Official Rules of the NBA
The 2009-10 NBA season brings expanded use of instant replay by NBA referees.
Now that you're up to speed on the changes, time to refresh yourself on the old ones. Sure, you know your twos from threes, a blocked shot from a personal foul, but how well do you really know the NBA rules? For example, do you know that instant replay can be used at any point during a game to determine whether a field goal was correctly scored as a two- or three-point field goal? You can now by checking out the league's official rules as well as those most often misunderstood. Use the links below to navigate the NBA's 2007-08 rule book and case book, which contains questions and answers to the rules.
- Referee Assignments
- Rules changes for 2009-10
- Rules changes for 2008-09
- Rules changes for 2007-08
- NBA Rules History
- 2009-10 Rule Book (PDF)
- 2009-10 Officials Media Guide (PDF)
- NBA's Most Misunderstood Rules
- Official Referee Hand Signals Illustrated
- Video Rulebook
Ask Bernie: Backcourt violations & expanding replay
Bernie Fryer, Vice President and Director of NBA Officials answers the latest batch of rules questions from NBA fans. Read Article 
Ask Bernie: Do referees wait to call fouls?
Bernie Fryer, Vice President and Director of NBA Officials, takes questions about this very important rule. Read Article 
Making the Call: Offensive Foul
Watch as Chris Paul is whistled for an offensive foul you may not have seen before.Watch Video
Making the Call: In the Cylinder or Not?
Ronnie Nunn helps you understand how referees determine whether a ball is in the cylinder or not.Watch Video
Making the Call: 3-Point Video Replay
Ronnie Nunn, the Director of Development for Officials, explains the new 3-point video replay rule.Watch Video
Collective Bargaining Agreement
What's a Mid-level Exception? How long can a free-agent contract be? How about a rookie contract? The answers to those questions and more can be found in the collective bargaining agreement that was signed in 2005 and runs through the 2010-11 season.
2009-10 Key Dates
Oct. 26, 2009 - Rosters set for opening dayOct. 27, 2009 - Start of 2009-10 regular season
Feb. 12-15, 2010 - All-Star weekend, Dallas
Feb. 18, 2010 - Trade deadline, 3 p.m. EST
April 14, 2010 - Regular season ends
May 18, 2010 - Draft lottery
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