High School Basketball Rules (NFHS)
High school basketball in the United States is governed by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). These rules apply nationally, though individual states can adopt certain options like the shot clock. Texas, where many of our readers are based, follows NFHS rules.
Court & Equipment
| Detail | High School |
|---|---|
| Court size | 84’ × 50’ |
| Basket height | 10 feet |
| Ball size | Size 7 (29.5”) for boys, Size 6 (28.5”) for girls |
| 3-point line | 19’9” from the center of the basket |
| Free throw line | 15 feet from the backboard |
| Key (lane) width | 12 feet |
Game Structure
| Detail | High School |
|---|---|
| Game length | Four 8-minute quarters (32 minutes of game time) |
| Halftime | 10 minutes |
| Overtime | 4-minute periods until a winner is decided |
| Timeouts | Each team gets 3 full timeouts and 2 thirty-second timeouts per game |
| Shot clock | 35 seconds (by state adoption — as of 2025-26, 32 states use it in some form; check your state) |
Fouls — 2025-26 Changes
The NFHS made a significant change starting in the 2025-26 season:
| Rule | Old (pre-2025) | New (2025-26) |
|---|---|---|
| Bonus free throws | 1-and-1 after 7th team foul per half; 2 shots after 10th | 2 shots after 5th team foul per quarter |
| Foul reset | Fouls tracked per half | Fouls reset each quarter |
| Player foul-out | 5 personal fouls | 5 personal fouls (unchanged) |
This is a major change that aligns high school rules more closely with the NBA format. Team fouls now reset every quarter instead of every half.
Key Rules Parents Should Know
Closely guarded rule: A player with the ball cannot hold or dribble it for more than 5 seconds while being closely guarded (within 6 feet). In states with a shot clock, the dribble portion of this rule may be eliminated since the 35-second clock already limits possession time.
Backcourt violation: Once the offensive team crosses half court, they cannot bring the ball back across the midcourt line. Violation results in a turnover.
Lane violation (3 seconds): An offensive player cannot stand in the painted lane area for more than 3 consecutive seconds.
10-second rule: The offensive team has 10 seconds to advance the ball past half court after gaining possession.
Flopping: Starting in 2024-25, the NFHS added a specific rule against faking being fouled. The first offense results in a warning; subsequent offenses result in a technical foul.
What Changes From Middle School
The game is now fully regulation. The main differences from middle school are longer quarters, stricter enforcement of all rules, and (in many states) the introduction of the shot clock. The level of physicality and speed is significantly higher.
Related pages
- Middle School Rules — where they came from
- College Rules (NCAA) — what is coming if your kid plays in college
- High School Gear Checklist — competition-ready gear