- RULE ONE – THE GAME
- 1. Definitions
- 1.1. Basketball game
- 1.2. Basket: opponents'/own
- 1.3. 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. 5 fouls by a player
- 40.1.
- 40.2.
- 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. Definition
- 44.2. General procedure
- 44.2.1.
- 44.2.2.
- 44.2.3.
- 44.2.4.
- 44.2.5.
- 44.2.6.
- 44.3. Special procedure
- 44.3.1.
- 44.3.2.
- 44.3.3.
- 40. 5 fouls by a player
- 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.8.4.
- 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.
- 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
The first quarter starts when the ball leaves the hand(s) of the crew chief on the toss for the jump ball in the centre circle.
All other quarters or overtimes start when the ball is at the disposal of the player taking the throw-in.
The game cannot start if one or both teams are not on the court with 5 players ready to play.
For all games, the first team named in the schedule (home team) shall have, when facing the court from the scorer's table:
- its team bench is on the left side of the scorer's table,
- its warm-up before the game in the half-court in front of its team bench.
However, if both teams agree, they may exchange the team benches and/or warm- up half-courts for the first half.
Teams shall exchange their warm-up half-courts and baskets for the second half.
In all overtimes the teams shall continue to play towards the same baskets as in the fourth quarter.
A quarter, overtime or game shall end when the game clock signal sounds for the end of the quarter or overtime. When the backboard is equipped with red lighting around its perimeter, the lighting takes precedence over the game clock signal sound.