In basketball, the five-second rule, or five-second violation, is a rule that helps promote continuous play. There are multiple situations where a five-second violation may occur. See more

In the NBA, a player in the frontcourt, below the free throw line extended, is not permitted to dribble the ball with his back or side to the basket for more than five seconds. A count … See more

Under all basketball rule sets, a team attempting to throw a ball in-bounds has five seconds to release the ball towards the court. The five … See more

A five-second closely guarded violation may be called against an offensive player with the ball when that player is guarded closely for five seconds or more, and does not pass, shoot, or … See more

A free throw shooter, under FIBA rules, must shoot the ball towards the hoop within five seconds after an official places it at the shooter's disposal. (Under North American rule sets, the shooter is allowed 10 seconds.)
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