Skip to content
Insporta Book
en
EnglishРусскийDeutschEspañolEestiSuomiItalianoFrançaisPolski日本語한국어中文
FootballCricketFutsalTriathlonTennisGolfFigure SkatingBasketballMethodologyWhy it worksTake a test

Basketball · Official Basketball Rules

Law 23: Player and Ball Out-of-Bounds

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

When a player or the ball is out of bounds, who caused it, and a held ball at the line.

23.231Out of Bounds

Players and the ball touching the line, people and objects out of bounds.

Test 1When a player or the ball is outTake a test

  1. A player is out of bounds when any part of the body touches the floor or an object on or outside the boundary line.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 23.1.1 · recall

  2. The rule speaks of the floor or any object other than a player.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 23.1.1 · applied

  3. The ball is out when it touches a player or any other person who is out of bounds.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 23.1.2 · applied

  4. The ball is out when it touches the backboard supports.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 23.1.2 · applied

  5. The ball is out when it touches any object above the court.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 23.1.2 · applied

  6. The ball is out when it touches the floor on or outside the boundary line.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 23.1.2 · applied

  7. Standing on the line, he is out of bounds, so his touch sends the ball out.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 23.2.2 · applied

  8. The back of the backboard is out of bounds.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 23.1.2 · applied

  9. Touching the line puts him, and the ball he controls, out of bounds.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 23.1, 23.2.2 · applied

  10. A heel on the sideline is contact with the line; leaning over or being in the air after taking off inside is not.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 11.1, 23.1.1 · applied

23.232Who Caused It

The last player to touch it, a player on the line, and held balls.

Test 1Who caused it, and held ballsTake a test

  1. The ball is caused to go out by the last player to touch or be touched by it.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 23.2.1 · recall

  2. The last player to touch it caused it, even if it goes out by touching something other than a player.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 23.2.1 · applied

  3. His feet on the line put him out; the ball he catches is out with him.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 23.2.2 · applied

  4. Whoever the ball touched last is the one who caused it.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 23.2.1 · applied

  5. If a player moves out of bounds during a held ball, a jump ball situation occurs.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 23.2.3 · applied

  6. Either direction, out of bounds or back into the backcourt, turns the held ball into a jump ball situation.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 23.2.3 · recall

  7. The ball is dead and the opponents of the team that caused it get a throw-in.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 10.3, 22.2, 23 · recall

  8. The last toucher's team loses the ball.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 23.2.1 · applied

  9. Out of bounds during a held ball is settled by the arrow.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 12.6, 23.2.3 · applied

  10. The back of the backboard is out of bounds; the front, the ring and the net are not.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 23.1.2 · applied

Sources

FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (v1.1), Article 23 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 23.1.26
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 23.2.14
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 23.1.12
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 23.2.22
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 23.2.32
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 23.1, 23.2.21
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 11.1, 23.1.11
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 10.3, 22.2, 231
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 12.6, 23.2.31