Rules & Regs (Basketball)

Organizational Rules

1. A size 6 (28.5 in.) basketball will be used for all games.
2. Teams compete 4-on-4.
3. Uniforms consist of shirt/jersey (with a visible number). Shirts must be tucked in. Shorts are encouraged. No jewellery of any kind is permitted.
4. Players shall not wear equipment (objects) that may cause injury to other players.
• The following are not permitted:
- Finger, hand, wrist, elbow or forearm guards, helmets, casts or braces made of leather, plastic, pliable    (soft) plastic, metal or any other hard substance, even if covered with soft padding.
- Objects that could cut or cause abrasions (fingernails must be closely cut).
- Hair accessories and jewellery.
Any exception to this rule would be in direct contradiction of our liability insurance requirements and because it has been an issue in the past OABO (Ontario Association of Basketball Officials) has a zero-tolerance mandate.
5. Substitutions can only occur during a stoppage in play. The referee must call in all subs.
6. Teams shoot at basket:
a) Further from team bench in first half (teams also warm up on this basket)
b) Nearer to team bench in second half

7. Scorer’s table be located at centre court and have visible score display (i.e. flip number chart), possession arrow, stopwatch, and whistle.
8. Prior to a game, coaches must fill out the scoresheet for their team by listing player numbers in numeric order.

Timing

1. Every attempt will be made to keep games starting on time. However, at least a short warm-up will be provided if needed (to be determined by discussion between the adult official, coaches, and convenor).
2. Games consist of two halves straight time. The length of each half will be determined once a final schedule has been prepared. If possible, 10 minute halves for preliminary round games (with the last 90 seconds stop time unless the point spread is +12) and 12 minute halves for the playoffs (with the last 2 minutes stop time unless the point spread is +12).
3. At any point during run-time, the clock will be stopped for foul shots until players are lined up in the correct positions and the shooter receives the ball (on the first shot).
4. Half-time will be a 2-minute break.
5. Each team is allowed two 40-second time-outs per game, which can only be requested by the coach when play is stopped.
6. If clarity of a rule is required, or a discrepancy in the score is noticed, the coach can request an “officials timeout” during the next stoppage in play. If need be, the convenor can be summoned.

Play should not continue until the situation has been resolved. Once the score sheet is signed by the official, the score is final.

Scoring

1. All field goals are worth 2 points. Free throws are worth 1 point.
2. Preliminary round games may end in a tie.
3. Ties in play-offs will result in:

• One 2-minute overtime period (stop time for the last 60 seconds).

• Subsequent 2-minute overtime periods until tie is broken (stop time last 60 seconds).

• No additional time-outs.

Possession

1. The first half begins with a jump ball.

2. A possession arrow will be used for alternating possession during rest of game and any overtime periods.

Fouls & Penalties

1. Disqualification

• Player who commits 4 personal fouls

• Player who receives 2 technical fouls, 2 unsporting fouls (or one of each foul) or 1 flagrant foul

2. Penalty will begin on the 5th team foul of the half. Penalty will reset for the second half. All fouls that occur in a penalty situation in the second half will result in a clock stoppage regardless of the time remaining.

3. Free throws will be attempted for shooting fouls and common fouls once the penalty is in.

4. Number of free throws awarded:

• Common foul: no free throws; offended team gets possession

• Common foul + penalty: offended team receives 2 free throws

• Shooting foul (attempt not good): offended team shoots 2 free throws

• Shooting foul (attempt good): offended team gets 2 points + 1 free throw

• Technical foul: offended team gets 1 free throw + play resumes from the point of interruption.

• Flagrant/unsporting fouls: offended team gets 2 free throws + possession.

5. During free throws, players in the lane (except shooter) may step in when the ball is released. The shooter may enter the lane once the ball hits the rim. Three defensive players and two offensive players may line up at the side of the key during foul shots. All other players must stay behind the shooter until the ball contacts the rim. The shooter should make every attempt to remain behind the foul line on their shot(s). Line violations for the shooter will be lenient if it does not appear that they are looking to gain an advantage by going over the line.

Violation & Restrictions

1. Offensive player may not be in the key for more than 3 seconds at a time.

2. Offensive player may not hold or dribble the ball for over 5 seconds in front court while being guarded.

3. A team has 10 seconds to advance the ball to the front court (past the half line).

4. Once the ball is in front court, the offensive team may not enter back-court. Please note: due to the variation of court sizes in the county, the appropriate “over and back” line is to be established by the convenor and officials prior to the start of the first game, and be enforced by officials throughout the tournament.

5. Full court pressing is allowed during the entire game, unless a team is +12 in points, after which pressing is prohibited (the team that is down may continue to press).

6. When pressing is prohibited (+12), no pressing is allowed when there is to be an inbounds pass in the backcourt (after a defensive rebound or steal teams CAN press). Defenders may pick up offensive players once the ball is in the front court.

7. If a player presses when it is not permitted, the player’s team will be given a “press warning” violation. If this team presses again during the game when it is not permitted, the pressing team will be assessed a technical foul. A coach cannot be ejected due to these bench technicals.

Tie breaking rules:

1) Head-to-head (if game was a tie: the score at half)

2) Points against at half

3) Two-minute stop time overtime period