Jump to: Rules & Standards || Equipment & Court Specifications || Game Structure || Game Tactics || Highlighted Game Play Rules || Full Recommendation by Age Segment
ABOUT
Basketball is a great game that is played by millions of young people in the United States and around the world. Playing basketball fosters the development of peer relationships, self-esteem, leadership qualities, and physical health.
To date, however, the sport of basketball has lacked guidelines around health and wellness and consistent game play standards. To help foster player health, age- and stage-appropriate skill development, and a positive and enjoyable on-court experience for young people, the NBA and USA Basketball have developed a set of rules and standards to enhance the playing experience for young athletes.
These guidelines aim to combat the overemphasis on early competitive success and the lack of a clear development pathway through the sport – two issues that exist across youth sports, including basketball.
The NBA and USA Basketball are committed to helping shape a youth basketball environment that prioritizes the health and well-being of young athletes and promotes their enjoyment and development in the game.
RULES & STANDARDS
Basketball is played in countless settings and locations across the U.S. – and though the game remains fundamentally the same, there are many variables that can impact a young player’s experience. USA Basketball and the NBA want all players to enjoy the game and have a fun, developmentally appropriate experience.
Parents and coaches frequently ask certain questions, especially when their kids are young:
How high should we set the basket?
What size ball should we use?
Should we play zone defense?
These are important questions, and we understand that playing with the correct equipment and establishing age-appropriate rules significantly impacts the experience for youth as they learn the game. Therefore, the NBA and USA Basketball have established detailed guidelines to help young players develop at a natural pace that is suitable to their age and physiological abilities.
Rules and Standards Elements
USA Basketball and the NBA have worked closely with an expert working group on Playing Standards to develop age- and stage-appropriate rules and standards for youth basketball. Aligning with the Player Segmentation Model, these guidelines will help young players appropriately learn the fundamentals of the game, achieve and maintain early success, and provide enhanced long-term development.
The rules and standards address four key areas:
Equipment & Court Specifications(e.g., proper height of the basket, size of the ball, and court dimensions and lines).
Game Structure(e.g., length of the game, scoring and timeouts).
Game Tactics(e. g., equal playing time, player-to-player vs. zone defense, pressing vs. no pressing).
Game Play Rules(e.g., use of a shot clock, substitutions, clock stoppage).
Rules and Standards Charts
See below for detailed rules and standards information. Please keep in mind:
The playing rules and standards below are to serve as guidelines and recommendations for those administering basketball competitions.
USA Basketball and the NBA have adopted FIBA (International Basketball Federation) rules for the grades 9-12 age- segment and created progressive sets of rules and standards for younger age segments (ages 14 and under). Where a specific rule or standard is not explicitly indicated, the recommendation is to follow official FIBA rules.
USA Basketball and the NBA will utilize these playing rules and standards in all events and competitions they may host.
*We understand that organizations and facilities may not always be able to accommodate all recommendations and that modifications will need to be made in certain instances due to practical limitations (e. g., inability to raise or lower the height of a basket, re-draw court lines, or not having a shot clock).
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EQUIPMENT AND COURT SPECIFICATIONS
Playing Segment
Size of Ball
Height of Basket
Size of Court
Distance of 3-Point Arc
Distance of Free-Throw Line
Ages 7-8
Boys and Girls size 5 (27.5”)
8’
50’x42’
Not applicable
14’
Ages 9-11
Boys and Girls size 6 (28. 5”)
9’
74’x50’
Not applicable
14’
Ages 12-14
Girls size 6 (28.5”) Boys size 7 (29.5”)
10’
84’x50’ or 94’x50’
19’9”
15’
Grades 9-12
Girls size 6 (28.5”) Boys size 7 (29. 5”)
10’
94’x50’
22’2” or the next available line under 22’2”
15’
Note: 3-on-3 half-court play is also recommended for young players to foster enhanced participation and development.
RATIONALE
Distance of 3-Point Arc: For 7-8 and 9-11 year-olds, although the 3-point arc may exist on the floor, all baskets made beyond this arc only count as two points. Therefore, the distance of the line is not applicable for these age segments. Eliminating the 3-point basket at these age segments will encourage players to shoot from within a developmentally-appropriate range. For 9th-12th graders, a 22’2” arc is preferred, but if this line is not on a court the next available line under 22’2” is recommended.
Distance of Free-Throw Line: 7-8 and 9-11 year-olds should take free throws 14 feet from the basket to develop proper form and increase success.
Height of Basket: Utilizing a lower basket height for 7-8 and 9-11 year-olds allows children to develop proper shooting form and increases the opportunity for shooting success.
Scoring: All field goals for 7-8 and 9-11 year-olds are worth two points to encourage children to shoot within a developmentally-appropriate range. This allows for proper mechanics and form. While these age segments may attempt a shot behind the 3-point arc, any field goal made behind the arc will only count as two points.
Size of Ball: A smaller basketball for the younger age segments is advised due to the size of a child’s hand as well as their developing skill level. A smaller ball allows for better control and success.
Size of Court: For 7-8 year-olds, a 50’x 42’ court is contemplated to be a cross-court game on a full-sized basketball court. This dimension is more appropriate for younger children based on their relative size in space.
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GAME STRUCTURE
Playing Segment
Game Length
Time Between Periods
Extra Period(s)
Scoring
Timeouts
Start of Game Possession
Ages 7-8
Four 8-minute periods
1 minute
2 minutes
Free throw: 1 point
All field goals: 2 points
No 3-point field goals
Two 60-second timeouts permitted in the first half of play. Two 60-second timeouts permitted in the second half of play
One 60-second timeout granted for each extra period
Unused timeouts may not carry over to the next half or into extra periods
Coin flip. Team awarded possession starts with throw-in at half court
Ages 9-11
Four 8-minute periods
1 minute
2 minutes
Free throw: 1 point
All field goals: 2 points
No 3-point field goals
Two 60-second timeouts permitted in the first half of play. Two 60-second timeouts permitted in the second half of play
One 60-second timeout granted for each extra period
Unused timeouts may not carry over to the next half or into extra periods
Coin flip. Team awarded possession starts with throw-in at half court
Ages 12-14
Four 8-minute periods
1 minute
4 minutes
Free throw: 1 point
All field goals: 2 points
Field goal outside of 3-point arc: 3 points
Two 60-second timeouts permitted in the first half of play. Three 60-second timeouts permitted in the second half of play
Maximum of 2 timeouts permitted in the final 2 minutes of the fourth period
One 60-second timeout granted for each extra period
Unused timeouts may not carry over to the next half or into extra periods
Jump ball
Grades 9-12
Four 10-minute periods
2 minutes
5 minutes
Free throw: 1 point
All field goals: 2 points
Field goal outside of 3-point arc: 3 points
Two 60-second timeouts permitted in the first half of play. Three 60-second timeouts permitted in the second half of play
Maximum of 2 timeouts permitted in the final 2 minutes of the fourth period
One 60-second timeout granted for each extra period
Unused timeouts may not carry over to the next half or into extra periods
Jump ball
RATIONALE
Start of Game Possession: For 7-8 and 9-11 year-olds, a coin flip will determine the team that will start with the ball to mitigate significant differences in height and coordination among children. Alternating possession rules will then ensue throughout the game.
Timeouts: Managing the way timeouts are called allows for better game flow and decision-making by the player(s).
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GAME TACTICS
Playing Segment
Playing Time
Set Defense
Pressing Defense
Double-Team/Crowding
Stealing from the Dribbler
Ages 7-8
Equal playing time
Only player-to-player defense throughout the competition
Pressing is not allowed throughout the competition
Double-team/crowding is not allowed throughout the competition
Stealing from a dribbler is not allowed throughout the competition
Ages 9-11
Equal playing time in periods 1-3. Coaches discretion in the fourth period and each extra period
Only player-to-player defense throughout the competition
Player-to-player defense may be extended full court in the fourth period and each extra period
Leading team may not extend the defense over half court when leading by 25 points or more
Double-team/crowding is not allowed throughout the competition
Coaches discretion throughout the competition
Ages 12-14
Coaches discretion throughout the competition
All allowed throughout the competition at coaches discretion
Pressing allowed throughout the competition
Leading team may not press when leading by 25 points or more
Allowed throughout the competition at coaches discretion
Coaches discretion throughout the competition
Grades 9-12
Coaches discretion throughout the competition
All allowed throughout the competition at coaches discretion
Pressing allowed throughout the competition
Allowed throughout the competition at coaches discretion
Coaches discretion throughout the competition
Definitions:
Player-to-Player Defense –
Each player is responsible for guarding and moving with one offensive player. This requires the defensive player to move according to the offensive player’s movements with or without the ball.
The defensive player must stay on the same side of the court as the offensive player, divided by the rim line.
If an offensive player with the ball advances past their defensive player, another defender may rotate to guard that offensive player.
Pressing Defense – Defensive guarding, either on or off the ball, within the backcourt.
Double-Team/Crowding – Two or more defensive players guarding a single offensive player
RATIONALE
Double-Team/Crowding: Crowding the ball with multiple players (referred to as “double-teaming”) is not allowed for 7-8 or 9-11 year-olds due to skill and size discrepancies among children at these ages. Crowding is allowed for 12-14 year-olds and older to remain consistent with pressing defense standards.
Playing Time: To ensure that all young children participating in the sport have an opportunity to experience the game, equal and fair playing time is recommended for 7-8 year-olds. For 9-11 year-olds, equal playing time is recommended for periods 1-3, while allowing coaches discretion in the fourth and extra periods. Equal and fair playing time is encouraged throughout all segments.
Pressing Defense: Pressing defense is prohibited for 7-8 year-olds to help children develop principles of movement with and without the ball in a half-court setting. For 9-11 year-olds, permitting player-to-player defense to extend full-court in the fourth and extra periods allows players to become accustomed to full-court defense while not having to understand sophisticated zone presses. It also allows for an introduction to competitive tactics.
Set Defense: The player-to-player requirement for 7-8 and 9-11 year-olds encourages physical activity and movement, and promotes the development of individual skill related to guarding a player both on and off the ball.
Stealing from the Dribbler: At ages 7-8, players are not allowed to steal the ball from an active dribbler. This allows ball-handlers to develop dribbling skills and confidence with the basketball.
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HIGHLIGHTED GAME PLAY RULES
Playing Segment
Backcourt Timeline
Shot Clock
5 Seconds Closely Guarded
Clock Stoppage
Ages 7-8
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
On any dead ball
Ages 9-11
10 seconds
Not applicable
Only when the offensive player is holding the basketball
On any dead ball
Ages 12-14
10 seconds
30 seconds
Full 30 second reset on offensive and defensive rebounds
Full 30 second reset on any foul
Only when the offensive player is holding the basketball
On any dead ball
After a made field goal in the last 2 minutes of the fourth period and in each extra period
Grades 9-12
8 seconds
24 seconds
14 second reset for offensive rebound
Full 24 second reset for fouls committed in the backcourt
If a foul is committed in the frontcourt and the shot clock is above 14 seconds, there will be no reset and the clock will continue from the time it was stopped
If a foul is committed in the frontcourt and the shot clock is under 14 seconds, it shall be reset to 14 seconds
Only when the offensive player is holding the basketball
On any dead ball
After a made field goal in the last 2 minutes of the fourth period and in each extra period
RATIONALE
Backcourt Timeline: Not having a timeline violation for 7-8 year-olds allows coaches to communicate to players before they reach half court. This assists coaches in teaching children, particularly for those first learning the game. The progression to 10 seconds for 9-11 and 12-14 year-olds, and later to eight seconds for Grades 9-12, allows the game to flow while developing skills such as ball-handling, passing and decision-making.
Clock Stoppage: Stopping the clock following a made basket within the last two minutes of the fourth period and any extra periods for 12-14 year-olds and 9th-12th graders allows for additional strategic decision-making. Fewer clock stoppages for 7-8 and 9-11 year-olds allows for a better game flow.
Shot Clock: The 30-second shot clock for 12-14 year-olds, along with the 24-second shot clock for 9th-12th graders, allows for more possessions for each team, better game flow and places decision-making elements in the hands of players.
HIGHLIGHTED GAME PLAY RULES CONTINUED
Playing Segment
Length of Time for a Free Throw
Number of Players Permitted on Free-Throw Lane
Substitutions
Advancement of Ball after a Timeout
Ages 7-8
10 seconds
Offense may have 3 players on the lane, including the shooter
Defense may have 3 players on the lane
Either team may substitute when the clock is stopped
Not applicable
Ages 9-11
10 seconds
Offense may have 3 players on the lane, including the shooter
Defense may have 3 players on the lane
Either team may substitute when the clock is stopped
Not applicable
Ages 12-14
8 seconds
Offense may have 3 players on the lane, including the shooter
Defense may have 3 players on the lane
Either team may substitute on any dead ball
Either team may substitute before the first free throw attempt or after the last free throw if made
A non-scoring team may substitute after any field goal scored in the last 2 minutes of the fourth period and each extra period. If the non-scoring team substitutes, the scoring team may also substitute
In the last 2 minutes of the fourth period and each extra period following a timeout, the ball will be inbounded from the offensive team’s frontcourt opposite the scorer’s table
Grades 9-12
5 seconds
Offense may have 3 players on the lane, including the shooter
Defense may have 3 players on the lane
Either team may substitute on any dead ball
Either team may substitute before the first free throw attempt or after the last free throw if made
A non-scoring team may substitute after any field goal scored in the last 2 minutes of the fourth period and each extra period. If the non-scoring team substitutes, the scoring team may also substitute
In the last 2 minutes of the fourth period and each extra period following a timeout, the ball will be inbounded from the offensive team’s frontcourt opposite the scorer’s table
RATIONALE
Advancement of the Ball after a Timeout: For 7-8 year olds,the focus is on development over strategy. Therefore, there is no pressing defense at this level, and the ball will not automatically advance after a timeout. Similarly, the ball does not advance after a timeout for 9-11 year olds because the focus remains on development over strategy.
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To see the full recommendations by age segment, see the links below.
Ages 7-8 (PDF document)
Ages 9-11 (PDF document)
Ages 12-14 (PDF document)
Grades 9-12 (PDF document)
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How Long is a Basketball Game? (NBA, NCAA, High School and AAU)
How long is a basketball game, exactly?
What makes basketball attractive among its fanbase is the frenetic action taking place relatively short time. Well, the length of a basketball game differs depending on the level of competition. High school, college, international, WNBA, and NBA basketball games vary in length, and many factors affect their runtime.
This article explains the length of a basketball game as well as a few factors that influence how long a basketball game lasts.
Basketball Game Lengths
The length of a basketball game depends upon a few things. These are the gender of the players, their age group, and competition levels. Regardless of how long a basketball game lasts based on these factors, one team always comes out as a winner. This is not the case in other sports like soccer, where a game may end up in a draw.
The following is a rundown of the various game lengths across multiple basketball leagues and competition levels:
NBA (National Basketball Association)
The NBA has gone on to become the premier professional basketball league in the world. Most pro leagues more or less have similar rules and gameplay lengths. Therefore, the NBA is an excellent benchmark for determining how long professional basketball games last.
An NBA game consists of four 12-minute quarters and a 15-minute break at halftime. But the game story does not end there. In-game stoppages due to timeouts, fouls, challenges, and call reviews drag the game more than the 48-minute regulation time.
As a result, a typical NBA game lasts about two hours and 13 minutes during the regular season. Games may take longer in the playoffs and may reach three hours.
See NBA Players By The Numbers: Wingspans, Verticals, Hand Sizes.
WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association)
A WNBA game has two 20-minute halves and a 15-minute break in between. Much like any basketball game, it ends up way longer than regulation time because of dead-ball situations, timeouts, and other circumstances. All of these extend the time of WNBA games which typically last 2 hours to 2 and 1/2 hours.
You might like The Amazing ABA Legacy: Basketball With Style.
FIBA/Olympics
International basketball competitions have a 40-minute regulation time divided into four 10-minute quarters. The halftime break is 15 minutes. Unlike the pro leagues, there are no mandatory TV timeouts in FIBA-sanctioned competitions.
The rules only give one timeout a quarter per team and two in the fourth quarter. These are the reasons why international competitions last a maximum of two hours and sometimes even less.
See Basketball Terms and Definitions.
NCAA
Men’s NCAA features 40 minutes of regulation time, divided into two 20-minute halves. Between the 15-minute halftime break, three timeouts per team, and deadball situations, NCAA games typically last two hours and 10 minutes. Women’s NCAA games last just as long.
3X3 Basketball
Another popular type of basketball game is 3v3 basketball. It has a much faster pace, with games generally constructed around a single 10-minute period. All the previously mentioned factors, such as injuries, stoppages, and the like, will cause the clock to stop.
However, in 3-on-3 basketball, the scoring is different: whoever scores 21 points first, regardless of time, wins the match. Another significant difference is the shot clock. Standard basketball games follow a 24-second shot clock (30 seconds in college ball), but 3-on-3 is only 12 seconds.
See The Doctor is in: Julius Erving.
Big 3
The BIG 3 is technically a 3-on-3 competition, but many rules have been tweaked. They have a four-point shot, which is fun and revolutionary. A game does not have a game clock but is completely reliant on scoring. The first team that reaches 50 points wins the match, while the halftime break ensues when one of the teams reaches 30.
Considering all the unique rules the league implements, a BIG 3 game often lasts more or less an hour. In their fourth season, this championship game between Trilogy and Three-Headed Monsters lasted 57 minutes and 47 seconds.
High School
How long is a basketball game at the high school level? Well, a high school game lasts between an hour and 15 minutes and an hour and 30 minutes. That’s because they play fewer regulation minutes at eight minutes per quarter.
AAU Basketball
The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) plays 16-minute halves with three-minute overtime games. Halftime is only three minutes and a five-minute warmup before games.
Common Factors That Affect Basketball Game Length
Here are some common factors that can affect the length of basketball games.
Overtime
Overtime, or simply OT, is when two teams end up tied after regulation time. Across competition levels, overtime is five minutes long. However, the game may stretch even longer because of the additional timeout given to teams in such periods. A game, at times, could have multiple overtimes since there is no limit to OT periods in the NBA, FIBA, or NCAA.
Challenges and Reviews
The rules on challenges and reviews are only applied in the NBA and certain pro leagues. In their quest to get a call right, officials in some games may take as long as half an hour just to figure out who touched the ball last. This drags the game longer than necessary, often from periods of a bit of boredom to straight-up ridiculous.
Challenges are the same thing, but these are essentially glorified timeouts that last around two minutes.
Timeouts
Timeouts have always been a part of basketball, especially in professional leagues. These typically last one minute, but the NBA is very loose with their timeout regulations. Fewer timeouts in the NCAA and FIBA are why these games are considerably shorter than the NBA or WNBA games.
Clock Stoppages and Quarter Breaks
Clock stoppages every now and then are a crucial part of basketball. Every time a foul or a turnover is committed, the clock is stopped until a team inbounds the ball or after making free throws. The clock is also stopped if the ball is tapped out of bounds.
In leagues where referees get paid per game, It is sometimes noted that refs will “swallow their whistles” in order for the game to move along at a quicker pace.
After quarters, teams cool down for a break of around a minute and a half, extending the game further.
How Basketball Overtime Works?
Overtimes add more excitement to basketball games, but you should be worried if you have an appointment later. There are no limits to how many overtime periods it takes to determine the winner of a basketball game. Fortunately, OTs usually do their job.
That said, overtime rules work differently across different organizations and competition levels. Here are the nuances:
1.) In the NBA, teams are given two more timeouts in an overtime period, thereby dragging games much longer. NBA’s OT periods happen precisely 130 seconds after the end of regulation play. Substitutions are also unlimited.
2.) College basketball’s OT periods are also five minutes in length like anywhere else, but they are only allowed one timeout per.
3.) WNBA overtime periods begin exactly two minutes or 120 seconds after regulation play ends. They are allowed two 20-second timeouts but only one substitution.
How Long is a Timeout in Basketball?
During the game, each basketball team has a set number of timeouts. Timeouts allow players to catch their breath, coaches to discuss strategy, and substitutions to be made. The number and length of timeouts vary according to league and competition level:
1.) In the NBA, teams are given seven timeouts each that they can use throughout the game. These are generally a minute and 15 seconds long, but it’s not uncommon to see teams take longer than that. There are also mandatory timeouts, timeouts charged to either team when there have not yet been any timeouts taken. This is to make way for TV advertisements and last longer than regular timeouts.
2.) FIBA and Olympic basketball games only allow five timeouts of one minute each. Two may be used in the first half and three in the second.
3.) NCAA college basketball teams have four timeouts on games broadcasted on TV. Three of these timeouts are of the 30-second variety and one 60-second timeout.
4.) High school teams are allowed five timeouts throughout the game. Three are full (or 60-second) timeouts, and two last 30 seconds.
10 Fun Facts on Basketball Game Length
1.) The longest NBA game time was 78 minutes back in 1951. The Indianapolis Olympians and the Rochester Royals engage in a six-overtime match, to which Indiana won 75-73.
2.) The most recent four-OT game in the NBA playoffs occurred in 2019. It was Game 3 of the conference semifinals between Denver and Portland. The Nuggets won 140-137, to which Nikola Jokic played almost 65 minutes of game time.
3.) The longest college basketball game ran 75 minutes of game time between Cincinnati and Bradley back in 1981. The match ended in a win by the Bearcats of Cincinnati, 75-73. Did you notice? What’s up with these 75-73 games?
4.) Another tidbit from the longest college game: Two players, one from each team, played a whopping 73 game-time minutes! These are Cincinnati’s Bobby Austin and Bradley’s Donald Reese, and their record is still unbroken to this day.
5.) The longest WNBA game was played between the Orlando Miracle and Cleveland Rockers in 2002. It was a triple-OT game that lasted almost three hours. Ultimately, the Miracle won, 103-99. Interestingly, both teams are currently not in the WNBA.
Hoops Trivia on Game Length
6.) Dale Ellis holds the record for playing the most minutes in a single game. This was in a quintuple OT game between Seattle and Milwaukee back in November 1989. Ellis played a total of 69 minutes out of a possible 73, while his teammate Xavier McDaniel played 68. They eventually lost 154-155.
7.) Tied for the longest NBA playoff game was played between the Syracuse Nationals and Boston Celtics in 1953. It took four overtimes to decide the winner, and Boston eventually took it 111-105. Syracuse’s Red Rocha and Paul Seymour played 67 minutes each, while Boston’s Bob Cousy scored 50 in 66 minutes.
8.) The unofficial record of the shortest NBA game was between the Charlotte Bobcats and New Orleans Hornets on March 12, 2002. The running time was only 1 hour and 56 minutes. Part of the reason why the game went by relatively quickly was the minimal attempted free throws– only 14 total FTs from both teams.
9.) The second shortest game was between the Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks in February 2014. The running time was only 1 hour and 58 minutes. The Grizzlies won, 79-76, despite attempting only one free throw.
10.) The longest NBA Finals games both involved the Phoenix Suns. The Suns lost in triple OT vs. Boston in 1976, while Barkley and Co. edged Michael Jordan and the Bulls back in 93.
Final Thoughts: How Long is a Basketball Game?
As a basketball fan, part of the things you need to understand is the length of a basketball game. This will help you appreciate how well-conditioned the athletes are and perhaps accurately schedule your appointments around game times.
So, really, how long is a basketball game? There is no one correct answer since every league and competition level imposes different rules. In the NBA, game time is 48 minutes, but breaks, timeouts, and clock stoppages extend the real-time to two and a half hours. FIBA and WNBA games are usually shorter because they only play 40 minutes of regulation.
Why does a basketball game last that long? Some of the factors are because of timeouts, extended breaks, and clock stoppages. Timeouts last 20 seconds at the very least to 75 seconds for NBA full timeouts.
Halftime breaks are 15 minutes long, while breaks between quarters last over a minute. The clock is also stopped when the ball goes out of bounds and fouls are committed. Add all of these into the equation, and you got a pretty long game.
Despite all the hours you spend watching a basketball game, genuine fans surely won’t mind. For many of us, it’s not a question of “How long is a basketball game?” but, “How much fun did I have?” There is no better feeling than watching two tremendous ballclubs compete, no matter how long it takes.
By Jan Rey with Mike O’Halloran
Jan is a sucker for all things basketball, and still yells, “Kobe!” every time he tosses a crumpled paper into a trash bin. Mike has written four books on youth basketball including The Well-Prepared Coach: 30 Youth Basketball Practice Plans.
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how long is a half in basketball, how many quarters are there in a basketball game
Oleg Panasyuk
Time in basketball is the most important factor in the control of the match, both by referees and teams. It is divided by the time of the segments, the time for the team to attack, controls various rules: from throwing the ball from outside the court to the time spent in certain zones.
But the most important element of the game is the time of the match itself: the division of the game into segments. This component may differ from league to league, depending on their regulations.
How many quarters are there in basketball? How long is a quarter in basketball? How are they different from timings?
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A quarter in basketball: what is the difference from a half
According to the rules of the International Amateur Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA), matches are divided into quarters - segments that divide the match into equal parts. Previously, matches under the auspices of FIBA consisted of 2 halves (two halves) of 20 minutes of pure playing time, but since 2000 there have been changes in the rules.
According to the new rules adopted in 2000, the match consists of quarters of 10 minutes of pure time each (in the NBA - of quarters of 12 minutes).
The only ones who keep the rule of dividing the match into halves are American students - NCAA.
Basketball game duration and timing
The total duration of basketball games may vary. According to the rules of basketball matches, time stops after the whistle of the referee (stopping the game) and the ball leaving the court. This is called net match time. The net time of matches under the auspices of FIBA is 40 minutes. Under the auspices of the NBA - 48 minutes.
In case of a tie at the end of the regular time of the game, extra time is assigned - overtime. Overtimes are played until the winner of the meeting is determined - their number is not limited by the rules. Each overtime consists of 5 minutes of pure time.
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How many quarters are there in a basketball game
There are 4 quarters in a basketball game. FIBA - 4 quarters of 10 minutes. NBA - 4 quarters of 12 minutes.
How long is a half in basketball
A half is considered to be half of a basketball match without breaks between parts of the half. A half consists of 20 minutes of playing time. Previously, a basketball game consisted of two halves, each lasting 20 minutes. Now in this format they play in the US student league.
How long is the fourth quarter
Unlike the 20-minute halves, the quarter is shorter in time. For example, the fourth quarter of a basketball game lasts 10 or 12 minutes (depending on federation rules). A quarter can drag on for 20, 30 or more minutes. This is explained by the fact that at the end of the meeting, the team that concedes (with a slight difference in the score) can use the tactics of deliberate fouls. The meaning of the tactic is that the team that is inferior in the score begins to violate the rules against the opponent's players, trying to provoke the latter to miss free throws.
How long is a break in basketball
The longest break in basketball is between the second and third quarters (between halves of a basketball game) — 15 minutes. After a long break, the teams change half of the court. Between the rest of the segments, basketball players rest for two minutes.
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How long is a quarter in basketball (NBA, FIBA). Number of halves in a game
Home / All sports / How long is a quarter in basketball (NBA, FIBA). Number of halves in the game
12/22/2018 All sports Leave a comment 102,243 Views
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It so happened that some of the rules of playing basketball in Europe and North America have differences, and this primarily concerns the duration of the periods. The number of quarters in FIBA and NBA matches is the same, however, Americans, for whom basketball is considered one of the most popular sports, like to enjoy this wonderful game longer, therefore, in their rules, they increased the duration of each half by two minutes (compared to the International Federation of basketball)
Interesting fact: In the early days of basketball there were only 13 rules, now there are more than 200.
How many periods are there in a basketball game?
A basketball game consists of 4 quarters (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th) , this applies to both NBA and FIBA. Conventionally, the 1st and 2nd periods are the first half of the match, and the 3rd and 4th are the second. Between each quarter there is a two-minute break, but between the second and third half, the duration of the break is as much as 15 minutes.
According to the officially established rules, there can be no draw in basketball. If after 4 periods the score is equal, another quarter is played lasting 5 minutes. The number of extra periods is not limited, there may be several such five-minute periods until the winning team is determined.
How long is a quarter in basketball (NBA and FIBA)?
In Europe, tournaments held under the auspices of FIBA, the duration of each game is 40 minutes, that is, each quarter lasts 10 minutes .
In the United States of America, where the ruling organization in basketball is the NBA, the duration of the match is 48 minutes, that is, the time of each period is not 10, but 12 minutes. It turns out that in the USA, due to these two minutes added to each quarter, advertisers have more time to show their products to the viewer (the longer the viewer is at the TV screens, the more money the clubs earn on advertising). That is why the NBA is the richest and most popular basketball league on the planet.
Many people are also interested in how long a basketball game lasts in Europe and the USA. In general, taking into account the duration of all quarters, half-time intervals and dead ball situations (eg fouls, free throws and other stoppages), the total duration of the match is 2-3 hours.
The average regular season game in the NBA is 137 minutes.
The duration of basketball matches in the Olympic Games and competitions under the auspices of FIBA is shorter than in US tournaments, since the same match duration is 8 minutes shorter. FIBA also has fewer timeouts. In the NBA, both teams get 14 timeouts per game for two, with 2 timeouts in each period being mandatory (so-called television timeouts).
Therefore, the NBA and USA Basketball have established detailed guidelines to help young players develop at a natural pace that is suitable to their age and physiological abilities. 
g., equal playing time, player-to-player vs. zone defense, pressing vs. no pressing).
g., inability to raise or lower the height of a basket, re-draw court lines, or not having a shot clock).
5”)
5”) 
This dimension is more appropriate for younger children based on their relative size in space.
Two 60-second timeouts permitted in the second half of play
Two 60-second timeouts permitted in the second half of play
Three 60-second timeouts permitted in the second half of play
Three 60-second timeouts permitted in the second half of play
Coaches discretion in the fourth period and each extra period
This requires the defensive player to move according to the offensive player’s movements with or without the ball.
Most pro leagues more or less have similar rules and gameplay lengths. Therefore, the NBA is an excellent benchmark for determining how long professional basketball games last.
All the previously mentioned factors, such as injuries, stoppages, and the like, will cause the clock to stop.
In their quest to get a call right, officials in some games may take as long as half an hour just to figure out who touched the ball last. This drags the game longer than necessary, often from periods of a bit of boredom to straight-up ridiculous.
They are allowed two 20-second timeouts but only one substitution.
Three of these timeouts are of the 30-second variety and one 60-second timeout.
The running time was only 1 hour and 56 minutes. Part of the reason why the game went by relatively quickly was the minimal attempted free throws– only 14 total FTs from both teams.
In the NBA, game time is 48 minutes, but breaks, timeouts, and clock stoppages extend the real-time to two and a half hours. FIBA and WNBA games are usually shorter because they only play 40 minutes of regulation.
Mike has written four books on youth basketball including The Well-Prepared Coach: 30 Youth Basketball Practice Plans.
This component may differ from league to league, depending on their regulations. 
A half consists of 20 minutes of playing time. Previously, a basketball game consisted of two halves, each lasting 20 minutes. Now in this format they play in the US student league. 
Between the rest of the segments, basketball players rest for two minutes. 
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It turns out that in the USA, due to these two minutes added to each quarter, advertisers have more time to show their products to the viewer (the longer the viewer is at the TV screens, the more money the clubs earn on advertising). That is why the NBA is the richest and most popular basketball league on the planet. 
