There are 8 TV timeouts in college basketball with four in each half. Each team gets 3 timeouts in last 30 seconds and one in last 60 seconds.
The number of timeouts given in the game usually varies with the different levels of play. The NBA offers 7 per team in a single game.
Even though the timing-out rules and the policies are created differently with the level of play, the overall meaning of timing-out remains the same.
The timeouts are often called the temporary stop or pausing of the game clock and the shot clock from ticking providing a break during the game.
It further provides the break time to refresh the player's mind and think about the new strategies, make substitutions, or rest players during the game.
The shot clock remains in pause in where it was stopped during the break and will resume after the ball becomes live again in the game.
Media Timeouts College Basketball
Three 30-second or less are given before any of the media marks as Media Timeouts in College Basketball. Two of them can be carried over to the second half.
The media timeouts in NCAA basketball format are created under Rule 5-14.10 which states that each team will provide 3 media timeouts of 30 seconds per each regulation game.
Here are some of the timeouts enlisted regarding the media timeouts in NCAA basketball:
a. A timeout is granted with 30 seconds or less before any media marks.
b. If an official elects to use instant replay with 30 seconds or less before any media marks
c. Either A or B above creates the first dead ball after one of the media marks.
The exception is that when the first timeout is called by one team in the second half, it will become the length of timeout under e-media timeouts.
For example:
The first team called timeout at 17:30 in the first half ( either 30- or 60-second ). Here is how the scenario unfolds in the following reasons:
| Scenario | Activities |
| 15:55 - Team Called timeout for instant replay | Charged 16-minute media timeout except for instant replay |
| 12:05 - Team Called timeout for instant replay | Charged 12-minute media timeout except for instant replay |
| 11:59 - Dead ball occurs after team took timeout ( 12:30-12:00) | Not a media timeout |
How Many Timeouts In College Basketball?
Timeouts in NCAA College basketball provided to the teams is 4 per regulation game. They occur at the first dead ball after each half's 16-minute, 12-minute, 8-minute, and 4-minute mark.
Though each team is provided four college basketball timeouts when the game is televised, numbers increase to 8, providing 4 in each half.
The teams also have one 60-second timeout that can be used at any time during the match. The electronic media agreement provides the right to determine the number and media marks for e-media timeouts.
The timeout is noted if any team calls within 30 seconds before any scheduled TV breaks. The same rule applies when a video review of 30 seconds is taken.
Timeouts In NBA
There are a total of 7 timeouts for each team in an NBA game with two mandatory timeouts in each period.
The timeout is one of the crucial aspects of the basketball game and can only be initiated by a player on the court or the head coach after the ball is under the control of the team making the request.
If the timeout is asked for when none remain, then the team will be charged with a technical foul upon its request in the game.
During the game time, although both NBA teams are allowed 7 time-outs in total, they can't use more than 4 in the 4th quarter of the game forfeiting unused timeouts.
When the quarter reduces to three minutes, then the team is limited to only 2 but if the team hasn't used its mandatory timeout, the limit will be enforced after it is taken.
For example, if there are less than 2 minutes left in the game or the overtime period, and the offensive team calls for a timeout after scoring a rebound, then the team can get a chance to inbound the ball from mid-court.
Additional two timeouts are added to both teams if the game goes into overtime period as per the NBA rules.
If either team utilizes their timeouts and then their players sustain an injury preventing them from taking off the court during play stoppage, no additional timeouts will be charged.
The game will resume after the playing conditions are marked safe without the extravagant timeouts being added to the team's count.
How Many Timeouts In High School Basketball?
High school basketball has 5 time-outs with three of 60 seconds and 2 of 30 seconds in a single game.
Certain rules in high school basketball govern the number of time-outs how they are called and what teams can or cannot do.
As basketball is a fast-paced game, the inclusion of a break period declaring the time-outs is most needed to get your players to rest or freshen up for the remaining game period.
The teams are awarded three 60-second breaks and two 30-second breaks at the start of the game. They are not forced to use it as they may or may not use it at any point in the game.
For example, the team can either use all its breaks in the first quarter or save all for the last two minutes, which depends on the team's decision.
An extra full time-out of 60 seconds will be awarded if the game goes on overtime.
Either, the player or the coach can have the right to call the time off, however, coaches can't call for a pause at any time during the game.
The player should secure possession of the ball if the coaches want to call a time-out when the ball is live. Like NBA and college basketball, a technical foul is charged if the team requests for a break when they have 0 time-out left.
Regarding substitutions during the time-outs, the player must report to the table 15 seconds before the end of the break as the official timer provides a signal to both teams 15 seconds before the time ends.
In some situations, the game officials also can call a time-out and are not charged to any teams playing. These situations include injury to the player, dangerous playing conditions, and differences in the official score.
Another reason is the loose ball which causes an unusual delay in the game.
Timeouts Policy In WNBA
WNBA Timeouts Policy states that Each team is entitled to one regular timeout of 120 seconds per half.
There won't be any carry-over of the unused timeouts from the first half to the second half compared to NBA and college basketball which allows to do so.
Compared to the NBA, the rules are much simpler to understand regarding the time breaks.
The teams first receive a one 120 seconds timeout in the regulation game followed by additional 20 seconds in the first half and two additional 20 seconds break in the second half.
If there are unused timeouts, then the teams can carry only one 20-second additional timeout from the second half.
The player can be granted 20 seconds when the ball is dead or his team is in control of ball possession in the game. Otherwise, it will be rejected or ignored.
For the overtime periods, the teams are provided an additional 20 seconds plus one unused 20 seconds carried over from the regulation time for a maximum of two 20-second breaks per team.
Only one player per team is allowed to get replaced in a 20-second break and if the player sustains an injury then the coach will have to call the full timeouts of 120-second intervals.
However, the additional 20 seconds won't be granted to the defensive team during the official suspension of play for:
- game delay warning
- retrieving an errant ball
- an inadvertent whistle or any other unusual circumstance to the player on the court.
As of changes in the WNBA rules in 2023, the teams can have one challenge per game but must call a timeout to use it fully. The teams are charged with technical fouls if the team issues a challenge with no timeouts.
