An allowance is made to continue a count but suspend the 3 second violation ruling when, before 3 seconds, an offensive player receives the ball, starts to attempt to score by making a “basketball scoring move” (including dribbling to the basket). If the move is directly completed, no violation can occur. However, if the move is aborted (e.g. by a pass or by dribbling out the key), no exception applies and a violation will immediately be called.

NCAA FIBA and NBA rules also make allowance for a player who, before 3 seconds, attempts to leave the restricted (NCAA and FIBA) or passes and immediately moves out of the lane (NBA).