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.
- 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.
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 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.
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.
A player may not take more than two steps without driving the ball. If he breaks this rule, he loses possession of the ball. Read more.
A personal foul is physical contact with an opposing player that interferes with his play. After five (FIBA) or six (NBA) personal fouls, a player must leave the basketball game.
Racket in basketball
The racket is a rectangular space under the basket, where there are specific rules for attack and defense. In the attack, the player must not spend more than three seconds in the racket.
Free throws are made from the free throw line, which is 4.57 meters from the basket. A basketball player is entitled to two free throw attempts after certain fouls.
Dead ball in basketball
A dead ball occurs when the referee stops play for various reasons, such as a foul or the ball going out of bounds. Possession of the ball is then awarded based on the possession arrow.
Defensive 3 seconds in basketball
A rule that prohibits defensive players from spending more than three seconds in the racket without actively guarding an opposing player.
