FFBB Scoresheet: Everything About the Official Score Sheet

The FFBB scoresheet — also called the FFBB score sheet or FFBB basketball scoresheet — is the official document that records the entire progress of a basketball game under the auspices of the French Basketball Federation. It constitutes the only legally binding document in case of a dispute over the score, fouls, or player identity.

Published by the FFBB, this sheet is standardized and must be used for all departmental, regional, and national championship matches. It is filled out manually by the official scorer, under the supervision of the referees, and signed by all officials at the end of the match.

Unlike a simple score sheet, the FFBB scoresheet includes precise regulatory information: player identity (5 starters + 7 substitutes maximum), personal and technical fouls, timeouts, score quarter by quarter, and mandatory signatures. It is as much a regulatory document as a traceability tool.

The FFBB scoresheet is mandatory in the following cases:

• Official FFBB championships — all divisions, from departmental to national level
• FFBB cups — French Cup, departmental and regional cups
• Federal youth competitions — U13, U15, U17, U18, U20
• Inter-club matches — any match between two FFBB-affiliated clubs

However, it is not mandatory in these contexts:

• Friendly tournaments — end-of-season tournaments, inter-company tournaments, charity events
• 3x3 tournaments — the 3x3 format uses its own simplified score sheet (often digital)
• Training matches — internal club scrimmages or informal friendly matches

Note: even when not mandatory, keeping a written record of the score and fouls via a basketball scoresheet (paper or digital) is strongly recommended to avoid any dispute.

The official FFBB scoresheet is structured into several regulatory sections. Here is the full breakdown:

1. Administrative Header

The top of the sheet contains match identification information:

• Match number — assigned by the competent commission
• Championship — division and pool (e.g., "Senior Men's Departmental — Pool A")
• Date and time — day, month, year, and tip-off time
• Location — gym name, address, city
• Court number — if multiple courts in the same gym

2. Team Identification

Each team occupies one half of the sheet (left = Team A, right = Team B):

• Club name and FFBB affiliation number
• Team name (e.g., "U15M-1")
• Jersey color
• Head coach name

3. Player List (12 maximum)

Each team registers up to 12 players on the sheet:

• 5 starters — indicated by an asterisk (*) or a cross in the dedicated box
• 7 substitutes maximum — the other players present
• For each player: jersey number, first and last name, FFBB license number
• The 5 starters must be clearly identified before the start of the match

4. Score by Quarter

The score is recorded at the end of each period:

The score is cumulative (no reset per quarter). The sheet allows verification of consistency between the quarter-by-quarter score and the total.

5. Personal Fouls

Each player has numbered boxes from 1 to 5:

• A cross is ticked for each personal foul called against the player
• At the 5th foul: the player is permanently ejected from the match
• Technical and disqualifying fouls are also noted with specific symbols (T for technical, D for disqualifying)

6. Team Fouls

7. Timeouts

• Each team has 2 timeouts in the first half and 3 in the second half
• Maximum 2 timeouts in the last 2 minutes of the 4th quarter
• 1 additional timeout per overtime period
• Timeouts are recorded with the game clock time at which they were requested

8. Official Signatures

The sheet must be signed by:

• The head referee (or both referees)
• The scorer (responsible for maintaining the sheet)
• The timekeeper
• The captain of each team (optional depending on level)

Without these signatures, the sheet has no official value and the match may be invalidated by the competent commission.

Here is the complete procedure for correctly filling out an FFBB scoresheet, from pre-match to final signature.

Before the Match (30 minutes before tip-off)

1. Fill in the header — match number, championship, date, time, location. This information is usually pre-filled by the hosting club.
2. Enter the teams — club name, team name, jersey color for each team. Verify there is no color conflict.
3. List the players — each coach submits their list of up to 12 players (number, last name, first name, license number). The scorer copies them onto the sheet.
4. Identify the 5 starters — the coach designates the 5 starters. The scorer ticks them or marks them with an asterisk (*) in the designated box.

During the Match

5. Record the score continuously — for each basket, the scorer updates the cumulative score of the relevant team. Use an indelible ink pen (black or blue ballpoint).
6. Record fouls — for each referee whistle signaling a foul, the scorer ticks the corresponding box for the offending player. Warning: if the player reaches 5 fouls, they must leave the court immediately.
7. Note timeouts — write the game clock time (e.g., "3:25 Q2") next to the timeout box of the team that requested it.
8. Fill in end-of-quarter scores — at the end of each period, report the cumulative score in the corresponding quarter box.

After the Match

9. Verify the final score — add up the quarter scores and verify they match the total score.
10. Complete the totals — total number of fouls per team, final score, name of the winning team.
11. Have the sheet signed — referee(s), scorer, timekeeper. Without signatures, the sheet is invalid.
12. Submit the sheet — the original sheet is handed to the referee or sent to the competent commission within regulatory deadlines (usually 48 hours).

Tip: always keep a carbon copy or a photo of the signed sheet for the club archives. In case of a dispute, it's your only proof.

1. Cumulative score calculation error — This is the most common mistake. A simple addition error between quarters can invalidate the official result.
   Solution: have the score verified by a second official at the end of the match. Use a calculator if necessary.
2. Forgetting to tick a foul — A player who should be ejected at 5 fouls continues to play. The opponent can file a complaint.
   Solution: the scorer should announce out loud "4th foul, Player X" to alert the referee and coach. Some scorers use a separate small board to track fouls.
3. Swapping scores between teams — The scorer enters points in the wrong team's column. This is hard to correct cleanly on a paper sheet.
   Solution: systematically repeat out loud "basket Team A, score 24-18" before writing.
4. Unlicensed player entered on the sheet — The player participates in the match but their license is not valid or doesn't match the club.
   Solution: verify licenses on the FFBB extranet (e-basket) before the match. A player without a valid license = match lost by forfeit.
5. Incorrect number of players — More than 12 players entered, or 5 starters not identified.
   Solution: the scorer counts the players before tip-off and refuses to enter a 13th player.
6. Illegible sheet — Hasty handwriting, cross-outs, stains. The commission may reject the sheet.
   Solution: write legibly in capital letters for names. In case of an error, cross out cleanly with a single line and initial the correction. Never use correction fluid (white-out).
7. Missing signatures — The sheet is perfectly filled out but no one signed it. It is legally null.
   Solution: have it signed immediately after the final whistle. Don't let anyone leave the scorer's table before all signatures are obtained.

It's important to distinguish the FFBB scoresheet (official federal document) from a tournament score sheet (organizer's internal document). Here are the key differences:

In summary: the FFBB scoresheet is a binding regulatory document. The tournament score sheet is a tracking tool, whose purpose is to streamline organization and standings. Both can coexist: the FFBB sheet for federal compliance, the digital tool for speed and real-time sharing.

A question often comes up: "Can NX League replace the FFBB scoresheet?"

The answer is clear: no, NX League does not replace the official FFBB scoresheet. The FFBB scoresheet is a regulatory document required by the French Basketball Federation for official competitions. Only the official paper format (or the FFBB e-scoresheet when it is rolled out) has legal value.

However, NX League is an extremely useful digital complement that provides what the paper sheet cannot offer:

What NX League Brings as a Complement

The Ideal Scenario

For a tournament or competition, the optimal setup is:

1. The FFBB scoresheet — filled out on paper, signed by officials, submitted to the competent commission. This is the legal reference document.
2. NX League in parallel — the scorer (or an assistant) enters scores and fouls in real time on a smartphone or tablet. Spectators follow live. Tournament standings update automatically.

Result: you have the legal security of the FFBB document AND the digital reliability of NX League. The two tools reinforce each other. If the paper sheet is lost or stained, NX League serves as a reliable digital backup. If the internet connection is unstable, the paper sheet ensures continuity.

To learn more about using digital scoring, check out our article on the digital basketball scoresheet.