Statement: If a player is injured, appears to be injured or in need of assistance and, as a result, any person permitted to sit on the team bench (head coach, first assistant coach, substitutes, excluded players or accompanying delegation members of the same team) enters the court, that player is considered to have received treatment or assistance, whether or not actual treatment or assistance was performed.

Example: A1 appears to have an injured ankle and the game is stopped. The team A

(a) doctor enters the court and treats A1’s injured ankle.

(b) doctor enters the court but A1 has already recovered.

(c) head coach enters the court to look after the injured player.

(d) first assistant coach, substitute, excluded player or any other accompanying delegation member enters the court but does not treat A1.

Interpretation: In all cases, A1 received a treatment and shall be substituted.

Example: The team’s physiotherapist enters the court and fixes a lose taping on A1.

Interpretation: A1 received an assistance and shall be substituted.

Example: The team’s doctor enters the court to find A1’s lost contact lens.

Interpretation: A1 received an assistance and shall be substituted.

Statement: Any person permitted to sit on the team’s bench, while remaining in the team’s
bench area, may provide an assistance to a player on the own team. If the assistance does not delay the game from being restarted promptly, that player is not considered to have received an assistance and shall not be required to be substituted.

Example: B1 fouls A1 in the act of shooting, close to the team A bench area. The ball does not enter the basket. While A1 attempts 2 or 3 free throws

(a) the team A manager or A6 from the team’s bench area passes a towel, a water bottle or a headband to any other team A player on the court.

(b) the team A physiotherapist from the team’s bench area fixes a lose taping of any other team A player on the court, or sprays the player’s leg or massages the player’s neck, etc.

Interpretation: In both cases, the team A player has not received an assistance that delays the game from being restarted promptly. The team A player shall not be required to be substituted. A1 shall continue to attempt 2 or 3 free throws.

Example: B1 fouls A1 in the act of shooting, close to the team A bench area. The ball does not enter the basket. After the foul, A1 falls on the court and into the team’s bench area. A6 stands up and helps A1 to the feet. A1 is ready to play immediately, at the latest within approximately 15 seconds.

Interpretation: A1 has not received an assistance that delays the game from being restarted promptly. A1 shall not be required to be substituted. A1 shall attempt 2 or 3 free throws.

Example: A1 is awarded 2 free throws. While the referee communicates the foul at the scorer’s table, A1 goes to a place in front of the team’s bench area at the far end of the court and asks for a towel or a water bottle. Any person from the team’s bench area passes A1 a towel or a water bottle. A1 dries the hands or takes a drink. A1 is ready to play immediately, at the latest within approximately 15 seconds.

Interpretation: A1 has not received an assistance that delays the game from being restarted promptly. A1 shall not be required to be substituted. A1 shall attempt 2 free throws.

Example: A1 scores a goal. Thrower-in B1 indicates to the referee that the ball is wet. The referee stops the game. Any person from the team B bench area comes on to the court and dries the ball or gives a towel to B1 to dry the ball.

Interpretation: In both cases, B1 has not received an assistance that delays the game from being restarted promptly. B1 shall not be required to be substituted. The game shall be resumed with a team B throw-in from any place behind the endline, except from directly behind the backboard. The referee shall hand the ball to a team B player for the throw-in.

Example: A1 has the ball in the hands for a throw-in from the frontcourt. The team A physio- therapist leaves the team bench area in the backcourt, remains outside the court and fixes the taping of A1.

Interpretation: The team A physiotherapist provided an assistance to A1 outside of the team bench area. A1 shall be required to be substituted.

Example: A1 does not yet have the ball in the hands for a throw-in from the frontcourt. The team A physiotherapist remains in the team bench area in the frontcourt and fixes the taping of A1.

Interpretation: The team A physiotherapist provided an assistance to A1 within the team bench area. If the assistance is completed within 15 seconds, A1 shall not be required to be substituted. If the assistance lasts more than 15 seconds, A1 shall be required to be substituted.

Statement: There is no limit to the time required for the removal of a seriously injured player from the court if, according to a doctor’s opinion the removal is dangerous for the player.

Example: A1 is seriously injured and the game is stopped for about 15 minutes because the doctor believes that removal from the court could be dangerous for the player.

Interpretation: The doctor’s opinion shall determine the appropriate time for the removal of the injured player from the court. After the substitution, the game shall be resumed without any penalty.

Statement: If a player is injured or bleeding or has an open wound and cannot continue to play immediately (within approximately 15 seconds), or if assisted by any person permitted to sit on that team’s bench, the player must be substituted. If a time-out is granted to either team in the same game clock stopped period, and that player recovers or the assistance is completed during the time-out, the player may continue to play only if the timer’s signal for the end of the time-out sounds before a referee beckons a substitute to replace the injured or assisted player.

Example: A1 is injured and the game is stopped. As A1 is not able to continue to play immediately, a referee blows the whistle making the conventional sign for a substitution. Either team requests a time-out

(a) before a substitute for A1 enters the game.

(b) after a substitute for A1 enters the game.

At the end of the time-out, A1 is recovered and requests to remain in the game.

Interpretation:

(a) If A1 recovers during the time-out, A1 may continue to play.

(b) A substitute for A1 has already entered the game, therefore A1 cannot re-enter until the next game clock running period has ended.

Statement: Players designated by their head coach to start the game may be substituted in case of an injury.

Players who receive treatment between free throws must be substituted in case of an injury.

In these cases, the opponents are also entitled to substitute the same number of players, if they wish.

Example: A1 is fouled and is awarded 2 free throws. After the first free throw the referees discover that

(a) A1 is bleeding and is substituted by A6. Team B requests to substitute 2 players.

(b) B1 is bleeding and is substituted by B6. Team A requests to substitute 1 player.

Interpretation:

In (a) team B is entitled to substitute only 1 player. A6 shall attempt the second free throw.

In (b) team A is entitled to substitute 1 player. A1 shall attempt the second free throw.