NBA introduced a rule to allow teams to advance the ball to the center line following any legal time-out in the final two minutes of the game. FIBA followed suit in 2006. In 1981, the NCAA adopted the alternating possession system for all jump ball situations except the beginning of the game, and in 2003, FIBA adopted a similar rule, except for the start of the third period and overtime. In 2004, the rule was changed in FIBA that the arrow applies for all situations after the opening tap. International rules of basketball The most recent international rules of basketball were approved 2 February 2014 by FIBA and became effective 1 October of that year. There are eight rules encompassing 50 articles, covering equipment and facilities, regulations regarding teams, players, captains and coaches, playing regulations, violations, fouls and their penalties, special situations, and the officials and table officials. The rules also cover officials' signals, the scoresheet, protest procedure, classification of teams and television timeouts. References Further reading External links Rules of the Game @ usabasketball.com FIBA, NBA, and NCAA rules compared side by side. Official Basketball rules @ fiba.com "Official NBA Rulebook" "NCAA Basketball Rulebook" "Referee Signal – Picture Description of referee signal" at youth-basketball-tips.com "FIBA / USA basketball rule differences and rule changes for various rule making bodies"