# Law 14: Control of the Ball (FIBA Official Basketball Rules)

Basketball · Law 14: Control of the Ball · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/basketball/laws/law-14-control-of-the-ball/)

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

## 14.141 Start, Continue, End

The three parts of the definition of team control.

### Test 1: When team control starts, continues and ends

- 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)
- Team control continues while the ball is being passed between team-mates. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 14.1.2)
- Team control ends when an opponent gains control. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 14.1.3)
- Team control ends when the ball becomes dead. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 14.1.3)
- 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)
- Team control is defined over a live ball. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 10.2, 14.1.1)
- 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)
- Control starts with the catch, survives the pass and ends when the shot leaves the hands. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 14.1)
- An opponent gaining control ends one team's control and starts the other's. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 14.1)
- 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)

## 14.142 Control in Game Situations

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

### Test 1: Team control in situations

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

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

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