Time-outs and substitutions
FIBA · 2026Time-out allowances, eligible stoppages, substitutions and optional media breaks.
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Article 18 — Time-out allowanceArticles 18–19 — OpportunitiesArticle 19 and Appendix E — Procedure and mediaArticle 18 — Time-out allowance
Each ordinary time-out lasts 1 minute. A team has two in the first half, three in the second half, with at most two available in the final 2:00 of the fourth quarter, and one per overtime. Unused allowances do not carry over. Only the head coach or first assistant requests one through the table.
Articles 18–19 — Opportunities
A dead ball with the game clock stopped normally opens a time-out or substitution opportunity after the referee communicates with the table. The conceding team may take a time-out after a basket; after a basket in the final 2:00 of the fourth quarter or overtime it may also substitute. The scoring team cannot normally use that basket alone to obtain either. The opportunity closes when the ball is available for the throw-in or first free throw.
Article 19 and Appendix E — Procedure and media
Substitutes report to the table ready to play and wait to be beckoned in. A player with five fouls or a disqualification must be replaced within 30 seconds. A replacement free-throw shooter required by injury or exclusion takes the throws and stays through the next running-clock period. Competitions may use one media break per quarter, none in overtime, lasting 60, 75, 90 or 100 seconds under Appendix E.
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