Backcourt Count

Also known as: 8-second rule, 10-second rule, Half-court count

Time limit to get the ball over half court.

The rule

After gaining the ball in its backcourt, a team has a set number of seconds to get it into the frontcourt.

The penalty

The other team gets the ball for a throw-in.

The reason

It stops a team from killing time in its own half and forces it to attack. The NBA shortened its count from 10 to 8 seconds in 2001 to speed the game up.

Around the leagues

• 8 seconds: NBA, WNBA, FIBA, Wheelchair
• 10 seconds: NCAA M, NCAA W
• No count: 3x3. There’s no backcourt. The 12-second shot clock keeps things moving.

Related: Over and Back, Shot Clock