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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/bball-fiba-closely-guarded-five-seconds

Under FIBA rules, a closely guarded player holding the ball must pass, shoot or dribble within how long?

5 seconds.

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  1. 3 seconds
  2. 5 seconds ✔
  3. 8 seconds

Why: In FIBA international play, a player holding the ball with a defender within 1 meter must pass, shoot or dribble within 5 seconds. Otherwise the other team gets the ball.

Huh, didn't know that: In NCAA play the closely guarded distance is 6 feet, and the count is only for holding the ball.

The dad joke
Why did the closely guarded player start counting? He did not want to be a five-second wonder.
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References

Answer: 5 seconds. In FIBA international play, a player holding the ball with a defender within 1 meter must pass, shoot or dribble within 5 seconds. Otherwise the other team gets the ball.

  1. FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 assets.fiba.basketball/image/upload/documents-corporate-fiba-official-rules-2026-v1-1.pdf
    A closely guarded player must pass, shoot or dribble the ball within 5 seconds.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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