Central Basketball Association

In the United States, there are three distinct classes of rules and regulations associated with basketball: high school, collegiate, and NBA, with each level having their own guidelines that vary from each other. 

Outside the United States; however, there is only one set of rules pertaining to basketball, which are governed by FIBA - the international body that administers basketball across the globe. 

With the Central Basketball Association focusing on advancing the careers of athletes on the international platform, it becomes critical that each of the players participating in competition is familiar with FIBA rules and regulations, especially considering those are the standards used with overseas basketball clubs that one is aspiring to be a member of. 

Therefore, although the CBA, upon its inception in 2013, began with the utilization of NBA rules, the league transitioned to FIBA rules in 2015 to not only accommodate the requests of international scouts and organizations, but also to better prepare its athletes for the standards used internationally. 

Below are the key features of FIBA rules that players, referees, coaches, media members, and fans must be aware of, that are different from high school, collegiate, or NBA rules that they may be traditionally familiar with.

Length of Quarters: Games will feature four individual quarters consisting of 10 minutes per period. Overtime periods last 5 minutes. Game clock stops only after a made field goal in the final two minutes of the 4th quarter and Overtime.  

Shot Clock Duration: 24 seconds. Defensive fouls result in a reset to 14 seconds if the shot clock was below 14 seconds at the time of the foul. 

Timeouts:  Timeouts can only be called by a coach. 2 timeouts per club in the first half. 3 timeouts per club in the second half. 1 timeout per club in overtime. Timeouts can only be called during a dead-ball situation. Ball can be advanced to half court after a timeout only in the final two minutes of the 4th quarter or Overtime. 

3-Seconds in Key / Zone-Defense: Permitted.

Goaltending: Not Permitted. 

Basket Interference: Permitted only in situation where ball can be swatted off the rim by a defensive player. 

Backcourt Violation: 8 seconds.

Closely Guarded Violation: 5 seconds if actively defended within 3 feet.

Personal Foul Limit: 5 personal fouls, including technical fouls.

Technical Foul: 1 shot plus possession. 2 technical fouls result in ejection plus potential suspension. 

Free Throws: 2 shots. No 1-and-1 free throws. 

Team Fouls: 5+ team fouls result in two free throws. Team fouls reset after each quarter, except overtime, which has the fourth quarter team fouls carry over. Technical fouls on the coach are not assessed as team fouls. 

Alternating Possession: Yes. No Jump-Ball except to start game. 

For further guidance on FIBA rules, visit the USA Basketball website at http://archive.usab.com/rules/index.html or the FIBA website at http://www.fiba.com/rule-differences

The CBA season is set to begin its fifth season this Saturday, March 25. All games are scheduled to be broadcasted live on the league's YouTube channel, Facebook page, as well as the CBA website.

With nearly 500 former NCAA players participating in league competition in its history, as well as nearly 200 players receiving opportunities to play on international soil, the CBA is the fastest growing minor league organization in the United States.