Basketball rules
Basketball is a sport with a rich history and precisely defined rules that govern every aspect of the game. This page provides the basic rules of basketball according to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). For complete and detailed rules, visit the official pages of FIBA and NBA .
Points in basketball
- A field goal is worth 2 points inside the three-point line.
- A field goal is worth 3 points outside the three-point line.
- A free throw is worth 1 point.
Duration of a basketball game
- FIBA: In basketball, a game lasts 40 minutes, divided into four periods of 10 minutes each.
- NBA: The game lasts 48 minutes, divided into four periods of 12 minutes each.
In both cases, time is stopped for any interruption of play, such as fouls, free throws, and timeouts.
Number of basketball players per team
Each team has five players on the field and up to seven substitutes on the bench. Substitutions can be made during stoppages of play.
Duration of attack in basketball
A team has 24 seconds to attempt an attack. If the ball touches the hoop, the time is reset. If a team does not attempt a shot within 24 seconds, they lose possession of the ball.
