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Basic Rules

At the most basic level, the rules of basketball make it an easy game to learn and a simple game to play. However, like any sport, once played at an elite level, many additional rules intervene in order to address the many situations that may arise during a competitive game.

FIBA decides, publishes and adapts the Official Basketball Rules, which are the only basketball rules recognized internationally. They are comprehensive and address all rule-related aspects of the game.

The basic basketball rules are explained in the above video. FIBA 5-on-5 rules differ slightly from NBA, WNBA and NCAA rules.

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  •  The main FIBA, NBA and NCAA rule differences are summarized in the following table:

    Rule FIBA NBA NCAA
    Playing time 4x10 minutes
    5 minutes over-time (OT)    		 4x12 minutes
    5 minutes over-time    		 2x20 minutes
    5 minutes over-time
    Shot clock 24 seconds
    After offensive rebound: 14 seconds    		 24 seconds Men: 30 seconds After offensive rebound: 20 seconds
    3-point line 6.75m (6.60 on baseline) 7.24m (6.70m on baseline) Men: 6.75m (6.60 on baseline)
    Time-outs 2 in first half
    3 in second half (but only 2 in last two minutes of the 4th period)
    1 per OT period
    Always 60 seconds
    Never carried over    		 6 regular
    2 per OT period
    = 60 or 100 seconds
    + 1 short time-out (20 seconds) per half
    The second short time-out can be carried over to OT period
    !!! additional regulations    		 4 regular (75 seconds) 
    2x 30 seconds 
    Jump ball and alternating possession Jump ball to start game
    The one losing initial jump ball gets possession for the next jump ball situation
    Alternating possession between teams thereafter for all jump ball situations    		 Jump ball to start game
    The one losing initial jump ball gets possession to start 2nd and 4th quarters
    The one winning initial jump ball gets possession to start 3rd quarter
    All other jump ball situations played as "real jump ball"    		 Jump ball to start game
    The one losing initial jump ball gets possession for the next jump ball situation
    Alternating possession between teams thereafter for all jump ball situations
    Jump ball to start OT
    Individual foul Foul out on 5 (personal and technical) Foul out on 6 or 2 technical Foul out on 5 (personal and technical)
    Team fouls and bonus free-throws 2 free-throws awarded for each (non-shooting) foul after the 4th period (includes player technical fouls)
    Does not include offensive fouls/fouls by team in possession    		 2 free-throws awarded for each foul after the 4th team foul or last two minutes of each quarter, whichever comes first
    Does not include offensive fouls and technical fouls    		 1 free throw, plus another if the first is successful is awarded on the 7th, 8th and 9th foul of each half; the penalty is increased to two shots on the 10th and subsequent fouls; overtime is an extension of the second half.
    Does not include offensive fouls
    Technical foul
    (penalty)    		 1 free throw and play resumes at the point of interruption 1 free throw per technical foul; play resumes at the point of interruption; foul is charged to individual in question (and automatic fine assessed) Class A - 2 free throws, Class B - 1 free throw, play resumes at point of interruption
    Goaltending/basket interference No blocking a ball in downward flight towards the rim.

    Once the ball strikes the rim, any player can play the ball (i.e. swat it away or tap it in)    		 No blocking a ball in downward flight towards the rim.

    An imaginary cylinder exists that has the basket as its base. Touching the ball while any part of it is in this cylinder (and still has a chance to go in) is a violation    		 No blocking a ball in downward flight towards the rim.

    An imaginary cylinder exists that has the basket as its base. Touching the ball while any part of it is in this cylinder (and still has a chance to go in) is a violation.
    Zone defense Legal Legal but…
    defensive player may not stay in the lane (a.k.a. key, restricted area) for longer than three seconds if he is not actively guarding an opponent    		 Legal
    Player numbers 00, 0, 1-99 Any one or two digit number 00 (or 0), 1-5, 10-15, 20-25, 30-35, 40-45, 50-55

  •  The main FIBA, WNBA and NCAA rule differences are summarized in the following table:

    Rule FIBA WNBA NCAA
    Playing time 4x10 minutes
    5 minutes over-time (OT)    		 4x10 minutes
    5 minutes over-time    		 4x10 minutes
    Extra period(s) are 5 minutes each
    Shot clock 24 seconds
    After offensive rebound: 14 seconds    		 Reset to 14 seconds, when any live ball from the playing court that contacts the basket ring of the team which is in possession. 30 seconds
    20 seconds when offense is first to gain control in frontcourt following unsuccessful try
    3-point line 6.75m (6.60 on baseline) The three point field goal area has parallel lines 36” from the side lines, extending 93 1/3” from the base line and an arc of 22’ 1 ¾” from the middle of the basket which intersects the parallel lines. 20 feet 9 inches
    Time-outs 2 in first half
    3 in second half (but only 2 in last two minutes of the 4th quarter)
    1 per OT period
    Always 60 seconds
    Never carried over    		 2 regular timeouts per half.
    1 20 second timeout per half.
    20 second time outs not used in the 1st half will carry over into the 2nd half. One unused 20 in the 2nd half carries over to overtime.
    Overtime 1 regular time out and 1 20 second time out.
    Overtime 1 regular time out and 1 20 second time out.    		 With media timeouts: three 30-second and one 60-second timeouts

    With no media timeouts: three 30-second and two 60-second timeouts
    Jump ball and alternating possession Jump ball to start game
    The one losing initial jump ball gets possession for the next jump ball situation
    Alternating possession between teams thereafter for all jump ball situations    		 Jump ball to start the game. The team that wins the toss will receive the ball in the 4th period on their baseline in the back court.
    The team that loses the jump ball to start the game will receive the ball on the base line to start the 2nd and 3rd period in the backcourt.
    All other jump ball situations will be administered as jump balls.    		 Jump ball to start the game. The team losing the initial jump ball gets the ball for the next alternating-possession situation. Alternating possession between teams thereafter for all jump-ball situations.
    The one losing initial jump ball gets possession for the next jump ball situation
    Alternating possession between teams thereafter for all jump ball situations
    Jump ball to begin each extra period(s).
    Individual foul Foul out on 5 (personal and technical) Disqualification- 6 personal fouls.
    2 unsportsmanlike technical fouls    		 Foul out on 5th foul (personal, technical, and intentional)
    Team fouls and bonus free-throws 2 free-throws awarded for each (non-shooting) foul after the 4th team foul per quarter (includes player technical fouls)
    No free throws penalties for the fouls committed by team in possession of the ball    		 2 free throws awarded for each foul after the 4th team foul in each quarter.
    2 free throws awarded for each foul after the 3rd team foul in an overtime period.
    If a team has not committed its quota of four team fouls during the first 10 minutes of any regulation period, or its quota of three team fouls during the first three minutes of any overtime period, it shall be permitted to incur one team foul during the last two minutes without penalty. This does not include offensive fouls, double fouls and technical fouls.    		 2 free throws awarded for each non-shooting beginning with the fifth team foul in each period. Extra periods are considered an extension of the 4th period.
    Does not include offensive fouls. Administrative technical fouls do not count as team fouls.
    Technical foul
    (penalty)    		 1 free throw and play resumes at the point of interruption Technical fouls are 1 free throw and play resumes from the point of interruption. An excessive time out is one free throw and the offended team will receive the ball at the point of interruption, no nearer the base line then the free throw line extended. Player/substitute and bench technical fouls: 2 free throws plus the ball at the division line.
    Administrative technical foul for excessive timeout: 2 free throws plus the ball at the point of interruption.
    All other administrative technical fouls: 2 free throws; play resumes at point of interruption
    Goaltending/basket interference No blocking a ball in downward flight towards the rim.

    Once the ball strikes the rim, any player can play the ball (i.e. swat it away or tap it in)    		 No blocking a ball on its downward flight towards the rim with an opportunity to score. This is any ball from within the playing area.

    An imaginary cylinder exists that has the basket  as its base. Touch any ball from within the playing area when its above the basket ring and within the imaginary cylinder.    		 No blocking a ball in downward flight towards the rim.

    An imaginary cylinder exists that has the basket as its base. Touching the ball while any part of it is in this cylinder (and still has a chance to go in) is a violation.
    Zone defense Legal Legal, but there is defensive “3” seconds. A defensive player may not stay in the lane for longer then three seconds if they are not actively guarding an opponent. The penalty is a technical foul and play will resume with the offended team receiving the ball at the free throw line extended on either side.  Legal
    Player numbers 00, 0, 1-99 Any one or two digit number 00 (or 0), 1-5, 10-15, 20-25, 30-35, 40-45, 50-55