Olympics Basketball Team Competition Rules

Olympic basketball games are played following the rules of the International Basketball Federation. Originally a demonstration-only game in the Olympics, men's and women's basketball games have been considered full-medal sports since 1936 and 1972, respectively.

  1. Format

    • Olympic basketball games follow a pool-play format. This means that the 12 Olympic teams are divided into two groups of six. Each team in a group plays all of the other teams in its group.

      The top four teams from each group then match up against each other, with the top team from one group playing the bottom team from the other and the second-place team from one group playing the third-place team from the other. The final four teams then compete in the medal rounds.

    Time

    • Like American college basketball games, Olympic games are two 20-minute halves. Overtime periods are five minutes long.

    Players

    • Both teams must have five players on the court at all times. Five bench players who may come in as substitutes are allowed in Olympic games. Players who commit five fouls are ejected from the game and must be replaced by a bench player.

    Scoring

    • There are three ways to score. A made shot from anywhere outside of the three-point line, which is 20 feet, 6 inches away from the basket, is worth three points. A made shot from on or inside the three-point line is worth two points. A free throw is worth a single point. In theory, players can score three or even four points if they are fouled while taking a two- or three-point shot. If they make the shot, it counts and they also get to take a free throw attempt. Teams have 24 seconds to shoot a ball once they take possession. The ball must make contact with the rim to be considered a shot.

    Fouls/Violations

    • Fouls and violations are similar to NBA games. Players may not take two steps with the ball without dribbling, may not block another player, may not dribble again after they've stopped dribbling and so on. Unlike in the NBA, a ball that has been shot and that is on the rim or just above it may be knocked away or pushed through; however, a player may not reach his hand up through the rim to make contact with the ball.