FIBA Basketball Rules: Last 2 Minutes Guidelines and Timeout Protocols

Last 2 Minutes FIBA

Stopping the Clock After a made basket in the last 2 minutes of the 4th period and any extra periods the clock is to stop as soon as the entire ball crosses the mesh. Referee will raise hand hand to chop in time when the ball has contacted a player after an endline throw in. Let your scores table know when it is close to 2 minutes and remind them to stop the clock after ball has passed through the mesh. If the table does not stop the clock, referee is to blow whistle to stop clock and adjust the time accordingly. (This is not an opportunity for scoring team to sub!)

Time Outs Once last two minutes of the 4th quarter the maximum timeouts a team has is 2. Team A who has 3 timeouts requests a timeout at 2:25 left in the 4th quarter, the first stoppage of play only occurs at 1:51 left in 4th quarter. Team is granted a timeout, how many remaining timeouts does that team have? ONE Timeout taken by team on offense will be administered opposite table at the throw in line, must only be passed in front court.

With 1:25 left in the game, A2 is dribbling the ball in the frontcourt when the ball is deflected by B1 into Team A s backcourt. While trying to retrieve the ball, B4 fouls A2 in the backcourt with 8 seconds on the shot clock. Team B s second foul in the period. Team A is granted a timeout. A. Where is the throw in? Front court, opposite table, throw in line B. What time should be on the shot clock? 14 seconds .if the throw in stayed in backcourt would have been 24, but because advanced it is like the foul was in the front, therefore 14.

With less than 2 minutes left in the 4th, A4 has dribbled for 6 seconds in Team As backcourt when B4 taps ball out of bounds. Team A is awarded a timeout. A. Where is the throw in? Front court, opposite table, throw in line A. How much time left on shot clock? 18 seconds.

With less than 2 minutes left in the 4th, B5 commits an unsportsmanlike foul on A5 who is dribbling in his backcourt. The shot clock shows 18, team A is granted a time-out. Following the two free throws . A. Where will the ball be thrown in from? Straddling the center line A. What will be the time on the shot clock? 24

Substitutions In the last 2 minutes of the 4th period and any overtime period the team that has been scored on has an opportunity to make a sub if that sub has checked in at the table. If scoring team also has a player at the table they may also sub. If the table mistakenly sounds the horn and the referee blows their whistle for a sub and the team is not allowed to sub, we will not allow the substitute to enter the game. This needs to communicated to our table, and we must be aware so if table does not sound horn we blow whistle and permit the sub.

Unsportsmanlike Foul Contact by the defensive player on an opponent on the court during the last 2 minutes in the 4th period and in each extra period, when the ball is out of bounds for a throw in and still in the hands of the official or at the disposal of the player taking the throw in. Result: 2 free throws and throw in will be straddling center.

Managing the last two minutes If a team is behind we should be aware that they might foul so let the team and coach (if you are comfortable) make sure you go for the ball Do not be afraid of calling an unsportsmanlike foul if warranted. If you have let a lot go in terms of coach being vocal, this is not the time to handout a technical (unless definitely warranted) this will come with experience and knowing the feel of the game. Eyes on shot clock, game clock. Makes us look we are into the game and time will not be questioned. Be aware of fouls, who is in penalty. Looks so much cleaner after a foul to head right to the line instead of administering a throw in an horn sounds letting us know we are in penalty.

Managing the last two minutes (continued) Use any timeout to talk to your partner about penalty, who has the possession arrow, where the ball is coming in. During pregame if you had time you should have gone over last shot responsibilities. Eye contact with your partner before every throw in. Remember coaches/players/parents really only remember the last two minutes so work hard to the very end of the game.