The three-second rule applies to which game?

In basketball, the three-second rule says that an attacking player may not remain in the opponent's restricted area (also called the "key", "lane" or "paint") for more than three consecutive seconds while his team has control of the ball in the front court.

Why the rule exists:

Without it, tall players could stand under the basket all the time, waiting for passes and making it too easy to score. The rule keeps the game moving and fair.

The count stops when a shot is in the air, during a rebound, or when the ball is dead.

If the rule is broken, the ball is given to the other team.

In the NBA, there is also a "defensive three-second rule", which stops a defender from staying in the key for more than three seconds without closely guarding an opponent.

Other time rules in basketball (FIBA):

• 5-second rule: a closely guarded player must pass, shoot or dribble within 5 seconds; a player taking a throw-in must release the ball within 5 seconds.
• 8-second rule: a team must move the ball from its back court into its front court within 8 seconds.

24-second rule (shot clock): a team must attempt a shot that touches the ring within 24 seconds of gaining possession. The shot clock is reset to 14 seconds in some situations, such as after an offensive rebound.

Other basketball basics:

• 5 players per team on the court.
• FIBA games: 4 quarters of 10 minutes; NBA: 4 quarters of 12 minutes.
• The ring is 3.05 m (10 feet) high.
• Basketball was invented by James Naismith in 1891.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Volleyball has rules about three touches per side, not a three-second rule.
• ✗Hockey has time rules such as 2-minute green card suspensions and 8 seconds for a shoot-out, but no three-second rule.
• ✗Tennis has a 25-second serve clock between points, not a three-second rule.