<P> In American college basketball, there are two systems of timeouts used . In games that are not broadcast, each team is allowed four 75 - second and two 30 - second timeouts per regulation game . In games which are being broadcast, as of the 2015 - 16 season, each team is granted one 60 - second timeout and three 30 - second timeouts per game in addition to the media timeouts (at the first dead ball under 16, 12, 8 and 4 minutes remaining in each half). A maximum of three 30 - second timeouts may carry over into the second half . Any called timeout that occurs within the 30 seconds prior to a scheduled media timeout break automatically takes the place of the upcoming media timeout, with the only exception to this rule being the first called timeout of the second half . A timeout cannot be called by a coach when the ball is live . Previously, under NCAA rules in prior seasons, teams had a total of five timeouts, and timeouts superseding media timeouts were only used in the women's rules . </P> <P> High school basketball allots five timeouts per game, with three 60 - second and two 30 - second timeouts . In overtime games, each team is given one additional 60 - second timeout, and is allowed to carry over any unused timeouts from regulation or--if the case may be--previous overtimes . Media timeouts are typically reserved for televised state tournament games only . </P> <P> In the North American National Basketball Association, the rule on timeouts is more complex . Effective the 2017 - 18 NBA season, teams are allowed seven timeouts, of 75 seconds in length . There is no limit on substitutions . In overtime periods, each team is allowed two timeouts . A request for a timeout by a player in the game or the head coach shall be granted only when the ball is dead or in control of a player on the team making the request . </P> <P> In each quarter, there are two mandatory timeouts required . If no team has taken a timeout prior to 6: 59 of the period, the official scorer will take it at the first dead ball and charge it to the home team . If no subsequent timeouts have been taken prior to 2: 59 of the period, the official scorer will take it and charge it to the team not previously charged . The first and second timeouts in a quarter are extended to 2: 45 for locally televised games and 3: 15 for nationally televised games, to accommodate advertising . </P>

Nba rules who can call a time out