# Law 18: Time-out (FIBA Official Basketball Rules)

Basketball · Law 18: Time-out · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/basketball/laws/law-18-time-out/)

How long and how many, who may ask, when an opportunity opens and closes, the procedure, and time-outs around free throws.

## 18.181 Time-outs and Opportunities

Length and number of time-outs, who may ask, and the time-out opportunity.

### Test 1: Length, number and who may ask

- Each time-out lasts 1 minute. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.2.1)
- Each team may be granted 2 time-outs in the first half. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.2.5)
- A team has 3 in the second half, with at most 2 of them when the clock shows 2:00 or less in the 4th quarter. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.2.5)
- Each team may be granted 1 time-out in each overtime. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.2.5)
- Only a head coach or first assistant coach has the right to request a time-out. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.1, 18.3.1)
- In the last 2 minutes of the 4th quarter and each overtime the scoring team gets no time-out after a goal unless a referee has interrupted play. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.2.8)
- A time-out is an interruption of the game requested by the head coach or first assistant coach. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.1)
- 2, then 3 (no more than 2 in the last 2 minutes), then 1 per overtime. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.2.5)
- The time-out runs from the referee's whistle and signal to his whistle and beckon. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.3)
- Unused time-outs are not carried over to the next half, so Team A has the usual 3. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.2.5, 18.2.6)

### Test 2: The time-out opportunity

- It starts when the ball is dead, the game clock is stopped and the referee has ended communication with the table. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.2.3)
- The ball becoming dead after a successful last free throw starts an opportunity for both teams. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.2.3)
- A goal starts a time-out opportunity for the non-scoring team. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.2.3)
- It ends when the ball is at the disposal of a player for a throw-in or for a first free throw. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.2.4)
- If a goal is scored against a team that has requested a time-out, the timer immediately stops the clock and sounds the signal. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.3.4)
- When an opportunity starts, the timer sounds the signal to tell the referees a time-out has been requested. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.3.4)
- A request may be cancelled only before the timer's signal for it has sounded. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.3.2)
- Team B asked; Team A's goal gives Team B the opportunity at once. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.2.3, 18.3.4)
- After that signal the request stands. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.3.2, 18.3.4)
- The opportunity opens once the referee has finished with the table (after A) and closes when the thrower-in has the ball (before C). (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.2.3, 18.2.4)

## 18.182 Procedure and Free Throws

How the request is made, the time-out period, the bench, and requests during free throws.

### Test 1: Procedure, bench and free throws

- The coach makes visual contact with the table or goes to it and asks clearly, making the conventional sign. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.3.1)
- The time-out period starts when the referee blows the whistle and gives the time-out signal. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.3.3)
- It ends when the referee blows the whistle and beckons the teams back on the court. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.3.3)
- Players may leave the court, and anyone allowed on the bench may come on, provided they stay near their bench area. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.3.5)
- Requested after the ball is at the shooter's disposal, it is granted if the last free throw is successful (among other cases). (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.3.6)
- The set of free throws is completed and the time-out is permitted before the new foul penalty. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.3.6)
- The time-out freedom also applies in the intervals before the 2nd and 4th quarters and each overtime. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.3.5)
- Requested after the shooter has the ball, the time-out waits for a successful last free throw. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.3.6)
- The current set is finished first; the time-out comes before the new penalty. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.3.6)
- Of the four, only the head coach is one of the two people allowed to ask. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 18.3.1)

Sources: FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (v1.1), Article 18 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

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