Point values
A field goal from beyond the arc is worth three points, any other field goal two, and each successful free throw one. The arc sits 6.75 m from the basket under FIBA rules.
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COURT · FIBA · BFI
Basketball
Basketball puts two teams of five on a rectangular court, each attacking a hoop 3.05 m above the floor. Possession changes constantly, and a shot clock forces every attack to end in an attempt on the basket. The team with more points at the end of regulation wins; a tie goes to overtime.
group
PLAYERS
5 on court, up to 12 in the squad, unlimited substitutions
schedule
DURATION
4 × 10 min (FIBA) or 4 × 12 min (NBA)
stadium
PLAYING AREA
Indoor hardwood or synthetic court, 28 m × 15 m
scoreboard
SCORING
3 · 2 · 1 points by shot type
HOW IT IS PLAYED
Core Rules
Shot clock
A team has 24 seconds to attempt a shot that hits the rim. An offensive rebound resets the clock to 14 seconds rather than a full 24.
Advancing the ball
The ball must be moved by dribbling or passing. Taking more than two steps without dribbling is travelling, and restarting a dribble after picking the ball up is a double dribble — both turn the ball over.
Backcourt violation
The attacking team has eight seconds to bring the ball across the halfway line, and once it is in the frontcourt they may not return it to the backcourt.
Three seconds in the key
An offensive player may not remain in the restricted area under the basket for more than three consecutive seconds while their team controls the ball in the frontcourt.
Goaltending
No player may touch the ball on its downward flight toward the basket, while it is on the rim, or from within the cylinder above it. Defensive goaltending awards the basket; offensive goaltending cancels it.
Personal fouls and free throws
Illegal contact is a personal foul. A player fouled while shooting takes two free throws, or three from beyond the arc, and one extra if the shot went in. Five personal fouls disqualify a player under FIBA rules, six in the NBA.
Team fouls and the bonus
From the fifth team foul in a quarter, every subsequent defensive foul gives the opponent two free throws even if it was not committed on a shooter.
Substitutions and time-outs
Substitutions are unlimited but may only be made during a dead ball. Each team gets two time-outs in the first half and three in the second, with a maximum of two in the final two minutes.
WATCH OUT
Fouls & Penalties
- errorBlocking, charging, holding, pushing and illegal use of hands — personal fouls.
- errorIllegal screen — setting a pick while still moving.
- errorTechnical foul for dissent, taunting, delaying the game or an illegal substitution.
- errorUnsportsmanlike foul for contact with no genuine attempt to play the ball.
- errorDisqualifying foul for flagrant contact or repeated unsportsmanlike behaviour — immediate ejection.
WHO DECIDES
Match Officials
- sportsCrew chief and two umpires — call fouls and violations from rotating positions.
- sportsScorer and assistant scorer — maintain the scoresheet, fouls and possession arrow.
- sportsTimekeeper — runs the game clock and stops it on every whistle.
- sportsShot clock operator — resets the 24- or 14-second clock.
GOVERNED BY FIBA · BFI
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