Students playing intramural basketball in the Student Recreation Center.

5v5 Basketball Rules

PLAYERS AND ELIGIBILITY 

  1. We offer 4 Leagues: Men’s, Women’s, Greek, and Open. Our open league is an all-inclusive league. Open teams have no restrictions based on a player’s sex, gender identity, or gender expression.
  2. Team Sports: A team’s roster is formed throughout the regular season. All players participating in a game must be listed on that game’s scoresheet. The players who are listed will be entered onto that team’s roster. Names of individuals can be added to the original roster, prior to the new team member playing, by listing that player’s name as well as his/her ID number on the scoresheet. A player must play in at least one regular season game to be eligible to participate in the playoffs. Rosters can have a maximum of 16 players.
  3. Assumption of Risk, Waiver and Release from Liability Form: This must be signed and filled out by all players participating in the activity, prior to the start. The waiver only needs to be completed once for the season, if players are added to the roster at any point during the season, that player(s) must fill out the waiver before participating.
  4. Checking ID’s: Before a contest, event, or activity, all members of a team shall present to the scorekeeper their pictured Montclair State University ID card. The scorekeeper shall then verify the participant’s identity and so note on the scoresheet. Those players listed on the scoresheet and verified by a scorekeeper are considered to have participated in that contest.  Should a participant arrive at the contest after it has started, the participant assumes the responsibility to have his/her identity verified by the scorekeeper.  Should a player not be verified by a scorekeeper, that individual shall be considered an ineligible player.
  5. Forgotten ID Policy: If a player forgets his or her ID, that player is ineligible to participate in the SRC activity.
  6. Club Sports Members and Intercollegiate Athletes: Teams may not play with any Intercollegiate Basketball Players and no more than 2 Club Basketball Players. Club members are NOT permitted to play in our Men’s B league.
  7. Each team consists of 5 players on the court. A team must begin with at least 4 players, but, if it has no substitutes to replace disqualified players it must continue with less than 5. The captain is the representative of his/her team and may address an official and/or director on matters of interpretation or to obtain essential information, if it is done in a courteous manner. Any player may address an official to request a time-out or permission to leave the court.
  8. A substitute shall enter only when the ball is dead and when he/she is recognized and beckoned on by the official. A player who has been withdrawn may not re-enter before the next opportunity to substitute after the clock has started following his/her replacement.
  9. Any player who accumulates three (3) total technical fouls over the course of the season will be suspended for their team’s next scheduled game.

TIME

  1. The game will consist of two (2) twenty minute halves (running time, until last two minutes of second half).
  2. Under two minutes in the second half, the clock will only stop on whistles blown. The clock will not stop after made baskets.
  3. Halftime is two minutes.
  4. Overtime shall be used only in playoffs and shall be five minutes in length. Time will stop on all dead balls during overtime.
  5. Time shall be kept by a scorekeeper at the scorer’s table.
  6. Unlimited substitution. All substitutions shall occur during a dead ball. All substitutes shall not enter the court until beckoned by the official.  All substitutes shall enter from the sideline nearest the score table.  PENALTY: TECHNICAL FOUL (automatic two points for the opposing team)

 

FORFEITS

  1. If a team is not ready to play at game time, the clock will start. Every minute that the team is not ready, the opposing team will receive 2 points. If the team does not arrive by the ten minute mark, the game will be counted as a forfeit.
  2. In order to be credited for the forfeit “win,” the team receiving the forfeit “win” for the contest must have the minimum number of required players to start a game.
  3. ** NOTE: Both teams are recommended to list the players present at the game site in order to have those players considered as having “participated” in that game.
  4. If at game time neither team has the minimum number of participants required to play, the IM Sports Supervisor will call the game a double forfeit.
  5. Any team that forfeits ONE game within the season will be ineligible for the playoffs and will be removed from the league.
  6. If a team cannot make their game, they must call the Intramural Office by 3pm the day of the game.
  7. Note: 2 defaults = 1 forfeit.
  8. Mercy Rule: If a team is 30 or more points ahead at the 10 minute mark during the game the game shall be ended. If a team is 25 points or more at the 5 minute mark than the game shall be ended. The supervisor may call a game for mercy rule if either team is attempting to circumvent this rule.

GAME RULES

  1. A goal is made when a live ball enters the basket from above and remains in or passes through. No goal is scored if an untouched throw-in goes through the basket. If a player control foul occurs after a goal, the goal is canceled. Whether the clock is running or stopped has no influence on the counting of a goal.
  2. Attire: Each team must wear matching jerseys of the same color with permanent numbers of contrasting color on the back of the jersey. Numbers need to be whole numbers; no decimals or fractions. Athletic shorts will only be permitted. There will be no jean shorts, or khakis permitted.
  3. Jewelry: The officiating crew withholds the right to prohibit any player that is wearing earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets, or piercings until that player removes any of the aforementioned jewelry.
  4. Shoes: Only tennis shoes or basketball sneakers with rubber soles shall be permitted. No marking black soled shoes, boots, or running shoes shall be permitted.
  5. Time-outs
  6. Each team is entitled to 1 time-out for the first half and 2 time-outs for the second half. The clock only stops during timeouts and all stoppages in the last 2 minutes of the second half.
  7. Time-outs do not accumulate from the first half to the second half.
  8. A Time-out is 30 seconds in duration.
  9. Time-outs may be requested by any PLAYER of a team in possession or during a dead ball period.
  10. An injured player must be removed until the next opportunity to substitute.
  11. A player who is bleeding or who has blood on his/her clothing shall be removed from the game immediately and may only return if the bleeding has fully stopped and if a change of clothes is made.
  12. If the official determines that a player is unconscious or apparently unconscious, the player may not return to play in the game without written authorization from a physician.
  13. The site supervisor may interrupt the game at any time.
  14. A team that is intentionally or apparently intentionally delaying the beginning of the game or its continuation shall be penalized with either:
    1. Stopping of the clock OR starting of the clock
    2. Warning
    3. Technical foul assessed to the captain.
    4. Repeated attempts to illegally consume or conserve time may result in forfeiture of the game.
  15. If a technical foul occurs after the ball has become dead to end a half, or extra period, the next half or extra period is started by awarding free throw points. This applies when the foul occurs after the first half has ended and after the second half has ended, provided there is to be an extra period.
  16. GAME TIME IS FORFEIT TIME. Teams must have at least four (4) eligible players at the game site signed in and ready to play at game time. If both teams fail to arrive at game time with at least 4 players, a double forfeit/default will be recorded and the contest will not be rescheduled.

 

Live Ball and Dead Ball

  1. The game shall be started with a jump ball. After any subsequent dead ball, the only way to get the ball alive is to resume play by a throw-in or by placing it at the disposal of a free thrower.  The dribble and traveling rules are not in effect in these situations.  The ball becomes alive when:
    1. On a throw-in, it is at the disposal of the thrower;
    2. On a free throw, the ball is at the disposal of the free thrower.

**Note:  a ball is at the disposal of a player when it is:

  1. a) Handed to a thrower or free thrower
  2. b) Caught by the free thrower after it is bounced to him/her
  3. c) Placed on the floor at the spot
  4. D) Available to the player as after a goal
  1. To start the second half, the ball shall be put in play by a throw-in under the alternating possession procedure. All overtime periods will begin with a coin flip to determine possession. Throw-ins to start the second half and to start each overtime period will be administered at the division line opposite the scoring table.
  2. Alternating possession.
    1. In all jump ball situations and to start each period, the teams will alternate taking the ball out-of-bounds for a throw-in. The team obtaining the ball to begin the game starts the alternating possession procedure.  The arrow is set toward the opponent’s basket.  Control may also be established as the result of a violation or foul.
    2. To start the second half and all extra periods, the throw-in shall be from out-of-bounds at the division line opposite the table.
  3. In all jump ball situations other than the beginning of a period, the throw-in shall be from the out-of-bounds spot nearest to where:
    1. A held ball occurs
    2. The ball goes out-of-bounds
    3. A double free throw violation occurs
    4. A live ball lodges between the backboard and ring or comes to rest on the flange, unless a free throw or throw-in follows
    5. The ball becomes dead when neither team is in control and no goal or infraction or end of a half or extra period is involved
    6. A double personal or double technical foul occurs
    7. Opponents commit simultaneous personal or technical fouls
    8. Opponents commit simultaneous goaltending or basket interference violations.

** Note:  When technical fouls are involved, the throw-in shall be from the division line on either side of the court.

  1. If a coach/player/official requests that a timing or scoring mistake or alternating possession mistake be prevented or rectified, the appeal must be presented at the scorer’s table in the presence of the game official(s), and a representative from both teams. If a timing/scoring/alternating possession mistake is prevented or rectified, no time-out will be assessed to the team(s) making the appeal.  If no mistake is corrected, the team(s) making the request will be assessed a time-out.  If no time-outs are available, the team(s) will be assessed a technical foul.
  2. The ball becomes dead or remains dead when:
    1. a goal is made
    2. it is apparent the free throw will not be successful on a:
      1. free throw which is to be followed by another throw
      2. free throw which it to be followed by a throw-in
    3. a held ball occurs, or ball lodges between the backboard and ring or comes to rest on the flange
    4. an official’s whistle is blown
    5. time expires for a half or extra period
    6. a foul occurs (other than player control)
    7. a free throw violation by the thrower’s team occurs
    8. a violation
    9. a player control foul occurs
  3. The ball does not become dead until the try or tap ends when:
    1. This occurs while a try for a field goal or a tapped ball by a player toward his/her basket is in flight
    2. This occurs while a try for a free throw is in flight
    3. A foul is committed by an opponent of a player who has started a try for goal (is in the act of shooting) before the foul occurred, provided time did not expire before the ball was in flight.  The trying motion must be continuous and begins after the ball comes to rest in the player’s hand or hands, and is completed when the ball is clearly in flight.  The trying motion may include arm, foot, or body movements used by the player when throwing the ball at his/her basket
    4. The ball is in flight on a try for a field goal or tap by a player toward his/her basket or during a free throw, and an opponent excessively swings his/her arms or elbows without making contact (the ball remains alive)

Out-of-Bounds and Throw-In

  1. A player is out-of-bounds when he/she touches the floor or any object other than a player on or outside a boundary. The ball is out-of-bounds when it touches:
    1. a player who is out-of-bounds
    2. any other person, the floor, or any object on or outside a boundary
    3. the supports or back of the backboard
    4. The ceiling, overhead equipment or supports. The edges of the backboard are inbounds. When a rectangular backboard is used, the ball is out-of-bounds if it passes over the backboard.
    5. The ball is caused to go out-of-bounds by the last player to touch, or to be touched by it before it goes out, provided it is out-of-bounds because of touching something other than a player.  If the ball is out-of-bounds because of touching, or being touched by a player who is on or outside a boundary, such player causes it to go out.
    6. If the ball goes out-of-bounds and was last touched simultaneously by two opponents, both of whom are inbounds or out-of-bounds or if the official is in doubt as to who last touched the ball or if the officials disagree, play shall be resumed by the team entitled to the alternating possession throw-in at the spot out-of-bounds nearest to where the simultaneous violation occurred.
  2. The throw-in starts when the ball is at the disposal of a player or the team entitled to the throw-in. The thrower-in shall release the ball on a pass directly into the court within 5 seconds after the throw-in starts.  The throw-in pass shall touch a player (inbounds or out-of-bounds) on the court before going out-of-bounds.  The throw-in pass shall not touch a teammate while it is on the out-of-bounds side of the throw-in boundary. The thrower shall not leave the designated throw-in spot until the ball has been released on a throw-in pass.  The opponent(s) of the thrower shall not have any part of his/her person over or through the inbounds side of the boundary plane until the ball has been released on a throw-in pass.  Teammates shall not occupy adjacent positions near the boundary if an opponent desires one of the positions.

Specifics

  1. When the ball is out-of-bounds after any violation, the official shall place the ball at the disposal of an opponent of the player who committed the violation for a throw-in from the designated spot nearest the violation except for penalties which require specific throw-in spots.
  2. After a player control foul or a common foul prior to the bonus rule being in effect, any player of the offended team shall make the throw-in from the designated out-of-bound spot nearest the foul.
  3. After a goal, the team not credited with the score shall make the throw-in from the end of the court where the goal was made and from any point outside the end boundary. Any player of the team may make a direct throw-in, or he/she may pass the ball along the end boundary to a teammate(s) behind the boundary line.
  4. After a technical foul, any player of the team to whom the free throws have been awarded shall make the throw-in from out-of-bounds at the division line on the side of the court opposite the scorer’s table.
  5. After a free throw violation by the throwing team, any opponent of the throwing team shall make the throw-in from the out-of-bounds spot nearest the violation.
  6. After an intentional or flagrant personal foul, any player of the team to whom the free throws have been awarded shall make the throw-in from the out-of-bounds spot nearest the foul.
  7. After a double personal foul, any player of the team entitled to the ball under the alternating possession procedure shall make the throw-in from the out-of-bounds spot nearest the foul. After a double technical foul or after a simultaneous technical foul by opponents, any player of the team entitled to the ball under the alternating possession procedure shall make the throw-in from out-of-bounds at the division line on the side of the court opposite the scorers’ and timers’ table.

Free Throw Administration

  1. When a free throw is awarded, the administering official shall take the ball to the free throw line of the offended team and place the ball at the disposal of the free thrower. In each situation:
    1. The ball will be handed to the free thrower if the participant is ready, or it will be placed on the floor
    2. The free throw count will begin and either or both teams may be charged with a violation
    3. Following a violation by one or by both teams, if that team(s) continues to delay it is a technical foul
  2. If the ball is to become dead when the last free throw for a specific penalty is not successful, players shall not occupy spaces along the free throw lane. During a free throw when lane spaces may be occupied:
    1. Each of the lane spaces adjacent to the end line shall be occupied by one opponent of the free thrower unless the resuming of play procedure is in effect
    2. A teammate of the free thrower is entitled to the next adjacent lane space on each side and to each other alternate position along each lane line
    3. Not more than one player may occupy any part of a marked lane space
    4. Only the marked lane spaces may be occupied
    5. The fourth spaces (nearest the free throw line) shall not be occupied
  3. The free throw(s) awarded because of a personal foul shall be attempted by the offended player. If such player must withdraw because of an injury or disqualification, his or her substitute shall attempt the throw(s) unless no substitute is available, in which event any teammate may attempt the throw(s).
  4. The penalty for a technical foul is two points for the non-offending team and the ball at the division line opposite the scorer’s table. No free throws are shot when a technical foul has been called.  Any team that receives three unsportsmanlike technical fouls in a game, the contest is immediately over and the opponent is declared the winner.
  5. The try for goal shall be made within 10 seconds after the ball has been placed at the disposal of the free thrower at the free throw line. This shall apply to each free throw.
  6. After a made free throw which is not followed by another free throw, the ball shall be put in play by a throw-in:
    1. after a field goal, if the try is for a personal foul, other than intentional or flagrant, and is successful
    2. by any player of the free thrower’s team from out-of-bounds at the division line opposite the scorer’s table if the free throw is for a technical foul
    3. by any player of the free thrower’s team from the out-of-bounds spot nearest the foul if the free throw is for an intentional personal foul or flagrant personal foul
  7. If a free throw for a personal foul, other than intentional or flagrant, is unsuccessful, or if there is a multiple throw for a personal foul(s) and the last free throw is unsuccessful, the ball remains alive. If there is a multiple throw and both a personal and technical foul are involved, the tries shall be attempted in the order in which the related fouls were called, and if the last try is for a technical foul or intentional or flagrant personal foul, the ball shall be put in play by a throw-in.
  8. No Player shall violate the following free throw provisions:
  9. The try shall be attempted from within the free throw semi-circle and behind the free throw line
  10. After the ball is placed at the disposal of a free thrower:
    1. He/she shall throw within 10 seconds and in such a way that the ball enters the basket or touches the ring before the free throw ends
    2. the free thrower shall not purposely fake a try nor shall any player in a marked lane space fake to cause an opponent to violate
    3. no opponent shall disconcert the free thrower
    4. no player shall enter or leave a marked lane space
    5. the free thrower shall not have either foot beyond the vertical plane of the edge of the free throw line which is farther from the basket or any lines which bound the semi-circle
    6. a player, other than the free thrower, who does not occupy a marked lane space may not have either foot beyond the vertical plane of the free throw line extended or the 3-point line whichever is farther from the basket
  11. A player occupying a marked lane space may not have either foot beyond the vertical plane or cylinder of the outside edge of any lane boundary or beyond the vertical plane of any edge of the space designated by a lane space mark or beyond the vertical plane of any edge of the space designated by a neutral zone.
  12. An opponent of the free thrower shall occupy each lane space adjacent to the end line during the try unless the resuming of play procedure is in effect, and no teammate of the free thrower may occupy either of these lane spaces.
  13. If the first or only violation is by the free thrower or a teammate only, the ball becomes dead when the violation occurs and no point can be scored by that throw.
  14. If the violation occurs during a free throw for a personal foul, other than intentional or flagrant, ball is awarded to the opponents for a throw-in at the out-of-bounds nearest the violation.
  15. If the violation occurs during a free throw for a flagrant or intentional personal foul, the ball is awarded to the thrower’s team for a throw-in at the out-of-bounds spot nearest the foul.
  16. If the try is successful, the goal counts and the violation is disregarded.
  17. If the try is not successful, the ball becomes dead when the free throw ends, and a substitute throw shall be attempted by the same thrower under conditions the same as for the throw for which it is substituted.
  18. If there is a simultaneous violation by each team, and no further free throws are to be administered, the ball becomes dead, no points can be scored and play shall be resumed by the team entitled to the alternating possession throw-in from the designated out-of-bounds spot nearest to where the simultaneous violation occurred.
  19. If there is a violation by the free-thrower’s opponent followed by the free thrower or a teammate.
  20. If both offenders are in marked lane-space, the second violation is ignored as in penalty item (2).
  21. If the second violation is by the free thrower or a teammate behind the free-throw line extended and the three point line, both violations are penalized, as in penalty item (3).
  22. If a violation by the free thrower follows disconcertion by an opponent, a substitute free throw shall be awarded.
  23. If a fake by an opponent causes a teammate of the free thrower to violate, only the fake is penalized.

Violations and Penalties

  1. Penalties for fouls are administered in the order in which the fouls occurred.
  2. Provisions governing the throw-in: The thrower shall not:
    1. Leave the designated throw-in spot until the ball has been released on a throw-in pass
    2. Fail to pass the ball directly into the court so it touches or is touched by, another player (inbounds or out-of-bounds) on the court before going out-of-bounds
    3. Pass the ball so it is touched by a teammate while the ball is on the out-of-bounds side of the throw-in boundary plane
    4. Consume 5 seconds from the time the throw-in starts until the ball is released on a pass directly into the court
    5. Carry the ball onto the court
    6. Touch the ball in the court before it touches, or is touched by, another player
    7. Throw the ball so that it enters the basket before it touches, or is touched by, another player
  3. No player shall:
    1. Throw the ball so it lodges between the backboard and the ring or comes to rest on the flange before it touches, or is touched by, another player
    2. Replace the thrower or be out-of-bounds after a designated spot throw-in begins
    3. Be out-of-bounds when he or she touches, or is touched by, the ball after it has been released on a throw-in pass
  4. The opponent(s) of the thrower shall not have any part of his or her person over the inside plane of the boundary line until the ball has been released on a throw-in pass.
    1. The first violation of the plane by an opponent(s) of the thrower shall result in a warning for delay being given (one warning per team per game). The warning does not result in the loss of the opportunity to move along the end line when and if applicable.
    2. The second or additional violations will result in a technical foul assessed to the offending player.
    3. If an opponent(s) of the thrower reaches through the plane and touches or dislodges the ball, a technical foul shall be charged to the offender. No warning required.
    4. If an opponent(s) of the thrower reaches through the plane and fouls the thrower, an intentional personal foul shall be charged to the offender. No warning required.
    5. The thrower may penetrate the plane provided he or she does not touch the inbounds area before the ball is released on the throw-in pass. The opponent, in this situation may legally touch or grasp the ball.  See penalty.
  5. No teammate of the thrower shall be out of bounds after a designated-spot throw-in begins.
    1. The ball becomes dead when the violation or technical foul occurs. Following a violation, the ball is awarded to the opponent for a throw-in at the out-of-bounds spot nearest the violation.
  6. Run with the ball, kick it, strike it with the fist or cause it to enter and pass through the basket from below. **NOTE: Kicking the ball is a violation only when it is an intentional act; accidentally striking the ball with the foot or leg is not a violation.
  7. Dribble a second time after his/her first dribble has ended, unless it is after he/she has lost control because of:
    1. a try for field goal
    2. a bat by an opponent
    3. a pass or fumble which has then touched or been touched by another player
  8. Remain for 3 seconds in that part of his/her free throw lane between the end boundary and the farther edge of the free throw line while the ball is in control of his/her team in his/her frontcourt. Allowance shall be made for a player who, having been in the restricted area for less than 3 seconds dribbles in or moves to try for goal. The count shall not begin or it shall be terminated during an interrupted dribble.
  9. Neither is, nor may his/her team be, in continuous control of a ball which is in his/her backcourt for 10 seconds.
  10. Be the first to touch a ball which is in team control after it has been in frontcourt, if he/she or a teammate last touched or was touched by the ball in the frontcourt before it went to the backcourt.
    1. Exception 1: It is not a violation when after a throw-in, a player is the first to secure control of the ball while both feet are off the floor, and he/she then returns to the floor with one or both feet in the backcourt.
    2. Exception 2: It is not a violation if a defensive player who jumped from the frontcourt, secures control of the ball while both feet are off the floor and he or she returns to the floor with one or both feet in the backcourt.
  11. While closely guarded:
    1. anywhere in his/her frontcourt, hold or dribble the ball for 5 seconds
    2. in his/her frontcourt, control the ball for 5 seconds in an area enclosed by screening teammates
    3. the count shall not begin or it shall be terminated during an interrupted dribble
  12. Commit basket interference or goaltending. Goaltending occurs when a player:
    1. touches the ball or basket (including the net) when the ball is on or within either basket
    2. touches the ball when it is touching the cylinder having the ring as its lower base
    3. EXCEPTION: In a or b, if a player has his/her hand legally in contact with the ball, it is not a violation if such contact with the ball continues after it enters a basket cylinder, or if, in such action, the player touches the basket.  Blocking or stuffing is legal and is not basket interference.
    4. touches the ball outside the cylinder while reaching through the basket from below
    5. pulls down a movable ring so that it contacts the ball before the ring returns to its original position
  13. Goaltending occurs when a player:
    1. touches the ball during a field goal try or tap while it is in its downward flight entirely above the basket ring level and has the possibility of entering the basket in flight, or an opponent of the free thrower touches the ball outside the cylinder during a free throw attempt
    2. touches the ball while it is in its downward flight entirely above the basket ring level, which has been tapped by a player toward his/her own basket and has the possibility of entering the basket in flight
  14. Penalty for Basket Interference:
    1. If the violation is at the opponent’s basket, the opponents are awarded 1 point if during a free throw, 3 points if during a 3 point try, and 2 points in any other case. See Rule 10 for additional penalty for goaltending or basket interference during a free throw. The crediting of the score and subsequent procedure are the same as if the awarded score had resulted from the ball having gone through the basket, except that the official shall hand the ball to a player of the team entitled to the throw in.
    2. If the violation is at a team’s own basket, no points can be scored, and the ball is awarded to the opponents for a throw-in at the out-of-bounds spot nearest the violation. See Rule 10 for additional penalty for goaltending or basket interference during a free throw.
    3. If the violation results from touching the ball while it is in the basket after entering from below, no points are scored and the ball is awarded to the opponents for a throw-in at the out-of-bounds spot nearest the violation.
    4. If there is a violation by both teams, play shall be resumed by the team entitled to the alternating possession throw-in at the out-of-bounds spot nearest to where the simultaneous violation occurred.

 

Technical Fouls

Accumulation of (3) technical fouls over the course of a season by one player will result in that player being ineligible for their team’s next game.

  1. FORFEITURE: The official or director may forfeit a game if any player, squad member, or bench personnel fails to comply with any penalty, or repeatedly commits acts which make a travesty of the game.  Three unsportsmanlike technical fouls in one game by the same team results in forfeiture of the game and the opponent declared the winner.
  2. A substitute shall not enter the court:
    1. without reporting to the scorekeeper
    2. without being beckoned by an official, except between halves
    3. Without his/her name appearing on the scoresheet (players must be listed on the scoresheet before entering the game).
  3. A player shall not:
    1. participate after having been disqualified (penalty also includes ejection)
    2. wear an identical or illegal number
    3. Grasp the basket, or dunk or stuff, or attempt to dunk or stuff a dead ball prior to or during the game or during any intermission. This item applies to all team personnel (exception: a player may grasp the basket to prevent injury).
    4. slap or strike either backboard or cause either ring to vibrate while the ball is in flight during a try or tap or is touching the backboard or is on or in the basket or in the cylinder above the basket. A player may not place a hand on the backboard to gain an advantage;
    5. delay the game by such acts as: preventing the ball from being made alive promptly or from being put in play; attempting to gain an advantage by interfering with the ball after a goal; failing when in control, to immediately pass the ball to the nearer official when a violation is called; or repeatedly violate the throw-in provisions. Interfering with the ball following a goal is a team warning the first time and technical foul the second time the same team delays the game. 
    6. leave the court for an unauthorized reason or delay returning after legally being out-of-bounds
  4. A player shall not commit an unsportsmanlike foul. This includes but is not limited to, acts/conduct such as:
    1. disrespectfully addressing or contacting an official or gesturing in such a manner as to indicate resentment
    2. using profane or inappropriate language or obscene gestures
    3. baiting or taunting an opponent;
    4. obstructing the vision of an opponent not in control of the ball by waving hands near his/her eyes
    5. climbing on or lifting a teammate to secure greater height to handle the ball
    6. knowingly attempting a free throw or accepting a foul to which the player was not entitled
    7. swinging elbows excessively whether or not contact is made
    8. use tobacco or smokeless tobacco
    9. Contact after the ball has become dead is ignored unless it is unsportsmanlike, flagrant, or intentional.
    10. intentionally or flagrantly contacting an opponent when the ball is dead and such contact is not a personal foul
    11. Goaltend during a free throw.
    12. Committing a violation following the warning regarding the throw-in boundary plane, or reach through the plane and touch or dislodge the ball prior to the warnings.
    13. Excessively swing his/her elbows, even though there is no contact with an opponent.
    14. Fighting
  5. Penalty for above: 2 points plus the ball for division line throw-in. If flagrant, the offender is ejected and banished from the playing site.
  6. Any player may be ejected after receiving the first technical foul. He/she must be expelled after receiving a second technical foul. The second technical foul on any player is considered flagrant.  A team that receives three unsportsmanlike technical fouls in the same game will forfeit that contest.
  7. Any player who attempts to dunk will be ejected from the game and be suspended for the following game. If a player dunks after the game, they will receive a one game suspension as well.

 

Personal Fouls

  1. Personal fouls always involve contact and occur during a live ball except during a common foul or by an airborne shooter.
  2. If a player commits 5 fouls, they are no longer permitted to participate in the game and a substitution must be made.
  3. A player shall not: hold, push, charge, trip, nor impede the progress of an opponent by extended arm, shoulder, hip or

knee, or by bending the body into other than a normal position; nor use any rough tactics.

  1. He/she shall not contact an opponent with his/her hand unless such contact is only with the opponent’s hand while it is on the ball and is incidental to an attempt to play the ball. The use of hands on an opponent in any way that inhibits the freedom of movement of the opponent or acts as an aid to a player in starting or stopping is not legal.  Extending the arms fully or partially other than vertically so that freedom of movement of an opponent is hindered when contact with the arms occurs is not legal.  These positions are employed when rebounding, screening or in various aspects of post play.
  2. A player may not use the forearm and hand to prevent an opponent from attacking the ball during a dribble or when throwing for goal. A player may hold the hands and arms in front of his or her face or body for protection and to absorb force from an imminent charge by an opponent.  It is a form of pushing when the player holding the ball is contacted by a defensive player who approaches from behind.
  3. Contact that is caused by the momentum of a player who has thrown for goal is a form of charging. A dribbler shall not charge into nor contact an opponent in his/her path nor attempt to dribble between two opponents or between an opponent and boundary, unless the space is such as to provide a reasonable chance for him/her to go through without causing contact. If a dribbler, without contact, passes an opponent sufficiently to have head and shoulders in advance of that opponent the greater responsibility for subsequent contact is on the opponent.  If a dribbler in his/her progress has established a straight line path, he/she may not be crowded out of the path but, if an opponent is able legally to establish a defensive position in that path, the dribbler must avoid contact by changing direction or ending his/her dribble.  The dribbler should not be permitted additional rights in executing a jump try for goal, pivoting, feigning, or in starting a dribble.
  4. A player who screens shall not:
    1. when he/she is behind a stationary opponent, take a position closer than a normal step from him/her
    2. When he/she assumes a position at the side or in front of a stationary opponent, make contact with him/her. If the screen is set within the visual field of a stationary opponent, the screener may be as close to the opponent as the screener desires short of contact.
    3. Take a position so close to a moving opponent that this opponent cannot avoid contact by stopping or changing direction. The speed of the player to be screened will determine where the screener may take his/her stationary position.  This position will vary and may be one to two normal steps or strides from the opponent.
    4. After assuming his/her screening position move to maintain it, unless he/she moves in the same direction and path of his/her opponent. When both opponents are moving in exactly the same direction, the player behind is responsible if contact is made because the player in front slows up or stops and the player behind over runs his or her opponents.  If the screener violates any of these provisions and contact results, he/she has committed a personal foul.  A player who is screened within his or her visual field is expected to avoid contact by going around the screener. In cases of screens outside the visual field, the opponent may make inadvertent contact with the screener; and if the opponent is running rapidly, the contact may be severe.  Such a case is to be ruled as incidental contact provided the opponent stops, or attempts to stop, on contact and moves around the screen, and provided the screener is not displaced if he or she has the ball.  A player may not use the arms, hands, hips or shoulders to force his or her way through a screen or to hold the screener and then push the screener aside in order to maintain a guarding position on an opponent.

 

OFFICIAL’S MANUAL

General Assignments/Duties

  1. The officials shall be a lead and a trail, who shall be assisted by a director. The officials shall wear uniforms distinct from those of either team.
  2. The officials shall inspect and approve all equipment prior to the start of each game. The officials shall not permit any player to wear equipment which, in his/her judgment, is dangerous to other players.  Elbow, hand, finger, wrist or arm guards, casts or braces made of hard and unyielding leather, plaster, pliable (soft) plastic, metal or any other hard substance even though covered with soft padding, shall always be declared illegal. Any equipment, which is unnatural and designed to increase a player’s height or reach or to gain an advantage, shall not be used.
  3. The official shall administer a jump ball at the start of the game and the first overtime period. Possession in the second half will be determined by alternating possession. This initiates the alternating possession procedure.
  4. The director shall decide whether a goal shall count if the officials disagree. He/she shall decide upon matters on which the scorers disagree.
  5. At the end of each half he/she shall check and approve the score.
  6. The officials shall have power to make decisions on any points not specifically covered in the rules.
  7. The officials shall conduct the game in accordance with the rules
  8. Notifying the captains when play is about to begin at the start of the game.
    1. Putting the ball in play through a jump ball at mid-court
    2. Determining when the ball becomes dead
    3. Prohibiting practice during a dead ball, except between halves
    4. Administering penalties
    5. Ordering time-out
      1. Beckoning substitutes to enter the court
    6. Signaling a 3-point goal by raising two arms extended overhead
    7. Silently and visibly counting seconds to administer the throw-in, free throw, backcourt, 3 second call and closely guarded rules
    8. Report a team warning for delay to the scorekeeper
  9. The officials shall penalize unsportsmanlike conduct by any player, coach, substitute, team attendant, or follower. If there is flagrant misconduct, the officials shall penalize by removing any offending player from the game and the area.  In addition, the officials shall banish any offending coach, substitute, team attendant, or follower from the vicinity of the court if ejected.  A player who commits his fifth foul shall also be removed and/or disqualified from the game (but not necessarily the playing area).
  10. Neither official shall have authority to set aside or question decisions made by the other within the limits of his/her respective outlined duties. Officials should and need to support one another.
  11. The officials shall have power to make decisions for infractions or rules committed either within or outside the boundary lines from before the scheduled starting time of the game through the official’s approval of the final score. The jurisdiction of the officials is terminated and the final score has been approved when the staff leaves the visual confines of the playing area.  This includes periods when the game may be momentarily stopped for any reason.
  12. When a foul occurs, an official shall designate the offender to the scorekeeper and indicate with the fingers the number of free throws (if applicable) to be taken.
  13. When a team is entitled to a throw-in (inbounds), an official shall clearly signal the act which caused the ball to become dead, the throw-in spot unless it follows a successful goal or an awarded goal, and the team entitled to the throw-in. The official shall hand (not toss) the ball to the thrower-in for a throw-in unless the throw-in is from outside an end line following a successful goal or free throw.
  14. Officials may correct an error if a rule is inadvertently set aside and results in:
    1. failure to award a merited free throw
    2. awarding an unmerited free throw
    3. permitting a wrong player to attempt a free throw
    4. attempting a free throw at the wrong basket
    5. Erroneously counting or canceling a score
  15. In order to correct any of the 5 official errors listed above, (a-e) such error must be recognized by an official during the first dead ball after the clock has properly started. If in (e) the error is made while the clock is running and the ball dead, it must be recognized by an official before the second live ball.  If the error is a free throw by the wrong player, or at the wrong basket or the awarding of an unmerited free throw, the free throw and the activity during it, other than unsportsmanlike, flagrant, intentional, or technical fouls, shall be canceled.  However, other points scored, consumed time, and additional activity, which may occur prior to the recognition of an error, shall not be nullified.  Errors because of free throw attempts by the wrong player or at the wrong basket shall be corrected by applying rule 14.  If an error is corrected, play shall be resumed from the point at which it was interrupted to rectify the error.
  16. The scoresheet must be provided by the IM staff and the scorekeepers shall record the field goals made, shall record the free throws made and missed, and shall keep a running summary of the points scored. They shall record the personal and technical fouls called on each player and shall notify the referee immediately when the fifth foul is called on any player (personal or technical) and/or a team reaches its seventh or tenth foul in one half.  They shall record the time-outs charged to each team.  They shall keep track of the jump balls for the alternating possession procedure and be responsible for the possession arrow.
  17. Scorekeeping mistake may be corrected at any time until the director approves the final score. The scoresheet is the official score of the game, and the running score is the director overall score, rather than the individual totals of the players.
  18. A disqualified player is one who is barred from further participation in the game because of committing his/her fifth foul (personal or technical), or two technical fouls, or a flagrant foul. An ejected player is one who is ejected prior to, during, or after the game by the game official(s) and/or staff assistant.  Any ejected player has one minute to leave the court and the game area (facility) under penalty of no less than game forfeiture.

 

Players and Substitutes

  1. Each team consists of 5 players, one of whom is the captain. A team must begin with at least 4 players, but, if it has no substitutes to replace disqualified players it must continue with less than 5.
  2. The captain is the representative of his/her team and may address the director and/or officials on matters of interpretation or to obtain essential information, if it is done in a courteous manner. Any player may address an official to request a time-out or permission to leave the court.
  3. A substitute shall enter only when the ball is dead and when he/she is recognized and beckoned on by the official. A player who has been withdrawn may not re-enter before the next opportunity to substitute after the clock has started following his/her replacement.

 

Definitions

  1. An airborne shooter is a player who has released the ball on a try for field goal or has tapped the ball in an attempt to make a field goal and has not returned to the floor. The airborne shooter is considered to be in the act of shooting.
  2. Basket Interference occurs when a player:
    1. touches the ball or any part of the basket while the ball is on or within the basket
    2. touches the ball while any part of the ball is within the imaginary cylinder which has the basket ring as its lower base
    3. reaches through the basket from below and touches the ball before it enters the cylinder; and pulls down a movable ring so that it contacts the ball before the ring returns to its original position
  3. Blocking is illegal personal contact which impedes the progress of an opponent. Charging is illegal personal contact by pushing or moving into an opponent’s torso.
  4. A bonus free throw is a second free throw which is awarded for each common foul (except a player control foul) as follows:
    1. A player who is moving with the ball is required to stop or change direction to avoid contact if a defensive player has obtained a legal guarding position in his/her path.
    2. If a guard has obtained a legal guarding position, the player with the ball must get his or her head and shoulders past the front of the torso of the defensive player. If contact occurs on the front of the torso of the defensive player, the dribbler is responsible for the contact.
    3. There must be reasonable space between two defensive players or a defensive player and a boundary line to allow the dribbler to continue in his or her path. If there is less than three feet of space, the dribbler has the greater responsibility for the contact.
    4. The player with the ball may not push the torso of the guard to gain an advantage to pass, shoot, or dribble.
  5. Bonus Rules:
    1. (Bonus)Beginning with a team’s 7th foul in each half and for the 8th and 9th foul, the bonus is awarded only if the first free throw is successful.
    2. (Double Bonus) Beginning with a team’s 10th foul in each half the bonus is awarded whether or not the first free throw is successful. **Note: Player control fouls and technical fouls are counted as team fouls to reach the bonus.
  6. Boundary lines of the court consist of the end lines and sidelines. The inside edges of these lines define the inbounds and out-of-bounds areas.
  7. Closely-guarded situation occurs when a player in control of the ball is guarded by an opponent who is within a distance of 6 feet of the player who is holding or dribbling the ball.
  8. Continuous motion applies when attempting a field goal but has no significance unless there is a foul by the defense during the interval which begins when the habitual throwing movement starts an attempt or with the touching on a tap and ends when the ball is clearly in flight. If an opponent fouls after a player has started a try for goal, he or she is permitted to complete the customary arm movement, and if pivoting or stepping when fouled, the player may complete the usual foot or body movement in any activity while holding the ball.  These privileges are granted only when the usual throwing motion has started before the foul occurs and before the ball is in flight.
  9. A player is in control of the ball when he/she is holding or dribbling a live ball inbounds. A team has possession when a player of the team is in control, and also while a live ball is being passed between teammates.  Team controls the possession until:
    1. the ball is in flight during a try or tap for goal
    2. an opponent secures control
    3. the ball becomes dead
  10. **Note: There is no player control during an interrupted dribble, but there is team control. An interrupted dribble occurs when the ball is loose after deflecting off the dribbler or it momentarily gets away from the dribbler. When the ball remains alive a loose ball always remains in control of the team whose player last had control, unless it is a try for goal.  There is no team control during the taping of a rebound.  Neither team nor player control exists during:
    1. a dead ball
    2. a throw-in
    3. when the ball is in flight during a try or tap for goal

In these situations, team control is reestablished when a player secures control.

  1. Court Areas:
    1. A team’s frontcourt consists of that part of the court between its end line and the nearer edge of the division line, including its basket and the inbounds part of the backboard.
    2. A team’s backcourt consists of the rest of the court, including its opponent’s basket, the inbounds part of that backboard, and the entire division line.
  2. A dribble is ball movement caused by a player in control who bats, pushes, or taps the ball to the floor once or several times. During a dribble the ball may be batted into the air, provided it is permitted to strike the floor before the ball is touched again with the hand(s).  The dribble may be started by batting, pushing, tapping, or throwing the ball to the floor. The dribble ends when:
    1. the dribbler catches or causes the ball to come to rest in one or both hands
    2. The dribbler palms/carries the ball by allowing it to come to rest in one or both hands; or the dribbler simultaneously touches the ball with both hands
    3. an opponent bats the ball
    4. the ball becomes dead
    5. The dribbler dribbles with two hands (power dribble)

**NOTE: An interrupted dribble occurs when the ball is loose after deflecting off the dribbler or after it momentarily gets away from the dribbler.

  1. Dunking is the driving, forcing, pushing, or attempting to force a ball through the basket with the hand(s). THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO DUNKING ALLOWED IN INTRAMURAL BASKETBALL GAMES!

**PENALTY:  the player(s) that dunk/grab the rim will be given a technical foul.  This applies regardless of when the violation occurs.

  1. Overtime is the extension of playing time necessary to break a tie score. It is five (5) minutes in length.  Extra periods are an extension of the second half.  One additional time-out is given in extra period(s).  A Tip off will determine possession to begin each extra period
  2. Fighting is a flagrant act and can occur when the ball is dead or alive. Fighting includes but is not limited to:
    1. An attempt to strike an opponent with fist, hands, arms, legs, or feet whether or not contact is made
    2. An attempt to punch or kick an opponent whether or not contact is made
    3. An attempt to instigate a fight by committing an unsportsmanlike act toward an opponent that causes an opponent to retaliate by fighting
    4. Throwing the ball at an opponent
  3. Fouls: A foul is an infraction of the rules which is charged and penalized.
    1. A common foul is a personal foul, which is neither flagrant nor intentional nor committed against a player trying or tapping for a field goal, nor is a part of a double or multiple foul.
    2. A double foul may be personal or technical. A double personal foul is a situation in which two opponents commit personal fouls against each other at approximately the same time.  A double technical foul is a situation in which two opponents commit technical fouls against each other at approximately the same time.  A false double foul is a situation in which there are fouls by both teams, the second of which occurs before the clock is started or the ball becomes alive following the first, such that at least one of the attributes of a double foul is absent.  No free throws are awarded for double personal fouls or double technical fouls and the ball is put in play by the team entitled to the throw-in under the alternating possession procedure at the division line opposite the table.
    3. A flagrant foul may be a personal or technical foul of a violent or savage nature, or a technical non-contact foul which displays vulgar or abusive conduct. It may or may not be intentional.  If personal, it involves violent contact such as striking, kicking, kneeing, etc.  If technical, it involves dead ball contact or non-contact at any time which is extreme or persistent, or vulgar or abusive conduct.
    4. An intentional foul is a personal or technical foul designed to stop or keep the clock from starting, to neutralize an opponent’s obvious advantageous position, contact away from the ball or when not playing the ball. It may or may not be premeditated and is not based on the severity of the act. A foul shall also be ruled intentional if, while playing the ball, a player causes excessive contact with an opponent.
    5. A multiple foul is a situation in which two or more teammates commit personal fouls against the same opponent at approximately the same time. A false multiple foul is a situation in which there are two or more fouls by the same team such that the last foul is committed before the clock is started or the ball becomes live following the first, so that at least one of the attributes of a multiple foul is absent.
    6. A personal foul is a player foul which involves illegal contact with an opponent while the ball is live, which hinders an opponent from performing normal defensive and offensive movements. A personal foul also includes contact by or on an airborne shooter when the ball is dead.
    7. A player control foul is a common foul committed by a player while he/she is in control of the ball, or by an airborne shooter.
    8. A technical foul is a foul by a non-player or a non-contact foul by a player, or an intentional or flagrant contact foul while the ball is dead, except a foul by an airborne shooter. A simultaneous technical foul by opponents are situations in which there is a technical foul by both teams which occurs at approximately the same time, but are not committed by opponents against each other.  No free throws are awarded and the ball is put in play by the team entitled to a throw-in under the alternating possession procedure at the division line opposite the table.
    9. A team foul is any personal foul or technical foul which is charged to either team. All team fouls are counted toward the bonus free throw.
    10. An unsportsmanlike foul is a non-contact technical foul which consists of unfair, unethical, or dishonorable conduct. Acts of deceit such as accepting a teammate(s) foul or free throw, faking being fouled, and using profane or inappropriate language or gestures are unsportsmanlike.
  4. A free throw is the opportunity given to a player to score one point from within the free throw circle and behind the free throw line. A free throw starts when the ball is given to the free thrower once all other players are deemed eligible (in position) by the official.  It ends when:
    1. the try is successful
    2. it is certain the try will not be successful
    3. the try touches the floor or any player (rebound)
    4. the ball becomes dead
  5. Goaltending occurs when a player touches the ball during a field goal try or tap while:
    1. the ball is in downward flight
    2. the entire ball is above the level of the basket ring
    3. the ball has the possibility of entering the basket in flight
    4. the ball is not touching an imaginary cylinder which has the basket ring as its lower base

It is also goaltending when during a free throw attempt when an opponent of the free thrower touches the ball while it is inside the imaginary cylinder.

  1. Guarding is the act of legally placing the body in the path of an offensive opponent. There is no minimum distance required between the guard and opponent, but the maximum is six feet when closely guarded.  Every player is entitled to a spot on the floor provided such player gets there first without illegally contacting an opponent.  To initially establish legal guarding position, the guard must have both feet on the floor and the front of the guard’s torso must be facing the opponent.

 

Hands and arms, legal and illegal use of:

  1. It is LEGAL to extend the arms vertically above the shoulders and they need not be lowered to avoid contact with an opponent when the action of the opponent causes contact. This legal use of the arms and hands usually occurs when guarding the player making a throw-in, who is the player with the ball maneuvering to try for a goal by pivoting, jumping or hooking.
  2. It is LEGAL to reach or block or slap the ball controlled by a dribbler, or player throwing for goal or a player holding it and accidentally hitting the hand of the opponent when it is in contact with the ball.
  3. It is LEGAL for a player to hold his or her hands and arms in front of his or her face or body for protection and to absorb force from an imminent charge by an opponent. This same protective use of the arms and hands occurs when a player who has set a screen outside the opponent’s visual field is about to be run into by the player being screened.  The action however, should be a recoil action rather than a pushing action.
  4. It is ILLEGAL for a player to use his or her arms and hands or hips and shoulders to force his or her way through a screen, or to hold the screener and then to push him or her aside in order to maintain a guarding position relative to his or her opponent.
  5. It is ILLEGAL for any player to use his hands in any way which inhibits the freedom of movement of the opponent, or acts as an aid to a player in starting or stopping.
  6. It is ILLEGAL to extend the arms fully or partially in a position other than vertical so that the freedom of movement of an opponent is hindered when contact with the arms occurs. The extension of the elbows when the hands are on the hips or when the hands are held near the chest or when the arms are held more or less horizontally are examples of the illegal positions used. These positions are employed when rebounding, screening, or engaging in various aspects of post play.
  7. It is ILLEGAL for a player to use his or her forearm and/or hand to prevent an opponent from attacking the ball during a dribble, or when throwing for goal.
  8. When arms and elbows are swung about while using the shoulders as pivots, and when the speed of the extended arms and elbows is in excess of the rest of the body as it rotates on the hips or on the pivot foot, or if the speed and vigor with which the arms and elbows are swung are such that injury could result if another player were contacted, an official will promptly stop the game and call such actions a technical foul.
  9. It is NOT LEGAL to lock arms or grasp a teammate(s) in an effort to restrict the movement of an opponent.
  10. A held ball occurs when opponents have hands so firmly on the ball that control cannot be obtained without undue roughness, or when an opponent places his/her hand(s) on the ball and prevents an airborne player from throwing the ball or releasing it on a try.
  11. Holding is ILLEGAL personal contact with an opponent which interferes with his/her freedom of movement.
  12. Incidental contact is contact which is permitted and does not constitute a foul.
  13. The mere fact that contact occurs does not constitute a foul. When ten players are moving rapidly in a limited area, some contact is certain to occur.
  14. Contact which occurs unintentionally in an effort by an opponent to reach a loose ball, or contact which may result when opponents are in equally favorable positions to perform normal defensive or offensive movements, should not be considered illegal, even though the contact may be severe.
  15. Similarly, contact which does not hinder the opponent from participating in normal defensive or offensive movements should be considered incidental.
  16. A player who is screened within his or her visual field is expected to avoid contact with the screener by stopping or going around the screener. In cases of screens outside the visual field, the opponent may make inadvertent contact with the screener, and such contact is to be ruled incidental contact, provided the screener is not displaced if he or she has the ball.
  17. If, however, a player approaches an opponent from behind or from a position from which he or she has no reasonable chance to play the ball without making contact with the opponent, the responsibility is on the player in the unfavorable position.
  18. Kicking the ball is intentionally striking it with the knee or any part of the leg below the knee.
  19. Player location is determined by where he/she is touching the floor as far as being: inbounds or out-of-bounds; in the frontcourt or backcourt; behind (outside) or inside the 3-point field goal line. The location of an airborne player with reference to these factors is the same as at the time such player was last in contact with the floor or an extension of the floor such as a bleacher. When the ball touches an official, it is the same as touching the floor at the official’s location.
  20. Rebounding is an attempt by a player to secure possession of the ball during and following a try for goal. In a rebounding situation there is no player or team control.
  21. To obtain or maintain legal rebounding position, a player may not:
    1. Displace, charge, or push an opponent
    2. Extend shoulders, hips, knees or extend the arms or elbows fully or partially in a position other than vertical so than the freedom of movement of an opponent is hindered
    3. Bend his or her body in an abnormal position to hold or displace an opponent
    4. Violate the principle of verticality
    5. Resuming play procedure is used to prevent delay in putting the ball in play following a time-out or intermission. The procedure results in a violation instead of a technical foul for initial delay in specific situations.
  22. A screen is a LEGAL action by a player who, without causing contact, delays or prevents an opponent from reaching a desired position.
  23. To establish a legal screening position:
    1. The screener may face any direction
    2. Time and distance are relevant
    3. The screener must be stationary, except when both are moving in the same path and the same direction
      • When screening a stationary opponent from the front or side, the screener may be anywhere short of contact.
      • When screening a stationary opponent from behind, the screener must allow the opponent one normal step backward without contact.
      • When screening a moving opponent, the screener must allow the opponent time and distance to avoid contact. The distance need not be more than two strides.
      • When screening an opponent who is moving in the same path and direction as the screener is moving, the opponent is responsible for contact if the screener slows up or stops.
  24. A try for field goal is an attempt by a player to score 2 or 3 points by throwing the ball into his/her basket. A player is trying for a goal when the player has the ball and in the official’s judgment is throwing or attempting to throw for goal.  It is not essential that the ball leave the player’s hand.  A foul could prevent release of the ball.  The try starts when the player begins the motion which habitually precedes the release of the ball.  The try ends when the throw is successful or when it is certain the throw is unsuccessful or when the thrown ball touches the floor or when the ball becomes dead.
  25. A tap-in for goal is the contacting of the ball with any part of a player’s hand(s) in an attempt to direct the ball into his or her basket. A tap shall be considered the same as a try for field goal.  The tap starts when the player’s hand(s) touch the ball.  The tap ends in exactly the same manner as a try.
  26. The act of shooting begins simultaneously with the start of the try and ends when the ball is clearly in flight, and includes the airborne shooter.
  27. A throw-in is a method of putting the ball in play from out-of-bounds. The throw-in begins when the ball is at the disposal of a player of the team entitled to it.  The throw-in ends when the passed ball touches, or is touched by an inbounds player other than the thrower (the player who attempts to make a throw-in).  The throw-in count ends when the ball is released by the thrower so the passed ball goes directly into the court.  The designated throw-in spot is 3 feet wide with no depth limitation and is established by the official prior to putting the ball at the thrower’s disposal.
  28. Traveling (running with the ball) is moving a foot or feet in any direction in excess of prescribed limits while holding the ball.
  29. A player, who catches the ball with both feet on the floor, may pivot, using either foot. When one foot is lifted, the other is the pivot foot.
  30. A player, who catches the ball while moving or dribbling, may stop and establish a pivot foot as follows:
    1. if both feet are off the floor and the player lands
    2. simultaneously on both feet, either foot may be the pivot
    3. on one foot followed by the other, the first foot to touch is the pivot
    4. On one foot, the player may jump off that foot and simultaneously land on both. Neither foot can then be a pivot.
    5. if one foot is on the floor
    6. it is the pivot when the other foot touches in a step
    7. The player may jump off that foot and simultaneously land on both. Neither foot can then be a pivot.
    8. After coming to a stop and establishing a pivot foot
    9. the pivot foot may be lifted, but not returned to the floor, before the ball is released on a pass or try for goal
    10. if the player jumps, neither foot may be returned to the floor before the ball is released on a pass or try for goal
    11. the pivot foot may not be lifted before the ball is released to start a dribble
    12. After coming to a stop when neither foot can be a pivot:
    13. one or both feet may be lifted, but may not be returned to the floor, before the ball is released on a pass or try for goal
    14. neither foot may be lifted before the ball is released to start a dribble
  31. A player holding the ball:
    1. May not touch the floor with a knee or any other part of the body other than the hand or foot
    2. After gaining possession while on the floor and touching with other than hand or foot, may not stand or attempt to get up
  32. Verticality applies to a legal guarding position. The basic components of the principle are:
      1. Legal guarding position must be established initially and movement thereafter must be legal
      2. From this position, the defender may rise or jump vertically and occupy the space within his or her vertical plane
      3. The hands and arms of the defender may be raised within his or her vertical plane while on the floor or in the air
      4. The defender should not be penalized for leaving the floor vertically or having his or her hands and arms extended within the vertical plane
      5. The offensive player whether on the floor or airborne may not “clear out” or cause contact which is a foul within the defender’s vertical plane
      6. The defender may not “belly up” or use the lower part of the body or arms to cause contact which is a foul outside his or her vertical plane
      7. The player with the ball is to be given no more protection or consideration than the defender in judging which player has violated the rules
  33. Violations for 84-86:
    1. Floor violations including basket interference or goaltending by a teammate of the thrower for field goal or try for goal
    2. Basket interference or goaltending by a player at the opponent’s basket
    3. Free throw violations other than those involving basket interference or goaltending
    4. A warning to a team for delay is an administrative procedure by an official which is recorded on the scoresheet by the scorekeeper and announced to the team captain

 

Scoring, Timing, and Regulations

  1. A goal is made when a live ball enters the basket from above and remains in or passes through. No goal is scored if an untouched throw-in goes through the basket.  If a player control foul occurs after a goal, the goal is canceled.  Whether the clock is running or stopped has no influence on the counting of a goal.
  2. Playing time shall consist of two halves of 20 minutes. The clock will run continuously except during time-outs and the final 2 minutes of the second half. There will be a three minute halftime between the first and second halves. During the final two minutes, the clock will stop for all fouls, violations, or when the official signals it to stop (whistle