General Rules
Here’s an overview of the key general rules in the NBA, NCAA, and WNBA:
NBA Rules:
1. Game Duration: Four quarters, 12 minutes each.
2. Shot Clock: 24 seconds.
3. Fouls: Players are disqualified after 6 personal fouls (team fouls lead to free throws after the 5th).
4. Three-Point Line: 23.75 feet from the basket (22 feet in the corners).
5. Overtime: 5 minutes.
6. Timeouts: Each team has 7 timeouts, with specific restrictions on usage.
NCAA Rules:
1. Game Duration: Two halves, 20 minutes each.
2. Shot Clock: 30 seconds.
3. Fouls: Players are disqualified after 5 personal fouls (team fouls lead to free throws after the 7th).
4. Three-Point Line: 22.15 feet from the basket.
5. Overtime: 5 minutes.
6. Timeouts: Each team has 4 timeouts, with restrictions on usage.
WNBA Rules:
1. Game Duration: Four quarters, 10 minutes each.
2. Shot Clock: 24 seconds.
3. Fouls: Players are disqualified after 5 personal fouls (team fouls lead to free throws after the 4th).
4. Three-Point Line**: 22.15 feet from the basket.
5. Overtime: 5 minutes.
6. Timeouts: Each team has 3 timeouts, with specific restrictions on usage.
Common Rules Across All Leagues:
Dribbling: Players must dribble the ball while moving; double dribbling is not allowed.
Travelling: Moving without dribbling the ball results in a turnover.
Violations: Shot clock violations, goaltending, and out-of-bounds rules are generally consistent.
Each league has specific nuances and additional rules, but these are the fundamental differences.
Expanded Rules
Here are the expanded rules for basketball in the NBA, NCAA, and WNBA:
NBA Rules:
1. Game Structure:
– Duration: Four quarters of 12 minutes each.
– Overtime: 5-minute periods.
2. Scoring:
– Field Goal: 2 points (inside the arc), 3 points (beyond the arc).
– Free Throw: 1 point.
3. Shot Clock:
– 24 seconds to attempt a shot.
4. Fouls:
– Personal Fouls: 6 fouls lead to disqualification.
– Team Fouls: 5 fouls per quarter result in bonus free throws.
– Technical Fouls: Result in 1 free throw for the opposing team.
5. Traveling and Dribbling:
– Must dribble while moving; no double dribble or traveling (taking more than 2 steps without dribbling).
6. Violations:
– Shot Clock Violation: Failing to attempt a shot in 24 seconds.
– Goaltending: Blocking a shot on its way down or after it hits the backboard.
NCAA Rules:
1. Game Structure:
– Duration: Two halves of 20 minutes each.
– Overtime: 5-minute periods.
2. Scoring:
– Field Goal: 2 points (inside the arc), 3 points (beyond the arc).
– Free Throw: 1 point.
3. Shot Clock:
– 30 seconds to attempt a shot.
4. Fouls:
– Personal Fouls: 5 fouls lead to disqualification.
– Team Fouls: 7 fouls per half result in bonus free throws (1-and-1), 10 fouls result in double bonus (2 free throws).
5. Traveling and Dribbling:
– Similar to NBA rules on dribbling and traveling.
6. Violations:
– Shot Clock Violation: Failing to attempt a shot in 30 seconds.
– Goaltending: Similar to NBA rules.
WNBA Rules:
1. Game Structure:
– Duration: Four quarters of 10 minutes each.
– Overtime: 5-minute periods.
2. Scoring:
– Field Goal: 2 points (inside the arc), 3 points (beyond the arc).
– Free Throw: 1 point.
3. Shot Clock:
– 24 seconds to attempt a shot.
4. Fouls:
– Personal Fouls: 5 fouls lead to disqualification.
– Team Fouls: 4 fouls per quarter result in bonus free throws (2 free throws after the 4th foul).
5. Traveling and Dribbling:
– Similar rules regarding dribbling and traveling as in the NBA.
6. Violations:
– Shot Clock Violation: Failing to attempt a shot in 24 seconds.
– Goaltending: Same as NBA and NCAA.
Common Rules Across All Leagues:
Out-of-Bounds: If the ball or player touches the boundary lines, it’s out of bounds.
Jump Ball: Initiated at the start of the game and any overtime period.
These rules provide a comprehensive overview of basketball regulations across the NBA, NCAA, and WNBA.