Basketball Scorer's Table Guide: Equipment, Officials and Setup

The basketball scorer's table (often called the score table) is where a game is officially run: the scoresheet, the game clock, the shot clock and the foul markers all live there. This guide covers who sits at the table, the equipment the rules require on it, where it goes on the court and which tables and score units we carry for gyms, rec leagues and outdoor courts.

Quick answer: under the FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026, the scorer's table seats 4 table officials (scorer, assistant scorer, timer and shot clock operator) and holds the game clock, scoreboard controls, shot clock controls, a separate stopwatch for time-outs, 2 different signals, the scoresheet, foul markers and the alternating possession arrow. High school, college and rec leagues follow their own rulebooks, so check the rules of your competition before you buy.

Who sits at the scorer's table

FIBA Art. 46.2 names 4 table officials. A commissioner, if present, sits between the scorer and the timer and supervises the table (Art. 46.3). The announcer and statisticians, if present, can sit at the side of or behind the table (Art. 2.6).

In FIBA play the shot clock gives a team 24 seconds to attempt a shot, and in some frontcourt throw-in situations it is reset to 14 seconds instead (Art. 29). Other rulebooks use different shot clock settings, so set up your clock for the rules you play under.

What equipment goes on a basketball scorer's table

FIBA Art. 3 lists the equipment required for a game. These items are operated from the scorer's table:

• Game clock and scoreboard (controlled by the timer and the assistant scorer). For small gyms and youth leagues a tabletop score unit such as the First Team FT805 Portable Tabletop Scoreboard sits right on the table.
• Shot clock, run by the shot clock operator, for example the First Team FT800SCW wireless shot clock.
• A stopwatch or other visible device, separate from the game clock, for timing time-outs.
• 2 separate, distinctly different and loud signals: one for the timer and one for the shot clock operator.
• The scoresheet. Outside FIBA competitions many leagues keep score in a book such as the First Team FT14 Basketball Scorebook.
• Player and head coach foul markers and team foul markers. The team foul markers go on either side of the scorer's table, nearest each team bench (Art. 50.1).
• Alternating possession arrow, operated by the scorer, such as the First Team FT800PA Possession Arrow.

Browse scoring equipment and shot clocks, portable basketball scoreboards and electronic scoreboards and controllers. If you are choosing the scoreboard itself (digit size, wireless control, shot clock options), see our basketball scoreboard buying guide.

Where the scorer's table goes

• With the substitution chairs. FIBA Art. 2.6 and Diagram 5 show the position of the scorer's table and the substitution chairs.
• On a platform. FIBA requires the scorer's table and its chairs to be placed on a platform (Art. 2.6).
• Home team on the left. Facing the court from the table, the home team's bench and warm-up half-court are on the left before the game, unless both teams agree to switch (Art. 9.4).
• Reachable for substitutes. A substitute goes to the scorer's table to ask for a substitution or sits on the substitution chair (Art. 19.3.1).

Portable scorer's tables for outdoor courts and sideline events

For outdoor courts, parks, tournaments and multi-sport fields we carry the Jaypro outdoor scorer's table with an attached bench in two finishes:

Both are outdoor tables built for athletic fields, public parks and sports complexes. For an indoor gym, the same equipment list above applies whatever table you use.

Scorer's table setup checklist

• Test the game clock, shot clock and both signals before tip-off.
• Keep a backup: spare scoresheets or a scorebook, pens and a stopwatch in case electronics fail.
• Route and secure scoreboard and shot clock cables so nobody trips at the table.
• Brief the scorer, timer and shot clock operator on the rulebook your league uses.

Related guides

• Basketball equipment list: the gear players and teams need.
• Indoor basketball hoops: how to choose a hoop for a gym or home court.
• School gym basketball hoops: ceiling-suspended, wall-mount and portable systems.

Frequently asked questions

What is a scorer's table in basketball?

The scorer's table is the officials' table where the table officials record the game and run the clocks. Under the FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (Art. 46.2) the table officials are a scorer, an assistant scorer, a timer and a shot clock operator.

Who sits at the scorer's table?

The scorer, assistant scorer, timer and shot clock operator (FIBA Art. 46.2). A commissioner, if present, sits between the scorer and the timer (Art. 46.3), and an announcer or statisticians can sit at the side of or behind the table (Art. 2.6).

What equipment goes on a basketball scorer's table?

FIBA Art. 3 lists the game clock, scoreboard, shot clock, a stopwatch or visible device for timing time-outs, 2 separate and distinctly different loud signals (one for the timer, one for the shot clock operator), the scoresheet, player and head coach foul markers, team foul markers and the alternating possession arrow.

Where is the scorer's table placed?

FIBA Art. 2.6 and Diagram 5 set the position of the scorer's table and the substitution chairs, and the table and its chairs must be placed on a platform. Facing the court from the table, the home team's bench and warm-up half-court are on the left before the game (Art. 9.4).

Source: FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (Art. 2.6, 3, 9.4, 19.3.1, 29, 46, 49, 50, 51). Product specs and prices from our product pages, November 2026.