Basketball Rules
for Beginners
Officials Education and Development Officer
References:
FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2017
Referee’s Manual for Two-Person Officiating
Basketball Rules for Beginners 2010
By
Prepare for your exams
Study with the several resources on Docsity
Earn points to download
Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan
Guidelines and tips
Prepare for your exams
Study with the several resources on Docsity
Earn points to download
Earn points by helping other students or get them with a premium plan
This booklet is an introduction to the rules of basketball. ... referee purchase the Official FIBA Rule Book and have a complete understanding of the rules.
Typology: Study notes
2021/2022
1 / 25
This page cannot be seen from the preview
Don't miss anything!
Related documents
Partial preview of the text
Download Basketball Rules for Beginners and more Study notes Sport Studies in PDF only on Docsity!
Basketball Rules
for Beginners
Officials Education and Development Officer
References:
FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2017
Referee’s Manual for Two-Person Officiating
Basketball Rules for Beginners 2010
By
In the last 2 min of the game if a time-out is awarded to a team in their backcourt the ball is inbounded from the throw in line opposite the scorer’s table in the team’s frontcourt
Charged Time-Outs
May vary in domestic competitions. Each team is entitled to 2 time - outs in the first half of the game, 3 time-outs in the s econd half (with a ma ximum of 2 time-outs in the last 2 minutes of the second half) and 1 time - out in each period of extra time. The length of a time-out is one (1) minute. The scorekeeper (or chairman) shall sound his/her signal after 50 seconds has elapsed. Time- outs are granted after any whistle to stop the play or if an opponent scores a goal or after the last free throw if the ball becomes dead.
Substitutions
Requests are made when a substitute (not the coach) goes to the scoretable and asks for a substitution. The substitute should be dressed ready to play. Substitutions are permitted by either team when the whistle is blown to stop the game or after the last free throw when the ball becomes dead. After a basket is scored in the last 2 minutes of the last period (or any extra period) only non-scoring team may initiate a substitution. The other team may then substitute. A fouled out or disqualified player must be substituted within 30 seconds. If the game is delayed (approx 15 seconds) to attend to an injured player or the player is treated or bleeding, the player must be substituted. (unless there are not enough players to take the court) The free throw shooter may be substituted if the last free throw is successful or the ball becomes dead after the last free throw. The other team is then also entitled to substitution. Substitutions are not permitted once the ball becomes live (at disposal of player on free throw line or out of bounds).
Start of the Game and Jump Ball Situations
The game commences with a jump ball at the centre circle. This is the only jump ball in the game. During a Jump Ball• the jumpers occupy their half of the circle with one foot close to the line.
- the non-jumpers are entitled to alternating positions around the circle or any other position on the court. The jumpers shall not
- tap the ball until the ball has reached its highest point.
- touch the court on or over the line until the ball has been legally tapped.
- tap the ball more than twice.
- leave the jump circle until the ball has been legally tapped.
- catch the ball until it has touched a non-jumper, the floor or the referee The non-jumpers shall not enter the circle until the ball has been legally tapped. Any violations of the above shall be called immediately and the ball awarded to the non-offending team at the nearest point out of bounds. If the ball is not tossed straight, the ball touches the floor without being tapped or both teams violate the jump ball, the jump ball shall be retaken.
Free Throws
The shooter [A3]
- takes a position behind the free throw line and in the semi circle and does not fake the free throw
- shoots the ball within 5 seconds
- ensures that the ball hits the ring or enters the basket
- does not touch the free throw line or restricted area until the ball hits the ring Players in the rebound positions
- maximum 3 defensive [B1, B2 or B3] and 2 offensive players [A1and A2] may occupy the rebound positions as shown.
- Players may only occupy position they are entitled to
- May not enter the restricted area until the ball has left the shooter’s hands Other Players
- May occupy any other position on the court above the free throw line extended, outside the 3 point line and remain there until the ball hits the ring. Opponents may not distract the shooter by waiving their hands or making noises If there is no rebound after the last free throw, there is no line up along the free throw lines. Free throw Violations During the last or only free throw o If missed: ▪ Violation by the shooter or team-mate- opponent’s ball out of bounds free throw line extended ▪ Violation by opponent of free throw shooter- another free throw is awarded ▪ Violation by both teams- jump ball situation o If successful: ▪ Violation by the shooter – cancel the basket – opponent’s ball out of bounds free throw line extended ▪ Violation by team-mate or opposition – one point awarded and ignore the violation During a free throw to be followed by another free throw or further penalty o If successful ▪ Violation by the shooter – cancel the basket and complete free throws ▪ Violation by team-mate or opposition – award one point and ignore the violation
DEFINITIONS
Fumble
When a player accidently loses control of the ball. The player can legally recover the ball.
Pivot
The movement of one foot while the other (pivot) foot remains at its point of contact with the floor
VIOLATIONS
Violations are infractions of the rules. The penalty is the opponents receive the ball for a throw-in from the nearest point out of bounds, except directly behind the backboard, unless otherwise stated.
Out of Bounds
Includes the sidelines and endlines, the floor and objects outside of these lines. The boundary lines are out of court. This includes structures, supports, the back of the backboard, lights and overhangs. It does NOT include the edges ( sides, top and bottom ) of the backboard. The ball is out of bounds if it touches any of the above, or someone who is standing out of bounds. The ball is caused to go out of bounds by the last player to touch the ball before it goes out, or by a player who is already out of bounds.
Illegal Dribble
A dribble starts when a player, having gained control of a live ball bounces, throws, taps or rolls the ball and touches it again before it touches another player. During a dribble, the ball must contact the floor, between touches. The dribble ends when the player touches the ball with both hands at the same time or the ball comes to rest in 1 or both hands. The following are not considered dribbles:
- The player fumbles the ball at the beginning or end of a dribble
- Successive shots for goal ( regardless of whether the ball hits the ring/backboard or not)
- Attempts to gain control of the ball by tapping the ball away from another player A player may not make a second dribble after completing a dribble. A player may dribble again after a shot is attempted, the ball is batted away by an opponent, a pass or fumble is touched by another player.
Carried Ball
A player may not allow the ball to come to rest in the hand during a dribble.
Traveling
Establishing a Pivot Foot: When a player receives the ball, he/she is entitled to stop, move, shoot or pass under the following conditions:
- Player catches the ball with both feet on the floor ( i s s t a t i o n a r y ) - may use either foot as the pivot foot. Once one foot is lifted, the other foot becomes the pivot foot.
- Player catches the ball while moving or dribbling may stop as follows: o If one foot is touching the floor: this foot becomes the zero or gather step o If both feet are off the floor: and the player lands on both feet simultaneously, the moment one foot is lifted, the other become the pivot foot o If both feet are off the floor and the player lands on one foot, then that foot becomes the zero or gather step and the second foot to land is the pivot foot In the 2017 FIBA rule changes there was a significant change to travel rule surrounding a player in motion receiving the ball, beginning a dribble, shooting or passing the ball. Progressing with the ball (after establishing a pivot foot) for a stationary player
- After coming to a legal stop the player with a pivot foot o Must release the ball before lifting the pivot foot to start a dribble o May lift the pivot foot or jump to shoot or pass. The ball must be released before the pivot foot returns to the floor
- After coming to a legal stop the player without a pivot foot (has caught the ball in the air and landed on two feet) o Must release the ball before lifting either foot when commencing a dribble o May lift one of both feet to shoot or pass. The ball must be released before either foot returns to the floor Progressing with the ball for a player in motion (not stationary)
- To legally begin a dribble o A player in motion is allowed a gather or ‘zero’ step at the beginning or the end of a dribble o The foot that is on the ground when the player catches the ball or the first to land is the ’zero’ step o A player in motion must release the ball from his/her hands prior to the 2 step landing on the floor. ▪ Example: Blue 5 who is running up the court catches the ball with his left foot on the floor, he steps with his right foot and releases the ball to begin his dribble before his left foot hits the floor again. This is legal
- To legally end a dribble o A player in motion is allowed a gather or ‘zero’ step at the beginning or the end of a dribble. o The foot that is on the ground when the player catches the ball or the first to land is the ’zero’ step o A player in motion must release the ball from his/her hands prior to the 1 step (pivot foot) landing on the floor again after the 2 step. o Example: Blue 5 who is dribbling the ball towards the basket picks the ball up with his right foot on the floor, he steps with his left foot and then his right foot again prior to releasing the ball for the layup or a pass. This is legal o Note: If blue 5 comes to a stop at the end of his dribble, it is the foot that landed second (the 1 step) becomes the pivot foot. The following are not travels:
- A player falling to the floor
- A player sliding along the floor, provided it is sliding due to natural momentum. A player cannot roll on the floor or stand up from the position on the floor while holding the ball. From this position a player must begin a dribble, pass or shoot the ball to avoid a violation.
Five Second Rule (Closely guarded player)
A player holding the ball and is closely guarded by an opponent must pass, shoot or dribble the ball within five (5) seconds. To be closely guarded, the opponent must be within one (1) metre and actively guarding the player.
Eight Second Rule
A team in control of a live ball in its backcourt must cause the ball to go into the frontcourt within eight (8) seconds. If the same team retains possession in the backcourt as a result of the ball going out of bounds, a jumpball situation, the game stopped due to an injury to a player of the team in control, a double foul or foul penalties that cancel, then the eight (8) second count will continue with the remaining time only. The ball is in the frontcourt when it touches the frontcourt and/or a player with both feet in the frontcourt.
Shot Clock Rule
If the twenty four (24) second device is in use, the team in control of the ball on the court must shoot for goal within 24 seconds. The sounding of the 24 second signal when the ball is in flight on a shot shall be ignored if the ball hits the ring or enters the basket or the opposing team gains immediate control of the ball. It is a violation if, after a shot is attempted, the ball misses the ring and the offensive team regain control of the ball. The 24 second clock starts when a team gains control of the ball on the court and stops when team control ends (except on a shot for goal). After a shot the 24 second clock resets to 24 seconds if the defensive team gains control. If the offensive team gains control after an attempted shot, the shot clock resets to 14 seconds. From out of bounds the 24 second clock is reset unless the same team retains possession as a result of the ball going out of bounds, a jumpball situation, a stoppage caused by the team in control of the ball, a double foul or foul penalties that cancel, If the 24 second signal sounds in error, the 24 second signal shall be ignored. If the game is stopped by this error then the 24 second clock shall be corrected and the team in control of the ball, shall be awarded the ball. If neither team had control of the ball, a jumpball situation occurs.
FOULS
Personal Foul
Illegal contact on an opponent whether the ball is live or dead. A player shall not hold, block, push, charge, trip or impede the progress of an opponent by extending his hand, arm, elbow, shoulder, hip, leg, knee or foot not by bending his body into an ‘abnormal’ position (outside his cylinder), nor shall he indulge in and rough or violent play.
Unsportsmanlike Foul
A personal foul that is not a legitimate attempt to play the ball or causes excessive contact on an opponent with or without the ball. Below are the five criteria of the Unsportsmanlike Foul:
- (C1) Not a legitimate attempt to directly play the ball within the spirit and intent of the rules.
- (C2) Excessive, hard contact caused by a player in an effort to play the ball or an opponent
- (C3) An unnecessary contact caused by the defensive player in order to stop the progress of the offensive team in transition.
- (C4) Contact by the defensive player from behind or laterally on an opponent in an attempt to stop the fast break and there is no defensive player between the offensive player and the opponent’s basket. This applies until the offensive player begins his act of shooting.
- (C5) Contact by the defensive player on an opponent on the playing court during the last 2 minutes in the fourth period and in each extra period, when the ball is out-of bounds for a throw-in and still in the hands of the official or at the disposal of the player taking the throw-in. Penalty: if the foul is committed on a player not in the act of shooting = 2 free throws. For a player in the act of shooting they are awarded 2 free throws for a field goal attempt or 3 free throws for a 3 point attempt. For a player in the act of shooting, if they made the basket, the score counts and they are awarded 1 further free throw. The free throws are followed by a throw in at the center line extended opposite the scorer’s table.
Disqualifying Foul
Any flagrant unsportsmanlike action by a player or team bench personnel
- A player shall be disqualified for the remainder of the game when: o he is charged with 2 unsportsmanlike o he is charged with 2 technical fouls o he is charged with 1 technical foul and 1 unsportsmanlike foul
- A coach shall be disqualified for the remainder of the game when: o He is charged with 2 technical fouls as a result of his personal unsportsmanlike behavior o He is charged with 3 technical fouls, either all of them as a result of unsportsmanlike behavior of his bench personnel or one of them as a result of his personal unsportsmanlike behavior
Technical foul
A technical fouls is a non-contact foul of a behavioral nature including, but not limited to: disrespectfully communicating with the officials, using language or gestures likely to offence or incite spectators, delay of game, hanging on the ring or goaltending (defensive) during free throws. Penalty: the opponents are awarded 1 free throw followed by a throw-in at the center line extended opposite the scorer’s table. Technical fouls on players DO count as team fouls. Technical fouls against a coach or any of his team personnel DO NOT count as team fouls
Cylinder Principle and Principle of Verticality Each player has the right to a position on the floor and the space (cylinder) above him/her. A player may not leave his/her vertical position (cylinder) and cause contact with an opponent in a legal position. The cylinder is limited by the palms of the hands to the front, the back of the buttocks to the back and the outside edges of the arms and legs to the sides of a player in normal basketball stance. The hands and arms may be extended in front of the torso no further than the position of the feet. The distance between the feet is proportional to the height of the player Legal Guarding Position A player gains an initial legal guarding position on the court by being first to the position, facing the opponent, with both feet on the floor (in a normal stance) without causing contact. A player may maintain this position by moving backwards or laterally as the opponent moves. An opponent with the ball may be guarded as close as possible without causing contact. An opponent without the ball must be allowed sufficient space to stop or change direction. The maximum distance for a fast moving player is two normal paces. Foul Penalties After 4 team fouls in a period, any additional fouls shall be penalized by 2 free throws unless a greater penalty is involved. No free throws are administered for team control fouls (any foul committed by a team in control of the ball) A foul on a player in the act of shooting, the shot shall count if successful plus 1 free throw. If the shot is missed 2 or 3 free throws are awarded depending on where the shooters feet were last on the floor A foul on a player not in the act of shooting the ball is awarded to the player or team mate at the nearest point out of bounds. Players with 5 fouls must leave the court immediately. The substitution must be made within 30 second or a time-out may be charged. A defensive player may turn within his/her cylinder to avoid injury.
MECHANICS OF REFEREEING
Court Coverage
Out of Bounds and throw-in situations During the game, one referee is responsible for sideline 1 and endline 1. The other referee is responsible for sideline 2 and endline 2. The diagram (above) shows responsibility of each sideline given the direction of the ball. Primary responsibility for the out-of-bounds decisions are as follows: Lead official: endline and sideline to his left Trail official: center line and sideline to his left. An out-of-bounds call should only be by the referee responsible for that line. One referee may ask the other for help if they are unsure of who the ball touched before it went out. Switching Referees switch their positions on court when the ‘lead’ referee makes a foul call, but not when the ‘trail’ referee does. Exception: when the ‘lead’ referee makes a team control foul call, he then returns to administer the throw-in Lead official Lead official Trail official Trail official Lead official Lead official Trail official Trail official
Please remember there is no magic place on the floor, referees are reminded to use this as a guide and ‘Go where you need to go in order to see what you need to see.’ In the follow diagrams note the position of the referees in relation to the players the ball and each other. Remember to ‘box-in’ all the players between the officials’ field of vision.
In transition and trapping situations it is very important to box the players in.
SIGNALS
GAME CLOCK SIGNALS
STOP THE CLOCK STOP THE CLOCK START THE CLOCK
FOR FOUL
COMMUNICATION SHOT CLOCK RESET DIRECTION OF PLAY JUMP BALL
BETWEEN OFFICIALS AND/OR OUT OF BOUNDS SITUATION
VIOLATIONS
TRAVELLING ILLEGAL DRIBBLE ILLEGAL DRIBBLE-CARRYING THE BALL
3 SECONDS 5 SECONDS 8 SECONDS
24 SECONDS BALL RETURNED TO BACKCOURT DELIBERATE FOOT
Foul on a player in the act of shooting Not in the act of shooting