Basketball rules look long on paper, but the basics are simple: two teams play, and the team with more points at the end wins. This page explains the basketball rules of FIBA, shows how the NBA is different and covers 3x3 in a few lines. Everything is in plain words.
Short answer: A FIBA game has 4 quarters of 10 minutes, with 5 players per team on the court. A free throw counts 1 point, a shot inside the 3-point line 2 points and a shot from behind it 3 points. If the score is tied after the fourth quarter, the teams play 5-minute overtimes. The NBA plays 4 quarters of 12 minutes.
How long is a basketball game?
In FIBA a game has 4 quarters of 10 minutes. There is a 2-minute break between the first and second quarter and between the third and fourth, and a 15-minute half-time. If the teams are level after the fourth quarter, they play as many 5-minute overtimes as needed. The winner is the team with more points at the end.
The clock stops when a referee blows the whistle. Four quarters of 10 minutes are 40 minutes on the clock, and with the intervals (2, 15 and 2 minutes) the whole game lasts longer. The NBA plays 4 quarters of 12 minutes, with 5-minute overtimes and a 15-minute half-time.
How many players are on a basketball team?
Each team has 5 players on the court. In FIBA a team can have up to 12 team members who are entitled to play. In 3x3 it is 3 players on the court plus 1 substitute.
FIBA basketball rules in short
- Start: the first quarter begins with a jump ball in the centre circle.
- Scoring: 1 point for a free throw, 2 points for a shot from the 2-point area, 3 points for a shot from the 3-point area.
- 24 seconds: a team must shoot within 24 seconds. In some situations the shot clock resets to 14 seconds.
- 8 seconds: a team must bring the ball into its frontcourt within 8 seconds.
- 3 seconds: an attacker may not stay more than 3 seconds in a row in the opponents' restricted area (the key) while his team controls the ball in the frontcourt.
- 5 seconds: if you are holding the ball and an opponent guards you closely (no more than 1 m away), you must pass, shoot or dribble within 5 seconds.
- Travelling: after you catch the ball while moving, you may take two steps to stop, pass or shoot.
- Double dribble: once your dribble has ended, you may not dribble a second time.
Fouls and free throws
- Player fouls: a player with 5 fouls leaves the game.
- Team fouls: after 4 team fouls in a quarter, every further personal foul by that team on a player who is not shooting gives the other team 2 free throws (unless the team that has the ball commits the foul: then the opponents get the ball and no free throws).
- Fouled while shooting: if the shot goes in, it counts and you get 1 free throw. After a missed 2-point shot you get 2 free throws, and after a missed 3-point shot you get 3.
NBA vs FIBA rules: the main differences
| Rule | FIBA | NBA |
|---|---|---|
| Length of a quarter | 10 minutes | 12 minutes |
| Fouls before a player is out | 5 | 6 |
| 3-point line | 6.75 m | 7.24 m (6.71 m in the corners) |
| Court | 28 x 15 m | 28.65 x 15.24 m |
| Rim height | 3.05 m | 3.05 m |
| Shot clock | 24 seconds | 24 seconds |
Both games also have 5-minute overtimes, a 15-minute half-time and 4 team fouls per quarter before the penalty. See all the lines in our article on basketball court dimensions.
3x3 basketball rules in short
- Teams: 3 players on the court and 1 substitute.
- Court: one basket on a court of 15 x 11 m. Half of a traditional court may be used.
- Time: one period of 10 minutes. The first team to score 21 points or more wins if that happens before time runs out.
- Overtime: if it is tied after 10 minutes, the first team to score 2 points wins.
- Scoring: 1 point for a shot from inside the arc, 2 points from behind it, 1 point for a free throw.
- Shot clock: 12 seconds.
- Start: a coin flip decides who gets the first possession, and play starts with a check-ball behind the arc.
- Time-outs: each team has 1 time-out of 30 seconds.
FAQ
How many quarters are there in basketball?
Four. In FIBA each quarter is 10 minutes, in the NBA 12 minutes.
How many fouls before a player is out?
5 fouls in FIBA and 6 personal fouls in the NBA.
What is the 24-second rule?
The team with the ball must shoot within 24 seconds. In some situations the shot clock resets to 14 seconds.
What happens if the game is tied?
The teams play 5-minute overtimes until one team is ahead. In 3x3 the first team to score 2 points in overtime wins.
What is travelling?
Taking too many steps with the ball. After you catch the ball while moving, you may take two steps to stop, pass or shoot.
How many points is a free throw?
1 point, in FIBA, the NBA and 3x3.
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Sources
- FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (valid from 1 October 2026)
- FIBA 3x3 Official Basketball Rules (valid from 1 January 2026)
- FIBA 3x3 Official Rules, short version (August 2019; half court)
- NBA Official Playing Rules (2025-26)
The figures follow the rules valid in 2026 (FIBA: from 1 October 2026; FIBA 3x3: from 1 January 2026; NBA: 2025-26 rule book).