The Most Important NBA Rules

Did you know that players in the NBA are not allowed to wear sunglasses while playing? This rule was put in place because players were using them to hide bloodshot eyes from referees. Another interesting rule is that players are not allowed to dunk during warm-ups. This is because it can damage the rim and cause injuries.

There are also a few rules that pertain to player uniforms. For example, players must wear shorts that are no more than four inches above the knee. They are also not allowed to wear t-shirts or other gear under their jerseys. Lastly, all player names on uniforms must be written in capital letters.

• Did you know that the average NBA game has 12.93 timeouts? That’s more than any other major North American sport!
• The shot clock is 24 seconds long, which is shorter than in college basketball (35 seconds) or FIBA (30 seconds).
• Each team is allowed a maximum of six fouls per quarter.
• If a player commits five personal fouls in a game, he is automatically disqualified.
• A player fouled while shooting a three-pointer is awarded three free throws.
• There is a limit of eight players on the court at any given time.
• Players are not allowed to dunk during warmups.
• There are no intentional fouls in the NBA – if you commit an intentional foul, you get fouled out.
• The ball must be released before the 24-second clock expires in order for a shot to count (this rule was instituted in 1979).
• A game is four 12-minute quarters long.
• Teams must have at least eight players dressed and ready to play.
• In the event of a tie, there are five minute overtime periods until one team has outscored the other.
• Did you know that players can be automatically disqualified from an NBA game if they commit five personal fouls? That’s right – if you pick up five fouls in an NBA game, you’re out!
• Players are not allowed to have any tattoos that can be seen when they’re wearing their uniforms. This includes anything on a player’s neck, hands, or arms. If a player gets a tattoo while they’re in the league, they must cover it up with clothing or tape during games.

• If a player steps out of bounds, even accidentally, they must give up the ball to the other team. This applies whether they’re touching the sideline or not. Players often try to stay inbounds as much as possible to avoid giving up possession of the ball.
• A player is not allowed to step into or jump from the playing area onto another court or object (e.g., a chair or a television) while the ball is in play. Doing so would result in a technical foul.
• The home team must provide the game officials with 12 identical balls before the start of the game. These balls must be tested and approved by an official prior to tip-off. After the game, the officials will select one game ball that will be used for any overtime periods.
• There are also some interesting rules about player uniforms. For example, players are not allowed to wear short shorts that expose their thighs, as was common in the NBA in the 1970s and 1980s. Also, all jerseys must have sleeves, and players are not allowed to tear off their jersey during games (though this rule is sometimes broken in celebration).

These are just a few examples – there are many more rules and regulations in place in order to make sure the game is played fairly and safely. Be sure to share any other interesting rules and regulations you know about the NBA in the comments below. Thanks for reading!