Three-Second Rule (in the Key)

The three-second rule is a violation that penalizes the offensive team. A player cannot remain more than 3 seconds in the opposing restricted area (the key or paint) while their team has the ball.

The goal is to prevent a center from simply camping under the rim and waiting for a feed, which would create an unfair advantage and crowd the paint. The attacker must either play the ball (shoot, pass, rebound) or step out of the paint before the count expires.

In the NBA, there's also a defensive three-second rule (illegal defense): a defender cannot remain in the paint without actively guarding an attacker. This rule does not apply in FIBA.

Practically, centers learn to enter and exit the paint rhythmically, to play off contact to draw fouls, and to reposition constantly so they never stagnate.