Statement: A time-out cannot be granted before the playing time for a quarter or overtime has started or after the playing time for a quarter or overtime has ended.

A substitution cannot be granted before the playing time for the first quarter has started or after the playing time for the game has ended. A substitution can be granted during intervals of play between quarters and overtimes.

Example: After the ball has left the hands of the crew chief on the opening jump ball but before the ball is legally tapped, jumper A2 commits a violation. Team B is awarded a throw- in. At this time, either team requests a time-out or a substitution.

Interpretation: Despite the fact that the game has started, the time-out or substitution shall not be granted because the game clock has not yet started.

Statement: If the shot clock signal sounds while the ball is in the air during a shot for a goal, it is not a violation and the game clock shall not stop. If the shot is successful then it is, under certain conditions, a time-out and substitution opportunity for both teams.

Example: The ball is in the air on a shot for a goal when the shot clock signal sounds. The ball enters the basket. Either or both teams request

(a) a time-out.

(b) a substitution.

Interpretation:

(a) This is a time-out opportunity only for the non-scoring team.

If the non-scoring team is granted a time-out, the opponents may also be granted a time- out and both teams are also granted a substitution, if they request it.

(b) This is a substitution opportunity only for the non-scoring team and only when the game clock shows 2:00 or less in the fourth quarter and in each overtime. If the non-scoring team is granted a substitution, the opponents may also be granted a substitution and both teams may also be granted a time-out, if they request it.

Statement: Articles 18 and 19 clarify when a time-out or substitution opportunity starts and ends. If the request for a time-out or substitution (for any player, including the free-throw shooter) is made after the ball is at the disposal of the free-throw shooter for the first free throw, the time-out or substitution shall be only granted for both teams if

(a) the last free throw is successful, or

(b) the last free throw is followed by a throw-in, or

(c) for any valid reason, the ball remains dead after the last free throw.

After the ball is at the disposal of the free throw shooter for the first of 2 or 3 consecutive free throws for the same foul penalty, no time-out or substitution shall be granted before the ball becomes dead following the last free throw.

When a technical foul occurs between such free throws, the free throw with no line-up shall be administered immediately. A time-out or substitution for either team shall not be granted before and/or after the free throw, unless the substitute shall become the player to attempt the free throw for the technical foul penalty. In this case, the opponents are also entitled to substitute 1 player, if they wish.

Example: A1 is awarded 2 free throws. Either team requests a time-out or substitution

(a) before the ball is at the disposal of the free-throw shooter A1.

(b) after the first free-throw attempt.

(c) after the successful second free throw but before the ball is at the disposal of any team B thrower-in.

(d) after the successful second free throw and after the ball is at the disposal of any team B thrower-in.

Interpretation:

(a) The time-out or substitution shall be granted immediately, before the first free-throw attempt.

(b) The time-out or substitution shall not be granted after the first free throw, even if successful.

(c) The time-out or substitution shall be granted immediately, before the throw-in.

(d) The time-out or substitution shall not be granted.

Example: A1 is awarded 2 free throws. After the first free-throw attempt, either team requests a time-out or substitution. During the last free-throw attempt

(a) the ball rebounds from the ring and the game continues.

(b) the free throw is successful.

(c) the ball misses the ring.

(d) A1 steps on the free-throw line while shooting and the violation is called.

(e) B1 steps on the restricted area before the ball has left A1’s hands. B1’s violation is called and A1’s free throw is not successful.

Interpretation:

(a) The time-out or substitution shall not be granted.

(b) , (c) and (d) The time-out or substitution shall be granted immediately.

(e) A1 shall attempt a substitute free throw and, if made the time-out or substitution shall be granted immediately.

Example: A substitution opportunity has just ended when substitute A6 runs to the scorer’s table, loudly requesting a substitution. The timer reacts and erroneously sounds the signal. The referee blows the whistle.

Interpretation: The ball is dead and the game clock is stopped which normally shall be a substitution opportunity. However, because A6’s request was made too late, the substitution shall not be granted. The game shall be resumed immediately.

Example: A goaltending or an interference violation occurs during the game. A time-out has been requested by either coach or a substitution has been requested by a substitute of either team.

Interpretation: The violation causes the game clock to be stopped and the ball to become dead. Time-outs or substitutions shall be granted.

Example: B1 fouls A1 on an unsuccessful attempt for a 2-point goal. After A1’s first of 2 free throws, A2 is charged with a technical foul. Either team now requests a time-out or substitution.

Interpretation: Any team B player may attempt 1 free throw with no line-up. If a team B substitute has become a player to attempt the free throw, team A shall also be entitled to substitute 1 player, if they wish. If the free throw is attempted by a team B substitute, who has become a player or if team A also substituted 1 player, they cannot be substituted until the next game clock running period has ended. After the team B player’s free throw for A2’s technical foul, A1 shall attempt the second free throw. The game shall be resumed as after any last free throw. If successful and if requested, the time-out or further substitution shall be granted for both teams.

Example: B1 fouls A1 on an unsuccessful attempt for a 2-point goal. After A1’s first of 2 free throws, A2 is charged with a technical foul. Any team B player shall attempt 1 free throw with no line-up. Either team now requests a time-out or substitution.

Interpretation: No time-out or substitution shall be granted at this time. A1 shall attempt the second free throw. The game shall be resumed as after any last free throw. If successful and if requested, the time-out or further substitution shall be granted for both teams.

Example: B1 fouls A1 on an unsuccessful attempt for a 2-point goal. After A1’s first of 2 free throws, A2 is charged with a technical foul. This is A2’s fifth foul. Either team now requests a time-out or substitution.

Interpretation: A2 shall be substituted immediately. Any team B player may attempt 1 free throw with no line-up. If a team B substitute has become a player to attempt the free throw, team A is also entitled to substitute 1 player, if they wish. If the free throw is attempted by a team B substitute, who has become a player or if team A also substituted 1 player, they cannot be substituted until the next game clock running period has ended. After the team B player’s

free throw for A2’s technical foul, A1 shall attempt the second free throw. The game shall be resumed as after any last free throw. If successful and if requested, the time-out or further substitution shall be granted for both teams.

Example: Dribbler A1 is charged with a technical foul. B6 requests to become a player to attempt the free throw.

Interpretation: This is a substitution opportunity for both teams. After becoming a player, B6 may attempt 1 free throw with no line-up but B6 may not become a substitute until the next game clock running period has ended.

Statement: A substitute who has become a player can leave the game only after the end of the next game clock running period of the game.

Example: B1 is substituted by B6. Before the game clock has started, B6 is charged with a personal foul. This is B6’s

(a) third

(b) fifth foul.

Interpretation: In

(a) B6 cannot be substituted until the end of the game clock running period of the game.

(b) B6 shall be substituted.

Statement: If, following a request for a time-out a foul is called against either team, the time- out shall not start until the referee has completed all communication related to that foul with the scorer’s table. In the case of a player’s fifth foul, this communication includes the necessary substitution procedure. After all communication is completed, the time-out period shall start when a referee blows the whistle and shows the time-out signal.

Example: During the game, the team A head coach requests a time-out after which (a) B1 is charged with a fifth foul.

(b) a player of either team is charged with a foul.

Interpretation:

In (a) the time-out period shall not start until all communication with the scorer’s table is completed and a substitute for B1 becomes a player.

In both cases, the players shall be permitted to go to their benches even though the time-out period has not formally started.

Statement: Each time-out shall last 1 minute. Teams must return promptly to the court after the referee blows the whistle and beckons the teams on to the court. If a team extends the time-out beyond 1 minute, it is gaining an advantage by extending the time-out and also causing a delay of the game. A warning to the head coach of that team shall be given by a referee. If that head coach does not respond to the warning, an additional time-out shall be charged against that team. If the team has no time-outs remaining, a technical foul for delaying the game may be charged against the head coach, entered on the scoresheet as a ‘B1’. If a team does not return to the court promptly after the half-time interval of play, a time- out shall be charged against that team. Such a charged time-out shall not last 1 minute. The game shall be resumed immediately.

Example: The time-out ends and the referee beckons team A on to the court. The team A head coach continues to instruct the team which still remains in the team bench area. The referee re-beckons team A on to the court and

(a) team A finally returns to the court.

(b) team A continues to remain in the team bench area.

Interpretation:

(a) After team A starts to return to the court, the referee shall give a warning to the team A head coach that if the same behaviour is repeated, an additional time-out shall be charged against team A.

(b) A time-out, without warning shall be charged against team A. This time-out shall last 1 minute. If team A has no time-outs remaining, a technical foul for delaying the game shall be charged against the team A head coach, entered as a ‘B1’.

Example: After the end of the half-time interval of play, team A is still in its dressing room and therefore the start of the third quarter is delayed.

Interpretation: After team A finally enters the court a time-out, without warning shall be charged against team A. This time-out shall not last 1 minute. The game shall be resumed immediately.

Statement: If a team was not granted a time-out in the second half before the game clock shows 2:00 in the fourth quarter, the scorer shall mark 2 horizontal lines on the scoresheet in the first box for the team’s second half time-outs. The scoreboard shall show the first time- out as taken.

Example: With 2:00 on the game clock in the fourth quarter, both teams have not taken a time- out in the second half.

Interpretation: The scorer shall mark 2 horizontal lines in the first box of both teams’ time- outs for the second half. The scoreboard shall show the first time-out as taken.

Example: With 2:09 on the game clock in the fourth quarter, the team A head coach requests the first time-out in the second half while the game clock is running. With 1:58 on the game clock, the ball goes out-of-bounds and the game clock is stopped. Team A is granted a time- out.

Interpretation: The scorer shall mark 2 horizontal lines in the first box of team A’s time-outs as a time-out was not granted before the game clock showed 2:00 in the fourth quarter. The time-out granted at 1:58 shall be entered in the second box and team A shall have only 1 more time-out left. After the time-out, the scoreboard shall show 2 time-outs as taken.

Statement: Whenever a time-out is requested, regardless of whether before or after a technical foul, an unsportsmanlike foul or a disqualifying foul is called, the time-out shall be granted before the start of the administration of the free throw(s). If during a time-out a technical foul, an unsportsmanlike foul or a disqualifying foul is called, the free throw(s) shall be administered after the time-out has ended.

Example: The team B head coach requests a time-out. A1 is charged with an unsportsmanlike foul against B1, followed by a technical foul against A2.

Interpretation: Team B is granted a time-out. After the time-out, any team B player shall attempt 1 free throw with no line-up. B1 shall then attempt 2 free throws with no line-up. The game shall be resumed with a team B throw-in from the throw-in line in its frontcourt. Team B shall have 14 seconds on the shot clock.

Example: The team B head coach requests a time-out. A1 is charged with an unsportsmanlike foul against B1. Team B is granted a time-out. During the time-out, A2 is charged with a technical foul.

Interpretation: After the time-out, any team B player shall attempt 1 free throw with no line- up. B1 shall then attempt 2 free throws with no line-up. The game shall be resumed with a team B throw-in from the throw-in line in its frontcourt. Team B shall have 14 seconds on the shot clock.