Rules and
Disciplines

Teams and Players

Each team consists of five players on the court at one time, with up to seven substitutes available on the bench. Substitutions may be made during any dead ball situation with the permission of the officiating crew. A player who has committed five personal fouls is disqualified from further participation in that game.

Scoring Values

A successful shot from inside the three point arc is worth two points. A shot from behind the arc is worth three points. Each successfully converted free throw is worth one point. The team with the higher score at the end of regulation time wins the game. In the event of a tie, play continues through overtime periods until a winner is determined.

The Shot Clock

The offensive team has a set number of seconds to attempt a shot that contacts the rim or scores. In professional and national level competition this is typically twenty four seconds. In some junior and recreational competitions a thirty second clock applies. A violation results in automatic loss of possession.

Advancing the Ball

Once a team has established possession in their back court, they have ten seconds to advance the ball across the half court line into the front court. Failure to do so results in a violation and change of possession. Once the ball has entered the front court, it cannot legally be returned to the back court by the team in possession.

Dribbling Rules

A player may only dribble with one hand at a time. Once a dribble has been completed by catching the ball with one or both hands, the player may not begin a new dribble. This is called double dribbling and results in a turnover. Carrying or palming the ball, in which the hand rotates under the ball mid dribble, is similarly a violation.

Three Second Rule

An offensive player may not remain in the lane, the area immediately beneath the basket bordered by the paint, for more than three consecutive seconds while their team is in possession. This rule prevents players from stationing themselves in advantageous positions close to the basket without actively engaging in the play.

Out of Bounds

The ball is out of bounds when it or the player in possession touches any line bounding the court or any object beyond those lines. The last player to touch the ball before it goes out is attributed the error, and possession is awarded to the opposing team from the sideline nearest the point where the ball exited.

Jump Ball

Games begin with a jump ball at centre court, where the referee tosses the ball upward between one player from each team. The possession arrow then alternates at subsequent jump ball situations throughout the game, eliminating the need for repeated jump ball procedures.