Rule No. 7: 30-Second Clock
I: Definition | II: Starting and Stopping of 30-Second Clock
III: Putting Ball In Play After Violation | IV: Resetting 30-Second Clock
For the purpose of clarification, the 30-second device shall be referred to as "the 30-second clock."
Section II-Starting and Stopping of 30-Second Clock
a. The 30-second clock will start when a team gains new possession of a ball which is in play.
b. On a throw-in, the 30-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 30 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
30 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 30 seconds, a 30- 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 30-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 30-second clock is stopped and the offensive team shall be awarded the ball on the baseline.
The offensive team shall have only the unexpired time remaining on the 30-second clock in which to attempt a field goal. If the 30-second clock reads 0, a 30-second violation has occurred, even though the horn may not have sounded.
h. If during any period there are 30 seconds OR LESS left to play in the period, the 30-second clock shall not function following a new possession.
i. If an official inadvertently blows his/her whistle and the 30-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/her 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 30 seconds allowed, the final decision shall be made by the officials.
k. Whenever the 30-second clock reads 0 and the ball is dead for any reason other than a kicking violation, punched ball violation, personal foul or a technical foul by the defensive team, the allotted 30 seconds have expired even though the horn may not have sounded.
Section III-Putting Ball In Play After Violation
If a team fails to attempt a field goal within the time allotted, a 30-second violation shall be called. The ball is awarded to the defensive team nearest the spot where play was suspended.
Section IV-Resetting 30-Second Clock
a. The 30-second clock shall be reset when a special situation occurs which warrants such action.
b. The 30-second clock shall remain the same as when play was stopped, or reset to 10 seconds, whichever is greater, on all technical fouls or delay-of-game warnings called on the defensive team.
Exception: Fighting foul
c. The 30-second clock is never reset on technical fouls called on the offensive team.
Exception: Fighting foul
d. The 30-second clock shall be reset to 30 seconds anytime the following occures:
(1) Change of possession
(2) Personal foul
(3) Fighting foul
(4) Kicking the ball or blocking the ball with any part of the leg
(5) Punching the ball with a fist
(6) Ball contacting the basket ring of the team which is in possession.