RULE NO. 7—24-SECOND CLOCK
Section II—Starting and Stopping of 24-Second Clock
a. The 24-second clock will start when a team gains new possession of a ball which is in play.
b. On a throw-in, the 24-second clock shall start when the ball is legally touched on the court by a player.
c. A team must attempt a field goal within 24 seconds after gaining possession of the ball. To constitute a legal field goal attempt, the following conditions must be complied with:
(1) The ball must leave the player’s hand prior to the expiration of 24 seconds.
(2) After leaving the player’s hand(s), the ball must make contact with the basket ring. If it fails to do so within 24 seconds, a 24-second violation has occurred.
d. A team is considered in possession of the ball when holding, passing or dribbling. The team is considered in possession of the ball even though the ball has been batted away but the opponent has not gained possession. No 3-second violation can occur under these conditions.
e. Team control ends when:
(1) There is a try for a field goal
(2) The opponent gains possession
(3) The ball becomes dead
f. If a ball is touched by a defensive player who does not gain possession of the ball, the 24-second clock shall continue to run.
g. If a defensive player causes the ball to go out-of-bounds or causes the ball to enter the basket ring from below, the 24-second clock is stopped and the offensive team shall be awarded the ball on the sideline for a throw-in.
The offensive team shall have only the unexpired time remaining on the 24-second clock in which to attempt a field goal. If the 24-second clock reads 0, a 24-second violation has occurred, even though the horn may not have sounded.
h. If during any period there are 24 seconds OR LESS left to play in the period, the 24-second clock shall not function.
i. If an official inadvertently blows his whistle and the 24-second clock buzzer sounds while the ball is in the air, play shall be suspended and play resumed by a jump ball between any two opponents at the center circle, if the shot is unsuccessful. If the shot is successful, the goal shall count and the whistle is ignored. It should be noted that even though the official blows his whistle, all provisions of the above rule apply.
j. If there is a question whether or not an attempt to score has been made within the 24 seconds allowed, the final decision shall be made by the officials.
k. Whenever the 24-second clock reads 0 and the ball is dead for any reason other than an Illegal Defense violation, kicking violation, punched ball violation, personal foul or a technical foul by the defensive team, the allotted 24 seconds have expired even though the horn may not have sounded.
