# Law 26: 3 Seconds (FIBA Official Basketball Rules)

Basketball · Law 26: 3 Seconds · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/basketball/laws/law-26-3-seconds/)

The 3-second rule in the opponents' restricted area, its conditions and allowances, and what it takes to be established outside.

## 26.261 The 3-Second Rule

The limit, its conditions and the three allowances.

### Test 1: The limit and its allowances

- A player shall not remain there for more than 3 consecutive seconds. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 26.1.1)
- It applies while the team controls a live ball in its frontcourt and the game clock is running. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 26.1.1)
- The rule is about remaining in the opponents' restricted area; FIBA has no defensive 3 seconds (the NBA does). (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 26.1.1)
- Allowances must be made for a player who attempts to leave the restricted area. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 26.1.2)
- Allowance is made when he or a team-mate is in the act of shooting and the ball is leaving or has just left the hand. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 26.1.2)
- Allowance is made for a player who dribbles in to shoot after being there for less than 3 consecutive seconds. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 26.1.2)
- Both feet must be placed on the court outside the restricted area. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 26.1.3)
- The count runs only while his team controls the ball in its frontcourt and the clock runs. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 26.1.1)
- Both feet outside end the count. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 26.1.3)
- The limit is 3 consecutive seconds: C (3.5 s) is the first moment beyond it. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 26.1.1)

## 26.262 In or Out of the Area

Lines, feet and being established outside.

### Test 1: Feet, lines and the count

- The count applies while the game clock is running. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 26.1.1)
- It is about remaining in the opponents' restricted area. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 26.1.1)
- The restricted area's lines are part of it (Art. 2.5.3), so a foot on them is inside. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 2.5.3, 26.1)
- The limit is 3 consecutive seconds; leaving with both feet ends the count. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 26.1.1, 26.1.3)
- Backcourt possession is not covered: the rule needs control in the frontcourt. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 26.1.1)
- It is a violation, penalised by a throw-in for the opponents. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 22, 26)
- The count needs a live ball, team control in the frontcourt and the clock running. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 26.1.1)
- 3, 5 and 8 seconds. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 26, 27, 28)
- Dribbling in to shoot after under 3 seconds is allowed. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 26.1.2)
- Both feet must be on the floor outside; the line belongs to the area and a raised foot is not placed. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 26.1.3)

Sources: FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (v1.1), Article 26 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

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