FIBA OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS 2018

RULE ONE – THE GAME

Art. 1 Definitions
1.1 Basketball game
Basketball is played by 2 teams of 5 players each. The aim of each team is to score in
the opponents' basket and to prevent the other team from scoring.
The game is controlled by the officials, table officials and a commissioner, if present.
1.2 Basket: opponents'/own
The basket that is attacked by a team is the opponents' basket and the basket which is
defended by a team is its own basket.
1.3 Winner of a game
The team that has scored the greater number of game points at the end of playing time
shall be the winner.
RULE TWO – PLAYING COURT AND EQUIPMENT
Art. 2 Playing court
2.1 Playing court
The playing court shall have a flat, hard surface free from obstructions (Diagram 1) with
dimensions of 28 m in length by 15 m in width measured from the inner edge of the
boundary line.
2.2 Backcourt
A team's backcourt consists of its team's own basket, the inbounds part of the
backboard and that part of the playing court limited by the endline behind its own
basket, the sidelines and the center line.
2.3 Frontcourt
A team's frontcourt consists of the opponents' basket, the inbounds part of the
backboard and that part of the playing court limited by the endline behind the
opponents' basket, the sidelines and the inner edge of the center line nearest to the
opponents' basket.
2.4 Lines
All lines shall be of the same color and drawn in white or other contrasting color, 5 cm in
width and clearly visible.
2.4.1 Boundary line
The playing court shall be limited by the boundary line, consisting of the endlines and
the sidelines. These lines are not part of the playing court.
Any obstruction including seated coaches, assistant coaches, substitutes, excluded
players and accompanying delegation members shall be at least 2 m from the playing
court.
2.4.2 Centre line, centre circle and free-throw semi-circles
The centre line shall be marked parallel to the endlines from the mid-point of the
sidelines. It shall extend 0.15 m beyond each sideline. The centre line is part of the
backcourt.
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.
The free-throw semi-circles 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 centres at the mid-point
of the free-throw lines.
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2.4.3 Free-throw lines, restricted areas and free-throw rebound places
The 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-point of the 2 endlines.
The restricted areas shall be the rectangular areas marked on the playing court limited
by the endlines, the extended free-throw lines and the lines which originate at the
endlines, their outer edges being 2.45 m from the mid-point of the endlines and
terminating at the outer edge of the extended free-throw lines. These lines, excluding
the endlines, are part of the restricted area.
Free-throw rebound places along the restricted areas, reserved for players during free
throws, shall be marked as in Diagram 2.
2.4.4 3-point field goal area
The team's 3-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:
• The 2 parallel lines extending from and perpendicular to the endline, with the outer
edge 0.90 m from the inner edge of the sidelines.
• An arc of radius 6.75 m measured from the point on the floor beneath the exact centre
of the opponents' basket to the outer edge of the arc. The distance of the point on the
floor from the inner edge of the mid-point of the endline is 1.575 m. The arc is joined to
the parallel lines.
The 3-point line is not part of the 3-point field goal area.
2.4.5 Team bench areas
The team bench areas shall be marked outside the playing court limited by 2 lines as in
Diagram 1.
There must be 16 seats available in each team bench area for the coach, the assistant
coaches, the substitutes, the excluded players and the accompanying delegation
members. Any other persons shall be at least 2 m behind the team bench.
2.4.6 Throw-in lines
The 2 lines of 0.15 m in length shall be marked outside the playing court at the sideline
opposite the scorer’s table, with the outer edge of the lines 8.325 m from the inner edge
of the nearest endline.
2.4.7 No-charge semi-circle areas
The no-charge semi-circle areas shall be marked on the playing court, limited by:
• A semi-circle with the radius of 1.25 m measured from the point on the floor beneath
the exact centre of the basket to the inner edge of the semi-circle. The semi-circle is
joined to:
• The 2 parallel lines perpendicular to the endline, the inner edge 1.25 m from the point
on the floor beneath the exact centre of the basket, 0.375 m in length and ending 1.20
m from the inner edge of the endline.

RULE THREE – PLAYING REGULATIONS

Art. 8 Playing time, tied score and overtime
8.1 The game shall consist of 4 quarters of 10 minutes each.
8.2 There shall be an interval of play of 20 minutes before the game is scheduled to
begin.
 FIBA OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS 2018
8.3 There shall be the intervals of play of 2 minutes between the first and second
quarter (first half), between the third and fourth quarter (second half) and before each
overtime.
8.4 There shall be a half-time interval of play of 15 minutes.
8.5 An interval of play begins:
• 20 minutes before the game is scheduled to begin.
• When the game clock signal sounds for the end of the quarter or overtimes.

8.6 An interval of play ends:

• At the beginning of the first quarter when the ball leaves the hand(s) of the crew chief
on the toss for the jump ball.
• At the beginning of all other quarters and overtimes when the ball is at the disposal of
the player taking the throw-in.

8.7 If the score is tied at the end of the fourth quarter, the game shall continue with as
many overtimes of 5 minutes duration each as necessary to break the tie.
If the aggregated score of both games for a 2-games home and away total points series
competition system is tied at the end of the second game, this game shall continue with
as many overtimes of 5 minutes duration each as 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 the quarter or overtime, any eventual free throw(s) shall be administered after the end
of the quarter or overtime.
If an overtime(s) is required as a result of this free throw(s) then all fouls that are
committed after the end of the quarter or overtime shall be considered to have occurred
during an interval of play and the free throws shall be administered before the beginning
of the following overtime.

Art. 9 Beginning and end of a quarter, overtime or the game

9.1 The first quarter begins when the ball leaves the hand(s) of the crew chief on the
toss for the jump ball.
9.2 All other quarters or overtimes begin when the ball is at the disposal of the player
taking the throw-in.
9.3 The game cannot begin if one of the teams is not on the playing court with 5 players
ready to play.
9.4 For all games, the first team named in the schedule (home team) shall have the
team bench and its own basket on the left side of the scorer’s table, facing the playing
court.
However, if the 2 teams agree, they may interchange the team benches and/or baskets.
9.5 Before the first and third quarter, teams are entitled to warm-up in the half of the
playing court in which their opponents' basket is located.
9.6 Teams shall exchange baskets for the second half.
9.7 In all overtimes the teams shall continue to play towards the same baskets as in the
fourth quarter.
9.8 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.
 FIBA OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS 2018
17.3 Rule
17.3.1 The player taking the throw-in shall not:
• Take more than 5 seconds to release the ball.
• Step into the playing court while having the ball in his hand(s).
• Cause the ball to touch out-of-bounds, after it has been released on the throw-in.
• Touch the ball on the playing court before it has touched another player.
• Cause the ball to enter the basket directly.
• Move from the designated throw-in place behind the boundary line laterally in one or
both directions, exceeding a total distance of 1 m before releasing the ball. However, he
is permitted to move directly backwards from the boundary line as far as circumstances
allow.

17.3.2 During the throw-in other player(s) shall not:

• Have any part of their bodies over the boundary line before the ball has been thrown-in
across the boundary line.
• Be closer than 1 m to the player taking the throw-in when the throw-in place has less
than 2 m distance between the boundary line and any out-of-bounds obstructions.

17.3.3 When the game clock shows 2:00 minutes or less in the fourth quarter and in
each overtime, and there is a throw-in, the official shall use an illegal boundary line
crossing signal as a warning while administering the throw-in.
If a defensive player:
• Moves any part of his body over the boundary line to interfere with a throw-in, or
• Is closer than 1 m to the player taking the throw-in when the throw-in place has less
than 2 m distance,

it is a violation and shall lead to a technical foul.

An infraction of Art. 17.3 is a violation.
17.4 Penalty
The ball is awarded to the opponents for a throw-in from the place of the original throw-
in.
Art. 18 Time-out
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 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 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 for a first free throw.
18.2.5 Each team may be granted:
 FIBA OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS 2018
• 2 time-outs during the first half.
• 3 time-outs during the second half with a maximum of 2 of these time-outs when the
game clock shows 2:00 minutes or less in the fourth quarter.
• 1 time-out during each overtime.

18.2.6 Unused time-outs may not be carried over to the next half or overtime.
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
shows 2:00 minutes or less in the fourth quarter and in each overtime and, following a
successful field goal unless an official has interrupted the game.
18.3 Procedure
18.3.1 Only a coach or assistant coach has the right to request a time-out. He shall
establish visual contact with the scorer or he shall go to the scorer’s table and ask
clearly for a time-out, making the proper conventional sign with his hands.
18.3.2 A time-out request may be cancelled only before the scorer's signal has sounded
for such a request.
18.3.3 The time-out period:
• Begins when the official blows his whistle and gives the time-out signal.
• Ends when the official blows his whistle and beckons the teams back on the playing
court.

18.3.4 As soon as a time-out opportunity begins, the scorer shall sound his signal to
notify the officials that a team has requested a time-out.
If a field goal is scored against a team which has requested a time-out, the timer shall
immediately stop the game clock and sound his signal.
18.3.5 During the time-out and during an interval of play before the beginning of the
second and fourth quarter or each overtime the players may leave the playing court and
sit on the team bench and any person permitted to sit on the team bench may enter the
playing court provided they remain within the vicinity of their team bench area.
18.3.6 If the request for the time-out is made by either team after the ball is at the
disposal of the free-throw shooter for the first free throw, the time-out 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 called between free throws. In this case the free throw(s) shall be completed,
and the time-out shall be permitted before the new foul penalty is administered, unless
otherwise stated in these rules.
• A foul is called before the ball becomes live after the last free throw. In this case the
time-out shall be permitted before the new foul penalty is administered.
• A violation is called before the ball becomes live after the last free throw. In this case
the time-out shall be permitted before the throw-in 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.
 FIBA OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS 2018
Art. 19 Substitution
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 with the scorer's table.
• For both teams, the ball becomes dead following a successful last free throw.
• For the non-scoring team, a field goal is scored when the game clock shows 2:00
minutes or less in the fourth quarter and in each overtime.

19.2.3 A substitution opportunity ends when the ball is at the disposal of a player for a
throw-in or a first 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 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 when the game clock shows 2:00 minutes or
less in the fourth quarter and in each overtime unless an official has interrupted the
game.
19.3 Procedure
19.3.1 Only a substitute has the right to request a substitution. He (not the coach or the
assistant coach) shall go to the scorer’s table and ask clearly for a substitution, making
the proper conventional sign with his hands, or sit on the substitution chair. He must be
ready to play immediately.
19.3.2 A substitution request may be cancelled only before the scorer's signal has
sounded for such a request.
19.3.3 As soon as a substitution opportunity begins, the scorer shall sound his signal to
notify the officials that a request for a substitution has been made.
19.3.4 The substitute shall remain outside the boundary line until the official blows his
whistle, gives the substitution signal and beckons him to enter the playing court.
19.3.5 The player being substituted is permitted to go directly to his team bench without
reporting either to the scorer or the official.
19.3.6 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, in the judgement of an official, there is a delay of the game, a
time-out shall 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 coach,
recorded as 'B'.
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RULE FOUR – VIOLATIONS
Art. 22 Violations
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 from the place nearest to the
infraction, except directly behind the backboard, unless otherwise stated in these rules.
Art. 23 Player out-of-bounds and ball out-of-bounds
23.1 Definition
23.1.1 A player is out-of-bounds when any part of his body is in contact with the floor, or
any object other than a player above, on or outside the boundary line.
23.1.2 The ball is out-of-bounds when it touches:
• A player or any other person who is out-of-bounds.
• The floor or any object above, on or outside the boundary line.
• The backboard supports, the back of the backboards or any object above the playing
court.
23.2 Rule
23.2.1 The ball is caused to go out-of-bounds by the last player to touch or be touched
by the ball before it goes out-of-bounds, even if the ball then goes out-of-bounds by
touching something other than a player.
23.2.2 If the ball is out-of-bounds because of touching or being touched by a player who
is on or outside the boundary line, this player causes the ball to go out-of-bounds.
23.2.3 If a player(s) move(s) to out-of-bounds or to his backcourt during a held ball, a
jump ball situation occurs.

Art. 24 Dribbling
24.1 Definition
24.1.1 A dribble is the movement of a live ball caused by a player in control of that ball
who throws, taps, rolls or bounces the ball on the floor.
24.1.2 A dribble starts when a player, having gained control of a live ball on the playing
court throws, taps, rolls or bounces it on the floor and touches it again before it touches
another player.
A dribble ends when the player touches the ball with both hands simultaneously or
permits the ball to come to rest in one or both hands.
During a dribble the ball may be thrown into the air provided the ball touches the floor or
another player before the player who threw it touches it again with his hand.
There is no limit to the number of steps a player may take when the ball is not in contact
with his hand.
24.1.3 A player who accidentally loses and then regains control of a live ball on the
playing court is considered to be fumbling the ball.
24.1.4 The following are not dribbles:
• Successive shots for a field goal.
• Fumbling the ball at the beginning or at the end of a dribble.
• Attempts to gain control of the ball by tapping it from the vicinity of other players.
• Tapping the ball from the control of another player.
• Deflecting a pass and gaining control of the ball.
 FIBA OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS 2018
• Tossing the ball from hand to hand and allowing it to come to rest in one or both hands
before touching the floor, provided that no travelling violation is commit-ted.
• Throwing the ball against the backboard and regaining the control of the ball.

24.2 Rule
A player shall not dribble for a second time after his first dribble has ended unless
between the 2 dribbles he has lost control of a live ball on the playing court because of:
• A shot for a field goal.
• A touch of the ball by an opponent.
• A pass or fumble that has touched or been touched by another player.

Art. 25 Travelling
25.1 Definition
25.1.1 Travelling is the illegal movement of one foot or both feet beyond the limits
outlined in this article, in any direction, while holding a live ball on the playing court.
25.1.2 A pivot is the legal movement in which a player who is holding a live ball on the
playing court steps once or more than once in any direction with the same foot, while
the other foot, called the pivot foot, is kept at its point of contact with the floor.
25.2 Rule
25.2.1 Establishing a pivot foot by a player who catches a live ball on the playing court:
• A player who catches the ball while standing with both feet on the floor:
▬ The moment one foot is lifted, the other foot becomes the pivot foot.
▬ To start a dribble, the pivot foot may not be lifted before the ball is released from the
hand(s).
▬ To pass or shoot for a field goal, the player may jump off a pivot foot, but neither foot
may be returned to the floor before the ball is released from the hand(s).
• A player who catches the ball while he is progressing, or upon completion of a dribble,
may take two steps in coming to a stop, passing or shooting the ball:
▬ If, after receiving the ball, a player shall release the ball to start his dribble before his
second step.
▬ The first step occurs when one foot or both feet touch the floor after gaining control of
the ball.
▬ The second step occurs after the first step when the other foot touches the floor or
both feet touch the floor simultaneously.
▬ If the player who comes to a stop on his first step has both feet on the floor or they
touch the floor simultaneously, he may pivot using either foot as his pivot foot. If he then
jumps with both feet, no foot may return to the floor before the ball is released from the
hand(s).
October 2018 OFFICIAL BASKETBALL RULES 2018 Page 31 of 94
▬ If a player lands with one foot he may only pivot using that foot.
▬ If a player jumps off one foot on the first step, he may land with both feet
simultaneously for the second step. In this situation, the player may not pivot with either
foot. If one foot or both feet then leave the floor, no foot may return to the floor before
the ball is released from the hand(s).
▬ If both feet are off the floor and the player lands on both feet simultaneously, the
moment one foot is lifted the other foot becomes the pivot foot.
 FIBA OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS 2018
▬ A player may not touch the floor consecutively with the same foot or both feet after
ending his dribble or gaining control of the ball.

25.2.2 A player falling, lying or sitting on the floor:

• It is legal when a player falls and slides on the floor while holding the ball or, while
lying or sitting on the floor, gains control of the ball.
• It is a

RULE SIX – FOULS

Art. 32 Fouls
32.1 Definition
32.1.1 A foul is an infraction of the rules concerning illegal personal contact with an
oppo-nent 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
penalised according to these rules.
Art. 33 Contact: General principles
33.1 Cylinder principle
The cylinder principle is defined as the space within an imaginary cylinder occupied by a
player on the floor. It includes the space above the player and is limited to:
• The front by the palms of the hands,
• The rear by the buttocks, and
• The sides by the outer edge of the arms and legs.

The hands and arms may be extended in front of the torso no further than the position
of the feet, with the arms bent at the elbows so that the forearms and hands are raised.
The distance between his feet will vary according to his height.
33.2 Principle of verticality
During the game, each player has the right to occupy any position (cylinder) on the
playing court not already occupied by an opponent.
This principle protects the space on the floor which he occupies and the space above
him when he jumps vertically within that space.
As soon as the player leaves his vertical position (cylinder) and body contact occurs
with an opponent who had already established his own vertical position (cylinder), the
player who left his vertical position (cylinder) is responsible for the contact.
The defensive player must not be penalised for leaving the floor vertically (within his
cylinder) or having his hands and arms extended above him within his own cylinder.
The offensive player, whether on the floor or airborne, shall not cause contact with the
defensive player in a legal guarding position by:
• Using his arms to create more space for himself (pushing off).
• Spreading his legs or arms to cause contact during or immediately after a shot for a
field goal.
33.3 Legal guarding position
 FIBA OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS 2018
A defensive player has established an initial legal guarding position when:
• He is facing his opponent, and
• He has both feet on the floor.
The legal guarding position extends vertically above him (cylinder) from the floor to the
ceiling. He may raise his arms and hands above his head or jump vertically but he must
maintain them in a vertical position inside the imaginary cylinder.
33.4 Guarding a player who controls the ball
When guarding a player who controls (holding or dribbling) the ball, the elements of time
and distance do not apply.
The player with the ball must expect to be guarded and must be prepared to stop or
change his direction whenever an opponent takes an initial legal guarding position in
front of him, even if this is done within a fraction of a second.
The guarding (defensive) player must establish an initial legal guarding position without
causing contact before taking his position.
Once the defensive player has established an initial legal guarding position, he may
move to guard his opponent, but he may not extend his arms, shoulders, hips or legs to
prevent the dribbler from passing by him.
When judging a charge/block situation involving a player with the ball, an official shall
use the following principles:
• The defensive player must establish an initial legal guarding position by facing the
player with the ball and having both feet on the floor.
• The defensive player may remain stationary, jump vertically, move laterally or
backwards in order to maintain the initial legal guarding position.
• When moving to maintain the initial legal guarding position, one foot or both feet may
be off the floor for an instant, as long as the movement is lateral or backwards, but not
towards the player with the ball.
• Contact must occur on the torso, in which case the defensive player would be
considered as having been at the place of contact first.
• Having established a legal guarding position, the defensive player may turn within his
cylinder to avoid injury.
In any of the above situations, the contact shall be considered as having been caused
by the player with the ball.

RULE SEVEN – GENERAL PROVISIONS

Art. 40 5 fouls by a player
40.1 A player who has committed 5 fouls shall be informed by an official and must leave
the game immediately. He shall be substituted within 30 seconds.
40.2 A foul by a player who has previously committed 5 fouls is considered as an
excluded player’s foul and it is charged and entered on the scoresheet against the
coach ('B').
Art. 41 Team fouls: Penalty
41.1 Definition
41.1.1 A team foul is a personal, technical, unsportsmanlike or disqualifying foul
committed by a player. A team is in the team foul penalty situation after it has committed
4 team fouls in a quarter.
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41.1.2 All team fouls committed in an interval of play shall be considered as being
committed in the following quarter or overtime.
41.1.3 All team fouls committed in each overtime shall be considered as being
committed in the fourth quarter.
41.2 Rule
41.2.1 When a team is in the team foul penalty situation, all following player personal
fouls committed on a player not in the act of shooting shall be penalised by 2 free
throws, instead of a throw-in. The player against whom the foul was committed shall
attempt the free throws.
41.2.2 If a personal foul is committed by a player of the team in control of the live ball, or
of the team entitled to the ball, such a foul shall be penalised by a throw-in for the
opponents.
Art. 42 Special situations
42.1 Definition
In the same stopped-clock period which follows an infraction, special situations may
arise when additional infraction(s) are committed.
42.2 Procedure
42.2.1 All fouls shall be charged and all penalties identified.
42.2.2 The order in which all infractions occurred shall be determined.
42.2.3 All equal penalties against the teams and all double foul penalties shall be
cancelled in the order in which they were called. Once the penalties have been
recorded and cancelled they are considered as never having occurred.
42.2.4 If a technical foul is called, that penalty shall be administered first, regardless
whe-ther the order of the penalties has been determined or whether the administration
of the penalties has been started.
42.2.5 The right to possession of the ball as part of the last penalty to be administered
shall cancel any prior rights to possession of the ball.
42.2.6 Once the ball has become live on the first free throw or on a throw-in
RULE EIGHT – OFFICIALS, TABLE OFFICIALS, COMMISSIONER: DUTIES AND
POWERS.