Basketball Intramural Rules

What proper identification is required to check in for a game?

A government-issued photo ID

Do coaches need to be on the team roster?

No, coaches do not need to appear on the roster and teams don't need to use the same coach all season

Where must a coach stay during the game?

Off the court of play, except during time-outs

What is the "seatbelt rule"?

A coach who receives a technical foul forfeits the right to speak to officials and must remain seated for the rest of the game

What happens to a disqualified player?

They are removed from that game but can still play in their next contest

What happens to an ejected player, coach, or fan?

They are removed from that game and automatically suspended from all intramural activities pending a meeting with intramural staff

Can judgment calls be protested?

No, only rule interpretations may be protested, and immediately at the time of the incident

What is the Blood Rule?

A player with an open wound must leave the game and cannot return until bleeding stops and the wound is covered

Are medical alert bracelets allowed?

Yes, if taped flush with the skin (may be visible)

Are casts or splints allowed?

No, never allowed under any circumstances

What padding is required for knee braces with exposed metal/hard plastic/metal hinges?

Must be covered with padding or foam at least 1/4 inch thick

What head coverings are permitted for hair control?

Elastic headbands and hair control devices without metal or hard plastic; bandanas without knots

What headwear items are prohibited?

Beads, barrettes, bobby pins, and other hard head decorations

When must ALL team members wear department-provided jerseys?

If the team does not have the same or similar color shirts/jerseys

What is required if a player wears the department-provided jersey?

A shirt must be worn under it that covers where the jersey lays on the participant, or the player cannot play

What are the rules for a team's own numbered jerseys?

Numbers must be whole numbers, no more than 2 digits, and jerseys must be the same/similar color

What is required of eyeglasses worn during play?

They must be unbreakable, and each player is responsible for the safety of their own glasses

What footwear is required indoors?

Athletic shoes with non-marking court soles; hard-soled shoes and five finger shoes are not permitted

What is the minimum number of players needed to start/continue a game?

Three (3) players on the court ready to play

When does a team forfeit a game?

When it does not have the minimum number of players ready to play 10 minutes after the scheduled game time

What happens if a team is short players at game time?

The non-offending team is awarded 2 points for every minute the other team lacks the minimum required players

What is the final score if the grace period passes without enough players?

58-45, declared a forfeit

How long is a basketball game?

Four 10-minute quarters

When does the clock stop during regulation?

Only during the last two (2) minutes of the second half and for all timeouts

How long is halftime?

Two (2) minutes, but may be shortened at officials' discretion

How many timeouts does each team get per game?

Two (2) 30-second timeouts per game

How many timeouts are granted per overtime period?

One (1) timeout per overtime period

What happens if a team requests an excessive timeout?

They receive a technical foul

What happens if the score is tied at the end of regulation during the regular season?

One two-minute overtime is played; if still tied after that, a tie is declared

What happens in playoffs if the score is still tied after the first overtime?

A second two-minute overtime is played; if still tied, a sudden death period follows where the first team to score wins

How do overtime periods work in Championship/All-University games?

Additional two-minute overtime periods are played until a winner is determined; there is no sudden death overtime

How does every overtime period begin?

With a jump ball at center court

How can a substitute enter the game?

By checking in with the scorekeeper and entering only during dead ball situations after an official motions them onto the court

What takes precedence if the scoreboard and score sheet disagree?

The official score sheet

How are jump balls handled after the opening tip?

Teams alternate taking the ball out of bounds nearest to where the jump ball occurred

What is the "No-Delay Policy"?

During the first 38 minutes of the game, a team in possession must make a reasonable attempt to score within about 30 seconds

When is the No-Delay Policy not in effect?

During the last two minutes of the second half; it does apply during overtime

How many points is a shot from behind the 19'9" line worth?

Three (3) points

How many points is a field goal from inside the 3-point line worth?

Two (2) points

What happens if a shooter's foot is on the 3-point line?

The shot counts as two (2) points

How many points is a free throw worth?

One (1) point

When is the Mercy Rule reached in basketball?

A 50-point lead any time in the second half, a 30-point lead with 5 minutes or less left, or a 20-point lead with 2 minutes or less left

How many fouls disqualify (foul out) a player?

Five (5) fouls, any combination of personal or technical

How many free throws are awarded for a successful 2 or 3-point try while being fouled?

One (1) free throw

How many free throws are awarded for an unsuccessful 2-point try while fouled?

Two (2) free throws

How many free throws are awarded for an unsuccessful 3-point try while fouled?

Three (3) free throws

When are two free throws awarded for a common foul?

On the offending team's 5th personal foul in a quarter (except player/team control fouls)

When do team fouls reset to zero?

After each quarter; they only carry over from the 4th quarter into overtime

How many players may occupy marked lane spaces during a free throw?

A maximum of four (4) defensive and two (2) offensive players

When may lane players enter the key during a free throw?

On the release of the shot

For which fouls are no free throws awarded?

Common fouls before the bonus is in effect, double fouls, player/team control fouls, and double technical fouls

What is a double foul?

Two opponents committing personal/technical fouls against each other at approximately the same time

What is a simultaneous foul?

A foul committed by both teams at approximately the same time, but not against each other directly

What happens after a double, simultaneous, or double technical foul?

Fouls are recorded, no free throws awarded, and play resumes at the point of interruption (no alternating possession)

What is an intentional foul?

A foul designed to stop or keep the clock from starting, neutralize an opponent's advantage, or contact made away from the ball

What counts as a technical foul?

A foul by a non-player, a non-contact foul by a player, or intentional/flagrant contact while the ball is dead (e.g., slapping the backboard or grabbing the rim)

What is the exception to grabbing the rim being a technical foul?

A player may grab the rim to prevent injury

What happens after 2 technical fouls for unsportsmanlike actions by one individual?

The individual is ejected from the game

What happens after a team receives 4 technical fouls for unsportsmanlike action?

The team immediately forfeits the game

What is a flagrant foul?

A personal or technical foul of a violent/savage nature, or a non-contact technical foul showing unacceptable conduct; results in ejection

What is a player-control foul?

A common foul committed by a player in control of the ball or by an airborne shooter

What is a team-control foul?

A common foul committed by a member of the team with possession of the ball

What happens on a player-control or team-control foul?

No points can be scored, no free throws awarded, and the ball goes to the offended team nearest the spot of the foul

What is the backcourt violation?

A team may not be in continuous control of the ball in their backcourt for 10 seconds, and cannot return the ball to the backcourt once established in the frontcourt

What is the three-second violation?

An offensive player cannot be in or in contact with the free throw lane (the key) for more than 3 seconds while their team is in the frontcourt

What is the five-second violation?

If a player is closely guarded within six feet in the frontcourt and holds or dribbles the ball for more than 5 seconds

When is kicking the ball a violation?

Only when it is an intentional act; accidental contact with the foot/leg is not a violation

What is the elbowing violation?

Swinging the elbows while in possession of the ball without pivoting, even without contact

What happens if a thrower leaves the designated throw-in spot too early?

Turnover

How long does a thrower have to pass the ball into the court?

Five seconds from the start of the throw-in

What happens if the opponent of the thrower reaches through the boundary plane and touches the ball?

Technical foul

What happens if the opponent of the thrower reaches through the boundary plane and fouls the thrower?

Intentional foul

Is dunking allowed during live ball play?

Yes, legal dunking as described by NFHS rules is allowed in all leagues

When is grasping the rim legal?

Only when done by a player trying to prevent injury

What happens if a player grasps or hangs on the rim (not for injury prevention)?

It is considered a technical foul

Who is responsible for damage caused by hanging on the rim?

The player who caused the damage is financially responsible for repair or replacement

How many players make up a coed basketball team?

Five (5) players

What is the minimum number of players to start/continue a coed game?

Three (3) players, including at least one member of each sex

What is the maximum number of men or women allowed on the court in coed play?

A maximum of two (2) men and three (3) women

What size ball is used in coed games?

A 28.5 inch regulation basketball, unless both captains agree to use a 29.5 inch ball