1.1 Basketball game

Basketball is played by two (2) teams of five (5) players each. The aim of each team is to score in the opponents' basket and to prevent the other team from scoring.

1.3 Winner of a game

The team that has scored the greater number of points at the end of playing time shall be the winner.

2.1 Playing court

The playing court shall have a flat, hard surface free from obstructions

with dimensions of twenty-eight (28) m in length by fifteen (15) m in width measured from the inside edge of the boundary line.

2.2 Lines

All lines shall be drawn in white colour, five (5) cm in width and clearly visible.

2.2.1 Boundary line

The playing court shall be limited by the boundary line, consisting of the end lines (on the short sides) and the sidelines (on the long sides). These lines are not part of the playing court.

Any obstruction including seated team bench personnel shall be at least two (2) m from the playing court.

2.2.2 Centre line, centre circle and semicircles

The centre line shall be marked parallel to the end lines from the mid-points of the sidelines. It shall extend fifteen (15) cm beyond each sideline.

The centre circle shall be marked in the centre of the playing court and have a radius of 1.80 m measured to the outer edge of the circumference. If the inside of the centre circle is painted, it must be the same colour as the restricted areas. The semicircles shall be marked on the playing court with a radius of 1.80 m measured to the outer edge of the circumference and with their centers at the midpoints of the free-throw lines .

2.2.3 Free-throw lines, restricted areas and free-throw rebound places

A free-throw line shall be drawn parallel to each endline. It shall have its furthest

edge 5.80 m from the inner edge of the endline and shall be 3.60 m long. Its mid-point shall lie on the imaginary line joining the mid-points of the two endlines. The restricted areas shall be the floor areas marked on the playing court, limited by the endlines, the free-throw lines and the lines which originate at the endlines, their outer edges being three (3) m from the mid-points of the endlines and terminating at the outer edge of the free-throw lines. These lines, excluding the endlines, are part

of the restricted area. The inside of the restricted areas may be painted but must be the same colour as the centre circle.

Free-throw rebound places along the restricted areas, reserved for players during free throws, shall be marked as in Diagram 2.

2.2.4 Three-point field goal area

A team's three-point field goal area (Diagram 1 and Diagram 3) shall be the entire floor area of the playing court, except for the area near the opponents' basket, limited by and including:

• Two parallel lines extending from and perpendicular to the endline, with the furthest edges 6.25 m from the point on the floor directly perpendicular to the exact centre of the opponents' basket. The distance of this point from the insideedge of the mid-point of the endline is 1.575 m.

• A semicircle with the radius of 6.25 m measured to the outer edge of the

circumference from the centre (which is the same point as defined above)

which meets the parallel lines.

4.1 Definition

4.1.1 A team member is eligible to play when he has been authorized to play for a team according to the regulations, including regulations governing age limits, of the organizing body of the competition.

4.1.2 A team member is entitled to play when his name has been entered on the score sheet before the start of the game and as long as he has neither been disqualified nor committed five (5) fouls.

4.1.3 During playing time, a team member is:

• A player when he is on the playing court and is entitled to play.

• A substitute when he is not on the playing court but he is entitled to play.

• An excluded player when he has committed five (5) fouls and is no longer entitled to play.

4.1.4 During an interval of play, all team members entitled to play are considered as players.

4.2 Rule

4.2.1 Each team shall consist of:

• No more than twelve (12) team members entitled to play, including a captain.

• A coach and, if a team wishes, an assistant coach.

• A maximum of five (5) team followers who may sit on the team bench and have special responsibilities, e.g. manager, doctor, physiotherapist, statistician, interpreter, etc.

4.2.2 Five (5) players from each team shall be on the playing court during playing time and may be substituted.

4.2.3 A substitute becomes a player and a player becomes a substitute when:

• The official beckons the substitute to enter the playing court.

• During a time-out or an interval of play, a substitute requests the substitution to the scorer.

4.4.2 Players shall not wear equipment (objects) that may cause injury to other players.

• The following are not permitted:

▬ Finger, hand, wrist, elbow or forearm guards, casts or braces made of

leather, plastic, pliable (soft) plastic, metal or any other hard substance,

even if covered with soft padding.

▬ Objects that could cut or cause abrasions (fingernails must be closely cut).

▬ Headgear, hair accessories and jewellery.

8.1 The game shall consist of four (4) periods of ten (10) minutes.

8.2 There shall be intervals of play of two (2) minutes between the first and second period (first half), between the third and fourth period (second half) and before each extra period.

8.3 There shall be a half-time interval of play of fifteen (15) minutes.

8.4 There shall be an interval of play of twenty (20) minutes before the game is scheduled to begin.

8.5 An interval of play begins:

• Twenty (20) minutes before the game is scheduled to begin.

• When the game-clock signal sounds for the end of a period.

8.6 An interval of play ends:

• At the beginning of the first period when the ball is legally tapped by a jumper on the jump ball.

• At the beginning of all other periods when the ball touches or is legally touched by a player on the playing court after the throw-in.

8.7 If the score is tied at the end of playing time for the fourth period, the game shall continue with as many extra periods of five (5) minutes as is necessary to break the tie.

8.8 If a foul is committed when or just before the game clock signal sounds for the end of playing time, any eventual free throw(s) shall be taken after the end of playing time.

8.9 If an extra period is required as a result of this free throw(s) then all fouls that are committed after the end of playing time shall be considered to have occurred during an interval of play and the free throw(s) shall be administered before the beginning of the extra period.

9.1 The first period begins when the ball is legally tapped by a jumper on the jump ball.

9.2 All other periods begin when the ball touches or is legally touched by a player on the playing court after the throw-in.

9.3 The game cannot begin if one of the teams is not on the playing court with five (5) players ready to play. 9.4 For all games, the first team named in the programme (home team) shall have the

team bench and its team’s own basket on the left side of the scorer’s table, facing the playing court.

However, if the two teams agree, they may interchange the team benches and/or baskets.

9.5 Before the first and third periods, teams are entitled to warm-up in the half of the playing court in which their opponents' basket is situated.

9.6 Teams shall exchange baskets for the second half.

9.7 In all extra periods the teams shall continue to play towards the same baskets as in the fourth period.

9.8 A period, extra period or game shall end when the game clock signal sounds for the end of playing time.

10.1 The ball can be either live or dead.

10.2 The ball becomes live when:

• During the jump ball, the ball is legally tapped by a jumper.

• During a free throw, the ball is at the disposal of the free-throw shooter.

• During a throw-in, the ball is at the disposal of the player taking the throw-in.

10.3 The ball becomes dead when:

• Any field goal or free throw is made.

• An official blows his whistle while the ball is live.

• It is apparent that the ball will not enter the basket on a free throw which is to be followed by:

▬ Another free throw(s).

▬ A further penalty (free throw(s) and/or throw-in).

• The game clock signal sounds for the end of the period.

• The twenty-four second device signal sounds while a team is in control of the ball.

• The ball which is in flight on a shot for a field goal is touched by a player from either team after:

▬ An official blows his whistle.

▬ The game clock signal sounds for the end of the period.

▬ The twenty-four second device signal sounds.

10.4 The ball does not become dead and the goal counts if made when:

• The ball is in flight on a shot for a field goal and:

▬ An official blows his whistle.

▬ The game clock signal sounds for the end of the period.

▬ The twenty-four second device signal sounds.

• The ball is in flight on a free throw when an official blows his whistle for any rule infraction other than by the free-throw shooter.

A player commits a foul on any opponent while the ball is in the control of the opponent in the act of shooting for field goal and who finishes his shot with a continuous motion which started before the foul occurred.

This provision does not apply and the goal shall not count if, after an official blows his whistle an entirely new act of shooting is made.

This provision does not apply and the goal shall not count, if during the

continuous motion of a player in the act of shooting the game clock sounds for an end of period or the twenty-four second device signal sounds.

12.3 Jump ball situations

A jump ball situation occurs when:

• A held ball is called.

• The ball goes out-of-bounds and the officials are in doubt or disagree about which of the opponents last touched the ball.

• A double free-throw violation occurs during an unsuccessful last or only free throw.

• A live ball lodges on the basket support (except between free throws).

• The ball becomes dead when neither team had control of the ball nor was entitled to the ball.

• After the cancellation of equal penalties against both teams, there are no other foul penalties remaining for administration and neither team had control of the ball nor was entitled to the ball before the first foul or violation.

• All periods other than the first period are to begin.

13.1 Definition

13.1.1 During the game, the ball is played with the hand(s) only and may be passed, thrown, tapped, rolled or dribbled in any direction, subject to the restrictions of these rules.

13.2 Rule

A player shall not run with the ball, deliberately kick or block it with any part of the leg or strike it with the fist.

However, to accidentally come into contact with or touch the ball with any part of the leg is not a violation.

An infraction of Art. 13.2 is a violation.

14.1 Team control starts when a player of that team is in control of a live ball because he is holding or dribbling it or has a live ball at his disposal.

14.2 Team control continues when:

• A player of that team is in control of a live ball.

• The ball is being passed between team-mates.

14.3 Team control ends when:

• An opponent gains control.

• The ball becomes dead.

• The ball has left the player's hand(s) on a shot for a field goal or for a free throw.

15.1 A shot for a field goal or a free throw is when the ball is held in a player’s hand(s) and is then thrown into the air towards the opponents' basket. A tap is when the ball is directed with the hand(s) towards the opponents' basket.

A dunk is when the ball is forced downwards into the opponents' basket with one or both hands.

A tap and a dunk are also considered as shots for a field goal.

15.2 The act of shooting:

• Begins when the player starts the continuous movement normally preceding the release of the ball and, in the judgement of the official, he has started an attempt to score by throwing, tapping or dunking the ball towards the opponents' basket.

• Ends when the ball has left the player’s hand(s) and, in case of an airborne shooter, both feet have returned to the floor.

The player attempting to score might have his arm(s) held by an opponent, thus preventing him from scoring, even though he is considered to have made an attempt to score. In this case it is not essential that the ball leaves the player's hand(s). There is no relationship between the number of legal steps taken and the act of shooting.

15.3 A continuous movement in the act of shooting:

• Begins when the ball has come to rest in the player's hand(s) and the shooting motion, usually upward, has started.

• May include the player's arm(s) and/or body movement in his attempt to shoot for a field goal.

• Ends when the ball has left the player’s hand(s), or if an entirely new act of shooting is made.

16.1 Definition

16.1.1 A goal is made when a live ball enters the basket from above and remains within or passes through the basket.

16.1.2 The ball is considered to be within the basket when the slightest part of the ball is within and below the level of the ring.

16.2 Rule

16.2.1 A goal is credited to the team attacking the opponents’ basket into which the ball has entered as follows:

• A goal from a free throw counts one (1) point.

• A goal from the two-point field goal area counts two (2) points.

• A goal from the three-point field goal area counts three (3) points.

• After the ball has touched the ring on a last or only free throw and is legally touched by an offensive or defensive player before it enters the basket, the goal counts two (2) points.

16.2.2 If a player accidentally scores a field goal in his team’s own basket, the goal counts two (2) points and shall be recorded as having been scored by the captain of the opposing team on the playing court.

16.2.3 If a player deliberately scores a field goal in his team’s own basket, it is a violation and the goal does not count.

16.2.4 If a player causes the entire ball to pass through the basket from below, it is aviolation.

18.1 Definition

A time-out is an interruption of the game requested by the coach or assistant coach.

18.2 Rule

18.2.1 Each time-out shall last one (1) minute.

18.2.2 A time-out may be granted during a time-out opportunity.

18.2.3 A time-out opportunity begins when:

• For both teams, the ball becomes dead, the game clock is stopped and the official has ended his communication with the scorer's table.

• For both teams, the ball becomes dead following a successful last or only free throw.

• For the non-scoring team, a field goal is scored.

18.2.4 A time-out opportunity ends when the ball is at the disposal of a player for a throw in or a first or only free throw.

18.2.5 Two (2) time-outs may be granted to each team at any time during the first half; three (3) at any time during the second half and one (1) during each extra period.

18.2.6 Unused time-outs may not be carried over to the next half or extra period.

18.2.7 A time-out is charged against the team whose coach first made a request unless the time-out is granted following a field goal scored by the opponents and without an infraction having been called.

18.2.8 A time-out shall not be permitted to the scoring team when the game clock is stopped following a successful field goal during the last two (2) minutes of the fourth

period or the last two (2) minutes of each extra period unless an official has stopped the game.

19.1 Definition

A substitution is an interruption of the game requested by the substitute to become a player.

19.2 Rule

19.2.1 A team may substitute a player(s) during a substitution opportunity.

19.2.2 A substitution opportunity begins when:

• For both teams, the ball becomes dead, the game clock is stopped and the official has ended his communication • For both teams, the ball becomes dead following a successful last or only free throw.

• For the non-scoring team, a field goal is scored in the last two (2) minutes of the fourth period or the last two (2) minutes of each extra period.

19.2.3 A substitution opportunity ends when the ball is at the disposal of a player for a throw-in or a first or only free throw.

19.2.4 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 clock-running phase of the game, unless:

• The team is reduced to fewer than five (5) players on the playing 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.

19.2.5 A substitution shall not be permitted to the scoring team when the game clock is stopped following a successful field goal during the last two (2) minutes of the fourth period or the last two (2) minutes of each extra period unless an official has stopped the game.

22.1 Definition

A violation is an infraction of the rules.

22.2 Penalty

The ball shall be awarded to the opponents for a throw-in at the place nearest to the infraction, except directly behind the backboard, unless otherwise stated in the rules.

28.2.1 Whenever a player gains control of a live ball in his backcourt, his team must cause the ball to go into its frontcourt within eight (8) seconds.

32.1 Definition

32.1.1 A foul is an infraction of the rules concerning illegal personal contact with an opponent and/or unsportsmanlike behaviour.

32.1.2 Any number of fouls may be called against a team. Irrespective of the penalty, each foul shall be charged, entered on the scoresheet against the offender and penalized accordingly.

34.1 Definition

34.1.1 A personal foul is a player’s contact foul with an opponent, whether the ball is live or dead.

A player shall not hold, block, push, charge, trip or impede the progress of an opponent by extending his hand, arm, elbow, shoulder, hip, leg, knee or foot, nor by bending his body into an 'abnormal' position (outside his cylinder), nor shall he indulge in any rough or violent play.

40.1 A player who has committed five (5) fouls, personal and/or technical, shall be informed thereof by the referee and must leave the game immediately. He must be substituted within thirty (30) seconds.

40.2 A foul by a player who has previously committed his fifth foul is considered as an excluded player’s foul and it is charged and entered in the score sheet against the coach ('B').

41.1 Definition

41.1.1 A team is in a team foul penalty situation when it has committed four (4) team fouls in a period.

41.1.2 All team fouls committed in an interval of play shall be considered to be part of the period or extra period following.

41.1.3 All team fouls committed in an extra period shall be considered as being committed in the fourth period.