Correctable errors

45.1.1

A referee may stop the game immediately upon identification of a correctable error, unless either team is placed at a disadvantage.

45.1.2

Any fouls committed, time used and additional activity which may have occurred after the error has occurred and before its recognition shall remain valid.

45.1.3

After the correction of the error, the game shall be resumed from the place nearest to where it was stopped to correct the error. The ball shall be awarded to the team entitled to the ball at the time the game was stopped for the correction of the error.

45.3.1

To be correctable, the errors must be identified by the referees, commissioner, if present or table officials as follows:

• If the error occurs before the game clock shows 2:00 minutes or less in the fourth quarter, the error must be corrected before 2:00 minutes or less are remaining on the game clock.
• If the error occurs before the game clock shows 2:00 minutes or less in the fourth quarter, but the referees stop the game for the first time with 2:00 minutes or less remaining on the game clock, the error must be corrected before the ball becomes live again.
• If the error occurs after the game clock shows 2:00 minutes or less in the fourth quarter or in an overtime, the error must be corrected before the ball becomes live after the first time the referees have stopped the game for any reason following the error.

45.3.2

These errors are no longer correctable after the ball becomes dead when the game clock sounds for the end of the game unless the error occurs after the last time the referees have stopped the game for any reason before the game clock signal sounds for the end of the game. In such a case, the error must be corrected immediately after the end of the game and the teams shall remain on the court or in their team bench areas.

45.3.3

Once an error that is still correctable has been identified, and:

• The team member involved in the correction of the error is on the team bench after being legally substituted, that team member must re-enter the court to participate in the correction of the error, at which point the given team member becomes a player.
• Upon completion of the correction, the player may remain in the game unless a legal substitution has been requested again, in which case the player may leave the court.
• If the team member has been excluded, disqualified, unable to play due to injury or cannot be identified, the head coach shall designate the team member to participate in the correction of the error.

45.4.1

Awarding an unmerited free throw(s): The free throw(s) attempted because of the error shall be cancelled and the game shall be resumed as follows:

• If the game clock has not started after the error, the ball shall be awarded for a throw-in from the free-throw line extended to the team whose free throws had been cancelled.
• If the game clock has already started after the error, the game shall be resumed from the place nearest to where it was stopped to correct the error.

45.4.2

Failing to award a merited free throw(s):

• If there has been no change in possession of the ball after the error occurred, the game shall be resumed after the correction of the error as after any last free throw.
• If the same team scores a goal after having been erroneously awarded possession of the ball for a throw-in, the error shall be disregarded.
• If the game clock has already started, and there has been a change of possession after the correction of the error, the game shall be resumed from the place nearest to where it was stopped to correct the error.

45.4.3

Permitting the wrong player to attempt a free throw(s): The free throw(s) attempted and the possession of the ball, if part of the penalty, shall be cancelled. The ball shall be awarded to the opponents for a throw-in from the freethrow line extended, unless the game has continued and was stopped for the correction of the error, in which case the game shall be resumed from the place nearest to where it was stopped to correct the error.

45.4.4

Directing the wrong player to attempt a free throw(s): The free throw(s) attempted shall be cancelled and the correct player shall attempt a replacement free throw(s). The game shall continue as after any last free throw, unless the game has continued and was stopped for the correction of the error, in which case the game shall be resumed from the place nearest to where it was stopped to correct the error.

45.4.5

Erroneously awarding or cancelling of a point(s): The points shall be awarded or cancelled. The scoresheet shall be corrected. The game shall be resumed from the place nearest to where it was stopped to correct the error.

45.4.6

Reporting a foul against the wrong player, head coach or team: The scoresheet shall be corrected. Any erroneously excluded or disqualified player or head coach shall re-enter the game. Any player or head coach who should have been excluded or disqualified shall be excluded or disqualified.

45.4.7

Scorekeeping errors failing to record or erroneously recording:

• Points.
• A foul against the wrong player, head coach or team.
• A time-out against the wrong team: The scoresheet shall be corrected and any resulting action such as a player exclusion or re-entering the game shall be applied.

45.4.8

Game clock errors, including malfunctions, in starting or stopping the game clock correctly or errors in setting the correct time on the game clock: The game clock shall be corrected with time added or deducted as necessary to correct the error.

45.6.1

To be correctable, the error must be identified by the referees, commissioner, if present or table officials

• when the ball is live immediately after the error and the referees stop the game to correct the error, or
• when the referees have stopped the game the first time for any reason, and the team in control or entitled to the possession of the ball at the time of the error shall keep control of the ball or stay entitled to the possession of the ball, the shot clock shall be corrected to the correct time.

45.6.2

Shot clock errors are no longer correctable after:

• A change of possession of a live ball after the error.
• The team in control of the ball scores a valid goal.
• The ball becomes dead when the game clock sounds for the end of the game.