FIBA Vs North American Rules Comparison
FIBA Vs North American Rules Comparison
FIBA Vs North American Rules Comparison
FIBA vs North
American Rules
Comparison
by Anthony Reimer
During his officiating career of over 20 years, exact in the case of FIBA, while U.S. measure- extra period.
Anthony Reimer became known in the ments are exact in the case of the other rule NBA: last minute of quarters 1, 2 and 3; last 2
province of Alberta, Canada, for his expertise sets. I have omitted NFHS (U.S. High School) minutes of 4th quarter and any extra period.
in basketball rules. While injury forced him to Rules, but for readers who want more details WNBA: last minute of each period.
retire from active officiating, “Ace” has con- on those rules, a comparison between NCAA NCAA: last minute of 2nd half and any extra
tinued to contribute to the basketball commu- and NFHS rules is published in the NCAA Rule period.
nity through his basketball officiating web Book each year. Canadian readers who are
site (hoop.jazzace.ca), one of the earliest such interested in the rules used at the College and SHOT CLOCK – TIME ALLOWED TO SHOOT
sites available on the Internet. This article is University level in Canada can view the com- FIBA: 24 seconds.
based on content from that web site. parison on my web site. NBA: 24 seconds.
WNBA: 30 seconds.
There has been a lot of progress made in the MAJOR DIFFERENCES NCAA Men: 35 seconds.
last two decades on reducing the differences THREE-POINT LINE NCAA Women: 30 seconds.
between FIBA Rules and those used in North Measured from the centre of the basket:
America. Still, significant differences remain. FIBA: 6.25 m (20' 6.25") arc. SHOT CLOCK – OPERATION
For spectators in the United States, this means NBA: 7.24 m (23' 9") arc, which intersects with FIBA:
making small adjustments when watching an lines parallel to the sideline that are 6.7 m (22') ▼ When play resumes with less than full
NCAA game as opposed to an NBA game, for from the basket at their closest point. amount on shot clock (e.g., defense taps
instance, and a larger adjustment when WNBA: 6.25 m (20' 6.25") arc. ball out-of-bounds), shot clock does not
watching the FIBA World Championships or NCAA 6.02 m (19' 9") arc. start until team establishes control in-
the Olympics. For those outside North America bounds.
the adjustment is in reverse. Canadians such RESTRICTED AREA (“KEY”, “LANE”) ▼ Shot clock is reset after most fouls (perso-
as myself find themselves in the middle. I can FIBA: A trapezoid 3.6 m (12') wide at the free nal or technical).
go to my local University and watch a double- throw line and 6 m wide (19' 8.25") at the Exception:
header where the first game is played under baseline. - Shot clock is not reset on a double foul or
FIBA Rules and the second under NCAA Rules NBA, WNBA: 4.88 m (16') wide rectangle. an alternating possession situation when
(both slightly modified). For Canadian referees, NCAA: 3.6 m (12') wide rectangle. the same team retains possession.
this means that our best officials have to be NBA, WNBA:
adept at changing rules from game to game. I PLAYING TIME ▼ When play resumes with less than full
created the following guide to the differences FIBA: 4 x 10 minute quarters; extra periods are amount on shot clock, shot clock starts
between the major rule sets with all three of 5 minutes. with the first touch in-bounds.
those groups in mind: people accustomed to NBA: 4 x 12 minute quarters; extra periods are ▼ The shot clock is reset to 24 seconds on
FIBA Rules, people accustomed to U.S.-style 5 minutes. most personal fouls and defensive viola-
rules, and referees who need a detailed (but WNBA, NCAA: 2 x 20 minute halves; extra tions in backcourt (e.g., kicking or pun-
not exhaustive) comparison of those sets of periods are 5 minutes. ching ball).
rules. This guide focuses on the three basic Exceptions:
“flavours” of rules: FIBA, NBA/WNBA, and GAME CLOCK OPERATION: - The shot clock remains the same as when
NCAA (Men/Women). Unless otherwise stat- FIELD GOALIN LAST MINUTES OF PLAY play was interrupted or is reset to 14 se-
ed, NCAA rules listed apply to both Men’s and The clock is stopped after a successful field conds (whichever is greater) when (1) a
Women’s games. Both metric and U.S. meas- goal as follows: personal foul occurs and the throw-in will
urements are provided; metric measures are FIBA: last 2 minutes of 4th period and any be in the frontcourt, (2) a jump ball occurs
PAGE 40 | 14 2005 | FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE
overtime. One 20-second time-out per half;
unused 20-second time-out in 2nd half
may be carried into extra period.
WNBA:
▼ One full time-out per half or extra period.
▼ Four TV-type time-outs must occur each
half (none in extra period).
▼ Full time-outs are 120 seconds in duration.
▼ Full time-outs do not accumulate into extra
period.
▼ One 20-second time-out in 1st half, two 20-
second time-outs in 2nd half, one additio-
nal 20-second time-out per extra period
(one 20-second time-out can carry over
from 2nd half, for a maximum of two in ex-
tra period).
NCAA - Electronic Media Game:
▼ Four 30-second time-outs and one 60-se-
cond time-out per game.
▼ Maximum of three 30-second time-outs
and one 60-second time-out may be car-
ried into 2nd half.
▼ One additional 30-second time-out is ad-
ded per extra period (any time-outs remai-
ning from 2nd half may be carried into ex-
tra period).
▼ First 30-second time-out of 2nd half is ex-
tended to the length of a media time-out.
▼ If coach requests 2 consecutive 30-se-
cond time-outs, players may sit, so long as
the request is made when the first time-
out is granted. Normally, players must re-
main standing and on the floor during a 30-
second time-out.
NCAA - Non-Electronic Media Game:
▼ Four full time-outs per game (75 seconds,
with warning after 60 seconds); add 1 ti-
me-out per extra period.
▼ Two 30-second time-outs per game (used
anytime).
▼ All time-outs are cumulative.
team can cancel an otherwise valid free backboard”). FIBA: 8 seconds. Count is not reset if ball is
throw. deflected out of bounds by defense or if pos-
▼ Ten seconds to attempt the free throw. TRAVELLING session is retained because of an alternating
NCAA Men: NBA/WNBA rule is more liberal than the cur- possession throw-in.
▼ A maximum of 6 players in rebound pla- rent NBA and FIBA rules when a player is NBA: 8 seconds. Count is reset if the defense
ces along the lane (4 opponents of shoo- coming to a stop. The NBA/WNBA rule is kicks or punches the ball, is assessed a tech-
ter; 2 teammates). identical to the pre-1994 FIBA rule that said nical foul, or is issued a delay of game warn-
▼ The rebound places closest to the basket once a player comes to a legal stop, there is ing; or if play is stopped due to a player bleed-
(one on each side) must be occupied by always a pivot foot. NBA and FIBA rules can ing. For purposes of this rule, the ball gains
opponents of the shooter. leave a player without a pivot foot. As well, if front court status on a pass when it crosses
▼ A teammate of the shooter may fill the a player lands with a staggered stop (i.e. one the plane of the centre line.
third rebound place from the basket if the foot, then the other, with one foot clearly in WNBA: 10 seconds; otherwise same as NBA.
non-shooting team chooses not to fill it. front of the other), the back foot is the pivot NBA Men: 10 seconds. Count ends (without
▼ Rebound places closest to the shooter foot in NBA/WNBA. In NBA/FIBA, the first penalty) if the ball becomes dead (e.g., if the
(i.e., 4th rebound places) may not be filled. foot to touch the floor is the pivot foot. defensive team deflects the ball out of
▼ Players in rebound places may leave on bounds).
release of the free throw; others must INJURED PLAYER NBA Women: No time limit (other than the
stand behind the free throw line extended FIBA, NBA: Referee stops play at an appro- shot clock).
and behind the 3-point line until the ball priate time to deal with injury (slightly different
strikes ring. times in FIBA and NBA). If an injured player is NUMBER OF ON-COURT OFFICIALS
▼ A violation by any member of the shooting entitled to free throws and must leave the FIBA: A 3-person system will be used for
team can cancel an otherwise valid free game, the substitute shall attempt the throws. World and Olympic Championships, and may
throw. NBA, WNBA: Team must call 20-second or be used for other championships; basically
▼ Ten seconds to attempt the free throw. full time-out to stop for injured player. If an the same mechanics as NCAA; 2-person sys-
NCAA Women: injured player is entitled to free throws and tem also acceptable for other levels of com-
▼ A maximum of 6 players in rebound pla- must leave the game, the opposing coach petition.
ces along the lane (4 opponents of shoo- selects the player to take the throws. NBA, WNBA: 3-person system, with different
ter; 2 teammates). mechanics from FIBA/NCAA.
▼ The two rebound places closest to the ba- CLOSELYGUARDED PLAYER / 5-SECOND VIOLATION NCAA: Either 2 or 3 officials.
sket (one on each side) are left open FIBA: Player holding the ball for 5 seconds;
(players fill the 2nd, 3rd and 4th rebound actively guarded within 1 m (3'); anywhere on 3-POINT SHOT (STATUS CHANGE)
places). the court. FIBA: Once a 3-point shot has been released,
▼ The first available rebound place on each NBA: No closely guarded rule, but illegal to if the ball is touched by any player in the 2-
side (i.e., 2nd rebound places) must be oc- dribble with dribbler’s back to the basket for 5 point area, the status of the shot changes to a
cupied by opponents of the shooter. consecutive seconds while between the end- 2-point shot. Note: If a shooter is fouled in the
▼ Rebound places, if left vacant, cannot be line and the free throw line extended. act of shooting for a 3-point goal and the shot
used by opponents. WNBA: No rule. is not successful, 3 free throws will be award-
▼ Players in rebound places may leave on NCAA: Front court only; holding or dribbling ed; the status of the shot does not change the
release of the free throw; others must the ball (not a combination of both) for 5 sec- status of the shooter.
stand behind the free throw line extended onds; "closely guarded" is within 2 m (6') for NBA, WNBA, NCAA: No rule.
and behind 3-point line until ball strikes men, within 1 m (3') for women.
ring. REBOUNDING OWN SHOT
▼ A violation by any member of the shooting BACKCOURTVIOLATION / FRONTCOURT & NBA, WNBA: Violation to be the first to touch
team can cancel an otherwise valid free BACKCOURT STATUS one’s own shot if it doesn’t touch the ring or
throw. FIBA: Once a player touches the frontcourt, backboard (i.e. an “air ball”)
▼ Ten seconds to attempt the free throw. that player has frontcourt status; the same FIBA, NCAA: Legal, provided the referees
applies to the backcourt. It is possible for a judge that it was a shot for a goal.
MINOR DIFFERENCES player to have dual status as that player pro-
PLAYER NUMBERS gresses from the backcourt to the frontcourt, ONLINE RESOURCES
FIBA: 4–15 in major FIBA competition; one- so once the player touches the frontcourt as FIBA Rule Book and Interpretations:
and two-digit numbers acceptable in exhibi- a ball holder/dribbler, the player must contin- http://www.fiba.com" www.fiba.com, click on
tion or domestic play. ue to proceed to the frontcourt. About FIBA > Free Downloads > Official
NBA, WNBA: any one- or two-digit number; NBA, WNBA, NBA: If a player is dribbling the Basketball Rules
not both 0 and 00 on same team. ball, the ball and both feet must be in the front- NBA Rule Book
NBA: 00, 0, 1 – 5, 10 – 15, 20 – 25, 30 – 35, 40 – court to gain/retain frontcourt status; other- www.nba.com/analysis/rules_index.html
45, 50 – 55; not both 0 and 00 on same team. wise the ball has backcourt status. If a player WNBA Rule Book
is holding the ball while straddling the centre http://www.wnba.com/analysis/wnba_rules_
BALLOVER BACKBOARD line, the player always has backcourt status. regulations.html"
FIBA: The ball is still in play if it passes over NCAA Rule Book
the backboard in either direction, provided it 8 (OR 10) SECOND VIOLATION www2.ncaa.org/media_and_events/ncaa_p
does not hit a basket support. Once a team gains control of the ball in the ublications/playing_rules/
NBA , WNBA, NBA: Ball is out-of-bounds if it backcourt, it has either 8 or 10 seconds (as NCAA Officiating Bulletins
passes over the backboard in either direction specified below) to proceed to the frontcourt http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/basket-
(NBA,/WNBA wording is “passes behind the (i.e. the ball gains frontcourt status). ball/officiating_bulletins