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Rule Differences
BASKETBALL

Official Basketball Rules



Rules of the Game

Basic Rules

Rule Differences

FIBA Men's National Team


Competition System

FIBA Women's National Team


Competition System

The main FIBA, NBA and NCAA rule differences are summarised in the following table:

Rule FIBA NBA NCAA

Playing time 4x10 minutes 4x12 minutes 2x20 minutes

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5 minutes 5 minutes over-time 5 minutes over-time
over-time
(OT)

Shot clock 24 seconds 24 seconds Men: 35 seconds

After Women: 30 seconds
offensive
rebound: 14
seconds

3-point line 6.75m (6.60 7.24m (6.70m on Men: 6.25m

on baseline) baseline) Women: 6.325m

Time-outs 2 in first half 6 regular 4 regular

3 in second 2 per OT period 30 seconds
half (but only = 60 or 100 seconds + long
2 in last two + 1 short time-out (20 60 seconds
minutes of seconds) per half Maximum 3 regular and 1 long
the 4th The second short in second half
period) time-out can be !!! additional regulations
1 per OT carried over to OT
period period
Always 60 !!! additional
seconds regulations
Never carried
over

Jump ball and Jump ball to Jump ball to star Jump ball to star game
alternating star game game The one losing initial jump ball
possession The one The one losing initial gets possession for the next
losing initial jump ball gets jump ball situation
jump ball possession to start Alternating possession between
gets 2nd and 4th quarters teams thereafter for all jump
possession The one winning initial ball situations
for the next jump ball gets Jump ball to start OT
jump ball possession to start 3rd
situation quarter
Alternating All other jump ball
possession situations played as
between "real jump ball"
teams
thereafter for
all jump ball
situations

Individual foul Foul out on 5 Foul out on 6 or 2 Foul out on 5 (personal and
(personal technical technical)
and
technical)

Team fouls and 2 free-throws 2 free-throws awarded 1 free throw, plus another if the
bonus free-throws awarded for for each foul after the first is successful is awarded on
each (non- 4th team foul or last the 7th, 8th and 9th foul of
shooting) two minutes of each each half; the penalty is
foul after the quarter, whichever increased to two shots on the
4th period comes first 10th and subsequent fouls;
(includes Does not include overtime is an extension of the
player offensive fouls and second half.
technical technical fouls Does not include offensive fouls
fouls)
Does not
include
offensive
fouls/fouls by
team in
possession

Technical foul 1 free throw 1 free throw per 2 free throws, play resumes at
(penalty) and technical foul; play point of interruption
possession of resumes at the point
the ball at of interruption; foul is
centre charged to individual
in question (and
automatic fine
assessed)

Goaltending/basket No blocking a No blocking a ball in No blocking a ball in downward

interference ball in downward flight flight towards the rim.
downward towards the rim.
flight towards An imaginary cylinder exists
the rim. An imaginary cylinder that has the basket as its base.
exists that has the Touching the ball while any part
Once the ball basket as its base. of it is in this cylinder (and still
strikes the Touching the ball while has a chance to go in) is a
rim, any any part of it is in this violation.
player can cylinder (and still has
play the ball a chance to go in) is a
(i.e. swat it violation
away or tap
it in)

Zone defense Legal Legal but… Legal

defensive player may
not stay in the lane
(a.k.a. key, restricted
area) for longer than
three seconds if he is
not actively guarding
an opponent

Player numbers 00, 0, 1-99 Any one or two digit 00 (or 0), 1-5, 10-15, 20-25,
number 30-35, 40-45, 50-55

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