(English) 2.1 Substitutions and time-outs

(English) Basketball is played by two teams, each with five players on the court at any one time. Each team may have additional players (substitutes) that can be interchanged an unlimited number of times. If a player accumulates 5 personal fouls in one game they can take no further part in the game. Similarly, players can be sent off (for example when they receive two technical fouls). If they are sent off, the player must leave the playing area. If they are “fouled out”, they may remain on the team bench.

(English) Substitutions can only be made when the game is stopped, and is done by the scoretable notifying the referees of the request to substitute a player. The coach should have players that are to go into the game “report” to the scoretable and request a substitution. It should not be the coach that asks for a substitution, although often times a coach will make the request. The reason for players asking for the substitution is so that the scoretable can ensure that the player is correctly entered on the scoresheet and eligible to play.

Some local competitions may have variations to the rules in regards to when substitutions can be made and coaches should be familiar with the rules of each specific competition in which they compete.

Basketball is played in four quarters and there is a short break between each quarter (the break at half time is longer). In addition, coaches may call a time-out, which provides a 1 minute break during which they may address their team.

The coach asks the scoretable to request a time-out and the scoretable notifies the referees.

Competitions will often vary when time-outs may be called and how many time-outs a coach may call. Coaches should make sure they are familiar with the rules of the particular competition in which they are competing.