Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world, with millions of fans watching and playing the game. Part of what makes the game so entertaining is the fast-paced nature of the game, with players moving up and down the court for a full 48 minutes. But how long is a quarter in a basketball game?
In this article, we’ll take a look at the length of a quarter in a basketball game, as well as how the timing of the game is structured.
What is the Length of a Quarter in a Basketball Game?
The length of a quarter in a basketball game is 12 minutes. This means that, when playing a regulation game, teams will play four quarters of 12 minutes each. The total length of a regulation basketball game is 48 minutes.
In addition to the 12-minute quarters, teams will also have a two-minute halftime break. This means that a full basketball game has a total of 50 minutes, which includes the halftime break.
The length of a quarter in a professional basketball game is slightly different than the length of a quarter in a high school or college basketball game. Professional basketball is played in four 12-minute quarters, while high school and college basketball is played in four 10-minute quarters.
Timeouts and Overtime
Each team is allowed to call two full timeouts per half, and one additional timeout in overtime. Each timeout lasts approximately one minute and 30 seconds, so teams can use up to five minutes and 30 seconds of timeout time during the course of a game.
In addition to the two full timeouts, teams are also allowed to call an additional 20-second timeout per half. This timeout is referred to as a “20-second timeout,” and it can be used to stop the clock in order to make a substitution, or to draw up a play.
If the game is tied at the end of regulation, the teams will enter into a five-minute overtime period. At the end of the overtime period, if the game is still tied, the teams will enter into a second overtime period.
This process will continue until there is a winner, or until the game is called due to darkness.
Timeouts During Free Throws
One important thing to note is that teams are not allowed to call a timeout when the opposing team is shooting a free throw. Teams are only allowed to call a timeout when the ball is in play.
This rule is in place in order to prevent teams from calling a timeout while the opposing team is shooting a free throw in order to disrupt their concentration.
Conclusion
Overall, the length of a quarter in a basketball game is 12 minutes. Each team is allowed two full timeouts and one additional 20-second timeout per half, and these timeouts can be used to make substitutions or draw up plays. If the game is tied at the end of regulation, the teams will enter into a five-minute overtime period. Teams are not allowed to call timeouts during free throws in order to prevent disrupting the opposing team’s concentration.