SPORTSMONKEY

Men’s Basketball League - 5 on 5 Official Rules

OVERVIEW

Two 20-minute halves

Each team is allowed (2) time-outs per half - unused TO’s do not carry over to 2nd half

Running clock except for final 2 minutes of the 2nd half

3:00 minute overtimes with each team being awarded one time-out for the overtime period and up to one time-out will carry over from the second half.

 

NEW RULE: Rosters are due by the third game of League Play. Rosters will be turned into the referee by your third night of play and placed in the League binder. The rosters can be turned in by email or fax. All rosters will be checked prior to your playoff games. This means that each player will need a valid ID in order to compete during the playoffs. If a player is not listed on the roster, the player is ineligibe to play. A valid ID not present with player at the time roster is checked is the same as not being listed on the roster.

 

NEW RULE:  (2:00 minute in bound rule) The last 2 minutes of the first half and second half of the game the teams have a choice of in bounding the ball after a time out at half court or full court.  This rule mimics that of the NBA and is only allowed when a team is not forced to call the time out to avoid a turnover.

BEGINNING OF THE GAME

·  The beginning of the game starts with a jump ball.  Possession for all following jump balls are alternate possession.  The start of all overtimes begin with a jump ball.

·  Shorthanded teams may play with at least 3 players.

Note:  Any team trailing by 30 points or more with 2 minutes or less in the game; the game will be called.  If a team is trailing by 20 points or more with 1 minute remaining the game will be called.  This is the mercy rule.  Any team who has a player ejected from the game and does not have a sub for that player; the team will forfeit the game. 

TIME       

·  Play is divided into (2) 20-minute halves separated by a brief halftime break.  There will be a running clock (except for the final 2 minutes of play) maintained by a scorekeeper.  During the final 2 minutes, time will remain running during made fieldgoals. Each team is granted 2 timeouts per half, unused time outs do not carry over to the second half. If in the first 38 minutes a TO is called prior to a free throw, the time will remained stopped during the free throws until the ball is “live” again. The clock will not stop in the last two minutes of the second half when one team is ahead by 21or more points. Note see mercy rule above.

·  NEW RULE: THE CLOCK WILL STOP ON ALL MADE BUCKETS DURING THE FINAL MINUTE OF THE GAME OR OVERTIME.  THE CLOCK WILL RESUME ONCE BALL IS IN BOUNDED.  ALL MERCY RULES APPLY

 

OVERTIME

·  Each overtime period is 3-minutes.  The clock runs continuously during the first two minutes  and stops in DURING THE last minute ON ALL WHISTLES.  Each team is awarded 1 additional timeout per overtime period.  Time-outs do   carry over from regulation to the overtime period. (only one time-out carrys over) Except for playoffs, the game ends in a tie after 2 overtime periods have been played. 

 

PERSONAL/TEAM FOULS

·  Personal fouls will be recorded for all leagues.  Players will foul-out after being awarded their 6th personal foul.  All technical fouls will be recorded as personal fouls. 

·  A team begins shooting one-and-one on the seventh team foul of each half and continues shooting one-and-one on any following fouls.  If a technical foul happens to be the seventh team foul, the team will shoot the two free throws for the technical and receive the ball, however they will not receive the bonus one and one.  After ten team fouls, teams will be awarded two free throws.  All shooting fouls are 2 shot fouls unless the shooter is attempting a 3 point shot and they will receive three shots.  If a foul is an intentional foul the shooter gets 2 shots and the ball

 

TECHNICAL FOULS

·  Technical fouls are counted as personal fouls.  Any individual that is awarded two technical fouls will be ejected from the game.

·  Technical fouls result in 2 free throws and ball possession.

 

SPORTSMANSHIP

·  Any behavior deemed unacceptable by staff may result in a game suspension and/or ejection from the league.

·  Normal rules and penalties of the UIL apply unless exceptions have been made herein.

·  The 3-point field goal is in effect if the court has a line marked.

·  Backcourt violations will be in effect unless otherwise noted.                 

·  NO DUNKING/HANGING on the rim.  1st offense – Technical, 2nd offense – Ejection of player & coach, 3rd offense – Forfeit of game.  Player is responsible for damage to goal/backboard.

·  During free throws, players may enter the lane upon release of the ball by the shooter.

 

 

LEAGUE POLICIES

GAMES:                  

                                                    During the regular season one game will be played within time allotted (warm up time is included).  The last two minutes of the game will utilize a stopped clock.  Games will be divided into two 20-minute halves with a brief half-time break.  During the regular season, a two-minute overtime will be used.  The clock runs continuously during the first minute and stops in the last minute.  Each team is awarded 1 additional time-out per overtime period.  Time-outs do not carry over from regulation to the overtime.  The game ends in a tie after 2 overtime periods have been played – during regular season.

                                                  

REFS:                            

SportsMonkey will provide 2 paid referees for each game. Refs have the power to remove any player(s) from a game or the league if deemed necessary.  The league, however, is run by SM and a representative will be on-site to interpret rules, and (together with the refs) will have final say in all rulings made by the on-court officials.

 

FORFEITS:         

                                                    If your team forfeits a match during the season, the following rules apply:

                                                    First Offense:  Loss of game and warning issued.

Second Offense:  Loss of game and staff reserves the right to remove team from playoffs.

                                                    Third Offense:  Removal from the league

 

If you know in advance that your team is going to forfeit a game, we encourage you to call our office so as to help us schedule your opponent a game.

 

Teams have until ten minutes past the designated start time to field a full squad (at least minimum players required according to rules).  If at that time one team is unable to field a full team, it will be up to the staff and the opposing captain to determine what is allowable. 

 

STANDINGS:                   

The updated standings will be posted weekly, displaying each teams rank within its skill level.

 

PLAYOFFS:       

                                                    All eligible teams make the playoffs (teams that have not abused the reffing or forfeit                                                               policies are eligible).

In certain situations teams at or near the bottom of the standings may not advance to the playoffs.  Check with the SM league coordinator to see if this applies to your league.

                                                  Playoffs are single elimination.

                                                   

 

 

 

 

                                                   

                                                   

                                                   

                                                    Seeding:  Teams are seeded according to winning percentage and strength of schedule.

Teams may be dropped from their regular season level based on the above criteria.  Teams may be moved to a higher division during the playoffs only if permission is granted.

                                                    Skill levels may be divided into separate divisions based upon size of level.

Teams may play more than one match per day, and/or play matches on days/nights other than your regularly scheduled league day/night.

                                                    SM reserves the right to schedule playoff games on days other than your regularly                                                                          scheduled league night.

Any questions regarding rules, policies, or eligibility must be addressed before the start of the game.

 

WAIVERS:

In order to participate in the league, each participant must sign the team waiver.  Waivers are provided and must be completed and handed in no later than the third week of play.  Players not present the first week of play will still be required to sign a waiver with our staff before participating.

                                 

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY: Below only applies if Roster is not on site. See new rules section for eligibility.

                                              A formal protest may be filed before a game if an opposing player’s eligibility is in question.  The player in question will be required to provide his/her player information (name, address, phone #, signature) in writing to a SM staff member prior to the start of the game.  This qualifies as an official protest.  The game will then be played in its entirety as scheduled.  Teams will be notified of all rulings on the identified eligibility discrepancy by the following business day – decisions will not be made on site.  If the protest is proven to be legitimate, it will result in the forfeiture of the game in question.  Games subsequent to the protested game may be rescheduled. 

The above procedure will also apply for any other “logged” protests.  All rulings by SM staff are considered final.

 

SPORTSMANSHIP:

The idea of SM is to have fun.  We hope that all participants keep that in mind when becoming involved.  Although the games may become intense, you still can be competitive while maintaining good sportsmanship.  With this said, any behavior deemed unacceptable by staff may result in suspension and/or ejection from a game or the league.

 

STAFF:                        

To coordinate and run the league, our refs and/or staff will be available at all times to help the league run as smoothly as possible. If you have questions regarding schedules, policies, rule interpretations, directions to the bar, etc. please ask.

 

LEAGUE CANCELLATION/RAINOUT:

                                              Leagues may be cancelled due to existing weather conditions, dangerous or unplayable field conditions, facility constraints, etc.  SM staff makes every effort to play all scheduled games, thus we will not cancel games until absolutely necessary.  Therefore, if you are calling concerning a decision on a cancellation, remember we will not have an answer until close to the start of the league.  If the league is cancelled, SM staff will change the voicemail immediately.  SM will then call/e-mail all of the captains.  If a league is cancelled on site, SM staff will attempt to contact those teams still scheduled to play the remainder of the league day/night.  Depending on the time of cancellation, some teams will have to be notified on site.  If we do cancel, follow next week’s schedule (ex. If April 13 is cancelled teams should follow the April 20 schedule for their next game).  The games that are cancelled will be made up at the end of the season if time allows.  In extreme circumstances, SM reserves the right to run a shortened season without a refund of schedule matches on days other than our regularly scheduled league day/night.

                                                                    

PRIZES:               

                                              The top teams in each division will receive a prize of great emotional, spiritual, and most importantly, social value.

 

These policies are designed to make the league run as smoothly and safely as possible, and provide continuity for its participants.  Each player in the league is responsible for this information: please advise your team of these rules and thanks for playing.