Professional Basketball Rules

Professional basketball has significant rule differences with college, high school and youth league games. As grown adult athletes play professional basketball, the rules are adjusted to both address the physical differences and the need for greater spectator enjoyment. The professional game is very fast paced, lasts longer and has special rules designed to generate greater excitement and competitive play. Professional basketball also plays a much longer season than other leagues and some rules are used to help players endure the long and trying 82 games a year before the playoffs to a champion begin.

  1. Game Length and Fouls

    • College and high school basketball games are two 20 minutes halves with a 20-minute halftime break. The professional basketball game is a full hour with four 15-minute quarters and a 30-minute halftime break.

      Since the game is 20 minutes longer for professional basketball, the players are allowed an additional foul before having to leave the game. College and high school player are allowed five fouls over the course of the game while professional basketball players can receive up to six.

    Shot Clock

    • Professional basketball implemented a shot clock in order to speed up the play and enhance the game experience for the audience. Although college basketball and even some high school leagues have started using a shot clock, professional basketball is still the shortest possession time without a shot at 24 seconds.

      When a team takes possession of the ball, a clock starts counting down from 24 to zero. The team has that much time to take a shot. The shot does not necessarily have to be good for a score, and the same team can recover the ball after a missed shot. The ball, however, must leave a player's hand before the clock hits zero and must touch the rim for the same teak to regain possession. If the clock hits zero and a player still has the ball then it is turned over to the other team who will then inbound the ball and start the shot clock again.

    Three Point Shooting

    • Professional basketball instituted the three-point shot to move the ball away from constant play under the basket. A large arc is painted around the backboard and rim. Any shot made from beyond the arc is good for three points instead of the customary two.

      Although college and some high school leagues have also adopted the three point shot, the professional basketball game has the arc much further away from the hoop than either of the two junior programs. College and high school leagues using the three-point shot shoot from an arc tangential to the top of the free throw circle in front of the basket. Professional basketball is another 3 feet away.