Last updated: Feb 09, 2024
Timeouts in basketball are a valuable tool used for a variety of purposes. Timeouts can be used as a game clock strategy, to regroup after a poor play, to draw up plans in down to the wire situations, and much more. Keep reading for more on basketball timeouts, including timeout rules and differences between different levels of play.
Table of Contents
- Timeout Rules
- NBA Timeouts
- College Basketball Timeouts
- High School Timeouts
- Calling Timeouts
- Timeout Strategy
- Media Timeouts
- FAQ
Timeout Rules
The rules for timeouts in basketball are different based on the league and level of play. However, the overall concept of what a timeout is remains the same. Timeouts are called to temporarily stop the game clock and shot clock from ticking.This gives teams extra time to strategize, make substitutions, or rest players.
The shot clock does not reset after a timeout is called. Instead, it stops ticking and will resume when the ball becomes live again.
NBA Timeouts
The rules of NBA timeouts have changed as recently as 2017. The new rules allow seven timeouts per team, with each timeout lasting 75 seconds.However, there are restrictions upon when these timeouts may be used:
- Each team can only use up to four timeouts in the fourth quarter
- Each team can only use two timeouts inside the final three minutes
These rules help the game flow more smoothly. In the past, there have been many concerns about the extremely slow pace of the last few minutes of games. These new rules ensure teams do not take too much time in the final minutes.
In the NBA, teams are granted two timeouts for each overtime period.
College Basketball Timeouts
In college basketball, teams get four total timeouts per regulation game.Each team gets three timeouts that last 30 seconds and one timeout that lasts 60 seconds.In NCAA Basketball, only two of a team's unused timeouts from regulation carry over to overtime. In addition, teams get one more timeout that lasts 30 seconds for each overtime period.
High School Timeouts
While the rules differ in every state, the standard number of timeouts in high school basketball is five; three full timeouts, and two 30-second timeouts.
Calling Timeouts
Any player on the court or coach can call a timeout during a game. This is done by indicating a “T” with one’s hands and saying “timeout!” to a referee.
A team can only call a timeout in the following game situations:
- When the ball is dead
- When the team has possession of the ball
- When the team has at least one timeout remaining
If a team calls a timeout when their team doesn't have any timeouts left, they will receive a technical foul.
Timeout Strategy
Teams will call a timeout to improve a game situation. Here are some of the reasons a team will call a timeout in a game:
- To draw up a play
- To make a substitution
- To allow players to rest
- To stop the clock when there is little time left
Media timeouts, also known as TV timeouts or mandatory timeouts, are automatic timeouts charged to either team when there have not yet been any timeouts taken by a certain point in the quarter or half.Media timeouts exist to allow television networks to pause a live event to air advertisem*nts. These are signaled by the officials and last longer than regular timeouts.
In the NBA, there are two media timeouts per quarter. Media timeouts take place at the first dead ball after the clock goes under 6:59 and 2:59. If a team takes a timeout prior to these marks, that will count as the media timeout.
In men’s college basketball, the schedule for TV timeouts can vary based on the network airing the game, but they are typically taken after the 16:00-, 12:00-, 8:00-, and 4:00-minute marks. If a team timeout is called before these marks, it will be used as the TV timeout.
FAQ
How many timeouts are there in basketball?
The number of timeouts varies with the level of play.In the NBA, each team is allowed seven timeouts per game.The WNBA gives each team three timeouts per half, for a total of six per game.The NCAA permits four timeouts per team, and most high school leagues give each team five timeouts.In the NBA, each team gets an additional two timeouts for each overtime period.
What is a charged timeout in basketball?
A charged timeout in basketball is a timeout that counts against a team’s total number of allowed timeouts.Charged timeouts can be requested by a player or a coach on the offensive team by signaling to a referee. If the game clock counts down below a certain time in a period, a mandatory media timeout will be taken, and one timeout will be deducted, or “charged,” from one team’s total. In the NBA, this happens at 6:59, and again if a second timeout is not taken by 2:59. The team against which a timeout is charged alternates from period to period.
Can you call a timeout when you don't have any left in basketball?
It is possible to call a timeout in basketball when you have no timeouts remaining, but there are consequences to doing so.If a team calls for a timeout while having none remaining, they will receive the timeout, but they will also be charged a technical foul, adding one to their team total.This means that the opposing team will receive a free throw, making excessive timeouts an undesirable tactic to use in many cases.
