Basketball Rules

All Basketball Leagues sponsored by the Office of Recreational Sports play by regulation high school basketball rules with some exceptions and special allowances. Exceptions and allowances are noted below:

Player Eligibility

Intramural sports competition is divided into different leagues depending on skill level. Each team or individual is encouraged to select the level which best suits their abilities and interests. The Recreational Sports Director reserves the right to move teams/individuals to a more appropriate level when necessary. Team captains are encouraged to aid this process prior to the beginning of league play. The following leagues are offered for some (not all) Intramural Sports.

"A" League is designed for teams / individuals with high skill levels, seeking intense competition. Any participant, who has tried out, is red-shirting, is currently playing or has played on an intercollegiate team, is allowed to play in "A" league, BUT only one per athlete per team.

"Open" League is designed for competitive play with some restrictions on eligibility (i.e. any participant, who has tried out, is red-shirting, is currently playing or has played on an intercollegiate team MUST wait one full year before participating in the "Open" league).

"B" League is designed for those with prior experience in the sport seeking a moderate level of competition and skill. Current and former (within 2 years) intercollegiate athletes are NOT allowed to play in "B" league.

"C" League is designed for teams/individuals with a minor amount of skills and those playing "just for fun" Current and former intercollegiate athletes are NOT allowed to play "C" league.

If participants play on a team in which they are NOT eligible, the team is in jeopardy of forfeiting the game should the opponents appeal.

• Teams must have five players to start the game.
• A player must play in two league games to be eligible for tournament play and may play on no more than one team per league for tournament play.

Player Check–In and Uniforms

• All team members must first check-in at the Recreational Sports Office in order to determine game eligibility and check–out a game jersey (if needed). Picture ID is required.
• All team members must wear a jersey with legal numbers and of the same color.
• Players must wear a t–shirt underneath their Recreational Sports jersey. Tank tops are not allowed.
• PLAYERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO TAKE OFF ALL JEWELRY. Please inform players on your team to remove all jewelry (including necklaces, earrings, other piercings, etc) prior to each game.

Forfeits, Excused Losses & Forfeit Fees

• Teams forfeiting one game (i.e., no one shows up) will be dropped from the League and lose their forfeit fee. Remaining games will be given to other teams on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• Teams who have one excused loss (i.e., some players show up but not enough to play) will lose $10 of their forfeit fee. Teams committing their second excused loss will be dropped from the League.
• Teams that allow an ineligible player to play in a game are considered to have an excused loss. These teams will fall under the same rules for an excused loss as noted above.

Scoring & Timing

• Scorekeepers will keep time for the games. Please be courteous with these employees. They are there to assist you and the referee in his/her duties.
• Forfeit time is five minutes after the hour according to the clock in the gym. Should there not be a clock or, if the time is clearly inaccurate, the clock in the Recreational Sports Office shall be considered the "official clock".
• Games consist of two 20–minute running clock halves. The clock will stop the last two minutes of the 2nd half provided the score differential is within 15 points or less.
• Three 45–second time outs are available to each team during regulation play.
• Overtime is four minutes, running clock. Clock will stop on all free throws only. One 45–second time out is allowed per team. Time outs from regulation will not carry over.

Sportsmanship

• Every game, teams are awarded points (based on evaluations by game officials) for sportsmanship. A maximum of five points may be awarded per game. Teams must have 19 points (based on a five game schedule) to advance to the championship tournament. If teams play more than five games, their points awarded per game must average 3.8 points. Points are awarded as follows:
  • 5 Points ≡ Outstanding sportsmanship displayed by all members of the team.
  • 4 Points ≡ Average sportsmanship displayed by all members of the team.
  • 3 Points ≡ One unsportsmanlike technical foul was assessed to a team/player and/or a team played with an ineligible player and/or had an excused loss.
  • 2 Points ≡ Two unsportsmanlike technical fouls were assessed to a team/player(s) or a player was ejected from the game.
  • 1 Point ≡ The game officials ejected a player then had to be asked to leave the gym.
• If a player is ejected from a game, they must report to the Recreational Sports Office and complete a Suspension Form. The player will be ineligible to participate in the League or any programs offered by the Recreational Sports Office until the Suspension Form is received and the Protest Committee holds a meeting to determine the player´s continued eligibility.

PLEASE USE PROPER LANGUAGE WHILE PLAYING IN YOUR BASKETBALL GAME. FOUL LANGUAGE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. WE HAVE HAD COMPLAINTS SO WILL BE CRACKING DOWN ON THIS.