- RULE ONE – THE GAME
- 1. Definitions
- 1.1. Basketball game
- 1.2. Participants’ responsibility
- 1.3. Basket: opponents'/own
- 1.4. Winner of a game
- 1. Definitions
- RULE TWO – COURT AND EQUIPMENT
- 2. Court
- 2.1. Court
- 2.2. Floor
- 2.3. Backcourt
- 2.4. Frontcourt
- 2.5. Lines
- 2.5.1. Boundary line
- 2.5.2. Centre line, centre circle and free-throw semi-circles
- 2.5.3. Free-throw lines, restricted areas and free-throw rebound places
- 2.5.4. 3-point goal area
- 2.5.5. Team bench areas
- 2.5.6. Throw-in lines
- 2.5.7. No-charge semi-circle areas
- 2.6. Position of the scorer's table and substitution chairs
- 3. Equipment
- 2. Court
- RULE THREE - TEAMS B-1
- 4. Teams B-1
- 4.1. Definition
- 4.1.1.
- 4.1.2.
- 4.1.3.
- 4.1.4.
- 4.2. Rule
- 4.2.1.
- 4.2.2.
- 4.2.3.
- 4.3. Uniforms B-1
- 4.3.1. B-1
- 4.3.2.
- 4.3.3.
- 4.4. Other equipment
- 4.4.1.
- 4.4.2.
- 4.4.3.
- 4.4.4.
- 4.4.5.
- 4.1. Definition
- 5. Players: Injury and assistance
- 5.1.
- 5.2.
- 5.3.
- 5.4.
- 5.5.
- 5.6.
- 5.7.
- 5.8.
- 6. Captain: Duties and powers
- 6.1.
- 6.2.
- 7. Head coach and first assistant coach: Duties and powers
- 7.1.
- 7.2.
- 7.3.
- 7.4.
- 7.5.
- 7.6.
- 7.7.
- 7.8.
- 7.9.
- 7.10.
- 4. Teams B-1
- RULE FOUR - PLAYING REGULATIONS A-10 B-29
- 8. Playing time, tied score and overtime B-1
- 8.1.
- 8.2.
- 8.3.
- 8.4.
- 8.5.
- 8.6.
- 8.7. B-1
- 8.8.
- 8.9.
- 9. Start and end of a quarter, overtime or the game B-3
- 9.1.
- 9.2. B-1
- 9.3.
- 9.4.
- 9.5.
- 9.6.
- 9.7. B-2
- 10. Status of the ball A-3 B-3
- 10.1.
- 10.2. B-2
- 10.3. B-1
- 10.4. A-3
- 11. Location of a player and an official
- 11.1.
- 11.2.
- 12. Jump ball and alternating possession B-9
- 12.1. Jump ball definition B-2
- 12.1.1. B-1
- 12.1.2. B-1
- 12.2. Jump ball procedure B-3
- 12.2.1. B-1
- 12.2.2.
- 12.2.3. B-1
- 12.2.4. B-1
- 12.2.5.
- 12.2.6.
- 12.2.7.
- 12.2.8.
- 12.3. Penalty
- 12.4. Jump ball situation B-3
- 12.5. Alternating possession definition
- 12.6. Alternating possession procedure B-1
- 12.6.1.
- 12.6.2.
- 12.6.3.
- 12.6.4. B-1
- 12.6.5.
- 12.6.6.
- 12.1. Jump ball definition B-2
- 13. How the ball is played B-2
- 13.1. Definition
- 13.2. Rule B-2
- 13.3. Penalty
- 14. Control of the ball A-1
- 14.1. Definition
- 14.1.1.
- 14.1.2.
- 14.1.3.
- 14.1. Definition
- 15. Player in the act of shooting A-6 B-5
- 15.1. Definition A-3 B-4
- 15.1.1. A-1 B-2
- 15.1.2. A-1 B-1
- 15.1.3. A-1 B-1
- 15.1.4.
- 15.1.5.
- 15.1.6.
- 15.1. Definition A-3 B-4
- 16. Goal: When made and its value B-1
- 16.1. Definition B-1
- 16.1.1. B-1
- 16.1.2.
- 16.2. Rule
- 16.2.1.
- 16.2.2.
- 16.2.3.
- 16.2.4.
- 16.2.5.
- 16.1. Definition B-1
- 17. Throw-in B-5
- 17.1. Definition
- 17.1.1.
- 17.1.2.
- 17.2. Procedure B-5
- 17.2.1. B-2
- 17.2.2. B-2
- 17.2.3.
- 17.2.4. B-1
- 17.2.5.
- 17.2.6.
- 17.2.7.
- 17.2.8.
- 17.2.9.
- 17.2.10.
- 17.3. Rule
- 17.3.1.
- 17.3.2.
- 17.3.3.
- 17.4. Penalty
- 17.1. Definition
- 18. Time-out
- 18.1. Definition
- 18.2. Rule
- 18.2.1.
- 18.2.2.
- 18.2.3.
- 18.2.4.
- 18.2.5.
- 18.2.6.
- 18.2.7.
- 18.2.8.
- 18.3. Procedure
- 18.3.1.
- 18.3.2.
- 18.3.3.
- 18.3.4.
- 18.3.5.
- 18.3.6.
- 19. Substitution
- 19.1. Definition
- 19.2. Rule
- 19.2.1.
- 19.2.2.
- 19.2.3.
- 19.2.4.
- 19.2.5.
- 19.2.6.
- 19.3. Procedure
- 19.3.1.
- 19.3.2.
- 19.3.3.
- 19.3.4.
- 19.3.5.
- 19.3.6.
- 19.3.7.
- 19.3.8.
- 19.3.9.
- 20. Game lost by forfeit
- 20.1. Rule
- 20.2. Penalty
- 20.2.1.
- 20.2.2.
- 20.2.3.
- 21. Game lost by default
- 21.1. Rule
- 21.2. Penalty
- 21.2.1.
- 21.2.2.
- 8. Playing time, tied score and overtime B-1
- RULE FIVE - VIOLATIONS A-8 B-18
- 22. Violations
- 22.1. Definition
- 22.2. Penalty
- 23. Player out-of-bounds and ball out-of-bounds
- 23.1. Definition
- 23.1.1.
- 23.1.2.
- 23.2. Rule
- 23.2.1.
- 23.2.2.
- 23.2.3.
- 23.1. Definition
- 24. Dribbling
- 24.1. Definition
- 24.1.1.
- 24.1.2.
- 24.1.3.
- 24.1.4.
- 24.2. Rule
- 24.1. Definition
- 25. Travelling
- 25.1. Definition
- 25.1.1.
- 25.1.2.
- 25.2. Rule
- 25.2.1.
- 25.2.2.
- 25.1. Definition
- 26. 3 seconds
- 26.1. Rule
- 26.1.1.
- 26.1.2.
- 26.1.3.
- 26.1. Rule
- 27. Closely guarded player
- 27.1. Definition
- 27.2. Rule
- 28. 8 seconds A-1 B-3
- 28.1. Definition A-1 B-3
- 28.1.1. B-1
- 28.1.2. A-1 B-2
- 28.1.3.
- 28.1. Definition A-1 B-3
- 29. Shot clock A-2 B-1
- 29.1. Rule
- 29.1.1.
- 29.1.2.
- 29.2. Procedure A-2 B-1
- 29.2.1.
- 29.2.2.
- 29.2.3.
- 29.2.4. A-2 B-1
- 29.2.5.
- 29.2.6.
- 29.2.7.
- 29.2.8.
- 29.1. Rule
- 30. Ball returned to the backcourt A-3 B-3
- 30.1. Definition A-1 B-1
- 30.1.1.
- 30.1.2. A-1
- 30.2. Rule
- 30.3. Penalty
- 30.1. Definition A-1 B-1
- 31. Goaltending and Interference A-2 B-11
- 31.1. Definition B-1
- 31.1.1. B-1
- 31.2. Rules A-2 B-10
- 31.2.1.
- 31.2.2.
- 31.2.3.
- 31.2.4. B-4
- 31.2.5.
- 31.3. Penalty
- 31.3.1.
- 31.3.2.
- 31.3.3.
- 31.1. Definition B-1
- 22. Violations
- RULE SIX - FOULS A-7 B-10
- 32. Fouls
- 32.1. Definition
- 32.1.1.
- 32.1.2.
- 32.1.3.
- 32.1. Definition
- 33. Contact: General principles A-7 B-10
- 33.1. Cylinder principle
- 33.2. Principle of verticality
- 33.3. Legal guarding position
- 33.4. Guarding a player who controls the ball A-3 B-4
- 33.5. Guarding a player who does not control the ball
- 33.6. A player who is in the air
- 33.7. Screening: Legal and illegal
- 33.8. Charging A-1 B-1
- 33.9. Blocking A-1 B-2
- 33.10. No-charge semi-circle areas
- 33.11. Contacting an opponent with the hand(s) and/or arm(s) A-1
- 33.12. Post play
- 33.13. Illegal guarding from the rear B-2
- 33.14. Holding
- 33.15. Pushing A-1 B-1
- 33.16. Fake being fouled
- 34. Personal foul
- 34.1. Definition
- 34.1.1.
- 34.1.2.
- 34.2. Penalty
- 34.2.1.
- 34.2.2.
- 34.2.3.
- 34.1. Definition
- 35. Double foul
- 35.1. Definition
- 35.1.1.
- 35.1.2.
- 35.2. Penalty
- 35.1. Definition
- 36. Technical foul
- 36.1. Rules of conduct
- 36.1.1.
- 36.1.2.
- 36.1.3.
- 36.1.4.
- 36.1.5.
- 36.2. Definition
- 36.2.1.
- 36.2.2.
- 36.2.3.
- 36.2.4.
- 36.2.5.
- 36.3. Penalty
- 36.3.1.
- 36.3.2.
- 36.1. Rules of conduct
- 37. Unsportsmanlike foul
- 37.1. Definition
- 37.1.1.
- 37.1.2.
- 37.2. Penalty
- 37.2.1.
- 37.2.2.
- 37.2.3.
- 37.2.4.
- 37.1. Definition
- 38. Disqualifying foul
- 38.1. Definition
- 38.1.1.
- 38.1.2.
- 38.2. Violance
- 38.2.1.
- 38.2.2.
- 38.2.3.
- 38.2.4.
- 38.2.5.
- 38.2.6.
- 38.3. Penalty
- 38.3.1.
- 38.3.2.
- 38.3.3.
- 38.3.4.
- 38.1. Definition
- 39. Fighting
- 39.1. Definition
- 39.2. Rule
- 39.2.1.
- 39.2.2.
- 39.2.3.
- 39.3. Penalty
- 39.3.1.
- 39.3.2.
- 39.3.3.
- 39.3.4.
- 39.3.5.
- 32. Fouls
- RULE SEVEN - GENERAL PROVISIONS B-1
- 40. Foul limits by a player/head coach and game disqualifications
- 40.1.
- 40.2.
- 40.3.
- 40.4.
- 40.5.
- 40.6.
- 41. Team fouls: Penalty
- 41.1. Definition
- 41.1.1.
- 41.1.2.
- 41.1.3.
- 41.2. Rule
- 41.2.1.
- 41.2.2.
- 41.1. Definition
- 42. Special situations
- 42.1. Definition
- 42.2. Procedure
- 42.2.1.
- 42.2.2.
- 42.2.3.
- 42.2.4.
- 42.2.5.
- 42.2.6.
- 42.2.7.
- 42.2.8.
- 43. Free throws B-1
- 43.1. Definition
- 43.1.1.
- 43.1.2.
- 43.2. Rule B-1
- 43.2.1.
- 43.2.2.
- 43.2.3.
- 43.2.4.
- 43.2.5. B-1
- 43.2.6.
- 43.3. Penalty
- 43.3.1.
- 43.3.2.
- 43.3.3.
- 43.1. Definition
- 44. Correctable errors
- 44.1. Correctable errors – General procedures
- 44.1.1.
- 44.1.2.
- 44.1.3.
- 44.2. Correctable errors category 1 – Definition
- 44.3. Correctable errors category 1 – General procedures
- 44.3.1.
- 44.3.2.
- 44.3.3.
- 44.4. Correctable errors category 1 – Special procedures
- 44.4.1.
- 44.4.2.
- 44.4.3.
- 44.4.4.
- 44.4.5.
- 44.4.6.
- 44.4.7.
- 44.4.8.
- 44.5. Correctable error category 2 – Definition
- 44.6. Correctable errors category 2 – General procedures
- 44.6.1.
- 44.6.2.
- 44.1. Correctable errors – General procedures
- 40. Foul limits by a player/head coach and game disqualifications
- RULE EIGHT - REFEREES, TABLE OFFICIALS, COMMISSIONER: DUTIES AND POWERS A-1 B-2
- 45. Referees, table officials and commissioner
- 45.1.
- 45.2.
- 45.3.
- 45.4.
- 45.5.
- 45.6.
- 45.7.
- 46. Crew chief: Duties and powers
- 46.1.
- 46.2.
- 46.3.
- 46.4.
- 46.5.
- 46.6.
- 46.7.
- 46.8.
- 46.9.
- 46.10.
- 46.11.
- 46.12.
- 46.13.
- 46.14.
- 47. Officials: Duties and powers
- 47.1.
- 47.2.
- 47.3.
- 47.4.
- 47.5.
- 47.6.
- 47.7.
- 47.8.
- 48. Scorer and assistant scorer: Duties
- 48.1.
- 48.2.
- 48.3.
- 49. Timer: Duties B-1
- 49.1.
- 49.2. B-1
- 49.3.
- 49.4.
- 50. Shot clock operator: Duties A-1 B-1
- 50.1.
- 50.2.
- 50.3.
- 50.4.
- 50.5. A-1 B-1
- 45. Referees, table officials and commissioner
- APPENDIX A-B-C-D-E-F
- A. APPENDIX A - REFEREES’ SIGNALS
- A.1.
- A.2.
- A.3.
- B. APPENDIX B - THE SCORESHEET
- B.1.
- B.2.
- B.3.
- B.3.1.
- B.3.2.
- B.3.3.
- B.3.3.1.
- B.3.3.2.
- B.3.3.3.
- B.3.4.
- B.4.
- B.4.1.
- B.4.2.
- B.4.3.
- B.4.4.
- B.5.
- B.6.
- B.7. Time-outs
- B.7.1.
- B.7.2.
- B.8. Fouls
- B.8.1.
- B.8.2.
- B.8.3.
- B.8.3.1.
- B.8.3.2.
- B.8.3.3.
- B.8.3.4.
- B.8.3.5.
- B.8.3.6.
- B.8.3.7.
- B.8.3.8.
- B.8.3.9.
- B.8.3.10.
- B.8.3.11.
- B.8.3.12.
- B.8.3.13.
- B.8.3.14.
- B.8.3.15.
- B.8.4.
- B.9. Team fouls
- B.9.1.
- B.9.2.
- B.9.3.
- B.10. The running score
- B.10.1.
- B.10.2.
- B.10.3.
- B.11. The running score: Additional instructions
- B.11.1.
- B.11.2.
- B.11.3.
- B.11.4.
- B.11.5.
- B.11.6.
- B.11.7.
- B.12. The running score: Summing up
- B.12.1.
- B.12.2.
- B.12.3.
- B.12.4.
- B.12.5.
- B.12.6.
- B.13. Head coach's challenge
- B.13.1.
- B.13.2.
- C. APPENDIX C - PROTEST PROCEDURE
- C.1.
- C.2.
- C.3.
- C.4.
- C.5.
- C.6.
- D. APPENDIX D - CLASSIFICATION OF TEAMS
- D.1. Procedure
- D.1.1.
- D.1.2.
- D.1.3.
- D.1.4.
- D.2. Examples
- D.2.1. Example 1
- D.2.2. Example 2
- D.2.3. Example 3
- D.2.4. Example 4
- D.2.5. Example 5
- D.2.6. Example 6
- D.2.7. Example 7
- D.3. Forfeit
- D.3.1.
- D.3.2.
- D.3.3.
- D.3.4.
- D.4. Home and away games (aggregate score)
- D.4.1.
- D.4.2.
- D.4.3.
- D.4.4.
- D.5. Examples
- D.5.1.
- D.5.2.
- D.5.3.
- D.5.4.
- D.5.5.
- D.5.6.
- D.1. Procedure
- E. APPENDIX E - MEDIA TIME-OUTS
- E.1. Definition
- E.2. Rule
- E.2.1.
- E.2.2.
- E.2.3.
- E.2.4.
- E.3. Procedure
- E.3.1.
- E.3.2.
- E.3.3.
- E.3.4.
- F. APPENDIX F - Instant Replay System
- F.1. Definition
- F.2. Procedure
- F.2.1.
- F.2.2.
- F.2.3.
- F.3. Rule
- F.3.1.
- F.3.2.
- F.3.3.
- F.4. Head coach's challenge
- F.4.1.
- F.4.2.
- A. APPENDIX A - REFEREES’ SIGNALS
A substitution is an interruption of the game requested by the substitute to become a player.
A team may substitute a player(s) during a substitution opportunity.
A substitution opportunity starts when:
• For both teams, the ball becomes dead, the game clock is stopped and the referee has ended communication with the scorer's table.
• For both teams, the ball becomes dead following a successful last free throw.
• For the non-scoring team, a goal is scored when the game clock shows 2:00 minutes or less in the fourth quarter and in each overtime.
A substitution opportunity ends when the ball is at the disposal of a player for a throw-in or for a first free throw.
A player who has become a substitute and a substitute who has become a player cannot respectively re-enter the game or leave the game until the ball becomes dead again, after a game clock-running phase of the game, unless:
- The team is reduced to fewer than 5 players on the 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.
A substitution shall not be permitted to the scoring team when the game clock is stopped following a successful goal when the game clock shows 2:00 minutes or less in the fourth quarter and in each overtime unless a referee has interrupted the game.
If the player receives any treatment or any assistance, that player must be substituted unless the team is reduced to fewer than 5 players on the court.
Only a substitute has the right to request a substitution. The substitute (not the head coach or the first assistant coach) shall go to the scorer’s table and ask clearly for a substitution, making the proper conventional sign with the hands, or sit on the substitution chair, ready to play immediately.
A substitution request may be cancelled only before the timer's signal has sounded for such a request.
When a substitution opportunity starts, the timer shall sound the signal to notify the referees that a request for a substitution has been made.
The substitute shall remain outside the boundary line until the referee blows the whistle, gives the substitution signal and beckons the substitute to enter the court.
The substituted player is permitted to go directly to the team bench without reporting either to the timer or the referee.
Substitutions shall be completed as quickly as possible. A player who has committed 5 fouls or has been disqualified must be substituted immediately (taking no more than 30 seconds). If there is a delay of the game, a time-out
may be charged against the offending team. If the team has no time-out remaining, a technical foul for delaying the game may be charged against the head coach, entered as a 'B'.
If a substitution is requested during a time-out or during an interval of play other than the half-time interval, the substitute must report to the timer before entering the game.
If the free-throw shooter must be substituted because of
• being injured, or
• having committed 5 fouls, or
• having been disqualified,
the free throw(s) must be attempted by the substitute who may not be substituted again until after having played in the next game clock running period.
If the request for a substitution is made by either team after the ball is at the disposal of the free-throw shooter for the first free throw, the substitution shall be granted if:
• The last free throw is successful.
• The last free throw, if not successful, is followed by a throw-in.
• A foul is committed between free throws. In this case the free throw(s) shall be completed, and the substitution shall be permitted before the new foul penalty is administered, unless otherwise stated in these rules.
• A foul is committed before the ball becomes live after the last free throw. In this case the substitution shall be permitted before the new foul penalty is administered, unless otherwise stated in these rules.
• A violation is committed before the ball becomes live after the last free throw. In this case the substitution shall be permitted before the new foul penalty is administered.
In the event of consecutive sets of free throws and/or possession of the ball resulting from more than 1 foul penalty, each set is to be treated separately.