League Rule Book 

The Dunk Ball League Rulebook (Renewed 2025)

Section A: Games

•  Games will span 30 minutes in length.

• One singular, 30 minute "shoot-out style" play period.

• Competing teams get layup lines before every game (3 mins).

• Running clock, no stoppage for dead balls (other than the last minute of the play period, and injury substitutions).

• Each team may have two 60 second timeouts and one 30 second timeout per game (also results in time stoppage).

• Each team will play twice on a typical regular-season game day. 

• Games will start promptly on the time scheduled.

•  If a team has less than two drafted players, they will automatically receive a full loss on their record. (See Section C)

• Games that result in a tie at the end of regulation will go into a two minute overtime with a stopping clock. If a tie remains after time has expired, the game will be resolved in sudden death. First shot made, the game ends. No matching.

• During overtime, you must play three paid members of the league. 

• If you have less than three paid members showing up on that day, then obviously you’d play one of your subs. Paid members of this league are to be prioritized in overtime situations.

• One additional 60 second timeout is included in OT. 

• Excess timeouts do not carry over.

• If the iPad happens to fall down, the play continues until a dead ball, then the refs may call a timeout to get the iPad up and in a fixed position.

Section B: Gameplay

• All games will be conducted at the Wigfield Household with possible site changes depending on circumstances.

• Games will be played on a hoop height of 8.5ft.

• Games will begin with rock paper scissors to decide who has ball first

• Winner of RPS, can choose between getting the ball 1st and 4th quarters, or 2nd and 3rd quarters.

• Regular possession rules, no make it take it. 

• Games will be scored by 2s, 3s, and 4 pointers possible from the extended four point line.

• Space (approximately 2-3 feet) must be given between the defender and the checking offensive player until the ball has been inbounded. 

• The inbounder has 5 seconds to get rid of the ball before it becomes a turnover.

• The inbounding defender MUST stay guarding the offensive player until the ball is inbounded (no double teams or traps until inbounded).

• *All games will be officiated by 3 unbiased members of other teams* 

• Both offensive and defensive fouls will be observed with a leniency on contact until 5 minutes remain in the game. 

• Jump balls always result in a team winning the possession arrow.

• The ball may touch the top of the backboard, and so long as it stays on court boundaries, the ball remains in play.

• ANY change of possession requires take-backs beyond the three point arc.

• Refs must focus on 3 second paint camping calls, 5 second inbounding calls, traveling, carrying, and non-takebacks.

• The pole is out of bounds 

*In the event of injuries, players will be given 2 minutes to collect themselves until a substitution has to be made*

Section C: Substitutions, Suspension, and Records

• If a team shows up with one or zero drafted players, this team receives an automatic full loss.

• Playing with only three players is the last resort and must be okayed by the majority of captains present at time of the match. If a tie occurs between captains, it goes to the commissioner to make the final call.

• Players must play a minimum of 15 minutes out of the 30 minutes allotted for game time. 

• Each player must sit at minimum 5 minutes out of the 30 minutes allotted for game time, (unless both teams agree to play with three players each).

• If a drafted player or captain is out for a week, that Team Captain must find a temporary replacement for the week. The replacement must be okayed by 7/11 of the remaining captains, or the vote must be waived by the opposing captain of that week’s matchup. 

• During the playoffs, all captains must reach an agreement on a substitute player since they could all play against said person. 

• If a drafted player is out indefinitely, that Team Captain must find a temporary/permanent replacement for said drafted player. All other remaining captains must agree to this substitution 

• Teams and players can sub at any occurrence of a dead ball as long as they abide by each guideline.

• At the end of the regular season, records will be calculated on a percentage basis, with additional penalty losses and All-Star break wins included. When playoff seeding is observed, if there is a tie in record, the tie breaker is the team with less points allowed. The playoffs will be conducted normally with no observations of byes.

*Decisions such as player substitutions, and the choosing of officials for every game will be conducted by a vote between all captains present. Any tie vote will be decided by the commissioner.*

Section D: Fouls & Technical Fouls

• Any fouls committed during the act of shooting or continuation will result in free throws. 

• Players are permitted six fouls per game before they foul out. 

• Two Intentional fouls result in a 1 and 1 after the 3 minute mark of the play period. 

• After the fourth intentional foul, two guaranteed shots are given to the fouled player.

• Every three foul outs will result in a one game suspension. 

• Technical fouls include but are not limited to: excessive cursing after a warning, belligerent and unsportsmanlike actions, delays of game, and or arguing with the volunteering officials.

• Technical fouls result in one free throw for the opposing team and possession.

• Any cursing towards referees results in an automatic technical foul.

• Delay of games may be called by officials. One warning followed by a possible technical. 

• All active players on the court must be wearing a shirt, preferably team shirt; failure to comply results in a technical foul.

• Two team technicals results in that team's captain sitting the remainder of the game. 

• Two player technicals will also result in a one game suspension. 

• You may not intentionally foul out a player on your team to gain a competitive edge. Everyone pays the same amount of money to play in the league so regardless of skill set, no player should be used as a means to an end. If it has been proven that a captain or any other player on a given team instructs another player to intentionally foul out, and the player attempts to follow instruction, the player or captain who told teammate to foul out receives an instant double technical foul resulting in an ejection from the game. The opposing team shoots two technical free throws.

Section E: Draft & Trade Stipulations

Draft:

• Snake draft of 30 drafted members of the league by 10 captains

Trades: 

• Trades will be upheld or vetoed by captains.

• Already drafted players can be traded.

• 1 trade allowed during the season.

•  Captains cannot be traded.

Section F: Unprecedented Circumstances

• In the event of unprecedented circumstances, in which the rulebook does not have a say, all non playing present captains are required to make a decision about said circumstance. 

• If an agreement can not be reached, the Commissioner has final say. 

• Further deliberations will be conducted to amend the rules following games that week by the committee.

Section G: Delegation of Votes with Regards to League Awards

• All-Star Selections are made by the leadership committee based on unbiased player statistics and team record.

• All-DBL Teams are voted upon by captains based on unbiased player statistics and team record.

• All other awards are voted on by all 40 players/members of the league.