League Game Rules

Season Games

Match Setup

• Each game consists of two (2) halves, each lasting 8 minutes of running time.

Starting Possession

• The starting possession of the first half of the first game is determined by a shoot-for-ball.
• The starting possession of the second half of the first game is awarded to the team that did not receive the opening possession.
• For the remaining five games, starting possession alternates and is awarded to the team that did not receive the opening possession in the previous game.
• The starting possession of each overtime period is determined by a shoot-for-ball.

Timeouts

• Each team is granted one (1) timeout per game.

Scoring

• Field goals are scored as two (2) points and three (3) points.

Violations

• Standard basketball violations (traveling, double dribble, backcourt violations, out-of-bounds) are enforced throughout the game.

Foul Rules

Calling Fouls

• Players are expected to call their own fouls.

Team Fouls (Shooting & Reaching Only)

Definition

• Only the following defensive fouls count toward the team foul total:
  • Shooting fouls
  • Reaching fouls (illegal hand or arm contact that impedes an offensive player)
• The following do not count toward team fouls:
  • Off-ball fouls
  • Loose-ball fouls
  • Offensive fouls
• Offensive fouls result in a turnover with a check-up at the top of the key.

Team Foul Penalty — Season Games (8-minute halves)

• Each team is allowed up to five (5) team fouls per half.
• Once a team commits its 5th team foul, it enters the penalty.
• While in the penalty:
  • The offense is awarded two (2) free throws
  • After the free throws, possession is awarded to the defensive team
• This applies to every shooting or reaching foul committed while in the penalty.

And-One Situations

• If a player makes a basket while being fouled:
  • The basket counts
  • The foul is added to the team foul count
• Before penalty: no free throw is awarded
• In penalty:
  • The player is awarded one (1) free throw after the basket
  • After the free throw, possession is awarded to the defensive team

Challenges

• Each team is granted one (1) challenge per half.
• Challenges may only be used on:
  • Shooting foul calls
  • Reaching foul calls
• Challenges must be initiated immediately after the call and before play resumes.

Challenge Review Process (Revised)

• Two referees review the play and make the ruling:
  • If upheld: the foul stands and the challenge is consumed
  • If overturned:
    • The foul is removed from the team foul count
    • Possession is awarded to the defensive team
    • The challenge is retained

Challenge Usage

• Each team may use only one (1) challenge per half.
• If a challenge is successful:
  • The challenge is retained and does not count as used
• If a challenge is unsuccessful:
  • The challenge is consumed
• Unused challenges do not carry over to the next half.

Possession Rules

• On any foul or out-of-bounds call, the ball is checked at the top of the key.
• If the ball hits the rim or a foul is committed:
  • The shot clock resets to 14 seconds only if the remaining time is below 14
  • If the remaining time is 14 seconds or more, play continues with the existing time
• If the ball goes out of bounds and possession remains with the same team:
  • The ball is checked up top with the remaining shot clock time

Shot Clock

• A 30-second shot clock is in effect for all possessions.

Substitutions

• Substitutions may be made on any dead ball.
• Exceptions are allowed for injury or safety concerns, even if play has not stopped.

Half-Time Break

• A 2-minute half-time break is observed between halves.
• Teams must remain within the playing area.
• Substitutions may be made freely.
• Teams may use the break for strategy, hydration, and brief warm-ups.
• Play resumes promptly with the designated starting possession.

Overtime

• If the game is tied at the end of regulation:
  • A 2-minute overtime period is played
  • If still tied, consecutive 1-minute overtime periods are played until a winner is determined
• Team fouls reset at the start of each overtime.
• Challenge usage resets at the start of each overtime period. Each team is granted one (1) challenge per overtime.
• Only shooting fouls and reaching fouls count toward team fouls.

Penalty thresholds

• Once in the penalty:
  • The offense receives two (2) free throws
  • After the free throws, possession is awarded to the defensive team
• Starting possession goes to the team that had the original starting possession at the beginning of regulation.

Tournament Games

All rules remain the same as Season Games unless stated below.

Match Setup

• Two (2) halves, 11 minutes of running time each.

Starting Possession

• Starting possession of each half is determined by season ranking.
• If teams have the same rank:
  • One player from each team participates in a shoot-off
  • Make = possession
  • Miss = possession to the opposing team

Timeouts

• Each team is granted one (1) timeout per half.
• Timeouts do not carry over.

Team Foul Penalty — Tournament Games (11-minute halves)

• Each team is allowed up to six (6) team fouls per half.
• Team fouls include shooting fouls and reaching fouls only.
• Once a team commits its 6th team foul, it enters the penalty.
• While in the penalty:
  • The offense is awarded two (2) free throws
  • After the free throws, possession is awarded to the defensive team

Overtime

• Starting possession of each overtime period is determined by a shoot-for-ball.

Break Between Semi-Final and Final

• A 15-minute break will be observed between the semifinal and the championship game before tip-off.