What are the 3-second, 5-second and 8-second rules?

3 seconds (Article 26). A player may not stay in the opponents' restricted area for more than 3 consecutive seconds while their team controls a live ball in the frontcourt and the game clock is running. Allow for a player who:

• is trying to leave the restricted area;
• is in it while they or a team-mate is shooting and the ball is leaving or has just left the hand; or
• dribbles in to shoot after being there for less than 3 seconds.

To be "out", both feet must be on the court outside the restricted area.

5 seconds (Article 27). A player holding a live ball who is closely guarded (an opponent in an active, legal guarding position no more than 1 m away) must pass, shoot or dribble within 5 seconds.

8 seconds (Article 28). When a team gains control in its backcourt (or, on a backcourt throw-in, the ball touches a player there and the team keeps control), it must get the ball into its frontcourt within 8 seconds. The count continues with the time left if the same team gets a backcourt throw-in after an out-of-bounds, an injury to one of its players, a technical foul by that team, a jump ball situation, a double foul or cancelled equal penalties.

Each is a violation: the ball goes to the opponents for a throw-in from the nearest place, not directly behind the backboard.