New rule changes to take effect in Euroleague and Eurocup

With the start of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague and Eurocup regular seasons this week, a series of rule changes designed to make the game faster, clearer, fairer and more spectacular for participants and fans will take effect in both competitions.

The rule changes include some shorter duration timeouts, a reduction of the breaks in between periods, as well as a reduced, single free throw penalty plus possession for technical fouls. They were first proposed more than a year ago by the EBI Basketball Rules Summit experts panel where coaches, players, referees, clubs, leagues, TVs, marketing and journalists were all represented.

Another change will restore jump balls in place of alternating possessions in held ball situations. Additionally, the team that wins the game's opening tip will have the first possession to start the fourth quarter, while the other team will start the second and third quarters with the ball. All overtime periods will now begin with a jump ball.

In taking the initiative to look for ways to make the game stop less often and for shorter times, Euroleague Basketball continues to work closely with FIBA and their Technical Commission. The majority of the modifications will be incorporated into the official rules of basketball and applied to FIBA competitions starting in the 2014-15 season. During the upcoming 2013-14 season, in Euroleague Basketball competitions, the changes will be evaluated to determine their impact on improving the quality of play in games.

The new rules coincide with a competition system change for the 2013-14 season as those teams that do not progress to the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Top 16 will continue playing international competition by joining the Eurocup at the Last 32 phase. The exact rule changes, as follows, will be applied to all games of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague and Eurocup.