Section 4: Players & Officials
Team Composition
- Roster size: Each WNBA team's regular-season roster is capped by the collective bargaining agreement; teams typically dress 12 active players for each game.
- Players on the court: 5 players per team are on the court simultaneously, organized loosely into the traditional 5 positions (point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, center). Modern lineups frequently use positionless basketball.
Substitutions
- Substitutions may be made during any dead-ball situation (after a made basket, during a timeout, after a foul, after a violation, or at the start of a period)
- A substitute must report to the scorer's table and wait to be beckoned onto the court by an official
- There is no limit to the number of substitutions a team may make during a game
- A player who has fouled out (6 personal fouls) must be replaced immediately and may not re-enter the game
- If a team is reduced to fewer than 5 eligible players due to fouls, injuries, or ejections, the rules provide for a reinstated player to continue play subject to additional technical-foul penalties for each subsequent personal foul
Game Officials
Each WNBA game is officiated by a crew of three referees:
- Crew Chief: The senior official with final authority on rule interpretations and disputes; administers the game and has sole authority to declare a forfeit.
- Referee: The second official, sharing floor responsibilities with the crew chief and assisting on calls and reviews.
- Umpire: The third official; all three referees rotate positions throughout the game (lead, trail, and slot/center) to ensure comprehensive coverage.
Additional Game Personnel
- Official Scorer: Maintains the official score and records all field goals, free throws, fouls, and timeouts
- Timekeeper: Operates the game clock
- Shot Clock Operator: Operates the 24-second shot clock, resetting it as required by the rules
- Replay Center: The WNBA, in coordination with the NBA Replay Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, supports video review of specified reviewable matters during the game
- Alternate Official: Available to replace any on-court official who becomes unable to continue