Last Updated on: 19th September 2023, 12:34 am
In basketball, a three-second lane violation occurs when an offensive player remains in the key or “paint” area for more than three seconds without actively moving or attempting to leave the area. The key or “paint” area is the rectangular area on the court that is bounded by the end line, free-throw line, and two side lines, and is painted in a different color than the rest of the court.
This rule is designed to prevent offensive players from camping out in the key, which can clog up the area and make it difficult for defenders to move around. If an offensive player violates the three-second rule, the referee will blow the whistle and signal a turnover, giving possession of the ball to the opposing team.
It’s important to note that the three-second rule only applies to offensive players who are in the key without actively moving or attempting to leave the area. If an offensive player is actively moving or attempting to leave the key, they are not in violation of the rule. Additionally, the three-second rule does not apply to defensive players, who are allowed to remain in the key for as long as they want.
