Guides · Rules guide · 9 min read
Game clock, shot clock & timeout rules by league
Set the wrong quarter length and the whole tournament runs late. This reference covers every format HooperScore supports — copy the row for your league and go.
Period lengths and overtime at a glance
| League | Periods | OT |
|---|---|---|
| NBA | 4 × 12:00 quarters | 5:00 |
| WNBA | 4 × 10:00 quarters | 5:00 |
| NCAA men / women | 2 × 20:00 halves | 5:00 |
| FIBA | 4 × 10:00 quarters | 5:00 |
| US High School (NFHS) | 4 × 8:00 quarters | 4:00 |
| Youth / pickup | 2 × 20:00 running or 4 × 6:00 | 2:00 |
Tournament tip: youth events almost always use running clock except the last 2 minutes. Agree that before tip or games overrun by 30 minutes each.
Shot clock: 24s, 30s and the 14s reset
- NBA / WNBA / FIBA: 24 seconds. Offense must hit the rim in 24s or it's a violation. Offensive rebound that stays with offense → reset to 14 seconds, not 24.
- NCAA men / women: 30 seconds. Same rim rule, reset to 20s on offensive rebound (HooperScore lets you customize; many youth boards just use 24/14 or 30 full).
- US high school (NFHS): No national shot clock — about half the states use 35s or 30s, half use none. Ask your assigner. If none, hide the shot clock and run game clock only.
- Defensive reset: Any change of possession, made basket, or defensive foul with free throws = full reset (R key).
HooperScore defaults to 24s with one-tap 14s reset (Q), red pulse under 5s and buzzer at zero — exactly like a wall board. Link it to the game clock so both pause on a whistle together, or use our dedicated standalone online shot clock timer if you only need 24-second counting.
8-second backcourt and 3-second lane (quick reference)
Backcourt: 8 seconds to cross half court in NBA/WNBA/FIBA, 10 seconds in NCAA and NFHS high school. Track it against the game clock — no separate button needed.
3 seconds: Offensive player can't camp in the paint more than 3s while their team has the ball. NBA adds defensive 3s. Neither shows on a scoreboard, but fans ask — now you know.
Timeouts: how many and how long
| League | Timeouts | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NBA | 7 per team (6 full + 1 × 20s legacy) | Max 4 carry to 4th quarter. OT adds 2 each. |
| NCAA men | 4 × 75s + 2 × 30s | Use-it-or-lose-it media timeouts complicate TV games; non-TV: track 6 simply. |
| NCAA women / FIBA | 5 total (women), 2 per half + extras (FIBA) | FIBA: 2 in 1st half, 3 in 2nd (max 2 in last 2 min). |
| NFHS high school | 3 × 60s + 2 × 30s | OT adds 1 × 60s. Volunteers: just track 5 dots. |
On the table: tap one timeout dot off per call and announce remaining — "Blue, 2 fulls left." Never give a team more than they have because you forgot to tap.
Set it once, run all weekend
Pick your league row, set quarter length + shot clock + timeout dots in HooperScore, then duplicate the tab for Court 2. Same link, different settings.
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