Start of basketball season brings numerous NCAA rules changes

Posted: Nov 13, 2015

NCAA Women's Basketball Rules Changes (PDF)
Women's Basketball Options to Advance the Ball (PDF)
NCAA Men's Basketball Rules Changes (PDF)

With the 2015-16 college basketball regular season kicking off this weekend, there are a variety of rules changes that fans will notice while attending or watching games this year.

Below are a selection of the key changes for this season for each sport. Above you can download PDF documents that go into more specifics on the changes.

Key 2015-16 NCAA Men's Basketball Rules Changes
• Changed from a 35 to 30-second shot clock.
• Teams now have 3 30-second timeouts and 1 60-second timeout per game (down from 4 and 1 last year).
• If a team timeout is granted 30 seconds or less prior to a scheduled media timeout (i.e. 16:29), that timeout becomes the media timeout.
• Coaches can only call timeouts during a dead ball situation.
• Restricted arc expanded from three to four feet.
• Elimination of the 5-second closely guarded count on a dribble.
• Airborne shooter charge plays cannot score a basket.
• Arm bar allowed in post area when offense has back to basket with or without the ball.
• 10-second backcourt count resets EXCEPT when (1) defender causes ball to go out of bounds, (2) offense retains possession on a held ball and (3) a technical foul is called on the offensive team.
• Points of emphasis include: (1) hand checking/body bumping the ball handler, (2) physical post play and rebounding, (3) freedom of movement for players without the ball/cutters, (4) screening/stationary screens required and (5) offense initiated contact with legal defenders.

Key 2015-16 NCAA Women's Basketball Rules Changes
• The game is now played in four 10-minute periods (instead of two 20-minute halves).
• Teams are awarded 2 free throws after the 5th team foul of each period (no more 1-and-1's).
• Fouls reset after each period (overtime is considered an extension of the fourth period).
• Teams now have 3 30-second timeouts and 1 60-second timeout per game (down from 4 and 1 last year).
• Media timeouts now occur at first deadball at or below the 5-minute mark of each period. If a team calls a timeout before the media break for a period, that timeout becomes the media timeout break. There is one additional media timeout in the second half (on the first called team timeout).
• During the last 59.9 seconds of the game (4th period or overtime) when the team in control of the ball is granted a timeout, the team will have the option to move the throw-in to the 28-foot line in the frontcourt. If the team advances the ball by pass or dribble before the timeout, it will no longer have the option to advance the ball.
• 10-second backcourt count resets EXCEPT when (1) defender causes ball to go out of bounds, (2) offense retains possession on a held ball and (3) a technical foul is called on the offensive team.

Click here to view a rules change video from the NCAA