Five-second rule (basketball)

This article is about the basketball rule. For other uses, see five-second rule.

In basketball, the five-second rule, or five-second violation, is a rule that helps promote continuous play. There are multiple situations where a five-second violation may occur.

Five-second throw-in violation

Under FIBA, high school, NCAA, and NBA rule sets, a team attempting a throw-in has a total of five seconds to release the ball towards the court. The throw in count starts when the basketball is at the disposal of the throw in team (usually bounced or handed to the throw in team by the official).

Penalty

Loss of ball. A throw-in will be awarded to the opponent at the previous throw in spot.

Five-second closely guarded violation

A five second closely guarded violation occurs if, a player with the ball is guarded closely for five seconds. For men's college basketball, to be considered closely guarded, a defender must be guarding a player who is located in the frontcourt and within six (6) feet of the player. The count applies to a player holding or dribbling the ball. This allows for multiple closely guarded counts to occur. Women's college basketball requires the defender to be within three (3) feet and can be anywhere on the playing court but only applies to a player holding the ball. A count ends whenever the player with the ball gets his head and shoulders past the defender, the defender is no longer within the required distance, the same defender does not continuously closely guard the player in control of the ball, or another opponent is between the defender and the ball.

High school rules mimic men's college basketball's closely guarded rule. A defender must be guarding the player in control of the ball, in the frontcourt, and must be within six feet of the player. A player may be holding or dribbling the ball. If a defensive teammates switch, and both are within six feet of the player in control of the ball, the same count is continued.

Under FIBA rules, a defender must be within one meter of a player holding the ball and must be in an active guarding position. This count can occur anywhere on the playing court.

There is no five second closely guarded violation under NBA rules.

Penalty

The penalty for a five-second closely guarded violation is loss of ball. The opposing team will throw-in the ball from the out-of-bounds spot nearest the violation.

Five-second back to the basket violation

A player in the frontcourt, below the free throw line extended, is not permitted to dribble the ball with his back or side to the basket for more than five seconds. A count ends when:

• Player picks up his dribbling
• Player dribbles above the free throw line extended
• The defense deflects the ball

This is an NBA only rule. It is often referred to as the "Mark Jackson Rule".

Penalty

Loss of ball. The opponent is awarded the ball at the free throw line extended.

Five-second free throw violation

A free throw shooter, under FIBA rules, must throw the ball towards the hoop within five seconds after an official places it at his disposal.

Penalty

If the free throw is successful, then the point shall not count. The ball is awarded to the opponent at the free throw line extended unless another free throw is to follow or a possession penalty is to follow.