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Basketball · Official Basketball Rules

Law 19: Substitution

2 parts · 3 tests · 30 facts · updated 22 October 2026 · markdown

When a substitution may be made, coming back on, the scoring team late in the game, how a substitute asks and enters, fouled-out and disqualified players, and free-throw shooters.

19.191Substitution Opportunities

When the window opens and closes, and when a player may come back on.

Test 1Opportunities and coming back onTake a test

  1. A substitution is an interruption of the game requested by the substitute to become a player.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.1 · recall

  2. A goal opens a substitution opportunity for the non-scoring team only with 2:00 or less in the 4th quarter or an overtime.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.2.2 · applied

  3. It ends when the ball is at a player's disposal for a throw-in or a first free throw.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.2.3 · recall

  4. A substitute who has become a player cannot leave until the ball is dead again after a game clock running period.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.2.4 · applied

  5. The exception applies when the team is reduced to fewer than 5 players on the court (or for a correctable-error free throw).

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.2.4 · recall

  6. The scoring team may not substitute after a goal in the last 2 minutes of the 4th quarter or an overtime unless a referee has interrupted play.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.2.5 · applied

  7. The ball becoming dead after a successful last free throw starts an opportunity for both teams.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.2.2 · recall

  8. A substituted player waits for the ball to be dead again after the clock has run.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.2.4 · applied

  9. The window opens when the referee is done with the table and closes when the ball is at a player's disposal.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.2.2, 19.2.3 · applied

  10. He may re-enter once the ball becomes dead again after a game clock running period.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.2.4 · applied

19.192Making a Substitution

Who asks and how, entering the court, and replacing fouled-out players and free-throw shooters.

Test 1Asking and enteringTake a test

  1. Only a substitute has the right to request a substitution, not the head coach or the first assistant coach.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.1 · recall

  2. He may sit on the substitution chair, ready to play immediately.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.1 · recall

  3. A substitution request may be cancelled only before the timer's signal for it has sounded.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.2 · recall

  4. The substitute remains outside the boundary line until the referee beckons him on.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.4 · recall

  5. He enters when the referee blows the whistle, gives the substitution signal and beckons him on.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.4 · recall

  6. The substituted player may go directly to the team bench without reporting to anyone.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.5 · recall

  7. During a time-out, or an interval other than half-time, the substitute reports to the timer before entering.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.7 · applied

  8. The substitute asks, the timer alerts the referees, the referee calls him on.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3 · applied

  9. The timer has to know before he goes on.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.7 · applied

  10. Only the substitute may ask, at the table with the sign or by sitting on the substitution chair.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.1 · applied

Test 2Fouled-out players and free throwsTake a test

  1. If there is a delay, a time-out may be charged against the offending team.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.6 · applied

  2. Without a time-out left, a technical foul for delaying the game may be charged against the head coach, entered as 'B'.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.6 · applied

  3. A player with 5 fouls or a disqualified player must be substituted immediately, taking no more than 30 seconds.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.6 · recall

  4. If the shooter is substituted for injury, 5 fouls or disqualification, his substitute attempts the free throws.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.8 · recall

  5. He may not be substituted again until he has played in the next game clock running period.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.8 · recall

  6. A request made after the shooter has the ball is granted if the missed last free throw is followed by a throw-in.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.9 · applied

  7. Half-time is the one interval with no reporting needed.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.7 · applied

  8. Thirty seconds, no time-out left: the coach pays with a B.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.6 · applied

  9. The substitute shoots and may not be replaced before playing in the next clock-running period.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.8 · applied

  10. The replacement takes no more than 30 seconds: A is earlier, but B is the latest moment still within the limit.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.6 · applied

Sources

FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (v1.1), Article 19 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.65
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.2.44
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.13
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.73
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.83
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.2.22
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.42
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.11
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.2.31
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.2.51
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.2.2, 19.2.31
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.21
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.51
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.31
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 19.3.91