Andrew Pace
Basketball games can be intense, and sometimes the standard playing time is not enough to determine a winner. When the score is tied at the end of regulation play, the game goes into overtime, a period of extra playing time to break the stalemate. Overtime periods are shorter than regular periods, typically five minutes in the NBA, and continue until a winner emerges. If the game remains tied after the first overtime, a second, third, or more overtime periods may be played, with each team striving to outscore the other. The longest NBA game ever, between the Indianapolis Olympians and Rochester Royals in 1951, went into six overtimes, with the teams playing a total of 78 minutes!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Length of each overtime period | 5 minutes |
| Number of overtime periods | Multiple, until a winner is decided |
| Break between fourth period and first overtime | 2:30 minutes |
| Break between overtime periods | 2:30 minutes |
| Number of team timeouts per overtime period | 2 |
| Common fouls | First three result in the ball being awarded to the opposing team; subsequent ones are penalized by one free throw plus a penalty free-throw attempt |
| Carryover of personal fouls | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Overtime periods are five minutes long
In basketball, if the game ends with both teams having the same score, the game goes into overtime. Overtime periods are five minutes long. This is half the length of a standard quarter. If the score remains tied at the end of the first overtime period, another five-minute overtime period will begin. This process will repeat until a winner is decided.
Overtime periods are considered an extension of the second half. There is a 2:30 break between the fourth period and the first overtime period. The teams do not change baskets for any of the overtime periods. All overtime periods start with a jump ball in the center circle. The timing devices are stopped during the last two minutes of overtime following a successful field goal attempt.
Each team is allowed two team timeouts per overtime period. The first three common fouls committed by a team in any overtime period will result in the ball being awarded to the opposing team. During any overtime period, common fouls charged as team fouls in excess of three will be penalised by one free throw plus a penalty free-throw attempt. If a team has not committed its quota of three team fouls during the first three minutes of any overtime period, it is permitted to incur one team foul during the last two minutes without penalty. During the last two minutes of any overtime period, the ball may be passed anywhere on the court during inbound plays.
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There are two team timeouts allowed
In basketball, if the game ends in a tie, it goes to overtime. Overtime periods are five minutes long, and there can be multiple overtime periods until a winner is decided. The timing devices are stopped during the last two minutes of overtime following a successful field goal attempt.
Each team is allowed two team timeouts per overtime period. Previously, teams were allowed three timeouts. If neither team has taken a timeout before the time reaches 6:59, the official scorer must take a timeout, charged to the home team. If no subsequent timeouts are taken before 2:59, the official scorer must take another timeout, charged to the other team. Mandatory timeouts are 2:45 for local games and 3:15 for national games. Any additional team timeouts in a period beyond those that are mandatory are 1:15.
There are some restrictions on timeouts. For example, a timeout cannot be charged during an official's suspension of play (except for suspension of play for infection control). If a timeout is charged to the offensive team during the last two minutes of the fourth period or overtime, and the ball is out of bounds in the backcourt, the timeout should be granted. Upon resumption of play, the team granted the timeout has the option of putting the ball into play at the 28' hash mark in the frontcourt or at the designated spot out of bounds.
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Fouls carry over from regulation
In basketball, if the score is tied at the end of regulation play, the teams play multiple five-minute overtime periods until a winner is decided. During an overtime period, common fouls charged as team fouls in excess of three will be penalised by one free throw plus a penalty free-throw attempt. While the number of team fouls resets, each player's personal fouls carry over from regulation.
In the NBA, each team is allowed two timeouts per overtime period. The first three common fouls committed by a team in any overtime period will result in the ball being awarded to the opposing team on the sideline nearest to where play was interrupted. The ball shall be awarded no nearer to the baseline than the free throw line extended. During any overtime period, common fouls charged as team fouls in excess of three will be penalised by one free throw plus a penalty free-throw attempt.
In recreational basketball, all foul totals carry over into overtime and are administered the same way as during a regular period. Each team is allowed one timeout in the overtime period, and timeouts do not carry over from regulation into overtime.
Personal fouls committed during a successful field goal attempt or free throw, which result in one free throw attempt being awarded, will not result in an additional free throw attempt if the penalty situation exists. A maximum of three points may be scored by the same team on a successful two-point field goal attempt.
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Jump ball starts overtime
The jump ball is one of basketball's most recognisable traditions. It is used to begin or resume play in basketball. It is similar to a face-off in ice hockey and field lacrosse and a ball-up in Australian rules football. A jump ball occurs at the start of the game, also known as the opening tip or opening tip-off. It is also used to settle special situations where penalties cancel each other out and neither team is entitled to the ball, or to settle any held balls.
In the NBA, WNBA, and competitions operated by Euroleague Basketball, a jump ball occurs at the start of any extra period (tip-off). In overtime periods, each team is allowed two timeouts. The first three common fouls committed by a team in any overtime period will result in the ball being awarded to the opposing team on the sideline nearest to where play was interrupted.
In the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball, a jump ball occurs at the start of the game and the start of any extra period. In overtime, the jump ball occurs in the centre circle. The team that gains first possession of the game will put the ball into play at their opponent's endline to begin the fourth period.
In other organisations, another jump ball is conducted. The arrow then swaps to point to the other team. At the start of the game, the arrow points to the team that lost the opening tip.
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Timing devices stop in last two minutes
In basketball, if the score is tied at the end of regulation play, the teams play multiple five-minute overtime periods until a winner is decided. In the NBA, each team is allowed two team timeouts per overtime period.
The timing devices shall be stopped during the last two minutes of overtime following a successful field goal attempt. This rule also applies during the last two minutes of the fourth period. During this time, the ball may be passed anywhere on the court during inbound plays.
Additionally, in the last two minutes of any overtime period, a team is no longer able to utilize a Coach's Challenge to trigger an instant replay review of a called goaltending or basket interference violation. Such reviews will be exclusively triggered by the on-court game officials.
It is important to note that the rules regarding timing devices and overtime in basketball may vary slightly depending on the specific league or competition.
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Frequently asked questions
Double overtime in basketball refers to the total extra time played when a game goes into two overtime periods. Each overtime period is five minutes long, so double overtime would be 10 minutes in total.
Each overtime period in the NBA is five minutes long.
There is a break of 2 minutes and 30 seconds between the end of regulation and the start of overtime.
Some notable basketball games that went into multiple overtimes include:
- The Indianapolis Olympians vs. the Rochester Royals in 1951, which went into six overtimes.
- Germany vs. Angola in the 2006 FIBA World Championship, which went into triple overtime.
- Paraguay vs. Cuba in the 1953 FIBA World Championship for Women, which went into double overtime.
