Basketball · Official Basketball Rules

Law 45: Correctable Errors

2 parts · 4 tests · 40 facts · updated 22 October 2026 · markdown

Which errors can be corrected, by when, who takes part, how each kind is put right, and the shot clock as category 2.

45.451Category 1 Errors

What can be corrected, the deadlines and who takes part.

A referee may stop the game immediately on identifying a correctable error, unless either team is disadvantaged.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.1.1 · recall
Fouls, time used and other activity between the error and its recognition remain valid.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.1.2 · recall
Errors must be identified by the referees, the commissioner if present, or the table officials.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.3.1 · recall
Awarding unmerited free throws is a category 1 error; judgement calls are not correctable errors.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.2 · recall
Recording a time-out against the wrong team is a scorekeeping error that can be corrected.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.2 · applied
The game restarts from the place nearest where it was stopped to correct the error.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.1.3 · recall
The game clock is corrected with time added or deducted as needed.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.4.8 · applied
Everything in between stays valid; the restart is where the game was stopped.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.1 · applied
An erroneously excluded or disqualified player re-enters once the sheet is put right.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.4.6 · applied
Shot clock errors are category 2; the other three are category 1.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.2, 45.5 · applied

An error before 2:00 of the 4th quarter must be corrected before 2:00 or less remain.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.3.1 · recall
After 2:00 of the 4th or in overtime, it must be corrected before the ball is live after the first stop following it.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.3.1 · recall
These errors are no longer correctable after the ball becomes dead at the game clock's end signal, with one exception.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.3.2 · recall
Then the error is corrected immediately after the game, with the teams on the court or in their bench areas.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.3.2 · applied
He must re-enter the court to take part in the correction, becoming a player.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.3.3 · applied
If he is excluded, disqualified, injured or cannot be identified, the head coach designates a team member.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.3.3 · applied
He may remain unless a legal substitution is requested again.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.3.3 · applied
That first stop is the last chance to put it right.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.3.1 · applied
Earlier errors by 2:00 of the 4th; late errors at the next stop; last-gasp ones right after the game.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.3 · applied
The first stop after the error falls under 2:00, so fix it before the ball is live.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.3.1 · applied

Special procedures, and shot clock errors as category 2.

The team whose free throws were cancelled throws in from the free-throw line extended.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.4.1 · applied
With no change of possession, the game resumes after the correction as after any last free throw.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.4.2 · applied
If the same team scores after being wrongly given the throw-in, the error is disregarded.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.4.2 · applied
The free throws are cancelled and the correct player takes replacement free throws.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.4.4 · applied
Points are awarded or cancelled and the scoresheet is corrected.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.4.5 · applied
Anyone who should have been excluded or disqualified is excluded or disqualified.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.4.6 · applied
The ball goes to the team entitled to it when the game was stopped for the correction.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.1.3 · recall
Cancel what the wrong man shot, then the ball goes to the opponents.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.4.3 · applied
A new attempt by the right player replaces the old one.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.4.4 · applied
The wrong shooter's attempts go; Team B inbounds at the free-throw line extended.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.4.3 · applied

Category 2 covers shot clock errors: starting, stopping or setting it wrongly.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.5 · recall
At the first stop, with the team in control keeping the ball, the shot clock is set to the correct time.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.6.1 · applied
Shot clock errors are no longer correctable after a change of possession of a live ball.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.6.2 · recall
Shot clock errors are not correctable after the team in control scores a valid goal.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.6.2 · recall
It can be corrected when the ball is live immediately after the error and the officials stop the game.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.6.1 · applied
The team in control or entitled at the error keeps the ball while the shot clock is fixed.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.6.1 · recall
The final signal with a dead ball closes this too.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.6.2 · recall
With the same team still entitled to the ball, the shot clock is put right.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.6.1 · applied
A valid goal by the team in control closes the chance to correct.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.6.2 · applied
At the first stop with the same team in control it can; after a change of possession, a goal or the end signal it cannot.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 45.6 · applied

FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (v1.1), Article 45 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)