Basketball · Official Basketball Rules

Law 14: Control of the Ball

2 parts · 2 tests · 20 facts · updated 22 October 2026 · markdown

When team control starts, continues and ends, and how to read it in game situations.

14.141Start, Continue, End

The three parts of the definition of team control.

Team control starts when a player is in control of a live ball by holding or dribbling it, or has it at his disposal.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 14.1.1 · recall
Team control continues while the ball is being passed between team-mates.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 14.1.2 · recall
Team control ends when an opponent gains control.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 14.1.3 · recall
Team control ends when the ball becomes dead.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 14.1.3 · applied
Team control ends when the ball has left the player's hand(s) on a shot or a free throw.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 14.1.3 · applied
Team control is defined over a live ball.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 10.2, 14.1.1 · applied
At the thrower-in's disposal the ball is live, and that counts as having it to hand.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 10.2, 14.1.1 · applied
Control starts with the catch, survives the pass and ends when the shot leaves the hands.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 14.1 · applied
An opponent gaining control ends one team's control and starts the other's.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 14.1 · applied
Control lasts through the dribble and the pass (A, B) and ends as the shot is released, so C is the first moment without it.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 14.1.3 · applied

Rebounds, time-outs, players on the floor and shots that hit the ring.

Taps alone are not holding, dribbling or having the ball to hand.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 14.1 · applied
Dribbling is one of the two ways of being in control of a live ball.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 14.1.1 · recall
A whistle for a time-out kills the ball.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 14.1.3 · applied
Control ends when the ball leaves the hands on a shot; the rebound starts a new team control.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 14.1.3 · applied
Crossing the centre line matters for the backcourt rules, not for control.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 14.1.3 · applied
Holding a live ball is control, whatever the player's position.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 14.1.1 · applied
Control ends as the ball leaves the shooter's hands, before it reaches the ring.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 14.1.3 · applied
Control ends at the release; the rebound starts a new control for whoever gains it.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 14.1.3 · applied
The team keeps control through the dribble, the pass and the catch, and loses it as the shot leaves the hands.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 14.1 · recall
Holding, passing between team-mates and dribbling are control; a shot in flight is not.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 14.1 · applied

FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (v1.1), Article 14 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)