Official Basketball Rules 2010
As approved by

FIBA Central Board
San Juan, Puerto Rico, 17th April 2010

Valid as of 1st October 2010

April 2010
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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Table of contents

April 2010
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RULE ONE – THE GAME.............................................................................................................................. 5
Art. 1

Definitions ..................................................................................................................................... 5

RULE TWO – COURT AND EQUIPMENT .................................................................................................. 5
Art. 2Art. 3Court............................................................................................................................................... 5
Equipment ................................................................................................................................... 10

RULE THREE - TEAMS............................................................................................................................... 11Art. 4Art. 5Art. 6
Art. 7

Teams .......................................................................................................................................... 11
Players: Injury............................................................................................................................. 12
Captain: Duties and powers..................................................................................................... 13
Coaches: Duties and powers................................................................................................... 13

RULE FOUR - PLAYING REGULATIONS ................................................................................................. 15
Art. 8Art. 9Art. 10Art. 11Art. 12Art. 13Art. 14Art. 15
Art. 16
Art. 17
Art. 18
Art. 19
Art. 20
Art. 21

Playing time, tied score and extra periods ........................................................................... 15
Beginning and end of a period or the game ......................................................................... 15
Status of the ball ........................................................................................................................ 16
Location of a player and an official........................................................................................ 17
Jump ball and alternating possession................................................................................... 17
How the ball is played............................................................................................................... 19
Control of the ball ...................................................................................................................... 19
Player in the act of shooting.................................................................................................... 19
Goal: When made and its value .............................................................................................. 20
Throw-in ...................................................................................................................................... 21
Time-out ...................................................................................................................................... 22
Substitution................................................................................................................................. 24
Game lost by forfeit ................................................................................................................... 25
Game lost by default ................................................................................................................. 26

RULE FIVE - VIOLATIONS ......................................................................................................................... 27
Art. 22Art. 23
Art. 24
Art. 25
Art. 26
Art. 27
Art. 28
Art. 29
Art. 30
Art. 31

Violations..................................................................................................................................... 27
Player out-of-bounds and ball out-of-bounds ...................................................................... 27
Dribbling ...................................................................................................................................... 27
Travelling..................................................................................................................................... 28
Three seconds............................................................................................................................ 29
Closely guarded player............................................................................................................. 29
Eight seconds ............................................................................................................................. 29
Twenty-four seconds................................................................................................................ 30
Ball returned to the backcourt ................................................................................................ 31
Goaltending and Interference ................................................................................................. 32

RULE SIX - FOULS ...................................................................................................................................... 34
Art. 32
Art. 33
Art. 34
Art. 35
Art. 36
Art. 37
Art. 38
Art. 39

Fouls............................................................................................................................................. 34
Contact: General principles ..................................................................................................... 34
Personal foul............................................................................................................................... 39
Double foul.................................................................................................................................. 39
Unsportsmanlike foul ................................................................................................................ 40
Disqualifying foul ....................................................................................................................... 40
Technical foul............................................................................................................................. 41
Fighting ........................................................................................................................................ 43

April 2010
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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Table of contents / Table of diagrams

RULE SEVEN - GENERAL PROVISIONS ................................................................................................. 45
Art. 40
Art. 41
Art. 42
Art. 43
Art. 44

Five fouls by a player ................................................................................................................ 45
Team fouls: Penalty................................................................................................................... 45
Special situations ...................................................................................................................... 45
Free throws................................................................................................................................. 46
Correctable errors..................................................................................................................... 48

RULE EIGHT - OFFICIALS, TABLE OFFICIALS, COMMISSIONER: DUTIES AND POWERS ........... 50
Art. 45
Art. 46
Art. 47
Art. 48
Art. 49
Art. 50

Officials, table officials and commissioner........................................................................... 50
Referee: Duties and powers .................................................................................................... 50
Officials: Duties and powers.................................................................................................... 51
Scorer and assistant scorer: Duties ...................................................................................... 52
Timer: Duties............................................................................................................................... 53
Twenty-four (24) second operator: Duties ............................................................................ 54

A - OFFICIALS’ SIGNALS .......................................................................................................................... 55
B - THE SCORESHEET ............................................................................................................................... 61
C - PROTEST PROCEDURE ....................................................................................................................... 68
D - CLASSIFICATION OF TEAMS ............................................................................................................ 69
E - TELEVISION (TV) TIME-OUTS............................................................................................................ 73
INDEX TO THE RULES ............................................................................................................................... 74

TABLE OF DIAGRAMS
Diagram 1
Diagram 2
Diagram 3
Diagram 4
Diagram 5
Diagram 6
Diagram 7
Diagram 8
Diagram 9
Diagram 10
Diagram 11
Diagram 12
Diagram 13

Full size playing court....................................................................................................... 7
Restricted area.................................................................................................................. 8
Two-point/Three-point field goal area.......................................................................... 9
Scorer's table and substitution chairs.......................................................................... 9
Cylinder principle ............................................................................................................ 34
Players' positions during free throws ......................................................................... 47
Officials' signals.............................................................................................................. 60
Scoresheet....................................................................................................................... 61
Top of the scoresheet .................................................................................................... 62
Teams on the scoresheet.............................................................................................. 63
Running score.................................................................................................................. 66
Summing up ..................................................................................................................... 67
Bottom of the scoresheet.............................................................................................. 67

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Rule One – The game

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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 forpractical 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 teamis 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 gameThe team that has scored the greater number of points at the end of playing timeshall be the winner.

RULE TWO – COURT AND EQUIPMENT
Art. 2Court

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 theopponents' 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.

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2.4.1

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Rule Two – Court and equipment

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) mfrom 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 thesidelines. 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 aradius 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 (Diagram 2).

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 furthestedge 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, shall be marked as in Diagram 2.

2.4.4

Three-point field goal area
The team's three-point field goal area (Diagram 1 and Diagram 3) 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 theouter 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 ofthe 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.

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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Rule Two – Court and equipment

Restricted
areaTeam benchTeam bench area

8.325 mEndline0.15 mScorer's table

Centrecircle0.15 mCentre line

5m

28 m

3.6 m

Sideline

2m

tl

Endline1.575 m6.75 m

i ne

0.90
m

No-chargesemi-circle

15 m

Diagram 1

Full size playing court

Team bench

re
epo

in

SidelineTh

Team bench area

Throw-inline

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2.4.5

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Rule Two – Court and equipment

Team bench areas
The team bench areas shall be marked outside the playing court limited by two (2)lines as shown in Diagram 1.
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 thesideline opposite the scorer’s table, with the outer edge of the lines 8.325 m from theinner edge of the nearest endline.
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 fromthe point on the floor beneath the exact centre of the basket, 0.375 m in lengthand ending 1.20 m from the inner edge of the endline.
The no-charge semi-circle areas are completed by imaginary lines joining the endsof 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 m2.4.7

Diagram 2

Restricted area

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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Rule Two – Court and equipment

Direction of play

Opponents’basketTwo-pointfield goal area

Three-point field goal area

Diagram 3
2.5

Two-point/Three-point field goal area

Position of the scorer's table and substitution chairs (Diagram 4)
1=
2=

Twenty-four (24) second 3 =operator
4=
Timer
5=

Commissioner, if present
ScorerAssistant scorer

Playing courtTeambench area

Substitution
chairs 

12

Substitution
chairs
3

4

5

Team
bench area 

Scorer's table
The scorer's table and its chairs must be placed on a platform. The
announcer and/or statisticians (if present) can be seated at the side of
and/or behind the scorer’s table.
Diagram 4

Scorer's table and substitution chairs

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Art. 3OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Rule Two – Court and equipment

Equipment
The following equipment will be required: Backstop units, consisting of:▬ Backboards▬ Baskets comprising (pressure release) rings and nets
▬ Backboard support structures including padding
 Basketballs
 Game clock Scoreboard
 Twenty-four (24) second clock Stopwatch or suitable (visible) device (not the game clock) for timing time-outs Two (2) separate, distinctly different and loud sound signals
 Scoresheet
 Player foul markers
 Team foul markers
 Alternating possession arrow Playing floor Playing court
 Adequate lighting
For a more detailed description of basketball equipment, see Appendix on Basketball Equipment.

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Rule Three - Teams

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RULE THREE - TEAMS
Art. 4

Teams

4.1
4.1.1

Definition
A team member is eligible to play when he has been authorised to play for a teamaccording to the regulations, including regulations governing age limits, of theorganising body of the competition.
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.
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.
During an interval of play, all team members entitled to play are considered asplayers.

4.1.2

4.1.3

4.1.4
4.2
4.2.1

4.2.2
4.2.3

4.3
4.3.1

4.3.2

Rule
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 havespecial responsibilities, e.g. manager, doctor, physiotherapist, statistician,interpreter, etc.
Five (5) players from each team shall be on the playing court during playing time andmay be substituted.
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.
Uniforms
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' arepermitted.
 Shorts of the same dominant colour front and back, but not necessarily of thesame colour as the shirts.
 Socks of the same dominant colour for all players of the team.
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.

April 2010
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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Rule Three - Teams





4.3.3

4.4
4.4.1

4.4.2

4.4.3

4.4.4

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 havethe authority to approve, for their competitions, any other numbers with amaximum 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.
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 theshirts.
Other equipment
All equipment used by players must be appropriate for the game. Any equipmentthat is designed to increase a player's height or reach or in any other way give an
unfair advantage is not permitted.
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 ofleather, 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 theupper 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.
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.
Any other equipment not specifically mentioned in this article must be approved by
the FIBA Technical Commission.

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Rule Three - Teams

April 2010
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Art. 5Players: 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 andthe 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 besubstituted 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 theplaying 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 thegame clock is stopped.

6.2

The captain shall, immediately at the end of the game, inform the referee if his teamis protesting against the result of the game and sign the scoresheet in the spacemarked '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 thename of the captain of the team, the coach and the assistant coach. All teammembers 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 shallconfirm his agreement with the names and corresponding numbers of his teamApril 2010
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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Rule Three - Teams

members and the names of the coaches by signing the scoresheet. At the sametime, they shall indicate the five (5) players who are to start the game. The coach ofteam '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 toobtain 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 thenumber 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 tocontinue and there is no assistant coach entered on the scoresheet (or the latter isunable to continue). If the captain must leave the playing court, he may continue toact 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 thefree-throw shooter is not determined by the rules.

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Rule Four - Playing regulations

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RULE FOUR - PLAYING REGULATIONS
Art. 8Playing 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 isscheduled 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 eachextra period.

8.4

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

8.5

An interval of play begins:



8.6

Twenty (20) minutes before the game is scheduled to begin.
When the game clock signal sounds for the end of a period.

An interval of play ends:At the beginning of the first period when the ball leaves the hand(s) of thereferee on the jump ball.
At the beginning of all other periods when the ball is at the disposal of theplayer taking the throw-in.

8.7

If the score is tied at the end of playing time for the fourth period, the game shallcontinue 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 endof playing time, any eventual free throw(s) shall be administered after the end ofplaying time.

8.9

If an extra period is required as a result of this free throw(s) then all fouls that arecommitted 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. 9Beginning 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 thethrow-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.

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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Rule Four - Playing regulations

9.4

For all games, the first team named in the programme (home team) shall have theteam 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 theplaying 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 theend 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:




10.3

The ball becomes dead when:








10.4

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.

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 tobe 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 ofthe 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.

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.

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Rule Four - Playing regulations



April 2010
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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 acontinuous 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 gameclock 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 thefloor. 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. 12Jump 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.

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

12.2

Jump ball procedure

12.2.1Each 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.

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

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

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

12.2.6Neither jumper may catch the ball or tap it more than twice until it has touched oneof 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.

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12.3

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Rule Four - Playing regulations

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 wasentitled to the ball.
 After the cancellation of equal penalties against both teams, there are no otherfoul penalties remaining for administration and neither team had control of theball 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

12.5.1In 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.

12.5.2The team that does not gain control of the live ball on the playing court after thejump 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 shallstart the next period with a throw-in at the centre line extended, opposite thescorer’s table, unless there are further free throws and a possession penalty to beadministered.

12.5.4

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

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

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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 ofthese rules.

13.2

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

Art. 14

Control of the ball

14.1

Definition

14.1.1Team 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 orboth 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

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

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Rule Four - Playing regulationsattempt 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 ofshooting.
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 shootfor a field goal.
 Ends when the ball has left the player’s hand(s), or if an entirely new act ofshooting 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.

16.1.2The 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 ballhas 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 goalcounts two (2) points.

16.2.2

If a player accidentally scores a field goal in his team’s own basket, the goalcounts 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 violationand the goal does not count.

16.2.4

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

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 theball.

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Art. 17

Throw-in

17.1

Definition

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

17.2

Procedure

17.2.1An 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 theofficial.

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

17.2.3In the following situations the subsequent throw-in shall be administered at thecentre 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 ateam-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 entitledto possession of the ball from its backcourt the throw-in shall be administered at thethrow-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 behindthat team’s endline. This is also applicable after an official hands or places theball 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 theball 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-ofbounds.

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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Rule Four - Playing regulations

17.3

Rule

17.3.1The player taking the throw-in shall not:







17.3.2

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 thanfrom 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.

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

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

18.2.218.2.3A time-out may be granted during a time-out opportunity.
A time-out opportunity begins when: For both teams, the ball becomes dead, the game clock is stopped and theofficial 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.

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

18.2.8A 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 shallestablish 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.

18.3.2A 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 theplaying 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 thesecond, fourth or each extra period the players may leave the playing court and siton 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 disposalof 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 becompleted and the time-out will be permitted before the new foul penalty isadministered.
 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 isadministered.
 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 isadministered.
In the event of consecutive sets of free throws and/or possession of the ballresulting from more than one (1) foul penalty, each set is to be treated separately.

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Art. 19

Substitution

19.1

Definition

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Rule Four - Playing regulations

A substitution is an interruption of the game requested by the substitute to becomea player.
19.2

Rule

19.2.1

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

19.2.2A substitution opportunity begins when: For both teams, the ball becomes dead, the game clock is stopped and theofficial 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.

19.2.3A substitution opportunity ends when the ball is at the disposal of a player for athrow-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 becomesdead 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.

19.2.5A 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 theassistant coach) shall go to the scorer’s table and ask clearly for a substitution or siton the substitution chair. He must be ready to play immediately.

19.3.2A 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.

19.3.4The 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.

19.3.5The 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 (withinapproximately 30 seconds). If, in the judgement of an official, there is a delay of thegame, a time-out shall be charged against the offending team. If the team has notime-out remaining a technical foul for delaying the game may be charged against
the coach, recorded as 'B'.

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19.3.7

If a substitution is requested during a time-out or during an interval of play otherthan 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.
19.3.9If the request for a substitution is made by either team after the ball is at thedisposal 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 becompleted and the substitution will be permitted before the new foul penalty isadministered.
 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 isadministered.
 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 isadministered.
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 (20to 0). Furthermore, the forfeiting team shall receive zero (0) points in theclassification.

20.2.2For 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 orPlay-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 benullified.

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Art. 21Game lost by default

21.1

Rule

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Rule Four - Playing regulations

A team shall lose a game by default if, during the game, the team has fewer thantwo (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 thetime when the game was stopped. If the team to which the game is awarded is notahead, 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.

21.2.2For a two-game (home and away) total point series, the team that defaults in the firstor in the second game shall lose the series by 'default'.

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Rule Five - Violations

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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 theinfraction, except directly behind the backboard, unless otherwise stated in therules.

Art. 23

Player out-of-bounds and ball out-of-bounds

23.1
23.1.1

Definition
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.
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 theplaying court.

23.1.223.2
23.2.123.2.223.2.3Rule
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 bytouching something other than a player.
If the ball is out-of-bounds because of touching or being touched by a player who ison or outside the boundary line, this player causes the ball to go out-of-bounds.
If a player(s) move(s) to out-of-bounds or to his backcourt during a held ball, a jumpball situation occurs.

Art. 24

Dribbling

24.1
24.1.1

Definition
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.
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 thefloor 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.
A player who accidentally loses and then regains control of a live ball on the playing
court is considered to be fumbling the ball.

24.1.224.1.3

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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
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 otherplayers.
 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 iscommitted.

24.2

Rule
A player shall not dribble a second time after his first dribble has ended unlessbetween 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 outlinedin this article, in any direction, while holding a live ball on the playing court.

25.1.2A pivot is the legal movement in which a player who is holding a live ball on theplaying 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 footbecomes 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, butneither foot may be returned to the floor before the ball is released from thehand(s).

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Rule Five - Violations



April 2010
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While moving:▬ To pass or shoot for a field goal, the player may jump off a pivot foot andland 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 thefloor 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 fromthe 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).

25.2.3Player 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 theball.

Art. 26

Three seconds

26.1
26.1.1Rule
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 andthe game clock is running.
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 andthe 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.
To establish himself outside the restricted area, the player must place both feet on
the floor outside the restricted area.

26.1.226.1.3Art. 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 theball in its backcourt,that team must cause the ball to go into its frontcourt within eight (8) seconds.

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28.1.2The 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 feetin 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 thefrontcourt 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.

28.1.3The eight (8) second period will continue with any time remaining when the sameteam 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 theplaying court and the team of that player taking the throw-in remains in controlof 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 isin 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.

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Rule Five - Violations

29.2
29.2.129.2.2

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Procedure
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 clockat the time when the game was stopped, the twenty-four (24) second clock shallbe 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.
If the twenty-four (24) second clock signal sounds in error while a team has controlof the ball or neither team has control of the ball, the signal shall be disregarded andthe game shall continue.
However, if in the judgement of an official, the team in control of the ball has beenplaced 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
30.1.1

Definition
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 bodyin contact with the backcourt.
 It touches an official who has part of his body in contact with the backcourt.
The ball has been illegally returned to the backcourt when a player of the team incontrol 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.
Rule
A player whose team is in control of a live ball may not cause the ball to be illegally
returned to his backcourt.

30.1.230.2

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Rule Five - Violations

30.3

Penalty
The ball shall be awarded to the opponents for a throw-in in their frontcourt at aplace nearest to the infraction except directly behind the backboard.

Art. 31

Goaltending and Interference

31.1
31.1.1

Definition
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
31.2.1

Rule
Goaltending occurs during a shot for a field goal when a player touches the ballwhile 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.
Goaltending occurs during a shot for a free throw when a player touches the ballwhile it is in flight to the basket and before it touches the ring.
The goaltending restrictions apply until:
 The ball no longer has the possibility of entering the basket.
 The ball has touched the ring.
Interference occurs when: After a shot for a field goal or the last or only free throw a player touches thebasket 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 theball, the basket or the backboard while there is still a possibility that the ball willenter 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 thebasket, 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, inthe judgement of an official, the ball has been prevented from entering thebasket or has been caused to enter the basket.
 A player grasps the basket to play the ball.
When An official blows the whistle while the ball is in the hands of a player in the actof 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 flighton a shot for a field goal,
No player shall touch the ball after it has touched the ring while it still has thepossibility of entering the basket.

31.2.231.2.331.2.431.2.5All restrictions related to goaltending and interference shall apply.

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31.3

Penalty

31.3.1

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

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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
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, eachfoul 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 theposition 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
33.2

Cylinder principle

Principle of verticality
During the game, each player has the right to occupy any position (cylinder) on theplaying 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.

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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 withthe 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 tothe 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 oftime and distance do not apply.
The player with the ball must expect to be guarded and must be prepared to stop orchange his direction whenever an opponent takes an initial legal guarding positionin 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 beconsidered as having been at the place of contact first.
 Having established a legal guarding position the defensive player may turnwithin his cylinder to avoid injury.
In any of the above situations, the contact shall be considered as having beencaused by the player with the ball.

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33.5

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Rule Six - Fouls

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 anddistance shall apply. A defensive player cannot take a position so near and/or soquickly in the path of a moving opponent that the latter does not have sufficient timeor distance either to stop or change his direction.
The distance is directly proportional to the speed of the opponent, never less thanone (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 hisarms, 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 rightto land again at the same place.
He has the right to land on another place on the playing court provided that thelanding place and the direct path between the take-off and landing place is notalready 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, thejumper 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 fromreaching 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 astationary opponent when contact occurred.
 Did not respect the elements of time and distance of an opponent in motion
when contact occurred.

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If the screen is set within the field of vision of a stationary opponent (front orlateral), 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 otherfactors 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 intaking 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 andcontact 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 ofdesignating a specific area for the interpretation of charge/block situations underthe 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 isillegally 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.

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33.11

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Rule Six - Fouls

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 anadvantage. 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 ina 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 obtainan advantage.
 'Push off' to prevent the defensive player from playing or attempting to play theball, or to create more space for himself.
 Use an extended forearm or hand, while dribbling, to prevent an opponent fromgaining 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 balldoes 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 freedomof movement. This contact (holding) can occur with any part of the body.

33.15

PushingPushing 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.

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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 theplace 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 beawarded 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 theend 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 beawarded.

Art. 35

Double foul

35.1

Definition

35.1.1

A double foul is a situation in which two (2) opponents commit personal foulsagainst each other at approximately the same time.

35.2

Penalty
A personal foul shall be charged against each offender. No free throws shall beawarded 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 beawarded 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 ballsituation occurs.

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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.

36.1.2The official must interpret the unsportsmanlike fouls consistently throughout thegame 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 isan 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 theoffensive 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, shallcount 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 beadministered.

Art. 37

Disqualifying foul

37.1

Definition

37.1.1A disqualifying foul is any flagrantly unsportsmanlike action of a player, substitute,excluded player, coach, assistant coach or team follower.

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37.1.2A coach who has received a disqualifying foul shall be replaced by the assistantcoach as entered on the scoresheet. If no assistant coach is entered on thescoresheet, he shall be replaced by the captain (CAP).

37.2

Penalty

37.2.1A disqualifying foul shall be charged against the offender.

37.2.2

Whenever the offender is disqualified according to the respective articles of theserules, he shall go to and remain in his team's dressing room for the duration of thegame 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, shallcount 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

38.1.1The proper conduct of the game demands the full and loyal cooperation of themembers of both teams (players, substitutes, coaches, assistant coaches, excluded
players and team followers) with the officials, table officials and commissioner, if
present.

38.1.2Each team shall do its best to secure victory, but this must be done in the spirit ofsportsmanship and fair play.

38.1.3Any deliberate or repeated non-cooperation or non-compliance with the spirit andintent of this rule shall be considered as a technical foul.

38.1.4The 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 technicalfoul had occurred at the time it is charged. Whatever occurred during the interval
between the infraction and the game being stopped shall remain valid.

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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 sportsmanshipand 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 theobvious intention of committing acts of violence, the public order enforcement
officers must intervene immediately to protect the teams and officials.

38.2.5All other areas, including entrances, exits, hallways, dressing rooms, etc., comeunder the jurisdiction of the organising body of the competition and the public orderenforcement officers.

38.2.6

Physical actions by players, substitutes, excluded players, coaches, assistantcoaches 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 theoffending team shall be given a warning.
Should the action(s) be repeated, a technical foul shall immediately be called on theindividual(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 tableofficials 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 hiseyes.
 Excessive swinging of elbows.
 Delaying the game by deliberately touching the ball after it passes through thebasket 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, inthe judgement of an official, is trying to prevent injury to himself or to anotherplayer.

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Rule Six - Fouls



April 2010
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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 teamfollower is a foul for disrespectfully communicating with or touching the officials,
the commissioner, the table officials or the opponents, or an infraction of aprocedural 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 ofthem ('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 tobe 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 andshall 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 andshall 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. 39Fighting

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

39.2

Rule

39.2.1Substitutes, 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 bedisqualified.

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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
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 otherfoul 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 teamfor 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 beawarded to this team for a throw-in at the centre line extended, opposite thescorer’s table.
Neither team has control of the ball nor was entitled to the ball, a jump ballsituation occurs.

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

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Rule Seven - General provisions

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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 thecoach ('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 foulsin a period.

41.1.2All team fouls committed in an interval of play shall be considered as beingcommitted in the following period or extra period.

41.1.3All 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 foulscommitted 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

42.2.1All fouls shall be charged and all penalties identified.

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

42.2.3All equal penalties against the teams and all double foul penalties shall be cancelledin 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 priorrights to possession of the ball.

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Rule Seven - General provisions

42.2.5Once 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 otherpenalties 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 teamfor 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 beawarded 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 ballsituation 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.

43.1.2A 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 designatedby 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 thebasket from above or the ball touches the ring.
Release the ball within five (5) seconds after it is placed at his disposal by theofficial.
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.

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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Rule Seven - General provisions

43.2.4The 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 reboundplace until the ball has left the hand(s) of the free-throw shooter.
 Distract the free-throw shooter by their actions.

A7

B8

B7
A8

A6
B6
A4

A5

B4

B5

Diagram 6Players' positions during free throws

43.2.5Players 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 thethree-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-throwshooter, 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 beadministered.

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 fora throw-in at any place at the endline.

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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 ballshall 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 beawarded 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).

44.2General 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 thefirst dead ball after the game clock has started following the error.

44.2.2An 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 haveoccurred after the error has occurred and before its recognition, shall remain valid.

44.2.4After 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 beawarded to the team entitled to the ball at the time the game was stopped for thecorrection.

44.2.5Once 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 theplaying 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 theerror.

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 thescore, number of fouls, number of time-outs or time consumed or omitted, may becorrected by the officials at any time before the referee signs the scoresheet.

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Rule Seven - General provisions

April 2010
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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 gameshall be resumed as follows: If the game clock has not started, the ball shall be awarded for a throw-in to theteam 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 isrecognised is the same team that was in control of the ball at the time theerror 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 teamin control of the ball or entitled to the ball is the opponent of the team that wasin 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 beadministered and the ball shall be awarded for a throw-in to the team that wasin 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 beadministered.

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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Rule Eight - Officials, table officials, commissioner: Duties and powers

RULE EIGHT - OFFICIALS, TABLE OFFICIALS, COMMISSIONER: DUTIES AND POWERS
Art. 4545.1

45.7

Officials, table officials and commissioner
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.
The table officials shall be a scorer, an assistant scorer, a timer and a twenty-four(24) second clock operator.
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 thereferee and umpire(s) in the smooth functioning of the game.
The officials of a given game should not be connected in any way with either teamon the playing court.
The officials, the table officials and the commissioner shall conduct the gamein accordance with these rules and have no authority to change them.
The officials' uniform shall consist of an officials’ shirt, long black trousers, blacksocks and black basketball shoes.
The officials and table officials shall be uniformly dressed.

Art. 46

Referee: Duties and powers

45.2
45.3

45.4
45.5
45.6

46.1
46.2
46.3

46.4
46.5
46.6
46.7
46.8
46.9

46.10

The referee shall:Inspect and approve all equipment to be used during the game.
Designate the official game clock, twenty-four (24) second clock, stopwatch andrecognise the table officials.
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.
Not permit any player to wear objects that may cause injury to other players.
Administer a jump ball to start the first period and an alternating possession throwin to start all other periods.
Have the power to stop a game when conditions warrant it.
Have the power to determine that a team shall forfeit the game.
Carefully examine the scoresheet at the end of playing time or at any time he feels isnecessary.
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 isscheduled to begin, and end when the game clock signal sounds for the end of theplaying time as approved by the officials.
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 teamfollowers that occurs prior to the twenty (20) minutes before the game isscheduled to begin, or between the end of playing time and the approval andsigning of the scoresheet.

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

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In such a case, the referee (commissioner, if present) must send a detailed report tothe 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 eachperiod or each extra period was released during playing time and/or whether thatshot 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 bythese 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, aperiod ends or the officials find it necessary to stop the game. The officials shall notblow 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 thegame.
 Consistency in application of the concept of 'advantage/disadvantage'. The
officials should not seek to interrupt the flow of the game unnecessarily in orderto 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 thegame.
 Consistency in the maintenance of a balance between game control and gameflow, 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 theorganising 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 possibilityof replacing the injured official with a qualified substitute official. After consultingwith 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.

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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
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 otherofficial(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 thegame 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 acoach 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 teamhas requested a time-out and notify the coach through an official when thecoach 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 thebench 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 gamenor cause the ball to become dead.

48.3

The assistant scorer shall operate the scoreboard and assist the scorer. In thecase of any discrepancy between the scoreboard and the scoresheet which cannot
be resolved, the scoresheet shall take precedence and the scoreboard shall becorrected 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
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April 2010
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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 becorrected. 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 theend of playing time in a period.
 Use any means possible to notify the officials immediately if his signal fails tosound 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 theplaying 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 controlof the ball.

49.3

The timer shall measure a time-out as follows: Starting the stopwatch immediately when the official blows his whistle andgives 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.

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Art. 50

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Rule Eight - Officials, table officials, commissioner: Duties and powers

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 theplaying 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 incontrol of the ball), The game being stopped because of an action not connected with the team incontrol 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 ballis 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.

April 2010
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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
A - Officials’ signals

A - OFFICIALS’ SIGNALS
A.1
A.2
I.

The hand signals illustrated in these rules are the only official signals. They must be
used by all officials in all games.
It is important that the table officials are familiar with these signals.
SCORING

1

TWO POINTSTHREE-POINTSATTEMPT

THREE-POINTS
SUCCESSFUL SHOTCANCEL SCOREORCANCEL PLAY

1 finger,'flag' from wrist

2 fingers,'flag' from wrist

3 fingers
extended

3 fingers
extended on both
hands

Scissor-like action
with arms, once
across chest

II.

CLOCK-RELATED

6

7

STOP CLOCK FOR VIOLATIONOR STOP PLAY
(blowing whistle
simultaneously)
OR DO NOT START CLOCK

9

8
TIME IN

STOP CLOCK FOR FOUL(blowing whistle
simultaneously)

One clenched fist,
other palm down pointing tooffender's waist

Open palm

III.

5

4

3

2
ONE POINT

Chop with hand

TWENTY-FOUR OR
FOURTEENSECOND RESET

Rotate hand,index finger extended

ADMINISTRATIVE

10

12

11

SUBSTITUTION(blowing whistle
simultaneously)

Cross forearms

BECKONING-IN

CHARGED
TIME-OUT(blowing whistle
simultaneously)

13
COMMUNICATIONBETWEEN
OFFICIALS ANDTABLE OFFICIALSOpen palm, wave
towards the body

Form T, index finger
showing

Thumb up

14
VISIBLE COUNT(Five and eight
seconds)

Fingers showing
counting

April 2010
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IV.

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
A - Officials’ signals

TYPE OF VIOLATIONS
16

15

18

17

TRAVELLINGILLEGAL DRIBBLE:DOUBLEDRIBBLING

ILLEGAL DRIBBLE:CARRYING
THE BALL

THREE SECONDS

Rotate fists

Patting motion

Half rotation,
forward direction

Arm extended,show 3 fingers

20

19
FIVE SECONDSEIGHT SECONDS

Show 5 fingers

Show 8 fingers

23

21
22
TWENTY-FOUR SECONDSBALL RETURNEDTO BACKCOURT

Fingers touch shoulder
25

24
DELIBERATE
FOOT BALL

Point finger to the footWave arm,
index finger pointing

OUT-OF-BOUNDS
AND/ORDIRECTION
OF PLAY

Point finger
parallel to sidelines

HELD BALL/JUMP BALLSITUATION

Thumbs up followed by point
finger in direction ofalternating possession arrow

April 2010
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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
A - Officials’ signals

V.

REPORTING A FOUL TO THE SCORER'S TABLE (3 Steps)

STEP 1 - NUMBER OF PLAYER
26

28

27
No. 4

30

31
No. 8

34

32
No. 9

No. 13

No. 7

33
No. 1036

35
No. 12

29
No. 6

No. 5

No. 11

37
No. 14

No. 15

April 2010
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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
A - Officials’ signals

STEP 2 - TYPE OF FOUL
38

39

41

40

ILLEGAL USE
OF HANDSBLOCKING(offence or defence)

EXCESSIVE
SWINGING
OF ELBOWS

Strike wrist

Both hands on hips

Swing elbow backwards

43

42
PUSHING OR
CHARGINGWITHOUT
THE BALL

Imitate push
46

HOLDING

44
CHARGING
WITH THE BALL

Clenched fist,strike open palm

Grasp wrist
downward
45

BY TEAM IN
CONTROL OF THE
BALL

DOUBLE

Point clenched fist
towards basket ofoffending team

Wave clenched fists on
both hands

48

47
TECHNICALUNSPORTSMANLIKEDISQUALIFYING

Form T,
palm showing

Grasp wrist
upwardClenched fists
on both hands

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
A - Officials’ signals

STEP 3 - NUMBER OF FREE THROW(S) AWARDED
49

50

51

ONE
FREE THROWTWOFREE THROWS

THREE
FREE THROWS

Hold up 1 finger

Hold up 2 fingers

Hold up 3 fingers

OR- DIRECTION OF PLAY
52

53

AFTER FOULWITHOUT FREE THROW(S)AFTER FOULBY TEAM IN CONTROLOF THE BALL

Point finger,
arm parallel to sidelines

Clenched fist,arm parallel to sidelines

April 2010
Page 59 of 81

April 2010
Page 60 of 81

VI.

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
A - Officials’ signals

FREE-THROW ADMINISTRATION (2 Steps)

STEP 1 - INSIDE THE RESTRICTED AREA
54

55

56

ONE
FREE THROWTWOFREE THROWS

THREE
FREE THROWS

1 finger horizontal

2 fingers horizontal

3 fingers horizontal

STEP 2 - OUTSIDE THE RESTRICTED AREA
57

59

58
ONE
FREE THROWTWOFREE THROWS

THREE
FREE THROWS

Index finger

Fingers together
on both hands

3 fingers extended
on both hands

Diagram 7

Officials' signals

April 2010
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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
B - The scoresheet

B - THE SCORESHEETFEDERATION INTERNATIONALE DE BASKETBALL
INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL FEDERATIONSCORESHEETTeam A ______________________________________ Team B ______________________________________
Competition _______ Date _________ Time __________ Referee _________________________________
Game No. _______ Place _______________________ Umpire 1 ____________ Umpire 2 ____________
Team A ____________________________________
Time-outs
Team fouls
Period  1 2 3 4  1 2 3 4Period  1 2 3 4  1 2 3 4Extra periods
Licence
PlayerPlayers
No. in 1 2Fouls
no.
3 4 5
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Coach
Assistant CoachTeam B ____________________________________
Time-outs
Team fouls
Period  1 2 3 4  1 2 3 4Period  1 2 3 4  1 2 3 4Extra periods
Licence
PlayerPlayers
No. in 1 2Fouls
no.
3 4 5
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Coach
Assistant CoachScorerAssistant scorer
Timer
24” operator____________________________________________________________________________________________

Referee __________________________________
Umpire 1 ____________ Umpire 2 ____________
Captain’s signature in case of protest___________________

Diagram 8

RUNNING SCORE
A

B
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40

A
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80

B
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80

Period 
Period 
Period 
Period 
Extra periods

ScoresFinal Score

B
81 81
82 82
83 83
84 84
85 85
86 86
87 87
88 88
89 89
90 90
91 91
92 92
93 93
94 94
95 95
96 96
97 97
98 98
99 99
100 100
101 101
102 102103 103104 104
105 105
106 106
107 107108 108
109 109
110 110111 111112 112113 113114 114115 115116 116117 117118 118
119 119120 120

A ____
A ____
A ____
A ____
A ____

A
B
121 121122 122123 123
124 124
125 125
126 126
127 127
128 128
129 129130 130
131 131132 132
133 133
134 134
135 135
136 136
137 137
138 138
139 139140 140
141 141
142 142143 143
144 144145 145146 146
147 147
148 148
149 149
150 150151 151
152 152
153 153
154 154
155 155
156 156
157 157
158 158
159 159
160 160

B ____
B ____
B ____
B ____
B ____

Team A ____ Team B ____Name of winning team

Scoresheet

A____________________

April 2010
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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
B - The scoresheet

B.1

The scoresheet shown in Diagram 8 is the one approved by the FIBA TechnicalCommission.

B.2

It consists of one (1) original and three (3) copies, each of a different colour of
paper. The original, on white paper, is for FIBA. The first copy, on blue paper, is forthe organising body of the competition, the second copy, on pink paper, is for thewinning team, and the last copy, on yellow paper, is for the losing team.
Note: 1. It is recommended that the scorer uses two (2) different colours of pen,
one for the first and third period and one for the second and fourth
period.
2. The scoresheet may be prepared and completed electronically.

B.3

At least twenty (20) minutes before the game is scheduled to begin, the scorer
shall prepare the scoresheet in the following manner:
He shall enter the names of the two (2) teams in the space at the top of thescoresheet. The team 'A' shall always be the local (home) team or for tournaments
or games on a neutral playing court, the first team named in the programme. The
other team shall be team 'B'.
He shall then enter: The name of the competition.
 The number of the game.
 The date, the time and the place of the game.
 The names of the referee and the umpire(s).

B.3.1

B.3.2

FEDERATION INTERNATIONALE DE BASKETBALL
INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL FEDERATIONSCORESHEETTeam A HOOPERS _____________________________ Team B POINTERS__________________________
Competition _WCM _ Date 20. 11. 2004 TimeGame No.
5
Place
GENEVA

Diagram 9
B.3.3

B.3.3.1

B.3.3.2

B.3.3.3

B.3.4

20:00

Referee WALTON, M.______________________
Umpire 1 CHANG, Y.
Umpire 2 BARTOK, K.__Top of the scoresheet

He shall then enter the names of the members of each team, using the list of teammembers as provided by the coach or his representative. Team 'A' shall occupy theupper part of the scoresheet, and team 'B' the lower part.
In the first column, the scorer shall enter the number (last three (3) digits) of eachplayer's licence. For tournaments, the number of the player's licence shall only be
indicated for the first game played by his team.
In the second column, the scorer shall enter each player's name and initials, all in
BLOCK CAPITAL letters, beside the number corresponding to the uniform number of
each player. The captain of the team shall be indicated by entering (CAP) immediately after his name.
If a team presents fewer than twelve (12) players, the scorer shall draw a line
through the spaces for the licence number, name, number, etc. at the respective
line of player’s number.
At the bottom of each team's section, the scorer shall enter (in BLOCK CAPITAL
letters) the names of the team's coach and assistant coach.

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
B - The scoresheet

B.4
B.4.1
B.4.2
B.4.3
B.4.4

April 2010
Page 63 of 81

At least ten (10) minutes before the game is scheduled to begin both coaches
shall:
Confirm their agreement with the names and the corresponding numbers of theirteam members.
Confirm the names of the coach and assistant coach.
Indicate the five (5) players to start the game by marking a small 'x' beside theplayer's number in the 'Player in' column.
Sign the scoresheet.
The coach of team 'A' shall be the first to provide the above information.

B.5

At the beginning of the game, the scorer shall circle the small 'x' of the five (5)players in each team to start the game.

B.6

During the game, the scorer shall draw a small 'x' (not circled) in the 'Player in'column when the substitute enters the game for the first time as a player.

Time-outs
7
8 4 10Licenceno.

Team fouls
Period  1 2 3 4  1 2 3 4Period  1 2 3 4  1 2 3 4Extra periods
PlayerPlayers
No. in 1 2Fouls
3 4 5

001 MAYER, F.
002 JONES, M.
003 SMITH, E.
004 FRANK, Y.
010 NANCE, L.
012 KING, H. (CAP)
014 WONG, P.
015 RUSH, S.
021 MARTINEZ, M.
022 SANCHES, N.
024 MANOS, K.
Coach
LOOR, A.
Assistant Coach MONTA, B.

Diagram 10
B.7
B.7.1

B.7.2

4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

P2
P P P2P2 U2 P P1
T2 P2
P P U1P1 P
P3 P2
P2 P P2 TC
P2 P2 P2 P U2
P2 D2
C2 B2

Teams on the scoresheet

Time-outs
Time-outs granted shall be recorded on the scoresheet by entering the minute of theplaying time of the period or extra period in the appropriate boxes below the team's
name.
At the end of each half and extra period, unused boxes shall be marked with two (2)horizontal parallel lines.

April 2010
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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
B - The scoresheet

B.8

Fouls

B.8.1

Player fouls may be personal, technical, unsportsmanlike or disqualifying and shallbe recorded against the player.

B.8.2

Coach, assistant coach, substitute, excluded player and team follower fouls may betechnical or disqualifying and shall be recorded against the coach.

B.8.3

All fouls shall be recorded as follows:

B.8.3.1

A personal foul shall be indicated by entering a 'P'.

B.8.3.2

A technical foul against a player shall be indicated by entering a 'T'.

B.8.3.3

A technical foul against the coach for his personal unsportsmanlike behaviour shallbe indicated by entering a 'C'. A second similar technical foul shall also be indicatedby entering a ‘C’, followed by a ‘D’ in the remaining space.

B.8.3.4

A technical foul against the coach for any other reason shall be indicated byentering a 'B'.

B.8.3.5

An unsportsmanlike foul against a player shall be indicated by entering a 'U'. A
second unsportsmanlike foul shall also be indicated by entering a ‘U’, followed by a‘D’ in the remaining spaces.

B.8.3.6

A disqualifying foul shall be indicated by entering a 'D'.

B.8.3.7

Any foul involving a free throw(s) shall be indicated by adding the corresponding
number of free throws (1, 2 or 3) beside the 'P', 'T', 'C', 'B', 'U' or 'D'.

B.8.3.8

All fouls against both teams involving penalties of the same severity and cancelledaccording to Art. 42 (Special situations) shall be indicated by adding a small 'c'beside the 'P', 'T', 'C', 'B', 'U' or 'D'.

B.8.3.9At the end of each period, the scorer shall draw a thick line between the spacesthat have been used and those that have not been used.
At the end of the playing time, the scorer shall obliterate the remaining spaces witha thick horizontal line.

B.8.3.10

Examples for disqualifying fouls:
Disqualifying fouls against coaches, assistant coaches, substitutes, excluded
players and team followers for leaving the team bench area (Art. 39) shall berecorded as shown below. In all remaining foul spaces of the disqualified person an'F' shall be entered.
If only the coach is disqualified:
Coach
Assistant Coach

LOOR, A.
MONTA, B.

D2 F F

If only the assistant coach is disqualified:
Coach
Assistant Coach

LOOR, A.
MONTA, B.

B2
F F F

If both the coach and the assistant coach are disqualified:
Coach
Assistant Coach

LOOR, A.
MONTA, B.

D2 F FF F F

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
B - The scoresheet

April 2010
Page 65 of 81

If the substitute has fewer than four (4) fouls, then an 'F' shall be entered in all
remaining foul spaces:
6003 SMITH, E.

P2 P2 F F F

If it is the substitute's fifth foul, then an 'F' shall be entered inside the last foul
space:
002 JONES, M.

5

T 2 P 3 P1 P 2 F

If the excluded player has already committed five (5) fouls (fouled out), then an 'F'
shall be entered in the column after the last foul:
11015 RUSH, S.

T 2 P 3 P2 P 1 P 2 F

In addition to the above examples of the players Smith, Jones and Rush, or if a teamfollower is disqualified, a technical foul shall be entered:
Coach
Assistant Coach

LOOR, A.
MONTA, B.

B2

Note: Technical or disqualifying fouls according to Art. 39 shall not count as teamfouls.
B.8.3.11

A disqualifying foul against a substitute (not including Art. 39) shall be recorded asfollows:
4001 MAYER, F.

D

And
Coach
Assistant Coach

B.8.3.12

B2

A disqualifying foul against an assistant coach (not including Art. 39) shall berecorded as follows:
Coach
Assistant Coach

B.8.3.13

LOOR, A.
MONTA, B.

LOOR, A.
MONTA, B.

B2
DA disqualifying foul against an excluded player after his fifth foul (not including Art.
39) shall be recorded as follows:
11015 RUSH, S.

T 2 P 3 P2 P 1 P 2 D

And
Coach
Assistant Coach

LOOR, A.
MONTA, B.

B2

B.9

Team fouls

B.9.1

For each period, four spaces are provided in the scoresheet (immediately below the
team's name and above the players' names) to enter the team fouls.

B.9.2

Whenever a player commits a personal, technical, unsportsmanlike or disqualifying
foul, the scorer shall record the foul against the team of that player by marking alarge 'X' in the designated spaces in turn.

April 2010
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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
B - The scoresheet

B.10

The running score

B.10.1The scorer shall keep a chronological running summary of
the points scored by each team.
There are four (4) columns on the scoresheet for runningscore.
Each column is divided again into four columns. The two(2) on the left are for team 'A' and the two (2) on the rightfor team 'B'. The centre columns are for the running score(160 points) for each team.

B.10.2
B.10.3The scorer shall: First, draw a diagonal line (/) for any valid field goal
scored and a filled circle () for any valid free throwscored, over the new total number of points asaccumulated by the team that has just scored.
 Then, in the blank space on the same side of the new
total number of points (beside the new / or ), enter
the number of the player who scored the field goal or
the free throw.
B.11
B.11.1
B.11.2

B.11.3B.11.4B.11.5

B.11.6

The running score: Additional instructions
A three-point field goal scored by a player shall berecorded by drawing a circle around the player's number.
A field goal accidentally scored by a player in his team's
own basket shall be recorded as having been scored by
the captain of the opposing team on the playing court.
Points scored when the ball does not enter the basket (Art.
31 - Goaltending and Interference) shall be recorded ashaving been scored by the player who attempted the shot.
At the end of each period, the scorer shall draw a thickcircle () around the latest number of points scored byeach team, followed by a thick horizontal line under thosepoints and under the number of each player who scoredthose last points.
At the beginning of each period the scorer shall continue
to keep a chronological running summary of the points
scored from the point of interruption.
Whenever possible, the scorer should check his runningscore with the visual scoreboard. If there is a discrepancy,and his score is correct, he shall immediately take steps tohave the scoreboard corrected. If in doubt or if one of theteams raises an objection to the correction, he shall informthe referee as soon as the ball becomes dead and thegame clock is stopped.

A

6
11
11
10

10
4
5
5
5
6

11
11

5
10
4
4
4
10

10
10

B
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40

6
6

5
5

10

7
7
6

6
9
9
9
7
7
6
8
5
5
10
12
12
12

Diagram 11
Running score

April 2010
Page 67 of 81

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
B - The scoresheet

B.12
B.12.1

B.12.2

The running score: Summing up
At the end of each period, the scorer shall enter thescore of that period in the proper section in the lower
part of the scoresheet.
At the end of the game, the scorer shall draw two (2)thick horizontal lines under the final number of points
scored by each team and the numbers of the players whoscored those last points. He shall also draw a diagonalline to the bottom of the column in order to obliterate theremaining numbers (running score) for each team.

B.12.3At the end of the game, the scorer shall enter the finalscore and the name of the winning team.

B.12.4The scorer shall then enter his surname, in block capitalletters, on the scoresheet, after this has been done by
the assistant scorer, timer and the twenty-four (24)second clock operator.

B.12.5

70
71
72
73
9 74
75
11 76
77
78
79
80
7
7
7

70 6
71
72 6
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80

Diagram 12
Summing up

Once signed by the umpire(s), the referee shall be thelast to approve and sign the scoresheet. This act terminates the officials’ administration and connection withthe game.
Note: Should one of the captains (CAP) sign the scoresheet under protest (using
the space marked 'Captain's signature in case of protest'), the table officials
and the umpire(s) shall remain at the disposal of the referee until he gives
them permission to leave.

Diagram 13

Bottom of the scoresheet

April 2010
Page 68 of 81

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
C - Protest procedure

C - PROTEST PROCEDURE
If, during a FIBA official competition, a team believes its interests have been adversely
affected by a decision of an official [referee or umpire(s)] or by any event that took place
during a game, it must proceed in the following manner:
C.1

The captain (CAP) of that team shall, immediately at the end of the game, inform thereferee that his team is protesting against the result of the game and sign thescoresheet in the space marked 'Captain's signature in case of protest'.
To make this protest valid, it is necessary for the official representative of thenational federation or the club to give confirmation of this protest in writing. This
must be made within twenty (20) minutes following the end of the game.
Detailed explanations are not necessary. It is sufficient to write: 'The national
federation (or club) X protests against the result of the game between the teams X
and Y'. Then he shall deposit with the FIBA representative or with the President of
the Technical Committee, a sum equivalent to CHF 1.500, as security.
The national federation of the team or the club in question must submit to the FIBA
representative or to the President of the Technical Committee the text of its protest
within one (1) hour following the end of the game.
If the protest is accepted, the security will be refunded.

C.2

The referee shall, within one (1) hour following the end of the game, report theincident which lead to the protest, to the FIBA representative or to the President of
the Technical Committee.

C.3

Should the national federation of the team or the club in question, or that of the
opposing team or club, not be in agreement with the decision of the TechnicalCommittee, it may then address an appeal to the Jury of Appeal.
To make this appeal valid, it must be made, in writing, within twenty (20) minutes
following the delivery of the decision of the Technical Committee and beaccompanied by a deposit equivalent to CHF 3.000, as security.
The Jury of Appeal shall judge the appeal in the last instance, and its decision shallbe final.

C.4

Videos, films, pictures or any equipment, visual, electronic, digital, or otherwise,
may be used only to:Decide 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 fieldgoal counts for two (2) or three (3) points.



Determine responsibility in matters of discipline or for educational (training)
purposes after the game has ended.

April 2010
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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
D - Classification of teams

D - CLASSIFICATION OF TEAMS
D.1

Procedure

D.1.8

Teams shall be classified according to their win-loss records, namely two (2) points
for each game won, one (1) point for each game lost (including lost by default) andzero (0) points for a game lost by forfeit.
If there are two (2) teams in the classification with equal points, the result(s) of thegame(s) between the two (2) teams involved will be used to determine the placing.
If the points and the goal average in the games between the two (2) teams are still
the same, the classification will be determined by the goal average of all the games
played in the group by each team.
If there are more than two (2) teams in the classification with equal points, a secondclassification will be established, taking into account only the results of the games
between the involved teams.
If at any stage of this procedure the number of teams with equal points is reduced
to only two (2) teams, the procedure in D.1.1 and D.1.2 above will be applied.
If in the second classification there are still teams with equal points, the goal
average will be used to determine the placing, taking into account only the resultsof the games between the involved teams.
If there are still more than two (2) teams with the same goal average, the placing
will be determined using the goal average from the results of all their games playedin the group.
If at any stage of this procedure the number of teams with equal points is reduced
to a tie still involving more than two (2) teams, the procedure, beginning with D.1.3
above, is repeated.
Goal average will always be calculated by division.

D.2

Exception:

D.1.1
D.1.2

D.1.3

D.1.4
D.1.5

D.1.6

D.1.7

If only three (3) teams take part in a competition and the situation cannot be
resolved following the steps outlined above (the goal average by division is
identical), then the points scored will determine the placing.
Example:Results between A, B, C:

Team
A
B
C
Therefore:Games
played2
2
2

A vs. B
A vs. CB vs. C82 - 75
64 - 71
91 - 84

Wins

LossesPoints

1
1
1

1
1
1

3
3
3

1st
2nd
3rd

Goal
difference
146 : 146
166 : 166
155 : 155

B - 166 points scoredC - 155 points scoredA - 146 points scoredGoal
average
1.000
1.000
1.000

April 2010
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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
D - Classification of teams

If the teams are still tied after all the above steps have been followed, a draw will be
used for the final placing. The method for the draw will be determined by the commissioner or by the competent local authority.
D.3
D.3.1

Further examples of the classification rule:
Two (2) teams - equal points and only one game played between them.
Team
A
B
C
D
E
F

Games
played
5
5
5
5
5
5

Wins

LossesPoints

4
4
3
2
2
0

1
1
2
3
3
5

9
9
8
7
7
5

The winner of the game between A and B will be classified first and the winner of D
and E will be classified fourth.
D.3.2

Two (2) teams - equal points and two (2) games played between them.
Team
A
B
C
D
E
F

Games
played
10
10
10
10
10
10

Wins

LossesPoints

7
7
6
5
3
2

3
3
4
5
7
8

17
17
16
15
13
12

1st
2nd

A
B

A vs. B
B vs. A
A
B
A
B
1st
2nd

90 - 82
69 - 62152 - 151
151 - 152
1.0066
0.9934A
B

A vs. B
B vs. A90 - 82
70 - 62

Results between A, B:
D.3.2.1

D.3.2.2

A won both games:
Therefore
Each team won one game:

Goal difference:
Goal average:
Therefore
D.3.2.3

Each team won one game:The two (2) teams have the same goal difference (152 - 152) and the same goal
average by division (1.000).

April 2010
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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
D - Classification of teams

The placing will be determined using the goal average from the results of all theirgames played in the group.
D.3.3

More than two (2) teams - equal points:
Team
A
B
C
D
E
F

Games
played
5
5
5
5
5
5

Wins

LossesPoints

4
4
4
2
1
0

1
1
1
3
4
5

9
9
9
7
6
5

A vs. B
A vs. CB vs. C82 - 75
77 - 80
88 - 77

Results between A, B, C:

Team

Games
playedWins

LossesPointsGoal
difference

Goalaverage

A
B
C

2
2
2

1
1
1

1
1
1

3
3
3

159 - 155
163 - 159
157 - 165

1.02581.0251
0.9515

1st
2nd
3rd

ThereforeA
BC

If the goal average is the same for the three (3) teams, the final placing will be
determined from the results of all their games played in the group.
D.3.4

More than two (2) teams - equal points:
Team

Games
playedWins

LossesPoints

A
B
C
D
E
F

5
5
5
5
5
5

3
3
3
3
2
1

2
2
2
2
3
4

8
8
8
8
7
6

The second classification will be established, taking into account only the results ofthe games between the teams that are tied.

April 2010
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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
D - Classification of teams

There are two (2) possibilities:
I.

II.

Team

Wins

Losses

Wins

Losses

A
B
C
D

3
1
1
1

0
2
2
2

2
2
1
1

1
1
2
2

In case I:

1stA
B, C, D will be determined as in example D.3.3 above.

In case II:

The classification of A and B and C and D will be
determined as in example D.3.2 above.

A team which, without valid reason, fails to show up for a scheduled game orwithdraws from the playing court before the end of the game, shall lose the game byforfeit and receive zero (0) points in the classification.
If the team forfeits for the second time, the results of all games played by this teamshall be nullified.

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
E - Television (TV) time-outs

April 2010
Page 73 of 81

E - TELEVISION (TV) TIME-OUTS
E.1

Definition
The organising body of the competition may decide for itself whether TV time-outs
shall be applied and, if so, of what duration (60, 75, 90 or 100 seconds).

E.2

Rule

E.2.1

One (1) TV time-out in each period is permitted, in addition to the regular time-outs.
TV time-outs in extra periods are not permitted.

E.2.2

The first time-out of each period (team or TV) shall be 60, 75, 90 or 100 seconds induration.

E.2.3

The duration of all other time-outs in a period shall be sixty (60) seconds.

E.2.4

Both teams shall be entitled to two (2) time-outs during the first half and three (3)time-outs during the second half.
These time-outs may be requested at any time during the game and their duration
may be: 60, 75, 90 or 100 seconds, if considered to be a TV time-out, i.e. the first in aperiod, or Sixty (60) seconds, if not considered to be a TV time-out, i.e. requested by either
team, after the TV time-out has been granted.

E.3

Procedure

E.3.1

Ideally, the TV time-out should be taken with five (5) minutes remaining in the period.
However, there is no guarantee that this will be the case.

E.3.2

If neither team has requested a time-out before the last five (5) minutes remaining in
the period then a TV time-out shall be granted at the first opportunity when the ballbecomes dead and the game clock is stopped. This time-out will not be charged
against either team.

E.3.3

If either team is granted a time-out before the last five (5) minutes remaining in the
period, that time-out shall be used as a TV time-out.
This time-out shall count as both a TV time-out and a time-out for the teamrequesting it.

E.3.4

According to this procedure, there would be a minimum of one (1) time-out in eachperiod and a maximum of six (6) time-outs in the first half and a maximum of eight (8)time-outs in the second half.
END OF RULES
ANDGAME PROCEDURES

April 2010
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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Index to the rules

INDEX TO THE RULES
Act of shooting
definition..................................................................................................................................................19
foul on player ..........................................................................................................................................39
Advantage/disadvantage concept .........................................................................................................51
All-in-ones...................................................................................................................................................11
Alternating possession .............................................................................................................................17
Assistant coach
duties and powers .................................................................................................................................13scoresheet ..............................................................................................................................................14
Assistant scorer
duties........................................................................................................................................................52
Backcourtball returned to the ................................................................................................................................31
definition....................................................................................................................................................5
Ballcontrol......................................................................................................................................................19
dead..........................................................................................................................................................16
enters basket from below.....................................................................................................................20
enters own basket .................................................................................................................................20
goaltending .............................................................................................................................................32
interference with the.............................................................................................................................32
kicking ......................................................................................................................................................19
live.............................................................................................................................................................16
progressing with the .............................................................................................................................28
returned to the backcourt ....................................................................................................................31
status........................................................................................................................................................16
striking with the fist ...............................................................................................................................19
within basket...........................................................................................................................................20
Ball lodges between ring and backbord ...............................................................................................18
Basketball enters from below ..........................................................................................................................20ball enters own.......................................................................................................................................20ball within ................................................................................................................................................20change for the second half ..................................................................................................................16
opponents’.................................................................................................................................................5
own .............................................................................................................................................................5
Basketballequipment................................................................................................................................................10
Beginning of a period................................................................................................................................15
Beginning of the game..............................................................................................................................15
Blocking.......................................................................................................................................................37
Boundary lines .............................................................................................................................................6
Captainacting as coach......................................................................................................................................14coach .......................................................................................................................................................14

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Index to the rules

April 2010
Page 75 of 81

duties and powers .................................................................................................................................13
protest......................................................................................................................................................13
Centre circle .................................................................................................................................................6
Centre line .....................................................................................................................................................6
Charging ......................................................................................................................................................37
Charging by dribbler..................................................................................................................................35
Classification of teams .............................................................................................................................69
Closely guarded player .............................................................................................................................29
Coachdisqualification .................................................................................................................................41, 43
duties and powers .................................................................................................................................13
member of team .....................................................................................................................................11standing ...................................................................................................................................................14
team list ...................................................................................................................................................13
technical foul ..........................................................................................................................................43
Colour of shirts ...........................................................................................................................................11
Commissioner
definition..................................................................................................................................................50
report........................................................................................................................................................51
Compression sleeves ................................................................................................................................12Compression stockings ............................................................................................................................12
Contact.........................................................................................................................................................34
Continuous movement ..............................................................................................................................20
Control of the ball.......................................................................................................................................19
Correctable errors .....................................................................................................................................48
Court
dimensions ................................................................................................................................................5lines ............................................................................................................................................................5
Cylinder principle
definition..................................................................................................................................................34
Dead ball .....................................................................................................................................................16
Decision of game .........................................................................................................................................5
Decisionstime and place for ..................................................................................................................................51
Definition of game........................................................................................................................................5
Disqualifying foul .......................................................................................................................................40
Doctor ..........................................................................................................................................................11
Double foul..................................................................................................................................................39
Dribblercharging by .............................................................................................................................................35
Dribblingdefinition..................................................................................................................................................27
Dunk .............................................................................................................................................................19
Eight seconds .............................................................................................................................................29
Eligible to play ............................................................................................................................................11
End of gamedefinition..................................................................................................................................................15
officials power........................................................................................................................................50
video ...................................................................................................................................................51, 68

April 2010
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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Index to the rules

Ending of a period......................................................................................................................................15
Endlines .........................................................................................................................................................6
Entitled to play............................................................................................................................................11
Equipment ...................................................................................................................................................10
Excluded player
definition..................................................................................................................................................11
Extra period
definition..................................................................................................................................................15
ending ......................................................................................................................................................15
intervals ...................................................................................................................................................15
Fighting ........................................................................................................................................................43
Fingernails...................................................................................................................................................12
Five fouls ...............................................................................................................................................11, 45
Five seconds
closely guarded player .........................................................................................................................29
throw-in ...................................................................................................................................................22
Foul
after playing time ...................................................................................................................................15
at end of playing time ............................................................................................................................15
definition..................................................................................................................................................34
disqualification of coach ................................................................................................................41, 43
disqualifying............................................................................................................................................40
during alternating possession .............................................................................................................19
fighting .....................................................................................................................................................43
five by player.....................................................................................................................................11, 45
penalty .....................................................................................................................................................46
penalty situation.....................................................................................................................................45
personal...................................................................................................................................................39
player in the act of shooting ................................................................................................................39
special situations ...................................................................................................................................45
technical by coach ................................................................................................................................43
technical by player ................................................................................................................................42
unsportsmanlike.....................................................................................................................................40
violence ...................................................................................................................................................42
Four fouls by team .....................................................................................................................................45
Free throw rebound places..................................................................................................................6, 47
Free throws.................................................................................................................................................46
Free-throw lines...........................................................................................................................................6
Free-throw shooter
designation........................................................................................................................................14, 46
restrictions ..............................................................................................................................................46
Frontcourtball goes into...........................................................................................................................................30
definition....................................................................................................................................................5
Fumble of the ball.......................................................................................................................................27
Game
beginning.................................................................................................................................................15
decision .....................................................................................................................................................5
ending ......................................................................................................................................................15

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Index to the rules

April 2010
Page 77 of 81

lost by default .........................................................................................................................................26
lost by forfeit ...........................................................................................................................................25
playing time.............................................................................................................................................15
Game ball ....................................................................................................................................................50
Game clock
operations ...............................................................................................................................................53
Goal
enters basket from below.....................................................................................................................20
own basket, accidentally......................................................................................................................20
own basket, deliberately ......................................................................................................................20
value .........................................................................................................................................................20
when made..............................................................................................................................................20
Goal average ..............................................................................................................................................69
Goaltending
definition..................................................................................................................................................32
Guarding
a player who controls the ball .............................................................................................................35
a player who does not control the ball ..............................................................................................36
Half-time interval .......................................................................................................................................15
Hands
contacting opponents ...........................................................................................................................38
use of........................................................................................................................................................38
Held ball.......................................................................................................................................................17
Holding.........................................................................................................................................................38
Home team..................................................................................................................................................12
Illegal guarding from the rear..................................................................................................................38
Injuryofficial ......................................................................................................................................................51
player .......................................................................................................................................................13
Interference with the ball.........................................................................................................................32
Interpreter...................................................................................................................................................11
Interval of play
definition..................................................................................................................................................15
duties of timer.........................................................................................................................................53
Jump ball .....................................................................................................................................................17
Jump ball situation ....................................................................................................................................18
Kicking the ball...........................................................................................................................................19
Legal guarding position ............................................................................................................................35
Live ball........................................................................................................................................................16
Location of a player...................................................................................................................................17
Location of an official................................................................................................................................17
Manager ......................................................................................................................................................11
Mouth guard ...............................................................................................................................................12
No-charge semi-circle .............................................................................................................................37
definition....................................................................................................................................................8
Normal basketball position ......................................................................................................................34
Numbers
on shirts ...................................................................................................................................................11
Objects

April 2010
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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Index to the rules

worn by player..................................................................................................................................12, 50
Official
definition..................................................................................................................................................50
disagreement..........................................................................................................................................51
location ....................................................................................................................................................17
powers .....................................................................................................................................................50
signals
administrative .....................................................................................................................................55
clock related .......................................................................................................................................55
free-throw administration.................................................................................................................60
reporting a foul ...................................................................................................................................57
scoring .................................................................................................................................................55
violations..............................................................................................................................................56
time and place for decisions................................................................................................................51
uniform.....................................................................................................................................................50
Opponents’ basket.......................................................................................................................................5
Other equipment ........................................................................................................................................12
Out-of-bounds
ball ............................................................................................................................................................27
player .......................................................................................................................................................27
Penalty forball returned to the backcourt.............................................................................................................32
disqualifying foul ....................................................................................................................................41
double foul...............................................................................................................................................39
fighting .....................................................................................................................................................44
free-throw violations .............................................................................................................................47
game lost by default ..............................................................................................................................26
game lost by forfeit ................................................................................................................................25
interference with the ball .....................................................................................................................33
personal foul ...........................................................................................................................................39
technical foul by coach ........................................................................................................................43
technical foul by player ........................................................................................................................43
technical foul during interval of play..................................................................................................43
throw-in violation ...................................................................................................................................22
unsportsmanlike foul .............................................................................................................................40
violations .................................................................................................................................................27
Penalty situation ........................................................................................................................................45
Periodbeginning.................................................................................................................................................15
definition..................................................................................................................................................15
ending ......................................................................................................................................................15
Personal contact........................................................................................................................................34
Personal foul...............................................................................................................................................39
Physiotherapist ..........................................................................................................................................11
Pivot..............................................................................................................................................................28
Pivot foot .....................................................................................................................................................28
Playerbecomes substitute .........................................................................................................................11, 24
closely guarded......................................................................................................................................29

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Index to the rules

April 2010
Page 79 of 81

control of the ball ...................................................................................................................................19
entitled to play ........................................................................................................................................11
five fouls ............................................................................................................................................11, 45
in act of shooting....................................................................................................................................19
injury.........................................................................................................................................................13
location ....................................................................................................................................................17
number of ................................................................................................................................................11
numbers on shirts ..................................................................................................................................11on the floor ..............................................................................................................................................29
starting five .............................................................................................................................................14
substitution..............................................................................................................................................24
technical foul ..........................................................................................................................................42
wearing objects................................................................................................................................12, 50
who is in the air ......................................................................................................................................36
Player coach...............................................................................................................................................14
Player control
definition..................................................................................................................................................19
Playing court
dimensions ................................................................................................................................................5lines ............................................................................................................................................................5
Playing time ................................................................................................................................................15
Post play ......................................................................................................................................................38
Principle of verticality ...............................................................................................................................34
Progressing with the ball .........................................................................................................................28
Protestcommissioner's report ..........................................................................................................................51
procedure................................................................................................................................................68
referee's report ......................................................................................................................................51
Pushing ........................................................................................................................................................38
Rebound places .....................................................................................................................................6, 47
Refereedefinition..................................................................................................................................................50
powers .....................................................................................................................................................50
Restricted area.............................................................................................................................................6
Rules of conduct
definition..................................................................................................................................................41
Scorerduties........................................................................................................................................................52
Scorer’s table ...............................................................................................................................................9
Scoresheet
examination.............................................................................................................................................50
form...........................................................................................................................................................62
procedure................................................................................................................................................62
Screening ....................................................................................................................................................36
Semi-circles..................................................................................................................................................6
Shirtscolour .......................................................................................................................................................11
numbers...................................................................................................................................................11
Shorts...........................................................................................................................................................11

April 2010
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OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Index to the rules

Shot for goal
definition..................................................................................................................................................32
Sidelines ........................................................................................................................................................6
Socks............................................................................................................................................................11
Special situations ......................................................................................................................................45
Starting five players ..................................................................................................................................14
Statistician ..................................................................................................................................................11
Striking the ball with the fist ....................................................................................................................19
Substitutebecomes player................................................................................................................................11, 24
Substitution chairs.......................................................................................................................................9
Substitution opportunity ...........................................................................................................................24
Table officials
definition..................................................................................................................................................50
uniform.....................................................................................................................................................50
Tap................................................................................................................................................................19
Taping ..........................................................................................................................................................12
Team bench areas
definition....................................................................................................................................................8Team control
definition..................................................................................................................................................19
Team followers...........................................................................................................................................11
Team foul penalty situation......................................................................................................................45
Team fouls...................................................................................................................................................45
Team member
definition..................................................................................................................................................11
Teams...........................................................................................................................................................11
Television (TV) time-outs..........................................................................................................................73
Three seconds............................................................................................................................................29
Three-point field goal area ........................................................................................................................6
Throw-indefinition..................................................................................................................................................21
five seconds............................................................................................................................................22
Throw-in line
definition....................................................................................................................................................8
Tied score ...................................................................................................................................................15
Time-out
definition............................................................................................................................................22, 23
duties of scorer ......................................................................................................................................52
duties of timer.........................................................................................................................................53
opportunity ..............................................................................................................................................22
Timer
duties........................................................................................................................................................53
Travellingdefinition..................................................................................................................................................28
Twenty-four (24) second clock
reset in error ...........................................................................................................................................31
sounds in error .......................................................................................................................................31
Twenty-four (24) second operator

OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2010
Index to the rules

April 2010
Page 81 of 81

duties........................................................................................................................................................54
Twenty-four (24) seconds ........................................................................................................................30
Umpiredefinition..................................................................................................................................................50
Undergarments ..........................................................................................................................................12
Uniform
officials, referee and umpire................................................................................................................50
player .......................................................................................................................................................11
table officials ..........................................................................................................................................50
Unsportsmanlike behaviour
commissioner's report ..........................................................................................................................51
referee's report ......................................................................................................................................51
Unsportsmanlike foul ................................................................................................................................40
Verticality
definition..................................................................................................................................................34
legal guarding position .........................................................................................................................35
Video usage ..........................................................................................................................................51, 68
Violation
special situations ...................................................................................................................................45
Violations
definition..................................................................................................................................................27
Violence.......................................................................................................................................................42
Visiting team ...............................................................................................................................................12