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Basketball · Official Basketball Rules

Law 4: Teams

2 parts · 8 tests · 80 facts · updated 22 October 2026 · markdown

Who may play and when: eligible and entitled team members, players, substitutes and excluded players, the make-up of a team, the uniform and shirt numbers, and the equipment a player may and may not wear.

4.41Team Members, Players and Substitutes

Eligible and entitled team members, the three statuses during playing time, the make-up of a team and the moment a substitute becomes a player.

Test 1Eligible, entitled, player, substitute, excludedTake a test

  1. Eligibility comes from the regulations of the competition's organising body, including any age limits.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.1.1 · recall

  2. Entitlement needs an entry on the scoresheet before the game and lasts until a disqualification or a fifth foul.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.1.2 · recall

  3. A player is a team member on the court who is entitled to play.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.1.3 · recall

  4. Off the court but still entitled to play: that is a substitute.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.1.3 · recall

  5. In an interval the player/substitute split pauses: all who are entitled count as players.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.1.4 · recall

  6. Entitlement needs an entry on the scoresheet before the start of the game; eligibility alone is not enough.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.1.1, 4.1.2 · applied

  7. A team member stays entitled to play only while he has been neither disqualified nor charged with 5 fouls.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.1.2 · applied

  8. Eligibility is set by the competition, entitlement by this game's scoresheet, and only five of those are on the court.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.1 · applied

  9. An entered team member moves between player and substitute until a fifth foul makes him an excluded player.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.1.2, 4.1.3 · applied

  10. Number 7 has committed 5 fouls and is no longer entitled to play; number 11, on 4, still is.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.1.3 · applied

Test 2The make-up of a teamTake a test

  1. A team has no more than 12 team members entitled to play.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.2.1 · recall

  2. The captain is one of the 12, not an extra member.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.2.1, 6.1 · recall

  3. A team may have up to 8 accompanying delegation members.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.2.1 · recall

  4. The up to 8 accompanying delegation members include the assistant coaches.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.2.1 · recall

  5. Where a team has assistant coaches, the first assistant coach is entered on the scoresheet.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.2.1 · recall

  6. Each team consists of its team members, a head coach and its accompanying delegation.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.2.1 · recall

  7. Add the maximums: 12 + 1 + 8 = 21.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.2.1 · applied

  8. 12, then 8, then 5, then 1.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.2.1, 4.2.2 · recall

  9. 21 people in a full team, 16 bench seats, 12 team members, 5 on the court.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 2.5.5, 4.2.1, 4.2.2 · applied

  10. Thirteen team members are entered as entitled to play; the limit is 12.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.2.1 · applied

Test 3When a substitute becomes a playerTake a test

  1. A substitute becomes a player when beckoned on by a referee, or, during a time-out, when he asks the timer.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.2.3 · recall

  2. In a time-out the change happens when the substitute requests the substitution from the timer.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.2.3 · recall

  3. Between quarters a player becomes a substitute when the interval ends.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.2.3 · applied

  4. The same moment that makes the substitute a player makes the replaced player a substitute.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.2.3 · applied

  5. The team bench area seats include the excluded players; an excluded player is not sent away.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 2.5.5, 4.1.3 · applied

  6. A scoresheet entry makes him entitled, but only the organiser's rules, age limits among them, make him eligible.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.1.1 · applied

  7. During playing time each team has 5 team members on the court, and they may be substituted.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.2.2 · recall

  8. During a time-out the request to the timer is the moment of the change.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.2.3 · applied

  9. With the ball dead, the referee's beckon is the moment the substitute becomes a player.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.2.3 · applied

  10. A substitute becomes a player when the referee beckons him to enter the court.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.2.3 · applied

4.42Uniforms and Equipment

Shirts, shorts and socks, shirt numbers, light and dark sets, shoes and logos, and the protective and other equipment a player may wear.

Test 1Shirts, shorts and socksTake a test

  1. Shirts and shorts share the same dominant colour front and back.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.1 · recall

  2. All players must tuck their shirts into their playing shorts.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.1 · recall

  3. The rules state that all-in-ones are permitted.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.1 · recall

  4. The shorts must end above the knee.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.1 · recall

  5. Socks must be of the same dominant colour for all team members.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.1 · recall

  6. The 2026 changes removed the requirement for socks to be visible.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.1; FIBA OBR 2026 changes · recall

  7. Front-to-back colour matching applies to the shorts as much as to the shirts.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.1 · applied

  8. Sleeves above the elbow, shirts tucked in at the waist, shorts above the knee.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.1 · recall

  9. Shirt and shorts share a dominant colour, socks match across the team, shoes may be any colour.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.1, 4.4.3 · recall

  10. Long-sleeved shirts are not permitted; sleeveless shirts and sleeves ending above the elbow are.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.1 · applied

Test 2Shirt numbersTake a test

  1. Each team member wears a shirt numbered on the front and the back.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.2 · recall

  2. Numbers on the back are at least 16 cm high.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.2 · recall

  3. Numbers on the front are at least 8 cm high.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.2 · recall

  4. The numbers must be at least 2 cm wide.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.2 · recall

  5. Numbers are plain and of a colour that contrasts with the shirt, so they are clearly visible.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.2 · recall

  6. Players on the same team shall not wear the same number.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.2 · applied

  7. Advertising and logos must be at least 4 cm away from the numbers.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.2 · recall

  8. 2 cm, 4 cm, 8 cm, 16 cm.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.2 · recall

  9. A team brings two sets, wears the right one for the game, gives each player a unique number and sizes it correctly.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.2, 4.3.3 · applied

  10. Teams may use 0, 00 and 1 to 99; 100 is outside the range.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.2 · applied

Test 3Light and dark sets, shoes and logosTake a test

  1. Teams must have a minimum of 2 sets of shirts.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.3 · recall

  2. The first team named in the schedule, the home team, wears light shirts; the second team wears dark.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.3 · recall

  3. The home team's light shirts are preferably white.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.3 · recall

  4. If the 2 teams agree, they may interchange the colours of the shirts.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.3 · applied

  5. During the game a player may wear shoes of any colour combination.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.3 · recall

  6. Flashing lights, reflective material and other adornments on shoes are not permitted.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.3 · applied

  7. With two sets in hand, the schedule decides the colour: first-named teams wear light.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.3 · applied

  8. Equipment not specifically mentioned must be approved by the FIBA Technical Commission.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.5 · applied

  9. The Bears are named second in the schedule, so they wear the dark set.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.3 · applied

Test 4Protective equipmentTake a test

  1. Equipment designed to increase a player's height or reach, or to give any other unfair advantage, is not permitted.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.1 · recall

  2. Objects that could cut or cause abrasions are banned, so fingernails must be closely cut.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.2 · recall

  3. Jewellery is not permitted.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.2 · applied

  4. Hair accessories are on the list of items that are not permitted.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.2 · recall

  5. Upper arm, thigh and lower leg protection is permitted when sufficiently padded; hard finger-to-forearm guards are not.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.2 · recall

  6. A protector covering an injured nose is permitted, even if made of a hard material.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.2 · applied

  7. Headgear may not cover any part of the face, entirely or partially: eyes, nose, lips and so on.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.2 · recall

  8. Casts made of hard substances are not permitted, even if covered with soft padding.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.2 · applied

  9. Knee, shoulder and ankle braces are all permitted.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.2 · recall

  10. A hard plastic wrist guard is banned even if padded; a padded thigh guard, a knee brace and a clear mouth guard are allowed.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.2 · applied

Test 5Compression wear, bands and matching coloursTake a test

  1. Arm and leg garments, including undershirts and undershorts, made of compression material are permitted.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.2 · recall

  2. Wristbands and headbands may be at most 10 cm wide.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.2 · recall

  3. They must be of textile material.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.2 · recall

  4. A non-coloured transparent mouth guard is permitted.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.2 · recall

  5. Spectacles are permitted if they do not pose a danger to other players.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.2 · recall

  6. Taping of arms, shoulders, legs and so on is permitted.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.2 · recall

  7. Headgear must not have opening or closing elements around the face or neck, or parts sticking out.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.2 · applied

  8. 5 cm, 10 cm, 16 cm.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 2.5, 4.3.2, 4.4.2 · applied

  9. From the forehead to the mouth, the shoulder and the wrist.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.2 · recall

  10. Compression garments, headbands, wristbands and tapings must be the same solid colour for the whole team.

    Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.2 · applied

Sources

FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (v1.1), Article 4 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.218
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.29
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.18
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.2.17
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.2.37
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.36
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.1.33
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.1.12
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.1.22
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.32
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.1.41
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.1.1, 4.1.21
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.11
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.1.2, 4.1.31
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.2.1, 6.11
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.2.1, 4.2.21
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 2.5.5, 4.2.1, 4.2.21
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 2.5.5, 4.1.31
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.2.21
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.1; FIBA OBR 2026 changes1
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.1, 4.4.31
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.3.2, 4.3.31
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.41
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.51
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 4.4.11
  • FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 2.5, 4.3.2, 4.4.21