Official FIBA Basketball Rules

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) came into existence in 1932 and since then has acted as the primary governing body for international basketball competition. The non-for-profit organization determines the rules for international and Olympic basketball games. FIBA rules determine everything from court dimensions and clock policies, to time-out and jump ball rules.

  1. Court Dimensions

    • According to FIBA, the three-point line is a consistent arc 20 feet, 6.25 inches from the center of the basket. The lane (the area between the free throw line and the out of bounds line beneath the basket) is 12 feet wide at the free throw line, increasing to 19 feet, 8.25 inches at the baseline.

    Clock

    • FIBA plays four 10-minute quarters with five-minute overtime periods. FIBA rules stipulate that the clock be stopped after each made basket during the last two minutes of the fourth quarter and during overtime periods. FIBA employs a 24-second shot clock. The team on offense must attempt a shot within 24 seconds of inbounding the ball. The ball must strike the rim to count as a shot.

    Player and Team Fouls

    • In FIBA games, players are ejected after five fouls. Under FIBA rules, if a team commits four fouls in a quarter, the opposing team receives two free throws for each subsequent foul. Technical fouls (non-contact or dead-ball fouls) count toward foul outs. If a team commits a technical foul, the other team will receive two free throws and possession of the ball.

    Time Out Rules

    • FIBA grants two 60-second time outs in the first half, three in the second and one for each period of overtime. FIBA time-outs must be called by the coach and go into effect at the next stoppage of the clock.

    Possession and Jump Balls

    • A game begins with a jump ball. Possession at the start of each quarter alternates. In jump-ball situations (when a player from both teams maintains possession of the ball for several seconds simultaneously), FIBA rules that possession will alternate between the two teams. In a jump-ball situation in which the offensive team maintains possession, the shot clock does not reset.

    Substitutions

    • Substitutions occur during dead ball situations and cannot be made between free throws. Substitutions can, however, be made by either team after the second free throw attempt if the attempt is successful.