What is the 24-second rule?
B · Beginner · Scoring, time and winning · 3 of 9A team that gains the ball must attempt a shot within 24 seconds. The ball must leave the shooter's hand before the shot clock sounds and then touch the ring or go in. If the same team gets the ball back after it hits the ring, the clock resets to 14 seconds, not 24.
How it works
- 24 seconds start when a player gains control of a live ball on the court.
- A valid attempt: the ball leaves the hand before the signal and then touches the ring or enters the basket.
- Signal sounds with the ball in the air: if it goes in, the goal counts; if it hits the ring, play goes on; if it misses the ring, it is a violation, unless the opponents gain clear control at once.
- After the ball touches the ring: 24 seconds if the other team gets it, 14 if the shooting team gets it back.
- After a foul or violation by the defending team, with the throw-in in the frontcourt: the clock carries on if it shows 14 or more, and resets to 14 if it shows 13 or less. In the backcourt it resets to 24.
- When the ball goes to the other team for a throw-in: 24 in their backcourt, 14 in their frontcourt.
- A violation gives the ball to the opponents for a throw-in.
Tricky cases
Does an air ball reset the shot clock?
No. The ball must touch the ring. A shot that misses everything leaves the clock running.
Why did the clock go to 14 and not 24 after the rebound?
Because the team that shot got its own rebound. It already has the ball near the basket, so it gets 14 seconds.
The shot clock sounded by mistake. What happens?
The signal is ignored and play goes on, unless the team with the ball was put at a disadvantage. Then play stops, the clock is corrected and that team keeps the ball.
Why the rule exists
It stops a team holding the ball to protect a lead, and keeps the game fast.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FIBA rules | As above | A29 |
| Last 2 minutes after a time-out | The coach may move the throw-in to the frontcourt, with its own clock settings | A29.2.5 |
From the rule book
FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026, Article 29, valid from 1 October 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: FIBA Official Basketball Rules (PDF).