WNBA Basketball Rules

WNBA basketball rules have some differences from the NBA and NCAA basketball rules.

1. Duration of game: two 20 minute halves
2. Overtime: 5 minutes
3. Length of halftime: 15 minutes
4. Duration between periods: 2 minutes

5. Shot clock: 30 seconds
6. Shot clock reset: when field goal attempt hits rim

7. Back court violation: ball must be in front court within 10 seconds
8. Game clock: stops after successful field goal during last minute of each half and overtime

9. Player foul limit: 6
10. Bonus free throw: after 8th foul and on 3rd overtime foul player gets two free throws
11. Number of players permitted on the free throw lane: 5 (three defensive and two offensive players)
12. Jump ball: yes
13. Number of referees: three

14. Timeouts - WNBA basketball rules:
a. Non televised game: one 120 second, one 20 second in the first half and one 120 second, two 20 second timeouts in the second half.
b. Televised game: same as non televised game
c. Overtime: one 120 second, one 20 second; one 20 second timeout can carried over
d. Timeouts called by: player in game
15. Equipment:
a. Legal jersey numbers:
0, 00, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,
17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44,
45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55
b. Size of basketball: maximum circumference 29"
c. Court length: 94' x 50'
d. Size of Lane: 12' x 19'
e. Three point field goal distance: 19' 9"

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