🏛️Official — FIBA
Loading OpenSourceSports…
Team Sports
5 players
indoor
basketball, backboard, rim
10 essential rules
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA, from French: Fédération Internationale de Basketball) is the world governing body for basketball. Founded on June 18, 1932 in Geneva, Switzerland, FIBA oversees international basketball competition and sets the official rules used in all internationa...
FIBA is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code (WADA). All players competing in FIBA competitions are subject to in-competition and out-of-competition testing.
Backboard: Rectangular, 1.80m wide × 1.05m tall (5.9ft × 3.4ft), transparent tempered safety glass; Rim: 450 mm (17.7 inches) internal diameter, made of solid steel, painted orange; Rim height: 3.05m (10 feet) above the floor — same as NBA
The offensive team must advance the ball past half court within 8 seconds of gaining possession in the backcourt. The NBA uses a 10-second backcourt rule.
FIBA has implemented comprehensive concussion management procedures for all Level 1 and Level 2 competitions: Recognition: Any player suspected of sustaining a concussion must be immediately removed from the game for evaluation; Assessment: The FIBA Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) is used...
All lines: 50mm (2 inches) wide, painted in a color clearly contrasting with the floor; Sidelines: The longer boundary lines running the 28m length; End lines: The shorter boundary lines running the 15m width
Padding: Backboard supports and any structures near the court must be padded; Clear zone: A minimum of 2 meters of unobstructed space is required around the entire court for player safety; Floor: Must be level, free of obstructions, and provide consistent traction. Moisture management systems are...
Any flagrant unsportsmanlike action by players, substitutes, head coaches, assistant coaches, excluded players or accompanying delegation members (Art. 39.1.1).
An illegal contact with an opponent that does not rise to the level of a flagrant foul, but disrupts the flow of the game and places the opponent at a disadvantage (Art. 37.1.1).
Two-point field goal: A shot made from inside the three-point line scores 2 points; Three-point field goal: A shot made from behind the 6.75m (22.15ft) three-point arc scores 3 points. The shooter's feet must be entirely behind the line at the point of release. If a foot is on the line, it counts...
Replaced in 2026: under the 2024 edition these situations were all unsportsmanlike fouls, penalised with 2 free throws plus possession, and 2 unsportsmanlike fouls, 2 technical fouls, or one of each disqualified a player. This note is kept for readers checking games played before October 1, 2026.
Let up when the game is decided — no late pressing or trapping
When a team holds a large lead with little time remaining, the winning side is expected to abandon full-court pressure, traps, and aggressive defense. Continuing to press in a blowout is widely viewed as running up the score and disrespecting the opponent.
Applies at all levels internationally; FIBA competition is no exception. Coaches who press late in blowouts often face criticism from peers and media.
Don't foul intentionally when winning big in the closing seconds
If a losing team is dribbling out the clock at the end of a lopsided game, the winning team is expected to back off and let the game end naturally. Fouling to stop the clock in this context is seen as petty and disrespectful.
Don't shoot three-pointers when up big in the final seconds
Attempting a long three-pointer in the closing seconds of a lopsided game — when the shot has no bearing on the outcome — is considered disrespectful to the losing team. The expectation is to dribble out the clock or take a simple layup at most.
Became a major cultural flashpoint in NBA and college basketball circa 2015–2020 as pace-and-space offenses normalized deep-three attempts late in blowouts. Applies broadly to international competition.
Ready to dive deeper?
Shake hands and acknowledge opponents after the final buzzer
Both teams are expected to shake hands, exchange words of respect, and acknowledge each other after the game concludes — win or lose. Walking off the court without engaging opponents is considered poor sportsmanship.
More formalized at youth and amateur levels where it is often organized; at pro and FIBA elite levels it is less structured but still expected, particularly in international competition where national team diplomacy adds weight.
Don't stare down or stand over an opponent after a hard foul or big play
After delivering a hard screen, a physical foul, or a forceful dunk, players are expected to retreat without lingering over the opponent or staring them down. Standing over a fallen or embarrassed opponent is one of basketball's more provocative violations of the code.
Can escalate quickly into confrontations at all levels; referees will often intervene when it occurs.