 Court 

2.1  Playing court 

The playing court shall have a flat, hard surface free from obstructions (Diagram 1) with dimensions of twenty-eight (28) m in length by fifteen (15) m in width measured from the inner edge of the boundary line. 

2.2  Backcourt 

A team's  backcourt consists of its team's own basket, the inbounds part of the backboard and that part of the playing court limited by the endline behind the team's own basket, the sidelines and the centre line.  

2.3  Frontcourt 

A team's  frontcourt consists of the opponents' basket, the inbounds part of the backboard and that part of the playing court limited by the endline behind the opponents' basket, the sidelines and the inner edge of the centre line nearest to the opponents' basket.  

2.4  Lines 

All lines shall be drawn in white colour, five (5) cm in width and clearly visible. 


2.4.1  Boundary line 

The playing court shall be limited by the  boundary line, consisting of the endlines and the sidelines. These lines are not part of the playing court.  Any obstruction including seated team bench personnel shall be at least two (2) m from the playing court. 

2.4.2  Centre line, 
Centre circle and free-throw semi-circles The centre line shall be marked parallel to the endlines from the mid-points of the sidelines. It shall extend 0.15 m beyond each sideline. The centre line is part of the backcourt. The centre circle shall be marked in the centre of the playing court and have a radius of 1.80 m measured to the outer  edge of the circumference. If the inside of the centre circle is painted, it must be the same colour as the restricted areas. The free-throw semi-circles shall be marked  on the playing court with a radius of 1.80 m measured to the outer edge of the circumference and with their centres at the mid-points of the free-throw lines.

  

2.4.3  Free-throw lines, restricted areas and free-throw rebound places The free-throw line shall be drawn parallel to each endline. It shall have its furthest edge 5.80 m from the inner edge of the endline and shall be 3.60 m long. Its mid-point shall lie on the imaginary line joining the mid-points of the two (2) endlines.  The restricted areas shall be the rectangular areas marked on the playing court limited by the endlines, the extended free-throw lines and the lines which originate at the endlines, their outer edges being 2.45 m from the mid-points of the endlines and terminating at the outer edge of the extended free-throw lines. These lines, excluding the endlines, are part of the restricted area. The inside of the restricted areas must be painted. Free-throw rebound places along the restricted areas, reserved for players during free throws. 

2.4.4  Three-point field goal area 

The team's three-point field goal area shall be the entire floor area of the playing court, except for the area near the opponents' basket, limited by and including:  

 Two (2) parallel lines extending from and perpendicular to the endline, with the outer edge 0.90 m from the inner edge of the sidelines. 

 An arc of radius 6.75 m measured from the point on the floor beneath the exact centre of the opponents' basket to the outer edge of the arc. The distance of the point on the floor from the inner edge  of the mid-point of the endline is 1.575 m. The arc is joined to the parallel lines. The three-point line is not part of the three-point field goal area. 

2.4.5  Team bench areas 

The team bench areas shall be marked outside the playing court limited by two (2) lines.  There must be fourteen (14) seats available in the team bench area for the coaches, the assistant coaches, the substitutes and the team followers. Any other persons shall be at least two (2) m behind the team bench. 

2.4.6  Throw-in lines 

The two (2) lines of 0.15 m in length shall be marked outside the playing court at the sideline opposite the scorer’s table, with the outer edge of the lines 8.325 m from the inner edge of the nearest endline.  

2.4.7  No-charge semi-circle areas 

The no-charge semi-circle lines shall be marked on the playing court, limited by: 

 A semi-circle with the radius of 1.25  m measured from the point on the floor beneath the exact centre of the basket to the inner edge of the semi-circle. The semi-circle is joined to: 

 Two (2) parallel lines perpendicular to the endline, the inner edge 1.25 m from the point on the floor beneath the exact centre of the basket, 0.375 m in length and ending 1.20 m from the inner edge of the endline. The no-charge semi-circle areas are completed by imaginary lines joining the ends of the parallel lines directly below the front edges of the backboards. The no-charge semi-circle lines are not part of the no-charge semi-circle areas. 0.375 m

RULE THREE - TEAMS 
Art. 4 Teams 

4.1  Definition 

4.1.1 A team member is eligible to play when he has been authorised to play for a team according to the regulations, including regulations governing age limits, of the organizing body of the competition.  

4.1.2 A team member is entitled to play when his name has been entered on the scoresheet before the start of the game and as long as he has neither been disqualified nor committed five (5) fouls.  

4.1.3 During playing time, a team member is:  

 A player when he is on the playing court and is entitled to play. 

 A substitute when he is not on the playing court but he is entitled to play. 

 An excluded player when he has committed five (5) fouls and is no longer entitled to play.  

4.1.4 During an interval of play, all team  members entitled to play are considered as players. 

4.2  Rule 

4.2.1 Each team shall consist of:  

 No more than twelve (12) team members entitled to play, including a captain. 
 A coach and, if a team wishes, an assistant coach. 

 A maximum of five (5) team followers who may sit on the team bench and have special responsibilities, e.g. manager,  doctor, physiotherapist, statistician, interpreter, etc.  

4.2.2 Five (5) players from each team shall be on the playing court during playing time and may be substituted.  

4.2.3 A substitute becomes a player and a player becomes a substitute when: 

 The official beckons the substitute to enter the playing court. 

 During a time-out or an interval of play, a substitute requests the substitution to the scorer. 

4.3  Uniforms 

4.3.1 The uniform of the team members shall consist of:  

 Shirts of the same dominant colour front and back. All players must tuck their shirts into their playing shorts. 'All-in-ones' are permitted.  

 Shorts of the same dominant colour front and back, but not necessarily of the same colour as the shirts.  

 Socks of the same dominant colour for all players of the team.  

4.3.2 Each team member shall wear a shirt numbered on the front and back with plain numbers, of a solid colour contrasting with the colour of the shirt.  The numbers shall be clearly visible and:

 Those on the back shall be at least twenty (20) cm high. 
 Those on the front shall be at least ten (10) cm high. 

 The numbers shall be at least two (2) cm wide. 

 Teams shall use numbers from four (4) to fifteen (15). National federations have the authority to approve, for their  competitions, any other numbers with a maximum of two (2) digits. 

 Players on the same team shall not wear the same number. 

 Any advertising or logo shall be at least five (5) cm away from the numbers. 

4.3.3 Teams must have a minimum of two (2) sets of shirts and: 

 The first team named in the programme (home team) shall wear light-coloured 

shirts (preferably white).  

 The second team named in the programme  (visiting team) shall wear darkcoloured shirts. 

 However, if the two (2) teams agree, they may interchange the colours of the shirts. 

4.4  Other equipment 

4.4.1 All equipment used by players must  be appropriate for the game. Any equipment that is designed to increase a player's height or reach or in any other way give an unfair advantage is not permitted.  

4.4.2 Players shall not wear equipment (objects) that may cause injury to other players.  

 The following are not permitted:  

▬ Finger, hand, wrist, elbow or forearm guards, casts or braces made of leather, plastic, pliable (soft) plastic, metal or any other hard substance, even if covered with soft padding. 

▬ Objects that could cut or cause abrasions (fingernails must be closely cut). 

▬ Headgear, hair accessories and jewellery. 

 The following are permitted: 

▬ Shoulder, upper arm, thigh or lower leg protective equipment if the material is sufficiently padded. 

▬ Undergarments that extend below the shorts of the same dominant colour as the shorts.  

▬ Compression sleeves of the same dominant colour as the shirts.  

▬ Compression stockings of the same dominant colour as the shorts. If for the upper leg it must end above the knee; if for the lower leg it must end below the knee.  

▬ Knee braces if they are properly covered. 

▬ Protector for an injured nose, even if made of a hard material. 

▬ Non-coloured transparent mouth guard.  

▬ Spectacles, if they do not pose a danger to other players. 

▬ Headbands, maximum five (5) cm in width, made of non-abrasive, unicolour cloth, pliable plastic or rubber. 

▬ Non-coloured transparent taping of arms, shoulders, legs, etc.
  

4.4.3 During the game a player may not display any commercial, promotional or charitable 

name, mark, logo or other identification including, but not limited to, on his body, in 

his hair or otherwise. 

4.4.4 Any other equipment not specifically mentioned in this article must be approved by 

the FIBA Technical Commission.  

Art. 5 Players: Injury 

5.1 In the event of injury to a player(s), the officials may stop the game.  

5.2 If the ball is live when an injury occurs, the official shall not blow his whistle until the team in control of the ball has shot  for a field goal, lost control of the ball, withheld the ball from play or the ball has become dead. If it is necessary to protect an injured player, the officials may stop the game immediately. 

5.3 If the injured player cannot continue to  play immediately (within approximately 15 seconds) or, if he receives treatment, he must be substituted unless the team is reduced to fewer than five (5) players on the playing court. 

5.4 Coaches, assistant coaches, substitutes, excluded players and team followers may enter the playing court, with the permission  of an official, to attend to an injured player before he is substituted. 

5.5 A doctor may enter the playing court, without permission of an official if, in the doctor's judgement, the injured player requires immediate medical treatment. 

5.6 During the game, any player who  is bleeding or has an open wound must be substituted. He may return to the playing court only after bleeding has stopped and the affected area or open wound has been completely and securely covered. If the injured player or any player who is bleeding or has an open wound recovers during a time-out taken by either team before the scorer’s signal for the substitution, that player may continue to play. 

5.7 Players who have been designated by the coach to start the game may be substituted in the event of an injury. In this case, the opponents are also entitled to substitute the same number of players, if they so wish. 

Art. 6 Captain: Duties and powers 

6.1 The captain (CAP) is a player designated by his coach to represent his team on the playing court. He may communicate in a courteous manner with the officials during the game to obtain information, however, only when the ball becomes dead and the game clock is stopped.  

6.2 The captain shall, immediately at the end of the game, inform the referee if his team is protesting against the result of the game and sign the scoresheet in the space marked 'Captain's signature in case of protest'. 

Art. 7 Coaches: Duties and powers 

7.1 At least twenty (20) minutes before the game is scheduled to begin, each coach or his representative shall give the scorer a list with the names and corresponding numbers of the team members who are eligible to play in the game, as well as the name of the captain of the team, the coach and the assistant coach. All team members whose names are entered on the scoresheet are entitled to play, even if they arrive after the beginning of the game.  

7.2 At least ten (10) minutes before the game is scheduled to begin, each coach shall onfirm his agreement with the names  and corresponding numbers of his team members and the names of the coaches by  signing the scoresheet. At the same time, they shall indicate the five (5) players who are to start the game. The coach of team 'A' shall be the first to provide this information.  

7.3 The coaches, assistant coaches, team members and team followers are the only persons permitted to sit on the team bench and remain within their team bench area. 

7.4 The coach and the assistant coach may go to the scorer’s table during the game to obtain statistical information only when the ball becomes dead and the game clock is stopped. 

7.5 Only the coach is permitted to remain standing during the game. He may address the players verbally during the game  provided he remains within his team bench area.  

7.6 If there is an assistant coach his name must be entered on the scoresheet before the beginning of the game (his signature is not necessary). He shall assume all duties and powers of the coach if, for any reason, the coach is unable to continue. 

7.7 When the captain leaves the playing court the coach shall inform an official of the number of the player who will act as captain on the playing court.  

7.8 The captain shall act as coach if there  is no coach, or if the coach is unable to continue and there is no assistant coach entered on the scoresheet (or the latter is unable to continue). If the captain must leave the playing court, he may continue to act as coach. If he must leave following a disqualifying foul, or if he is unable to act  as coach because of injury, his substitute as captain may replace him as coach.  

7.9 The coach shall designate the free-throw shooter of his team in all cases where the free-throw shooter is not determined by the rules.  

RULE FOUR - PLAYING REGULATIONS 

Art. 8 Playing time, tied score and extra periods 

8.1 The game shall consist of four (4) periods of ten (10) minutes.  

8.2 There shall be an interval of play of twenty (20) minutes before the game is scheduled to begin. 

8.3 There shall be intervals of play of  two (2) minutes between the first and second period (first half), between the third and fourth period (second half) and before each extra period.  

8.4 There shall be a half-time interval of play of fifteen (15) minutes.  

8.5 An interval of play begins:  

 Twenty (20) minutes before the game is scheduled to begin. 

 When the game clock signal sounds for the end of a period. 

8.6 An interval of play ends: 

 At the beginning of the first period when the ball leaves the hand(s) of the referee on the jump ball. 

 At the beginning of all other periods when  the ball is at the disposal of the player taking the throw-in. 

8.7 If the score is tied at the end of playing time for the fourth period, the game shall continue with as many extra periods of five (5) minutes as is necessary to break the tie.  

8.8 If a foul is committed when or just before the game clock signal sounds for the end of playing time, any eventual free throw(s) shall be administered after the end of playing time.  

8.9 If an extra period is required as a result of this free throw(s) then all fouls that are committed after the end of playing time shall be considered to have occurred during an interval of play and the free throws shall be administered before the beginning of the extra period.  

Art. 9 Beginning and end of a period or the game 

9.1 The first period begins when the ball leaves the hand(s) of the referee on the jump ball.  

9.2 All other periods begin when the ball is at the disposal of the player taking the throw-in. 

9.3 The game cannot begin if one of the teams is not on the playing court with five (5) players ready to play. 

9.4 For all games, the first team named in the programme (home team) shall have the team bench and its team’s own basket on the left side of the scorer’s table, facing the playing court. 

However, if the two (2) teams agree, they may interchange the team benches and/or baskets. 

9.5 Before the first and third period, teams  are entitled to warm-up in the half of the playing court in which their opponents' basket is situated. 

9.6 Teams shall exchange baskets for the second half.   

9.7 In all extra periods the teams shall continue to play towards the same baskets as in the fourth period. 

9.8 A period, extra period or game shall end when the game clock signal sounds for the end of the period. 

Art. 10 Status of the ball 

10.1 The ball can be either live or dead. 

10.2 The ball becomes live when:  

 During the jump ball, the ball leaves the hand(s) of the referee on the toss. 

 During a free throw, the ball is at the disposal of the free-throw shooter. 

 During a throw-in, the ball is at the disposal of the player taking the throw-in. 

10.3 The ball becomes dead when:  

 Any field goal or free throw is made. 

 An official blows his whistle while the ball is live. 

 It is apparent that the ball will not enter the basket on a free throw which is to 

be followed by: 

▬ Another free throw(s). 

▬ A further penalty (free throw(s) and/or possession). 

 The game clock signal sounds for the end of the period. 

 The twenty-four (24) second clock signal sounds while a team is in control of the ball. 

 The ball in flight on a shot for a field  goal is touched by a player from either team after: 

▬ An official blows his whistle. 

▬ The game clock signal sounds for the end of the period. 

▬ The twenty-four (24) second clock signal sounds. 

10.4 The ball does not become dead and the goal counts if made when: 

 The ball is in flight on a shot for a field goal and: 

▬ An official blows his whistle. 

▬ The game clock signal sounds for the end of the period. 

▬ The twenty-four (24) second clock signal sounds. 

 The ball is in flight on a free throw when  an official blows his whistle for any rule infraction other than by the free-throw shooter. 

 A player commits a foul on any opponent while the ball is in the control of the opponent in the act of shooting for a field goal and who finishes his shot with a continuous motion which started before the foul occurred. This provision does not apply and the goal shall not count if 

▬ after an official blows his whistle an entirely new act of shooting is made. 

▬ during the continuous motion of a player in the act of shooting the game clock signal sounds for an end of period or the twenty-four (24) second clock signal sounds. 

Art. 11 Location of a player and an official 

11.1 The location of a player is determined by where he is touching the floor.  While he is airborne, he retains the same status he had when he last touched the floor. This includes the boundary line, the centre line, the three-point line, the freethrow line, the lines delimiting the restricted area and the lines delimiting the nocharge semi-circle area. 

11.2 The location of an  official is determined in the same manner as that of a player. When the ball touches an official, it is the same as touching the floor at the official's location.  

Art. 12 Jump ball and alternating possession 

12.1  Jump ball definition 

12.1.1  A jump ball occurs when an official tosses the ball in the centre circle between any two (2) opponents at the beginning of the first period.  

12.1.2  A held ball  occurs when one or more players of each opposing team have one or both hands firmly on the ball so that neither player can gain control without undue roughness.  

12.2  Jump ball procedure 

12.2.1 Each jumper shall stand with both feet inside the half of the centre circle nearest to his team’s own basket with one foot close to the centre line. 

12.2.2 Team-mates may not occupy adjacent positions around the circle if an opponent wishes to occupy one of those positions. 

12.2.3 The official shall then toss the ball vertically upwards between the two (2) opponents, higher than either of them can reach by jumping. 

12.2.4 The ball must be tapped with the hand(s) of at least one of the jumpers  after it reaches its highest point. 

12.2.5 Neither jumper shall leave his position until the ball has been legally tapped. 

12.2.6 Neither jumper may catch the ball or tap it more than twice until it has touched one of the non-jumpers or the floor. 

12.2.7 If the ball is not tapped by at least  one of the jumpers, the jump ball shall be repeated. 

12.2.8 No part of a non-jumper's body may be on or over the circle line (cylinder) before the ball has been tapped. 

An infraction of Art. 12.2.1, 12.2.4, 12.2.5, 12.2.6, and 12.2.8 is a violation. 

12.3  Jump ball situations 

A jump ball situation occurs when:  

 A held ball is called. 

 The ball goes out-of-bounds and the officials are in doubt or disagree about which of the opponents last touched the ball.  

 A double free-throw violation occurs during an unsuccessful last or only free throw. 

 A live ball lodges between the ring  and the backboard (except between free throws).  

 The ball becomes dead when neither team had control of the ball nor was entitled to the ball. 

 After the cancellation of equal penalties against both teams, there are no other foul penalties remaining for administration and neither team had control of the ball nor was entitled to the ball before the first foul or violation. 

 All periods other than the first period are to begin. 

12.4  Alternating possession definition 

12.4.1 Alternating possession is a method of causing the ball to become live with a throwin rather than a jump ball. 

12.4.2 Alternating possession throw-in: 

 Begins when the ball is at the disposal of the player taking the throw-in. 

 Ends when: 

▬ The ball touches or is legally touched by a player on the playing court. 

▬ The team taking the throw-in commits a violation. 

▬ A live ball lodges between the ring and the backboard during a throw-in. 

12.5  Alternating possession procedure 

12.5.1 In all jump ball situations teams will alternate possession of the ball for a throw-in at the place nearest to where the jump ball situation occurs. 

12.5.2 The team that does not gain control of the live ball on the playing court after the jump ball will be entitled to the first alternating possession. 

12.5.3 The team entitled to the next alternating possession at the end of any period shall start the next period with a throw-in  at the centre line extended, opposite the scorer’s table, unless there are further free throws and a possession penalty to be administered. 

12.5.4 The team entitled to the alternating  possession throw-in shall be indicated by the alternating possession arrow in the direction of the opponents’ basket. The direction of the alternating possession arrow will be reversed immediately when the alternating possession throw-in ends. 

12.5.5 A violation by a team during its alternating possession throw-in causes that team to lose the alternating possession throw-in. The direction of the alternating possession arrow will be reversed immediately, indicating that the opponents  of the violating team will be entitled to the  alternating possession throw-in at the next jump ball situation. The game shall then be resumed by awarding the ball to the opponents of the violating team for a throw-in at the place of the original throw-in. 

12.5.6 A foul by either team:  

 Before the beginning of a period other than the first period, or 

 During the alternating possession throw-in, 

does not cause the team entitled to the throw-in to lose that alternating possession. 

Art. 13 How the ball is played 

13.1  Definition 

During the game, the ball is played  with the hand(s) only and may be passed, thrown, tapped, rolled or dribbled in any direction, subject to the restrictions of these rules. 

13.2  Rule 

A player shall not run with the ball, deliberately kick or block it with any part of the leg or strike it with the fist.  However, to accidentally come into contact with or touch the ball with any part of the leg is not a violation. An infraction of Art. 13.2 is a violation. 

Art. 14 Control of the ball 

14.1  Definition 

14.1.1 Team control starts when a player of that team is in control of a live ball by holding or dribbling it or has a live ball at his disposal.  

14.1.2 Team control continues when: 

 A player of that team is in control of a live ball. 

 The ball is being passed between team-mates. 

14.1.3 Team control ends when: 

 An opponent gains control. 

 The ball becomes dead. 

 The ball has left the player's hand(s) on a  shot for a field goal or for a free throw. 

Art. 15 Player in the act of shooting 

15.1  Definition 

15.1.1  A shot for a field goal or a free throw is when the ball is held in a player’s hand(s) and is then thrown into the air towards the opponents' basket. A tap is when the ball is directed with the hand(s) towards the opponents' basket.  A dunk is when the ball is forced downwards into the opponents' basket with one or both hands.  A tap and a dunk are also considered as shots for a field goal. 

15.1.2 The act of shooting:  

 Begins when the player starts the continuous movement normally preceding the release of the ball and, in the judgement of an official, he has started an attempt to score by throwing, tapping or dunking the ball towards the opponents' basket. 

 Ends when the ball has left the player’s hand(s) and, in case of an airborne shooter, both feet have returned to the floor. The player attempting to score might  have his arm(s) held by an opponent, thus preventing him from scoring, even though he is considered to have made an attempt to score. In this case it is not essential that the ball leaves the player's hand(s). There is no relationship between the number  of legal steps taken and the act of shooting. 

15.1.3 A continuous movement in the act of shooting:  

 Begins when the ball has come to rest in the player's hand(s) and the shooting motion, usually upward, has started. 

 May include the player's arm(s) and/or body movement in his attempt to shoot for a field goal. 

 Ends when the ball has left the player’s  hand(s), or if an entirely new act of shooting is made. 

Art. 16 Goal: When made and its value 

16.1  Definition 

16.1.1 A goal is made when a live ball enters the basket from above and remains within or passes through the basket.  

16.1.2 The ball is considered to be within the basket when the slightest part of the ball is within and below the level of the ring.  

16.2  Rule 

16.2.1 A goal is credited to the team attacking the opponents’ basket into which the ball has entered as follows:  

 A goal from a free throw counts one (1) point. 

 A goal from the two-point field goal area counts two (2) points. 

 A goal from the three-point field goal area counts three (3) points. 

 After the ball has touched the ring on a last or only free throw and is legally touched by an offensive or defensive player before it enters the basket, the goal counts two (2) points. 

16.2.2 If a player  accidentally scores a field goal in his  team’s own basket, the goal counts two (2) points and shall be recorded as having been scored by the captain of the opposing team on the playing court.  

16.2.3 If a player deliberately scores a field goal in his team’s own basket, it is a violation and the goal does not count.  

16.2.4 If a player causes the entire ball to  pass through the basket from below, it is a violation.  

16.2.5 The game clock must indicate 0:00.3 (three tenths of a second) or more for a player to gain control of the ball on a throw-in or on a rebound after the last or only free throw in order to attempt a shot for a field goal. If the game clock indicates 0:00.2 or 0:00.1 the only type of a valid field goal made is by tapping or directly dunking the ball. 

Art. 17 Throw-in 

17.1  Definition 

17.1.1 A throw-in occurs when the ball is passed into the playing court by the out-ofbounds player taking the throw-in.  

17.2  Procedure 

17.2.1 An official must hand or place the ball at the disposal of the player taking the throwin. He may also toss or bounce pass the ball provided that: 

 The official is no more than four (4) m from the player taking the throw-in. 

 The player taking the throw-in is at  the correct place as designated by the official. 

17.2.2 The player shall take the throw-in at the place nearest to the infraction or where the game was stopped by the official, except directly behind the backboard. 

17.2.3 In the following situations the subsequent throw-in shall be administered at the centre line extended, opposite the scorer's table: 

 At the beginning of all periods other than the first period. 

 Following a free throw(s) resulting from a technical, unsportsmanlike or disqualifying foul. 

The player taking the throw-in shall have one foot on either side of the centre line extended, opposite the scorer’s table, and  shall be entitled to pass the ball to a team-mate at any place on the playing court. 

17.2.4 During the last two (2) minutes of the fourth period and during the last two (2) minutes of each extra period, following a time-out taken by the team that is entitled to possession of the ball from its backcourt the throw-in shall be administered at the throw-in line opposite the scorer’s table in the team’s frontcourt. 

17.2.5 Following a personal foul committed by a  player of the team in control of the live ball, or of the team entitled to the  ball, the subsequent throw-in shall be administered at the place nearest to the infraction. 

17.2.6 Whenever the ball enters the basket but the field goal or the free throw is not valid, the subsequent throw-in shall be administered at the free-throw line extended. 

17.2.7 Following a successful field goal or a successful last or only free throw: 

 Any player of the non-scoring team shall take the throw-in at any place behind that team’s endline. This is also applicable after an official hands or places the ball at the disposal of the player taking the throw-in after a time-out or after any interruption of the game following a successful field goal or a successful last or only free throw. 

 The player taking the throw-in may move laterally and/or backwards and the ball may be passed between team-mates behind the endline, but the five (5) second count starts when the ball is at the  disposal of the first player out-of-bounds. 

17.3  Rule 

17.3.1 The player taking the throw-in shall not: 

 Take more than five (5) seconds to release the ball.  

 Step into the playing court while having the ball in his hand(s). 

 Cause the ball to touch out-of-bounds, after it has been released on the throwin. 

 Touch the ball on the playing court before it has touched another player. 

 Cause the ball to enter the basket directly. 

 Move from the designated throw-in place behind the boundary line, other than from his team’s endline after a successful field goal or a successful last free throw, laterally in one (1) or in both directions, exceeding a total distance of one (1) m before releasing the ball. He is, however, permitted to move directly backwards from the boundary line as far as circumstances allow. 17.3.2 During the throw-in other player(s) shall not: 

 Have any part of their bodies over the boundary line before the ball has been thrown-in across the boundary line. 

 Be closer than one (1) m to the player taking the throw-in when the throw-in place has less than two (2) m between the boundary line and any out-of-bounds obstructions. An infraction of Art. 17.3 is a violation. 

17.4  Penalty 

The ball is awarded to the opponents for a throw-in at the place of the original throw-in.  

Art. 18 Time-out 

18.1  Definition 

A time-out is an interruption of the game requested by the coach or assistant coach.  

18.2  Rule 

18.2.1 Each time-out shall last one (1) minute. 

18.2.2 A time-out may be granted during a time-out opportunity. 

18.2.3 A time-out opportunity begins when:  

 For both teams, the ball becomes dead, the game clock is stopped and the official has ended his communication with the scorer's table. 

 For both teams, the ball becomes dead following a successful last or only free throw. 

 For the non-scoring team, a field goal is scored. 

18.2.4 A time-out opportunity ends when the ball is at the disposal of a player for a throwin or for a first or only free throw. 

18.2.5 Two (2) time-outs may be granted to each  team at any time during the first half; three (3) at any time during the second half and one (1) during each extra period. 
18.2.6 Unused time-outs may not be carried over to the next half or extra period. 

18.2.7 A time-out is charged against the team whose coach first made a request unless the time-out is granted following a field goal scored by the opponents and without an infraction having been called. 

18.2.8 A time-out shall not be permitted  to the scoring team  when the game clock is stopped following a successful field goal during the last two (2) minutes of the fourth period or the last two (2) minutes of each extra period unless an official has stopped the game. 

18.3  Procedure 

18.3.1 Only a coach or assistant coach has the  right to request a time-out. He shall establish visual contact with the scorer or he shall go to the scorer’s table and ask clearly for a time-out, making the proper conventional sign with his hands. 

18.3.2 A time-out request may be cancelled only before the scorer's signal has sounded for such a request. 

18.3.3 The time-out period:  

 Begins when an official blows his whistle and gives the time-out signal. 

 Ends when the official blows his whistle and beckons the teams back on the playing court. 

18.3.4 As soon as a time-out opportunity begins, the scorer shall sound his signal to notify the officials that a request for a time-out has been made. If a field goal is scored against a team which has requested a time-out, the timer shall immediately stop the game clock and sound his signal. 

18.3.5 During the time-out and during an interval of play before the beginning of the second, fourth or each extra period the players may leave the playing court and sit on the team bench and the persons permitted to be in the team bench area may enter the playing court provided the team  members remain within the vicinity of their team bench area. 

18.3.6 If the request for the time-out is made by either team after the ball is at the disposal of the free-throw shooter for the first  or only free throw, the time-out shall be granted if: 

 The last or only free throw is successful. 

 The last or only free throw is followed by a throw-in at the centre line extended, opposite the scorer’s table. 

 A foul is called between free throws.  In this case the free throw(s) will be completed and the time-out will be permitted before the new foul penalty is administered. 

 A foul is called before the ball becomes live after the last or only free throw. In this case the time-out will be permitted before the new foul penalty is administered. 

 A violation is called before the ball becomes live after the last or only free throw. In this case the time-out will  be permitted before the throw-in is administered. In the event of consecutive sets of free throws and/or possession of the ball resulting from more than one (1) foul penalty, each set is to be treated separately. 

Art. 19 Substitution 

19.1  Definition 

A substitution is an interruption of the game requested by the substitute to become a player. 

19.2  Rule 

19.2.1 A team may substitute a player(s) during a substitution opportunity.  

19.2.2 A substitution opportunity begins when:  

 For both teams, the ball becomes dead, the game clock is stopped and the official has ended his communication with the scorer's table. 

 For both teams, the ball becomes dead following a successful last or only free throw. 

 For the non-scoring team, a field goal is scored in the last two (2) minutes of the fourth period or the last two (2) minutes of each extra period. 

19.2.3 A substitution opportunity ends when the ball is at the disposal of a player for a throw-in or a first or only free throw. 

19.2.4 A player who has become a substitute and a substitute who has become a player cannot respectively re-enter the game or leave the game until the ball becomes dead again, after a clock-running phase of the game, unless: 

 The team is reduced to fewer than five (5) players on the playing court. 

 The player entitled to the free-throws as the result of the correction of an error is on the team bench after having been legally substituted.  

19.2.5 A substitution shall not be permitted to the scoring team when the game clock is stopped following a successful field goal during the last two (2) minutes of the fourth period or the last two (2) minutes of each extra period unless an official has stopped the game. 

19.3  Procedure 

19.3.1 Only a substitute has the right to request a substitution. He (not the coach or the assistant coach) shall go to the scorer’s table and ask clearly for a substitution or sit on the substitution chair. He must be ready to play immediately. 

19.3.2 A substitution request may be cancelled only before the scorer's signal has sounded for such a request. 

19.3.3 As soon as a substitution opportunity  begins the scorer shall sound his signal to notify the officials that a request for a substitution has been made. 

19.3.4 The substitute shall remain outside  the boundary line until the  official blows his whistle, gives the substitution signal and beckons him to enter the playing court. 

19.3.5 The player being substituted is permitted to go directly to his team bench without reporting either to the scorer or the official. 

19.3.6 Substitutions shall be completed as quickly as possible. A player who has committed his five (5) fouls or has been disqualified must be substituted immediately (within approximately 30 seconds). If, in the judgement of an official, there is a delay of the game, a time-out shall be charged against the offending team. If the team has no time-out remaining a technical foul for delaying the game may be charged against the coach, recorded as 'B'.  

19.3.7 If a substitution is requested during a time-out or during an interval of play other than the half-time interval, the substitute must report to the scorer before entering the game. 

19.3.8 If the free-throw shooter must be substituted because he: 

 Is injured. 

 Has committed his five (5) fouls. 

 Has been disqualified. 

The free throw(s) must be attempted by his substitute who may not be substituted again until he has played in the next clock-running phase of the game. 

19.3.9 If the request for a substitution is made by either team after the ball is at the disposal of the free-throw shooter for the first or only free throw, the substitution shall be granted if: 

 The last or only free throw is successful. 

 The last or only free throw is followed by a throw-in at the centre line extended, opposite the scorer’s table. 

 A foul is called between free throws.  In this case the free throw(s) will be completed and the substitution will be permitted before the new foul penalty is administered. 

 A foul is called before the ball becomes live after the last or only free throw. In this case the substitution will be permitted before the new foul penalty is administered. 

 A violation is called before the ball becomes live after the last or only free throw. In this case the substitution  will be permitted before the throw-in is administered. In the event of consecutive sets of free throws resulting from more than one (1) foul penalty, each set is to be treated separately. 

Art. 20 Game lost by forfeit 

20.1  Rule 

A team shall lose the game by forfeit if:  

 Fifteen (15) minutes after the scheduled starting time, the team is not present or 

is unable to field five (5) players ready to play. 

 Its actions prevent the game from being played. 

 It refuses to play after being instructed to do so by the referee. 

20.2  Penalty 

20.2.1 The game is awarded to the opponents and the score shall be twenty to zero (20 

to 0). Furthermore, the forfeiting team shall receive zero (0) points in the 

classification. 

20.2.2 For a two-game (home and away) total  points series and for Play-Offs (best of 

three), the team that forfeits in the first, second or third game shall lose the series or 

Play-Offs by 'forfeit'. This does not apply for Play-Offs (best of five). 

20.2.3 If in a tournament the team forfeits for the second time, the team shall be disqualified from the tournament and the results of all games played by this team shall be 

nullified. 

Rule Four - Playing regulations 

Art. 21 Game lost by default 

21.1  Rule 

A team shall lose a game by default if,  during the game, the team has fewer than 

two (2) players on the playing court ready to play.  

21.2  Penalty 

21.2.1 If the team to which the game is awarded is ahead, the score shall stand as at the 

time when the game was stopped. If the team to which the game is awarded is not 

ahead, the score shall be recorded as two to zero (2 to 0) in its favour. The 

defaulting team shall receive one (1) point in the classification.  

21.2.2 For a two-game (home and away) total point series, the team that defaults in the first 

or in the second game shall lose the series by 'default'. OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010 

Rule Five - Violations 

April 2010 

Page 27 of 81 

RULE FIVE - VIOLATIONS 

Art. 22 Violations 

22.1  Definition 

A violation is an infraction of the rules.  

22.2  Penalty 

The ball shall be awarded to the opponents for a throw-in at the place nearest to the 

infraction, except directly behind the  backboard, unless otherwise stated in the 

rules.  

Art. 23 Player out-of-bounds and ball out-of-bounds 

23.1  Definition 

23.1.1 A player is out-of-bounds when any part of his body is in contact with the floor or 

any object other than a player, on, above or outside the boundary line.  

23.1.2 The ball is out-of-bounds when it touches: 

 A player or any other person who is out-of-bounds. 

 The floor or any object on, above or outside the boundary line. 

 The backboard supports, the back of the  backboards or any object above the 

playing court. 

23.2  Rule 

23.2.1 The ball is caused to go out-of-bounds by the last player to touch or be touched by 

the ball before it goes out-of-bounds, even  if the ball then goes out-of-bounds by 

touching something other than a player. 

23.2.2 If the ball is out-of-bounds because of touching or being touched by a player who is 

on or outside the boundary line, this player causes the ball to go out-of-bounds. 

23.2.3 If a player(s) move(s) to out-of-bounds or to his backcourt during a held ball, a jump 

ball situation occurs. 

Art. 24 Dribbling 

24.1  Definition 

24.1.1 A dribble is the movement of a live ball caused by a player in control of that ball who 

throws, taps, rolls the ball on the floor or deliberately throws it against the backboard. 

24.1.2  A dribble starts when a player, having gained control of a live ball on the playing 

court, throws, taps, rolls, dribbles it on the floor or deliberately throws it against the 

backboard and touches it again before it touches another player. 

A dribble ends when the player touches the ball with both hands simultaneously or 

permits the ball to come to rest in one or both hands. 

During a dribble the ball may be thrown into the air provided the ball touches the 

floor or another player before the player who threw it touches it again with his hand. 

There is no limit to the number of steps a player may take when the ball is not in 

contact with his hand. 

24.1.3 A player who accidentally loses and then regains control of a live ball on the playing 

court is considered to be fumbling the ball.  

Rule Five - Violations 

24.1.4 The following are not dribbles: 

 Successive shots for a field goal. 

 Fumbling the ball at the beginning or at the end of a dribble. 

 Attempts to gain control of the ball by  tapping it from the vicinity of other 

players. 

 Tapping the ball from the control of another player. 

 Deflecting a pass and gaining control of the ball. 

 Tossing the ball from hand to hand and allowing it to come to rest in one or both 

hands before touching the floor, provided that no travelling violation is 

committed. 

24.2  Rule 

A player shall not dribble a second time after his first dribble has ended unless 

between the two (2) dribbles he has lost control of a live ball on the playing court 

because of: 

 A shot for a field goal. 

 A touch of the ball by an opponent. 

 A pass or fumble that has touched or been touched by another player. 

Art. 25 Travelling 

25.1  Definition 

25.1.1  Travelling is the illegal movement of one foot or both feet beyond the limits outlined 

in this article, in any direction, while holding a live ball on the playing court.  

25.1.2 A  pivot is the legal movement in which a  player who is holding a live ball on the 

playing court steps once or more than once in any direction with the same foot, 

while the other foot, called the pivot foot, is kept at its point of contact with the floor.  

25.2  Rule 

25.2.1  Establishing a pivot foot for a player who catches a live ball on the playing 

court:

 While standing with both feet on the floor:  

▬ The moment one foot is lifted, the other foot becomes the pivot foot. 

 While moving: 

▬ If one foot is touching the floor, that foot becomes the pivot foot. 

▬ If both feet are off the floor and the player lands on both feet simultaneously, the moment one foot is lifted, the other foot becomes the pivot foot. 

▬ If both feet are off the floor and the player lands on one foot, then that foot 

becomes the pivot foot. If a player jumps off that foot and comes to a stop 

landing on both feet simultaneously, then neither foot is a pivot foot. 

25.2.2  Progressing with the ball for a player who has established a pivot foot while 

having the control of a live ball on the playing court:  

 While standing with both feet on the floor: 

▬ To start a dribble, the pivot foot may not be lifted before the ball is released 

from the hand(s). 

▬ To pass or shoot for a field goal, the player may jump off a pivot foot, but 

neither foot may be returned to the floor before the ball is released from the 

hand(s). 

Rule Five - Violations 

April 2010 

Page 29 of 81 

 While moving: 

▬ To pass or shoot for a field goal, the player may jump off a pivot foot and 

land on one foot or both feet simultaneously. After that, one foot or both 

feet may be lifted from the floor but  neither foot may be returned to the 

floor before the ball is released from the hand(s). 

▬ To start a dribble, the pivot foot may not be lifted before the ball is released 

from the hand(s). 

 While coming to a stop when neither foot is the pivot foot: 

▬ To start a dribble, neither foot may be lifted before the ball is released from 

the hand(s). 

▬ To pass or shoot for a field goal, one foot or both feet may be lifted but may 

not be returned to the floor before the ball is released from the hand(s). 

25.2.3  Player falling, lying or sitting on the floor: 

 It is legal when a player falls and slides on the floor while holding the ball or, 

while lying or sitting on the floor, gains control of the ball.  

 It is a violation if the player then rolls or attempts to stand up while holding the 

ball. 

Art. 26 Three seconds 

26.1  Rule 

26.1.1 A player shall not remain in the opponents' restricted area for more than three (3) 

consecutive seconds while his team is in control of a live ball in the frontcourt and 

the game clock is running.  

26.1.2 Allowances must be made for a player who: 

 Makes an attempt to leave the restricted area. 

 Is in the restricted area when he or his team-mate is in the act of shooting and 

the ball is leaving or has just left the player's hand(s) on the shot for a field goal. 

 Dribbles in the restricted area to shoot for a field goal after having been there 

for less than three (3) consecutive seconds. 

26.1.3 To establish himself outside the restricted area, the player must place both feet on 

the floor outside the restricted area. 

Art. 27 Closely guarded player 

27.1  Definition 

A player who is holding a live ball on the playing court is closely guarded when an 

opponent is in an active guarding position at a distance of no more than one (1) m. 

27.2  Rule 

A closely guarded player must pass, shoot or dribble the ball within five (5) seconds. 

Art. 28 Eight seconds 

28.1  Rule 

28.1.1 Whenever:  

 A player gains control of a live ball in his backcourt, 

 On a throw-in, the ball touches or is legally touched by any player in the backcourt and the team of that player taking the throw-in remains in control of the 

ball in its backcourt, 

that team must cause the ball to go into its frontcourt within eight (8) seconds. April 2010 

Page 30 of 81

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010 

Rule Five - Violations 

28.1.2 The team has caused the ball to go into its frontcourt whenever:  

 The ball, not in control of any player, touches the frontcourt, 

 The ball touches or is legally touched by an offensive player who has both feet 

in contact with his frontcourt, 

 The ball touches or is legally touched by a defensive player who has part of his 

body in contact with his backcourt, 

 The ball touches an official who has part of his body in contact with the 

frontcourt of the team in control of the ball. 

 During a dribble from the backcourt to the frontcourt, both feet of the dribbler 

and the ball are in contact with the frontcourt. 

28.1.3 The eight (8) second period will continue with any time remaining when the same 

team that previously had control of the ball is awarded a throw-in in the backcourt, 

as a result of: 

 A ball having gone out-of-bounds. 

 A player of the same team having been injured. 

 A jump ball situation. 

 A double foul. 

 A cancellation of equal penalties against both teams. 

Art. 29 Twenty-four seconds 

29.1  Rule 

29.1.1 Whenever:  

 A player gains control of a live ball on the playing court, 

 On a throw-in, the ball touches or is legally touched by any player on the 

playing court and the team of that player taking the throw-in remains in control 

of the ball, 

that team must attempt a shot for a field goal within twenty-four (24) seconds. 

To constitute a shot for a field goal within twenty-four (24) seconds: 

 The ball must leave the player's hand(s) before the twenty-four (24) second 

clock signal sounds, and 

 After the ball has left the player's hand(s), the ball must touch the ring or enter 

the basket. 

29.1.2 When a shot for a field goal is attempted near the end of the twenty-four (24)

second period and the twenty-four (24) second clock signal sounds while the ball is 

in the air: 

 If the ball enters the basket, no violation has occurred, the signal shall be 

disregarded and the goal shall count. 

 If the ball touches the ring but does not  enter the basket, no violation has 

occurred, the signal shall be disregarded and the game shall continue. 

 If the ball misses the ring, a violation has occurred. However, if the opponents 

have gained immediate and clear control  of the ball, the signal shall be 

disregarded and the game shall continue. 

All restrictions related to goaltending and interference shall apply. 

Rule Five - Violations 

29.2  Procedure 

29.2.1 If the game is stopped by an official: 

 For a foul or violation (not for the ball having gone out-of-bounds) by the team 

not in control of the ball, 

 For any valid reason by the team not in control of the ball, 

 For any valid reason not connected with either team, 

Possession of the ball shall be awarded to  the same team that previously had 

control of the ball.  

If the throw-in is administered in the backcourt, the twenty-four (24) second clock 

shall be reset to twenty-four (24) seconds. 

If the throw-in is administered in the frontcourt, the twenty-four (24) second clock 

shall be reset as follows: 

 If fourteen (14) seconds or more is displayed on the twenty-four (24) second 

clock at the time when the game was stopped, the twenty-four (24) second 

clock shall not be reset, but shall continue from the time it was stopped. 

 If thirteen (13) seconds or less is displayed on the twenty-four (24) second clock 

at the time when the game was stopped, the twenty-four (24) second clock shall 

be reset to fourteen (14) seconds. 

However, if in the judgement of an  official, the opponents would be placed at a 

disadvantage, the twenty-four (24) second clock shall continue from the time it was 

stopped. 

29.2.2 If the twenty-four (24) second clock signal sounds in error while a team has control 

of the ball or neither team has control of the ball, the signal shall be disregarded and 

the game shall continue.  

However, if in the judgement of an official, the team in control of the ball has been 

placed at a disadvantage, the game shall be stopped, the twenty-four (24) second 

clock shall be corrected and the ball shall be awarded to that team. 

Art. 30 Ball returned to the backcourt 

30.1  Definition 

30.1.1 The ball goes into a team's backcourt when:  

 It touches the backcourt. 

 It touches or is legally touched by an offensive player who has part of his body 

in contact with the backcourt. 

 It touches an official who has part of his body in contact with the backcourt. 

30.1.2 The ball has been illegally returned to the backcourt when a player of the team in 

control of the live ball is the last to touch the ball in his frontcourt, after which that 

player or a team-mate is the first to touch the ball in the backcourt. 

This restriction applies to all situations in a team's frontcourt, including throw-ins. 

However, it does not apply to a player who jumps from his frontcourt, establishes 

new team control while still airborne and then lands in his team’s backcourt. 

30.2  Rule 

A player whose team is in control of a live ball may not cause the ball to be illegally 

returned to his backcourt. 

Rule Five - Violations 

30.3  Penalty 

The ball shall be awarded to the opponents for  a throw-in in their frontcourt at a 

place nearest to the infraction except directly behind the backboard.  

Art. 31 Goaltending and Interference 

31.1  Definition 

31.1.1  A shot for a field goal or a free throw: 

 Begins when the ball leaves the hand(s) of a player in the act of shooting. 

 Ends when the ball: 

▬ Enters the basket directly from above and remains within or passes 

through the basket. 

▬ No longer has the possibility of entering the basket. 

▬ Touches the ring. 

▬ Touches the floor. 

▬ Becomes dead. 

31.2  Rule 

31.2.1  Goaltending occurs during a shot for a field goal when a player touches the ball 

while it is completely above the level of the ring and:  

 It is on its downward flight to the basket, or 

 After it has touched the backboard.  

31.2.2  Goaltending occurs during a shot for a free throw when a player touches the ball 

while it is in flight to the basket and before it touches the ring. 

31.2.3 The goaltending restrictions apply until: 

 The ball no longer has the possibility of entering the basket. 

 The ball has touched the ring. 

31.2.4  Interference occurs when: 

 After a shot for a field goal or the last or only free throw a player touches the 

basket or the backboard while the ball is in contact with the ring. 

 After a free throw followed by an additional free throw(s), a player touches the 

ball, the basket or the backboard while there is still a possibility that the ball will 

enter the basket. 

 A player reaches through the basket from below and touches the ball. 

 A defensive player touches the ball or the basket while the ball is within the 

basket, thus preventing the ball from passing through the net. 

 A player causes the basket to vibrate or grasps the basket in such a way that, in 

the judgement of an official, the ball has been prevented from entering the 

basket or has been caused to enter the basket. 

 A player grasps the basket to play the ball. 

31.2.5 When 

 An official blows the whistle while the ball is in the hands of a player in the act 

of shooting, or the ball is in flight on a shot for a field goal, 

 The game clock signal sounds for the end of a period while the ball is in flight 

on a shot for a field goal, 

No player shall touch the ball after it  has touched the ring while it still has the 

possibility of entering the basket. 

All restrictions related to goaltending and interference shall apply. 

Rule Five - Violations 

31.3  Penalty 

31.3.1 If the violation is committed by an offensive player, no points can be awarded. The 

ball shall be awarded to the opponents for  a throw-in at the free-throw line 

extended, unless otherwise stated in the rules.  

31.3.2 If the violation is committed by a defensive player, the offensive team is awarded: 

 One (1) point when the ball was released for a free throw. 

 Two (2) points when the ball was released from the two-point field goal area. 

 Three (3) points when the ball was released from the three-point field goal area. 

The awarding of the points is considered as if the ball had entered the basket. 

31.3.3 If the goaltending is committed by a  defensive player during a last or only free 

throw, one (1) point shall be awarded to the offensive team, followed by the technical foul penalty charged against the defensive player. 

Rule Six - Fouls 

RULE SIX - FOULS 

Art. 32 Fouls 

32.1  Definition 

32.1.1 A foul is an infraction of the  rules concerning illegal personal contact with an 

opponent and/or unsportsmanlike behaviour.  

32.1.2 Any number of fouls may be called against a team. Irrespective of the penalty, each 

foul shall be charged, entered on the scoresheet against the offender and penalised 

accordingly. 

Art. 33 Contact: General principles 

33.1  Cylinder principle 

The cylinder principle is defined as the space within an imaginary cylinder occupied 

by a player on the floor. It includes the space above the player and is limited to:  

 The front by the palms of the hands, 

 The rear by the buttocks, and 

 The sides by the outer edge of the arms and legs. 

The hands and arms may be extended in front of the torso no further than the 

position of the feet, with the arms bent at the elbows so that the forearms and hands 

are raised. The distance between his feet will vary according to his height. 

Diagram 5 Cylinder principle 

33.2  Principle of verticality 

During the game, each player has the right to occupy any position (cylinder) on the 

playing court not already occupied by an opponent.  

This principle protects the space on the floor which he occupies and the space 

above him when he jumps vertically within that space. OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010 

Rule Six - Fouls 

April 2010 

Page 35 of 81 

As soon as the player leaves his vertical position (cylinder) and body contact occurs 

with an opponent who had already established his own vertical position (cylinder), 

the player who left his vertical position (cylinder) is responsible for the contact. 

The defensive player must not be penalised for leaving the floor vertically (within his 

cylinder) or having his hands and arms extended above him within his own cylinder. 

The offensive player, whether on the floor or airborne, shall not cause contact with 

the defensive player in a legal guarding position by: 

 Using his arms to create more space for himself (pushing off). 

 Spreading his legs or arms to cause contact during or immediately after a shot 

for a field goal. 

33.3  Legal guarding position 

A defensive player has established an initial legal guarding position when:  

 He is facing his opponent, and 

 He has both feet on the floor. 

The legal guarding position extends vertically above him (cylinder) from the floor to 

the ceiling. He may raise his arms and hands above his head or jump vertically but 

he must maintain them in a vertical position inside the imaginary cylinder.  

33.4  Guarding a player who controls the ball 

When guarding a player who controls (holding or dribbling) the ball, the elements of 

time and distance do not apply.  

The player with the ball must expect to be guarded and must be prepared to stop or 

change his direction whenever an opponent takes an initial legal guarding position 

in front of him, even if this is done within a fraction of a second. 

The guarding (defensive) player must establish an initial legal guarding position 

without causing contact before taking his position. 

Once the defensive player has established an initial legal guarding position, he may 

move to guard his opponent, but he may not extend his arms, shoulders, hips or legs 

to prevent the dribbler from passing by him. 

When judging a charge/block situation involving a player with the ball, an official 

shall use the following principles:  

 The defensive player must establish an initial legal guarding position by facing 

the player with the ball and having both feet on the floor. 

 The defensive player may remain stationary, jump vertically, move laterally or 

backwards in order to maintain the initial legal guarding position. 

 When moving to maintain the initial legal guarding position, one foot or both 

feet may be off the floor for an instant, as long as the movement is lateral or 

backwards, but not towards the player with the ball. 

 Contact must occur on the torso, in which case the defensive player would be 

considered as having been at the place of contact first. 

 Having established a legal guarding position the defensive player may turn 

within his cylinder to avoid injury. 

In any of the above situations, the  contact shall be considered as having been 

caused by the player with the ball. 

Rule Six - Fouls 

33.5  Guarding a player who does not control the ball 

A player who does not control the ball is entitled to move freely on the playing court 

and take any position not already occupied by another player.  

When guarding a player who does not control the ball, the  elements of time and 

distance shall apply. A defensive player cannot take a position so near and/or so 

quickly in the path of a moving opponent that the latter does not have sufficient time 

or distance either to stop or change his direction. 

The distance is directly proportional to the speed of the opponent, never less than 

one (1) and never more than two (2) normal steps. 

If a defensive player does not respect the elements of time and distance in taking 

his initial legal guarding position  and contact with an opponent occurs, he is 

responsible for the contact. 

Once a defensive player has established an initial legal guarding position, he may 

move to guard his opponent. He may not prevent him from passing by extending his 

arms, shoulders, hips or legs in his path. He may turn within his cylinder to avoid 

injury. 

33.6  A player who is in the air 

A player who has jumped into the air from a place on the playing court has the right 

to land again at the same place.  

He has the right to land on another place  on the playing court provided that the 

landing place and the direct path between  the take-off and landing place is not 

already occupied by an opponent(s) at the time of take-off. 

If a player has taken off and landed but his momentum causes him to contact an 

opponent who has taken a legal guarding  position beyond the landing place, the 

jumper is responsible for the contact. 

An opponent may not move into the path of  a player after that player has jumped 

into the air. 

Moving under a player who is in the air and causing contact is usually an unsportsmanlike foul and in certain circumstances may be a disqualifying foul. 

33.7  Screening: Legal and illegal 

Screening is an attempt to delay or prevent an opponent without the ball from 

reaching a desired position on the playing court.  

Legal screening is when the player who is screening an opponent: 

 Was stationary (inside his cylinder) when contact occurs. 

 Had both feet on the floor when contact occurs. 

Illegal screening is when the player who is screening an opponent: 

 Was moving when contact occurred. 

 Did not give sufficient distance in setting a screen outside the field of vision of a 

stationary opponent when contact occurred. 

 Did not respect the elements  of time and distance of an opponent  in motion

when contact occurred. 

If the screen is set  within the field of vision of  a stationary opponent (front or 

lateral), the screener may establish the  screen as close to him as he desires, 

provided there is no contact. 

If the screen is set outside the field of vision of a stationary opponent, the screener 

must permit the opponent to take one (1)  normal step towards the screen without 

making contact. 

If the opponent is  in motion, the elements of time  and distance shall apply. The 

screener must leave enough space so that the player who is being screened is able 

to avoid the screen by stopping or changing direction. 

The distance required is never less than one (1) and never more than two (2) normal 

steps. 

A player who is legally screened is responsible for any contact with the player who 

has set the screen. 

33.8  Charging

Charging is illegal personal contact, with or without the ball, by pushing or moving 

into an opponent’s torso.  

33.9  Blocking 

Blocking is illegal personal contact which impedes the progress of an opponent 

with or without the ball.  

A player who is attempting to screen is committing a blocking foul if contact occurs 

when he is moving and his opponent is stationary or retreating from him.  

If a player disregards the ball, faces  an opponent and shifts his position as the 

opponent shifts, he is primarily responsible for any contact that occurs, unless other 

factors are involved. 

The expression 'unless other factors are involved' refers to deliberate pushing, 

charging or holding of the player who is being screened. 

It is legal for a player to extend his arm(s) or elbow(s) outside of his cylinder in 

taking position on the floor but they must be moved inside his cylinder when an 

opponent attempts to pass by. If the arm(s) or elbow(s) are outside his cylinder and 

contact occurs, it is blocking or holding. 

33.10  No-charge semi-circle areas 

The no-charge semi-circle areas are drawn on the playing court for the purpose of 

designating a specific area for the interpretation of charge/block situations under 

the basket.  

On any penetration play situation into the no-charge semi-circle area a contact 

caused by an airborne offensive player with a defensive player inside the no-charge 

semi-circle shall not be called as an offensive foul, unless the offensive player is 

illegally using his hands, arms, legs or body, when 

 the offensive player is in control of the ball whilst airborne, and 

 he attempts a shot or passes off, and 

 the defensive player has both feet inside the no-charge semi-circle area. April 2010 

Page 38 of 81

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010 

Rule Six - Fouls 

33.11  Contacting an opponent with the hand(s) and/or arm(s) 

The touching of an opponent with a hand(s) is, in itself, not necessarily a foul.  

The officials shall decide whether the player who caused the contact has gained an 

advantage. If contact caused by a player in any way restricts the freedom of 

movement of an opponent, such contact is a foul. 

Illegal use of the hand(s) or extended arm(s) occurs when the defensive player is in 

a guarding position and his hand(s) or arm(s) is placed upon and remains in contact 

with an opponent with or without the ball, to impede his progress. 

To repeatedly touch or 'jab' an opponent with or without the ball is a foul, as it may 

lead to rough play. 

It is a foul by an offensive player with the ball to: 

 'Hook' or wrap an arm or an elbow around a defensive player in order to obtain 

an advantage. 

 'Push off' to prevent the defensive player from playing or attempting to play the 

ball, or to create more space for himself. 

 Use an extended forearm or hand, while dribbling, to prevent an opponent from 

gaining control of the ball. 

It is a foul by an offensive player without the ball to 'push off' to: 

 Get free to receive the ball. 

 Prevent the defensive player from playing or attempting to play the ball. 

 Create more space for himself. 

33.12  Post play 

The principle of verticality (cylinder principle) applies also to post play.  

The offensive player in the post position and the defensive player guarding him must 

respect each other's rights to a vertical position (cylinder). 

It is a foul by an offensive or defensive player in the post position to shoulder or hip 

his opponent out of position or to interfere with his opponent's freedom of 

movement using extended arms, shoulders, hips, legs or other parts of the body. 

33.13  Illegal guarding from the rear 

Illegal guarding from the rear is personal contact with an opponent, by a defensive 

player, from behind. The fact that the defensive player is attempting to play the ball 

does not justify his contact with an opponent from the rear.  

33.14  Holding 

Holding is illegal personal contact with an opponent that interferes with his freedom 

of movement. This contact (holding) can occur with any part of the body.  

33.15  Pushing 

Pushing is illegal personal contact with any part of the body in which a player 

forcibly moves or attempts to move an opponent with or without control of the ball.  

Art. 34 Personal foul 

34.1  Definition 

34.1.1 A personal foul is a player’s contact foul with an opponent, whether the ball is live 

or dead.  

A player shall not hold, block, push, charge, trip or impede the progress of an opponent by extending his hand, arm, elbow, shoulder, hip, leg, knee or foot, nor by bending his body into an 'abnormal' position (outside his cylinder), nor shall he indulge 

in any rough or violent play. 

34.2  Penalty 

A personal foul shall be charged against the offender.  

34.2.1 If the foul is committed on a player not in the act of shooting: 

 The game shall be resumed with a throw-in by the non-offending team at the 

place nearest to the infraction. 

 If the offending team is in a team foul penalty situation, then Art. 41 (Team fouls: 

Penalty) will apply. 

34.2.2 If the foul is committed on a player in  the act of shooting, that player shall be 

awarded a number of free throw(s) as follows:  

 If the shot from the field goal area is  successful, the goal shall count and, in 

addition, one (1) free throw. 

 If the shot from the two-point field  goal area is unsuccessful, two (2) free 

throws. 

 If the shot from the three-point field  goal area is unsuccessful, three (3) free 

throws. 

 If the player is fouled as, or just before, the game clock signal sounds for the 

end of the period or as, or just before, the twenty-four (24) second clock signal 

sounds, while the ball is still in the  player's hand(s) and the field goal is 

successful, the goal shall not count and two (2) or three (3) free throws will be 

awarded. 

Art. 35 Double foul 

35.1  Definition 

35.1.1 A double foul is a situation in  which two (2) opponents commit personal fouls 

against each other at approximately the same time.  

35.2  Penalty 

A personal foul shall be charged against  each offender. No free throws shall be 

awarded and the game shall be resumed as follows:  

If at approximately the same time as the double foul 

 A valid field goal, or a last or only free throw is scored, the ball shall be awarded to the non-scoring team for a throw-in at any place at the endline. 

 A team had control of the ball or was  entitled to the ball, the ball shall be 

awarded to this team for a throw-in at the place nearest to the infraction. 

 Neither team had control of the ball nor  was entitled to the ball, a jump ball 

situation occurs. April 2010 

Page 40 of 81

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010 

Rule Six - Fouls 

Art. 36 Unsportsmanlike foul 

36.1  Definition 

36.1.1 An unsportsmanlike foul is a player  contact foul which, in the judgement of an 

official, is not a legitimate attempt to directly play the ball within the spirit and intent 

of the rules.  

36.1.2 The official must interpret the unsportsmanlike fouls consistently throughout the 

game and to judge only the action. 

36.1.3 To judge whether a foul is unsportsmanlike, the officials should apply the following 

principles: 

 If a player is making no effort to play the ball and contact occurs, it is an 

unsportsmanlike foul. 

 If a player, in an effort to play the ball, causes excessive contact (hard foul), it is 

an unsportsmanlike foul. 

 If a defensive player causes contact with an opponent from behind or laterally 

in an attempt to stop a fast break and there is no opponent between the 

offensive player and the opponents’ basket, it is an unsportsmanlike foul. 

 If a player commits a foul while making  a legitimate effort to play the ball 

(normal play), it is not an unsportsmanlike foul. 

36.2  Penalty 

36.2.1 An unsportsmanlike foul shall be charged against the offender.  

36.2.2 Free throw(s) shall be awarded to the player who was fouled, followed by: 

 A throw-in at the centre line extended, opposite the scorer’s table. 

 A jump ball in the centre circle to begin the first period. 

The number of free throws shall be awarded as follows: 

 If the foul is committed on a player not  in the act of shooting: two (2) free 

throws. 

 If the foul is committed on a player in the act of shooting: the goal, if made, shall 

count and, in addition, one (1) free throw. 

 If the foul is committed on a player in the act of shooting and the goal is not 

made: two (2) or three (3) free throws. 

36.2.3 A player shall be disqualified when he is charged with two (2) unsportsmanlike 

fouls. 

36.2.4 If a player is disqualified under Art. 36.2.3, that unsportsmanlike foul shall be the only 

foul to be penalised and no additional penalty for the disqualification shall be 

administered. 

Art. 37 Disqualifying foul 

37.1  Definition 

37.1.1 A disqualifying foul is any flagrantly unsportsmanlike action of a player, substitute, 

excluded player, coach, assistant coach or team follower.  

37.1.2 A coach who has received a disqualifying foul shall be replaced by the assistant 

coach as entered on the scoresheet. If  no assistant coach is entered on the 

scoresheet, he shall be replaced by the captain (CAP).  

37.2  Penalty 

37.2.1 A disqualifying foul shall be charged against the offender.  

37.2.2 Whenever the offender is disqualified according to the respective articles of these 

rules, he shall go to and remain in his team's dressing room for the duration of the 

game or, if he so chooses, he shall leave the building. 

37.2.3 Free throw(s) shall be awarded: 

 To any opponent, as designated by his coach in the case of a non-contact foul. 

 To the player who was fouled in the case of a contact foul. 

Followed by: 

 A throw-in at the centre line extended, opposite the scorer’s table. 

 A jump ball in the centre circle to begin the first period. 

37.2.4 The number of free throws shall be awarded as follows: 

 If the foul is committed on a player not  in the act of shooting: two (2) free 

throws. 

 If the foul is committed on a player in the act of shooting: the goal, if made, shall 

count and in addition one (1) free throw. 

 If the foul is committed on a player in the act of shooting and the goal is not 

made: two (2) or three (3) free throws. 

Art. 38 Technical foul 

38.1  Rules of conduct 

38.1.1 The proper conduct of the game demands the full and loyal cooperation of the 

members of both teams (players, substitutes, coaches, assistant coaches, excluded 

players and team followers) with the officials, table officials and commissioner, if 

present.  

38.1.2 Each team shall do its best to secure victory, but this must be done in the spirit of 

sportsmanship and fair play. 

38.1.3 Any deliberate or repeated non-cooperation or non-compliance with the spirit and 

intent of this rule shall be considered as a technical foul. 

38.1.4 The official may prevent technical fouls by giving warnings or even overlooking 

minor infractions which are obviously unintentional and have no direct effect upon 

the game, unless there is repetition of the same infraction after the warning. 

38.1.5 If an infraction is recognised after the ball becomes live, the game shall be stopped 

and a technical foul charged. The penalty shall be administered as if the technical 

foul had occurred at the time it is charged. Whatever occurred during the interval 

between the infraction and the game being stopped shall remain valid. April 2010 

Page 42 of 81

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010 

Rule Six - Fouls 

38.2  Violence 

38.2.1 Acts of violence may occur during the game, contrary to the spirit of sportsmanship 

and fair play. These should be stopped immediately by the officials and, if necessary, by public order enforcement officers.  

38.2.2 Whenever acts of violence occur between players, substitutes, excluded players, 

coaches, assistant coaches or team followers, on the playing court or in its vicinity, 

the officials shall take the necessary action to stop them. 

38.2.3 Any of the above persons who are guilty of flagrant acts of aggression against 

opponents or officials shall be disqualified. The referee must report the incident to 

the organising body of the competition. 

38.2.4 Public order enforcement officers may enter the playing court only if requested to 

do so by the officials. However, should spectators enter the playing court with the 

obvious intention of committing acts of violence, the public order enforcement 

officers must intervene immediately to protect the teams and officials. 

38.2.5 All other areas, including entrances, exits, hallways, dressing rooms, etc., come 

under the jurisdiction of the organising body of the competition and the public order 

enforcement officers. 

38.2.6 Physical actions by players, substitutes, excluded players, coaches, assistant 

coaches and team followers which could lead to damaging of game equipment, 

must not be permitted by the officials. 

When behaviour of this nature is observed by the officials, the coach of the 

offending team shall be given a warning. 

Should the action(s) be repeated, a technical foul shall immediately be called on the 

individual(s) involved. 

38.3  Definition 

38.3.1 A technical foul is a player non-contact foul of a behavioural nature including, but 

not limited to:  

 Disregarding warnings given by officials. 

 Disrespectfully touching the officials, the commissioner, the table officials or 

the team bench personnel. 

 Disrespectfully communicating with the officials, the commissioner, the table 

officials or the opponents. 

 Using language or gestures likely to offend or incite the spectators. 

 Baiting an opponent or obstructing his  vision by waving his hands near his 

eyes. 

 Excessive swinging of elbows. 

 Delaying the game by deliberately touching the ball after it passes through the 

basket or by preventing a throw-in from being taken promptly. 

 Falling down to fake a foul. 

 Hanging on the ring in such a way that the weight of the player is supported by 

the ring, unless a player grasps the ring momentarily following a dunk shot or, in 

the judgement of an official, is trying to prevent injury to himself or to another 

player. 

 Goaltending during a last or only free throw by a defensive player. One (1) point 

shall be awarded to the offensive team, followed by the technical foul penalty 

charged against the defensive player. 

38.3.2 A technical foul by a  coach, assistant coach, substitute, excluded player or team 

follower is a foul for disrespectfully communicating with or touching the officials, 

the commissioner, the table officials or the opponents, or an infraction of a 

procedural or an administrative nature.  

38.3.3 A coach shall be disqualified when:  

 He is charged with two (2) technical fouls  ('C') as a result of his personal 

unsportsmanlike behaviour. 

 He is charged with three (3) technical fouls, either all of them ('B') or one of 

them ('C'), as a result of unsportsmanlike behaviour of the team bench 

(assistant coach, substitute, excluded player or team follower). 

38.3.4 If a coach is disqualified under Art. 38.3.3, that technical foul shall be the only foul to 

be penalised and no additional penalty for the disqualification shall be administered. 

38.4  Penalty 

38.4.1 If a technical foul is committed:  

 By a player, a technical foul shall be charged against him as a player foul and 

shall count as one of the team fouls. 

 By a coach ('C'), assistant coach ('B'), substitute ('B'), excluded player ('B') or 

team follower ('B'), a technical foul shall be charged against the coach and 

shall not count as one of the team fouls. 

38.4.2 Two (2) free throws shall be awarded to the opponents, followed by: 

 A throw-in at the centre line extended, opposite the scorer’s table. 

 A jump ball in the centre circle to start the first period. 

Art. 39 Fighting 

39.1  Definition 

Fighting is physical interaction between two (2) or more opponents (players, 

substitutes, excluded players, coaches, assistant coaches and team followers).  

This article only applies to coaches, assistant coaches, substitutes, excluded 

players and team followers who leave the confines of the team bench area during a 

fight or during any situation which may lead to a fight. 

39.2  Rule 

39.2.1 Substitutes, excluded players or team followers who leave the team bench area 

during a fight, or during any situation which may lead to a fight, shall be disqualified. 

39.2.2 Only the coach and/or assistant coach is permitted to leave the team bench area 

during a fight, or during any situation which may lead to a fight, to assist the officials 

to maintain or to restore order. In this situation, he shall not be disqualified. 

39.2.3 If a coach and/or assistant coach leaves the team bench area and does not assist 

or attempt to assist the officials to  maintain or to restore order, he shall be 

disqualified. 

Rule Six - Fouls 

39.3  Penalty 

39.3.1 Irrespective of the number of coaches, assistant coaches, substitutes, excluded 

players or team followers disqualified  for leaving the team bench area, a single 

technical foul ('B') shall be charged against the coach.  

39.3.2 If members of both teams are disqualified under this article and there are no other 

foul penalties remaining for administration, the game shall be resumed as follows. 

If at approximately the same time as the game was stopped because of the fighting: 

 A valid field goal is scored, the ball shall be awarded to the non-scoring team 

for a throw-in at any place at the endline. 

 A team had control of the ball or was  entitled to the ball, the ball shall be 

awarded to this team for a throw-in  at the centre line extended, opposite the 

scorer’s table. 

 Neither team has control of the ball nor was entitled to the ball, a jump ball 

situation occurs. 

39.3.3 All disqualifying fouls shall be recorded as described in B.8.3 and shall not count as 

a team foul. 

39.3.4 All possible foul penalties against players on the playing court involved in fighting or 

any situation which lead to a fight,  shall be dealt with in accordance with Art. 42 

(Special situations). 

RULE SEVEN - GENERAL PROVISIONS 

Art. 40 Five fouls by a player 

40.1 A player who has committed five (5)  fouls, personal and/or technical, shall be 

informed thereof by an official and must  leave the game immediately. He must be 

substituted within thirty (30) seconds.  

40.2 A foul by a player who has previously committed five (5) fouls is considered as an 

excluded player’s foul and it is charged and entered in the scoresheet against the 

coach ('B'). 

Art. 41 Team fouls: Penalty 

41.1  Definition 

41.1.1 A team is in a team foul penalty situation when it has committed four (4) team fouls 

in a period.  

41.1.2 All team fouls committed in an interval of play shall be considered as being 

committed in the following period or extra period. 

41.1.3 All team fouls committed in an extra period shall be considered as being committed 

in the fourth period. 

41.2  Rule 

41.2.1 When a team is in a team foul penalty situation, all subsequent player personal fouls 

committed on a player not in the act of shooting shall be penalised by two (2) free 

throws, instead of a throw-in. 

41.2.2 If a personal foul is committed by a player of the team in control of the live ball, or of 

the team entitled to the ball, such a foul shall be penalised by a throw-in for the 

opponents. 

Art. 42 Special situations 

42.1  Definition 

In the same stopped-clock period which follows an infraction, special situations 

may arise when additional foul(s) are committed.  

42.2  Procedure 

42.2.1 All fouls shall be charged and all penalties identified. 

42.2.2 The order in which all infractions occurred shall be determined. 

42.2.3 All equal penalties against the teams and all double foul penalties shall be cancelled 

in the order in which they were called. Once the penalties have been cancelled they 

are considered as never having occurred. 

42.2.4 The right to possession of the ball as part of the last penalty shall cancel any prior 

rights to possession of the ball. 

Rule Seven - General provisions 

42.2.5 Once the ball has become live on the first or only free throw or on a throw-in 

penalty, that penalty can no longer be used for cancelling any remaining penalties. 

42.2.6 All remaining penalties shall be administered in the order in which they were called. 

42.2.7 If, after the cancellation of equal penalties against the teams, there are no other 

penalties remaining for administration, the game shall be resumed as follows. 

If at approximately the same time as the first infraction: 

 A valid field goal is scored, the ball shall be awarded to the non-scoring team 

for a throw-in at any place at the endline. 

 A team had control of the ball or was  entitled to the ball, the ball shall be 

awarded to this team for a throw-in at the place nearest to the first infraction. 

 Neither team had control of the ball nor  was entitled to the ball, a jump ball 

situation occurs. 

Art. 43 Free throws 

43.1  Definition 

43.1.1 A free throw is an opportunity given to a player to score one (1) point, uncontested, 

from a position behind the free-throw line and inside the semi-circle.  

43.1.2 A set of free throws is defined as all free throws and/or subsequent possession of 

the ball resulting from a single foul penalty. 

43.2  Rule 

43.2.1 When a personal foul is called the free throw(s) shall be awarded as follows: 

 The player against whom the foul was committed shall attempt the free 

throw(s). 

 If there is a request for him to be substituted, he must attempt the free throw(s) 

before leaving the game. 

 If he must leave the game due to injury, having committed his five (5) fouls or 

having been disqualified, his substitute  shall attempt the free throw(s). If no 

substitute is available, any team-mate as designated by his coach shall attempt 

the free throw(s).  

43.2.2 When a technical foul is called, any member of the opponent’s team as designated 

by his coach shall attempt the free throws. 

43.2.3 The free-throw shooter shall:  

 Take a position behind the free-throw line and inside the semi-circle. 

 Use any method to shoot a free throw in such a way that the ball enters the 

basket from above or the ball touches the ring. 

 Release the ball within five (5) seconds after it is placed at his disposal by the 

official. 

 Not touch the free-throw line or enter  the restricted area until the ball has 

entered the basket or has touched the ring. 

 Not fake a free throw. 

43.2.4 The players in the free-throw rebound places shall be entitled to occupy alternating 

positions in these spaces, which are considered to be one (1) m in depth (Diagram 6).  

During the free throws these players shall not: 

 Occupy free-throw rebound places to which they are not entitled. 

 Enter the restricted area, the neutral zone or leave the free-throw rebound 

place until the ball has left the hand(s) of the free-throw shooter. 

 Distract the free-throw shooter by their actions. 

Diagram 6 Players' positions during free throws 

43.2.5 Players not in the free-throw rebound places shall remain behind the free-throw line 

extended and behind the three-point field goal line until the free throw ends. 

43.2.6 During a free throw(s) to be followed by another set(s) of free throws or by a throwin, all players shall remain behind the free-throw line extended and behind the 

three-point field goal line. 

An infraction of Art. 43.2.3, 43.2.4, 43.2.5 and 43.2.6 is a violation. 

43.3  Penalty 

43.3.1 If a  free throw is successful and the violation(s) is committed by a free-throw 

shooter, point, if made, shall not count.  

The ball shall be awarded to the opponents for  a throw-in at the free-throw line 

extended unless there is a further free throw(s) or possession penalty to be 

administered. 

43.3.2 If a  free throw is successful and the violation(s) is committed by any player(s) 

other than the free-throw shooter: 

 Point, if made, shall count. 

 Violation(s) shall be disregarded. 

In case of the last or only free throw, the ball shall be awarded to the opponents for 

a throw-in at any place at the endline. April 2010 

Page 48 of 81

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010 

Rule Seven - General provisions 

43.3.3 If a free throw is not successful and the violation is committed by: 

 A team-mate of the free-throw shooter on the last or only free throw, the ball 

shall be awarded to the opponents for a  throw-in at the free-throw line 

extended unless that team is entitled to further possession. 

 An  opponent of the free-throw shooter, a substitute free throw shall be 

awarded to the free-throw shooter. 

 Both teams, on the last or only free throw, a jump ball situation occurs. 

Art. 44 Correctable errors 

44.1  Definition 

Officials may correct an error if a rule is inadvertently disregarded in the following 

situations only:  

 Awarding an unmerited free throw(s). 

 Failure to award a merited free throw(s). 

 Erroneous awarding or cancelling of a point(s). 

 Permitting the wrong player to attempt a free throw(s). 

44.2  General procedure 

44.2.1 To be correctable the above-mentioned errors must be recognized by the officials, 

commissioner, if present, or table officials before the ball becomes live following the 

first dead ball after the game clock has started following the error. 

44.2.2 An official may stop the game immediately upon recognition of a correctable error, 

as long as neither team is placed at a disadvantage. 

44.2.3 Any fouls committed, points scored, time used, additional activity which may have 

occurred after the error has occurred and before its recognition, shall remain valid. 

44.2.4 After the correction of the error the  game shall be resumed at the point it was 

stopped to correct the error, unless otherwise stated in these rules. The ball shall be 

awarded to the team entitled to the ball at the time the game was stopped for the 

correction. 

44.2.5 Once an error that is still correctable has been recognised, and: 

 If the player involved in the correction of the error is on the team bench after 

having been legally substituted (not for having committed five (5) fouls or for having been disqualified), he must re-enter the playing court, unless he is injured, 

to participate in the correction of the error (at this point he becomes a player). 

Upon completion of the correction, he may remain in the game unless a legal 

substitution has been requested again, in which case the player may leave the 

playing court. 

 If the player was substituted due to his injury, having committed five (5) fouls or 

having been disqualified, his substitute must participate in the correction of the 

error. 

44.2.6 Correctable errors cannot be corrected after the referee has signed the scoresheet. 

44.2.7 Any errors in scorekeeping by the scorer or time-keeping by the timer involving the 

score, number of fouls, number of time-outs or time consumed or omitted, may be 

corrected by the officials at any time before the referee signs the scoresheet. OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010 

Rule Seven - General provisions 

April 2010 

Page 49 of 81 

44.3  Special procedure 

44.3.1 Awarding an unmerited free throw(s). 

The free throw(s) attempted as a result of the error shall be cancelled and the game 

shall be resumed as follows: 

 If the game clock has not started, the ball shall be awarded for a throw-in to the 

team whose free throws had been cancelled from the free-throw line extended. 

 If the game clock has started and: 

▬ The team in control of the ball or entitled to the ball at the time the error is 

recognised is the same team that was in control of the ball at the time the 

error occurred, or 

▬ Neither team is in control of the ball at the time the error is recognised, 

the ball shall be awarded to the team entitled to the ball at the time of the error. 

 If the game clock has started and, at the time the error is recognised, the team 

in control of the ball or entitled to the ball is the opponent of the team that was 

in control of the ball at the time of the error, a jump ball situation occurs. 

 If the game clock has started and, at the time the error is recognised, a foul 

penalty involving a free throw(s) has been awarded, the free throw(s) shall be 

administered and the ball shall be awarded for a throw-in to the team that was 

in control of the ball at the time the error occurred. 

44.3.2 Failure to award a merited free throw(s). 

 If there has been no change in possession of the ball after the error occurred, 

the game shall be resumed after correction of the error as after any normal free 

throw. 

 If the same team scores after having been erroneously awarded possession of 

the ball for a throw-in, the error shall be disregarded. 

44.3.3 Permitting the wrong player to attempt a free throw(s). 

The free throw(s) attempted, and the possession of the ball if part of the penalty, 

shall be cancelled and the ball shall be awarded to the opponents for a throw-in at 

the free-throw line extended, unless penalties for further infractions are to be 

administered.

Rule Eight - Officials, table officials, commissioner: Duties and powers 

RULE EIGHT - OFFICIALS, TABLE OFFICIALS, COMMISSIONER: DUTIES AND POWERS 

Art. 45 Officials, table officials and commissioner 

45.1 The  officials shall be a referee and one (1) or  two (2) umpire(s). They shall be 

assisted by the table officials and by a commissioner, if present.  

45.2 The table officials shall be a scorer, an assistant scorer, a timer and a twenty-four 

(24) second clock operator.  

45.3 The  commissioner shall sit between the scorer  and the timer. His primary duty 

during the game is to supervise the work  of the table officials and to assist the 

referee and umpire(s) in the smooth functioning of the game.  

45.4 The officials of a given game should not be connected in any way with either team 

on the playing court. 

45.5  The officials, the table  officials and the commissioner shall conduct the game 

in accordance with these rules and have no authority to change them. 

45.6 The officials' uniform shall consist of an officials’ shirt, long black trousers, black 

socks and black basketball shoes.  

45.7 The officials and table officials shall be uniformly dressed.  

Art. 46 Referee: Duties and powers 

The referee shall: 

46.1 Inspect and approve all equipment to be used during the game.  

46.2 Designate the official game clock, twenty-four (24) second clock, stopwatch and 

recognise the table officials. 

46.3 Select a game ball from at least two  (2) used balls provided by the home team. 

Should neither of these balls be suitable as the game ball, he may select the best 

quality ball available.  

46.4 Not permit any player to wear objects that may cause injury to other players.  

46.5 Administer a jump ball to start the first period and an alternating possession throwin to start all other periods. 

46.6 Have the power to stop a game when conditions warrant it. 

46.7 Have the power to determine that a team shall forfeit the game. 

46.8 Carefully examine the scoresheet at the end of playing time or at any time he feels is 

necessary.  

46.9 Approve and sign the scoresheet at the end of playing time, terminating the officials' administration and connection with the game. The officials' power shall begin when they arrive on the playing court twenty (20) minutes  before the game is 

scheduled to begin, and end when the game clock signal sounds for the end of the 

playing time as approved by the officials.  

46.10 Record on the reverse side of the scoresheet, before signing it: 

 Any forfeit or disqualifying foul, 

 Any unsportsmanlike behaviour by players, coaches, assistant coaches or team 

followers that occurs prior to the twenty (20) minutes before the game is 

scheduled to begin, or between the end of playing time and the approval and 

signing of the scoresheet. OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010 

Rule Eight - Officials, table officials, commissioner: Duties and powers 

April 2010 

Page 51 of 81 

In such a case, the referee (commissioner, if present) must send a detailed report to 

the organising body of the competition.  

46.11 Make the final decision whenever necessary or when the officials disagree. To 

make a final decision he may consult the umpire(s), the commissioner, if present, 

and/or the table officials.  

46.12 Be authorised to approve and use the technical equipment, if available, to decide, 

before he signs the scoresheet, if a last  shot for a field goal at the end of each 

period or each extra period was released during playing time and/or whether that 

shot for a field goal counts for two (2) or three (3) points.  

46.13  Have the power to make decisions on  any point not specifically covered by 

these rules.

Art. 47 Officials: Duties and powers 

47.1 The officials shall have the power to make decisions on infractions of the rules 

committed either within or  outside the boundary line including the scorer's table, 

the team benches and the areas immediately behind the lines. 

47.2 The officials shall blow their whistles when an infraction of the rules occurs, a 

period ends or the officials find it necessary to stop the game. The officials shall not 

blow their whistles after a successful field goal, a successful free throw or when 

the ball becomes live.  

47.3 When deciding on a personal contact or violation, the officials shall, in each 

instance, have regard to and weigh the following fundamental principles: 

 The spirit and intent of the rules and  the need to uphold the integrity of the 

game. 

 Consistency in application of the concept of 'advantage/disadvantage'. The 

officials should not seek to interrupt the flow of the game unnecessarily in order 

to penalise incidental personal contact  which does not give the player 

responsible an advantage nor place his opponent at a disadvantage.  

 Consistency in the application of common sense to each game, bearing in mind 

the abilities of the players concerned and their attitude and conduct during the 

game. 

 Consistency in the maintenance of a balance between game control and game 

flow, having a 'feeling' for what the  participants are trying to do and calling 

what is right for the game. 

47.4 Should a protest be filed by one of the teams, the referee (commissioner, if present) 

shall, within one (1) hour following the end of playing time, report the protest to the 

organising body of the competition.  

47.5 If an official is injured or for any other reason cannot continue to perform his duties 

within five (5) minutes of the incident, the game shall be resumed. The remaining 

official(s) will officiate alone until the end of the game, unless there is the possibility 

of replacing the injured official with a qualified substitute official. After consulting 

with the commissioner, if present, the other official will decide upon the possible 

replacement.  

47.6 For all international games, if verbal communication is necessary to make a decision 

clear, it shall be conducted in English language. 

Rule Eight - Officials, table officials, commissioner: Duties and powers 

47.7  Each official has the power to make decisions within the limits of his duties, 

but has no authority to disregard or  question decisions made by the other 

official(s). 

47.8  Decisions made by the officials are final and cannot be contested or disregarded. 

Art. 48 Scorer and assistant scorer: Duties 

48.1 The scorer shall be provided with a scoresheet and shall keep a record of:  

 Teams, by entering the names and numbers of the players who are to start the 

game and of all substitutes who enter the game. When there is an infraction of 

the rules regarding the five (5) players to start the game, substitutions or numbers of players, he shall notify the nearest official as soon as possible. 

 Running summary of points scored, by entering the field goals and the free 

throws made. 

 Fouls charged against each player. The scorer must notify an official immediately when five (5) fouls are charged against any player. He shall record the fouls 

charged against each coach and must notify  an official immediately when a 

coach should be disqualified. Similarly, he  must notify an official immediately 

when a player has committed two (2) unsportsmanlike fouls and should be 

disqualified. 

 Time-outs. He must notify the officials of the time-out opportunity when a team 

has requested a time-out and notify  the coach through an official when the 

coach has no more time-out(s) left in a half or extra period. 

 The next alternating possession, by operating the alternating possession arrow. 

The scorer shall reverse the direction of the alternating possession arrow 

immediately after the end of the first half as the teams shall exchange baskets 

for the second half. 

48.2 The scorer shall also: 

 Indicate the number of fouls committed by each player by raising, in a manner 

visible to both coaches, the marker with the number of fouls committed by that 

player. 

 Position the team foul marker on the scorer's table, at the end nearest to the 

bench of the team in a team foul penalty situation, when the ball becomes live 

following the fourth team foul in a period. 

 Effect substitutions. 

 Sound his signal only when the ball becomes dead and before the ball becomes 

live again. The sound of his signal does not stop the game clock or the game 

nor cause the ball to become dead. 

48.3 The  assistant scorer shall operate the scoreboard and  assist the scorer. In the 

case of any discrepancy between the scoreboard and the scoresheet which cannot 

be resolved, the scoresheet shall  take precedence and the scoreboard shall be 

corrected accordingly. 

48.4 If a scorekeeping error is recognised: 

 During the game, the scorer must wait for the first dead ball before sounding his 

signal. OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010 

Rule Eight - Officials, table officials, commissioner: Duties and powers 

April 2010 

Page 53 of 81 

 After the end of the playing time and before the scoresheet has been signed by 

the referee, the error shall be corrected, even if this correction influences the 

final result of the game. 

 After the scoresheet has been signed by the referee, the error may no longer be 

corrected. The referee or the commissioner, if present, must send a detailed 

report to the organising body of the competition. 

Art. 49 Timer: Duties 

49.1 The timer shall be provided with a game clock and a stopwatch and shall:  

 Measure playing time, time-outs and intervals of play. 

 Ensure that the game clock signal sounds very loudly and automatically at the 

end of playing time in a period. 

 Use any means possible to notify the officials immediately if his signal fails to 

sound or is not heard. 

 Notify the teams and the officials at least three (3) minutes before the third 

period is to start. 

49.2 The timer shall measure playing time as follows: 

 Starting the game clock when:  

▬ During a jump ball, the ball is legally tapped by a jumper. 

▬ After an unsuccessful last or only free throw and the ball continues to be 

live, the ball touches or is touched by a player on the playing court. 

▬ During a throw-in, the ball touches or is legally touched by a player on the 

playing court. 

 Stopping the game clock when: 

▬ Time expires at the end of playing time for a period, if not stopped 

automatically by the game clock itself. 

▬ An official blows his whistle while the ball is live. 

▬ A field goal is scored against a team which has requested a time-out. 

▬ A field goal is scored in the last two (2) minutes of the fourth period and in 

the last two (2) minutes of each extra period. 

▬ The twenty-four (24) second clock signal sounds while a team is in control 

of the ball. 

49.3 The timer shall measure a time-out as follows:  

 Starting the stopwatch immediately when  the official blows his whistle and 

gives the time-out signal. 

 Sounding his signal when fifty (50) seconds of the time-out have elapsed. 

 Sounding his signal when the time-out has ended. 

49.4 The timer shall measure an interval of play as follows:  

 Starting the stopwatch immediately when a previous period has ended. 

 Sounding his signal before the first and third period when three (3) minutes, one 

(1) minute and thirty (30) seconds remain until the beginning of the period. 

 Sounding his signal before the second, fourth and each extra period when thirty 

(30) seconds remain until the beginning of the period. 

 Sounding his signal and simultaneously  stopping the stopwatch immediately 

when an interval of play has ended. 

Rule Eight - Officials, table officials, commissioner: Duties and powers 

Art. 50 Twenty-four (24) second operator: Duties 

The twenty-four (24) second clock operator shall be provided with a twenty-four (24) 

second clock which shall be:  

50.1  Started or restarted when:

 A team gains control of a live ball on the playing court. 

 On a throw-in, the ball  touches or is legally touched  by any player on the 

playing court. 

The mere touching of the ball by an opponent does not start a new twenty-four (24) 

second period if the same team remains in control of the ball. 

50.2 Whenever an official blows the whistle as a result of: 

 A foul or violation (not for the ball having gone out-of-bounds by the team not in 

control of the ball), 

 The game being stopped because of an action not connected with the team in 

control of the ball, 

 The game being stopped because of an action not connected with either team, 

unless the opponents would be placed at a disadvantage, 

the twenty-four (24) second clock shall be: 

1. Stopped and reset to twenty-four (24) seconds, with no display visible, when: 

▬ The ball legally enters the basket. 

▬ The ball touches the ring of the opponents’ basket (unless the ball lodges 

between the ring and the backboard). 

▬ The team is awarded a backcourt throw-in or free throw(s).

▬ The infraction of the rules is committed by the team in control of the ball.

2. Stopped but not reset to twenty-four (24) seconds when the same team that 

previously had control of the ball is awarded a frontcourt throw-in and fourteen 

(14) seconds or more are displayed on the twenty-four (24) second clock. 

3. Stopped and reset to fourteen (14) seconds when the same team that 

previously had control of the ball is awarded a frontcourt throw-in and thirteen 

(13) seconds or less are displayed on the twenty-four (24) second clock. 

50.3  Stopped, but not reset, when the same team that previously had control of the ball 

is awarded a throw-in as a result of: 

 A ball having gone out-of-bounds. 

 A player of the same team having been injured. 

 A jump ball situation. 

 A double foul. 

 A cancellation of equal penalties against the teams. 

50.4  Switched off, after the ball became dead and the game clock has been stopped, 

when there are fewer than twenty-four (24) or fourteen (14) seconds remaining on 

the game clock in any period. 

The twenty-four (24) second clock signal does not stop the game clock or the game, 

nor cause the ball to become dead, unless a team is in a control of the ball.