Helena Frye
Basketball games can be tense, especially when the game goes into overtime. Overtime periods in basketball are played when the score is tied at the end of regulation play. In the NBA, overtime periods are five minutes long, and teams are allowed two timeouts. If the score remains tied after an overtime period, the procedure is repeated until a winner is determined. There have been some incredibly close games in the history of basketball, with some games requiring as many as six overtime periods to determine a winner.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Overtime period duration | 5 minutes (NBA) or 4 minutes (high school varsity) or 3 minutes (Michigan State University recreational basketball) |
| Jump ball | Used to start overtime under high school and NCAA rules |
| Fouls | All counts of personal fouls against players are carried over for the purpose of disqualifying players. Common fouls charged as team fouls in excess of three will be penalized by one free throw plus a penalty free-throw attempt. |
| Timeouts | Each team is allowed two timeouts per overtime period |
| Maximum overtime periods | Six overtime periods have been played in an NBA game |
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What You'll Learn
Overtime duration
The duration of overtime in basketball depends on the league and level of competition.
In the NBA, overtime periods are five minutes long. There is a 2:30 break between the end of regulation and the start of overtime, and there is no change of baskets. Each team is allowed two timeouts per overtime period, and all personal fouls carry over. If the score remains tied after an overtime period, another overtime period is played. The NBA All-Star Game used an alternative format called the Elam Ending from 2020 to 2023, where the fourth period had no game clock and a target score was set.
In other leagues, such as the WNBA and Euroleague Basketball, the overtime rules may differ. For example, the WNBA uses a quarter-possession rule to start periods after the opening jump, while Euroleague Basketball may not play overtime in two-legged ties if the first game ends in a draw.
At levels below collegiate and Olympic play, an overtime period is typically half the length of a standard quarter, so four minutes for high school varsity. The entire overtime period is played, and there is no sudden-death provision. All personal fouls against players carry over, and if the score remains tied, the procedure is repeated until a winner is determined.
In recreational basketball, overtime periods are typically three minutes long (two minutes running time and one minute of stop time), with a one-minute intermission before the extra period. A jump ball at center court starts the extra period, and each team is allowed one timeout. If the score is still tied after an overtime period during the regular season, the game ends as a tie, while playoff games will continue until a winner is determined.
In summary, the duration of overtime in basketball varies depending on the specific league and level of competition, ranging from three to five minutes per overtime period, with slight variations in the rules regarding timeouts, fouls, and the number of overtime periods played.
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Jump ball
The jump ball is a recognisable feature of basketball, though its use varies across different leagues. In the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball, a jump ball occurs at the start of the game, the start of any extra period, to settle penalties, and to settle held balls. A held ball occurs when two opposing players lay equal claim to the ball and end up in a stalemate. A jump ball may also be called if there are different calls by two or more referees.
In the NBA, players are supposed to touch the ball only after it has reached the top of its flight arc, but "stealing the toss" before this is commonplace and tolerated. There are no league-wide standards for how referees throw the ball, except that it should reach its top altitude between the two players competing for it. To prevent stealing, referees incorporate misdirection into their throwing styles. While height is an advantage for players competing for jump balls, agility and the ability to time the throw and the opponent are more important.
James Naismith's original rules for basketball included a jump ball to begin every quarter and after every basket scored. The NCAA first changed these rules in 1937, awarding possession after baskets to the scored-upon team. The NBA followed suit in 1949, and in 1975 removed jump balls to begin the second, third, and fourth quarters. College basketball now uses the jump ball only at the beginning of the game, switching to the alternating possession arrow thereafter. FIBA, on the other hand, adopted the alternating possession rule in 2003, though it did mandate the use of the jump ball in the EuroLeague from 2005 to 2006. The Euroleague Company reinstated the jump ball rule in 2013.
In overtime periods, the use of the jump ball depends on the league. Under international rules for full-court basketball, the alternating possession rule is used to start all overtime periods, while a jump ball is used under high school and NCAA rules. The entire overtime period is played, and if the score remains tied, this procedure is repeated until a winner is determined. As many as six overtime periods have been needed to determine a winner in an NBA game.
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Fouls
During overtime, the rules regarding fouls remain largely consistent with those during regulation play. Team foul totals and individual foul totals continue to be recorded and carried over from regulation. This means that if a player commits their fifth foul during overtime, they will be disqualified, just as they would during regular play.
In the NBA, each overtime period is five minutes long, and the rules regarding fouls are similar to those during the regular game. Each team is allowed two timeouts in overtime, and players who commit their fifth personal foul will foul out. Additionally, if a team does not commit three fouls in the first three minutes of overtime, they can commit one non-shooting foul in the final two minutes without sending their opponent to the free-throw line.
In some variations of basketball, such as 3x3 basketball, individual personal foul counts are not kept. Instead, all personal fouls are recorded against the team, and these team fouls carry over to overtime.
It is worth noting that overtime periods can be intense and crucial moments in a basketball game, and foul management becomes even more critical. Players and teams must be strategic in their play, as committing too many fouls can result in disqualification or provide advantages to their opponents through free throws or possession changes.
Some have suggested that overtime periods should allow for an additional foul to prevent players from fouling out too quickly and to maintain the intensity of the game. However, this proposed rule change has not been widely adopted, and the existing rules regarding fouls in overtime aim to balance the need for intense gameplay while ensuring fair play and player safety.
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Timeouts
Each team is allowed one thirty-second timeout per half during a basketball game. Timeouts do not carry over from one period to the next. In the NBA, each team is entitled to seven charged timeouts during regulation play. Each team is limited to no more than four timeouts in the fourth period.
Additionally, each team is allowed two timeouts per overtime period. These timeouts are crucial during overtime, as they provide teams with opportunities to strategize, make substitutions, and rest before resuming play.
It's worth noting that the number of timeouts can vary depending on the league and competition rules. For instance, in recreational basketball, each team may only be allowed one timeout during the overtime period, as per the rules of Michigan State University.
In the NBA, there are mandatory timeouts in each period. If neither team has taken a timeout before the 6:59 mark of the period, the official scorer must take a timeout, charging it to the home team. Similarly, if no subsequent timeouts are taken before 2:59, the official scorer must take another timeout, charging it to the team that was not previously charged.
Furthermore, a coach's challenge can be used during overtime to trigger an instant replay review of specific events, such as a called personal foul or a called out-of-bounds violation. However, in the last two minutes of overtime, a coach's challenge cannot be used to review goaltending or basket interference violations; instead, these events will be reviewed by on-court game officials.
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Overtime records
In basketball, if the game ends in a tie, the teams play multiple overtime periods until a winner is decided. Overtime periods are shorter than standard quarters, with the duration depending on the level of play. In the NBA, overtime periods are five minutes long, while in levels below collegiate/Olympic play, an overtime period is half the length of a standard quarter, i.e. four minutes for high school varsity.
During overtime, the rules for fouls and timeouts differ slightly from those in regulation play. In the NBA, common fouls charged as team fouls in excess of three will be penalised by one free throw plus a penalty free-throw attempt. Additionally, during the last two minutes of overtime, the ball may be passed anywhere on the court during inbound plays. Each team is allowed two timeouts during an overtime period, and all personal fouls against players are carried over for the purpose of disqualifying players.
Some notable overtime records in basketball include the 1953 FIBA World Championship for Women, where Paraguay defeated Cuba 69-59 after double overtime, and the 1953 EuroBasket, where Yugoslavia defeated Israel 57-55 after four overtimes. In the NBA, the Indianapolis Olympians and the Rochester Royals played a game on January 6, 1951, that went to six overtimes, with Indianapolis eventually winning 75-73 in a four-hour game. More recently, in the 2018-19 NBA season, the Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets played four overtimes, with Portland ultimately prevailing 140-137.
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Frequently asked questions
An overtime period is five minutes long in the NBA. In other levels of basketball, an overtime period is half the length of a standard quarter, so four minutes for high school varsity.
If the score is tied after an overtime period, the teams play another overtime period. This process is repeated until a winner is determined.
The rules during an overtime period are mostly the same as during a regular period. Each team is allowed two timeouts, and all personal fouls are carried over. During the last two minutes of an overtime period, the ball may be passed anywhere on the court during inbound plays.
Six overtime periods have been played in a single game on at least one occasion. In 1951, the Indianapolis Olympians defeated the Rochester Royals 75-73 in six overtimes.
