Basketball Rules on Timeout

In basketball, a timeout refers to the designated allocation of time that results in the stoppage of play during a game. Timeouts are critical components of the game and can be the difference between winning and losing. Coaches may call a timeout to give players a short rest, design an offensive or defensive play, disturb the momentum of an opponent or prevent a turnover. The basketball rules on timeouts vary from level to level.

  1. Basic Rules

    • Timeouts may be called by either a player on the basketball court or a basketball coach on the sideline. During play, a timeout can only be called by a player or coach if his team has possession of the ball. A defensive player can only call for a timeout if there is a stoppage in play, such as an out-of-bounds or foul call. If a player or coach requests a timeout and his team does not have any left, a technical foul is assessed.

    High School Rules

    • Each team is given three 60-second and two 30-second timeouts per game. However, if both teams are ready to resume play early, the timeout can be reduced in length. An additional 60-second timeout is given to each team for each overtime period.

    College Rules

    • During non-televised college basketball games, each team is given four 75-second and two 30-second timeouts. Teams are given four 30-second and one 60-second timeout for televised games. Electronic media timeouts are also used, in addition to the timeouts given to each team. In televised games, a maximum of one unused 60-second and three unused 30-second timeouts can be carried over to the second half. An additional 30-second timeout is given to each team for each overtime period.

    Professional Basketball Rules

    • The basketball timeout rules in the National Basketball Association (NBA) are the same whether the game is televised or not. Each team is given six 100-second and two 20-second timeouts per game. If the game goes to overtime, each team is given an additional three 100-second timeouts.

      The International Basketball Federation, known as FIBA, governs international basketball. According to FIBA rules, each team is given one 60-second timeout in each of the first three quarters. In the last quarter, each team is given two 60-second timeouts. During overtime, each team is given an additional 60-second timeout.