Basketball Rules - Men & Women, NFSHSA 5 on 5 Rules apply, with the following exceptions:
Eligibility
All current Intramural eligibility rules apply. It is the responsibility of all participants to know and understand current eligibility rules. Anyone who practiced with the University men's or women's intercollegiate squad after Thanksgiving break is ineligible for all intramural basketball competition. Former Division I basketball letter winners are eligible subject to the following: they must play at the highest level of competition offered and no more than one (1) per team.
Playoffs
Number of teams entering playoffs are not set prior to season and subject to changes from year to year. The intramural office does try to be inclusive with our playoffs, as to allow every team a valid chance, but this is not always possible due to limitations outside of our control. (*Please note that sportsmanship ratings will be a determining factor for which teams are granted a playoff bid and will continue to be a factor during playoffs. IF at ANY time a team receives a rating of 0 or falls below the required minimum to enter playoffs during a playoff competition that team will forfeit any continued efforts into the next round(s) of playoffs in its entirety. (Protests will not be accepted, unless unusual and/or extenuating circumstances are present).
Playoff dates are subject to availability (we will work with you if conflict from our scheduling arises) If a conflict arises with a game scheduled contact the IM office at (319) 273-5528 for court availability then you will be instructed to contact the opponent.
Managers Responsible: To share participant risk, injury and insurance information with team members.
Players
5 per team, (a team may start a game with 4 players, if a team has less than 3 players game ends at that point). Each team must provide a non-playing person to assist the bench official at the score table the entire game. Failure to provide a non-playing scorer will cause a forfeit loss.
Uniforms
First team listed on the schedule must wear white shirts, second team listed wear black shirts. All players must wear gym shoes. Players without shoes or those wearing street shoes are prohibited from playing.
Lineups
Must be in 5 minutes before scheduled starting time. Any person on the roster may start. Persons first and last name must be listed on the score sheet - no nicknames. Later players must be checked off of roster upon arrival.
Illegal Equipment
- All protective medical materials (tape, pads, etc.) must be approved by the game officials prior to the start of the game.
- Any headwear such as ski caps or bandanna’s containing any exposed knots is illegal. All types of hats with bills are illegal to wear during play.
- All equipment deemed unsafe by the game officials may not be worn. Failure to remove equipment deemed unsafe will prevent the individual from participation.
- Shirts must be worn at all times. Cut-off shirts and sleeveless shirts may be allowed but must be cut off directly at the shoulder with a maximum of four (4) inches under the armpit.
- If a recreational sports jersey is worn, a shirt must be worn underneath.
- The ball will be provided by the Intramural Sports department and may be used unless both teams agree on the use of another ball. That alternative ball must be approved by the game officials. Any team using their own ball shall be responsible for bringing it on to the court and maintaining responsibility for their own equipment.
Jewelry
Jewelry is NOT allowed to be worn by any participant during the game. This consists of any visible rings (including wedding bands, watches, necklaces, earrings, studs, bracelets, and any other such similar jewelry. Medic alert bracelets must be taped to the body or secured under clothing such as a wristband or sock to be worn during play. A player is subject to ejection for failure to remove any jewelry after first warning.
Blood Rule
Players who sustain injury causing an open wound will be required to leave the game. A player may not re-enter the contest until the flow of bodily fluids is stopped and the wound covered.
Game Time
Game time is forfeit time. If a team does not have the minimum amount of players to start they will forfeit the contest. A 5 minute grace period can be given by the team present but the game will start at the designated time.
Length of Game
A game shall consist of two 20-minute running halves.
The clock will run continuously for the first half and in the second half, the clock will stop during the last two (2) minutes of the second half on every whistle.
- NOTE: If a team is ahead by 15 points or more during the final two (2) minutes, the clock will not stop but continue to run. If the lead falls back UNDER 15 points the clock, then the clock will be stopped as listed above.
Start of Game
Jump Ball: To start the game and each extra period, the ball shall be put into play in the center restraining area by a jump ball. All other jump ball situations shall be put in play by a throw-in under the alternating possession procedure.
Jump Ball Situations
In case of a jump ball, possession will be awarded using an alternating method (i.e. if team A had the ball to start the game and a jump ball occurs, team B gets possession; the next jump ball would go to team A etc.). The alternate possession continues the entire game. In all overtimes you conduct another jump ball to determine possession to start each overtime period. The possession arrow will be kept at the scorer’s table.
Mercy Rule
If any time during the second half a team is down by 40 points the game will immediately end.
Scoring
Field goals count 3 or 2 points, free throws 1 point.
Free Throws
All free throws will be administered if the following situations occur: Shooting, intentional, and technical fouls, any point when team fouls reach a bonus of 7 team fouls (1 and 1) or 10 team fouls (double bonus- 2 shots). The clock will not stop for free throws unless during the last 2 minutes of the 2 nd half (depending on the score difference at the 2 minute mark) and other situations covered in continuous clock section.
Reminder: Rule changes from 2015 NOW allow only those in marked lane spaces to enter on the release of the last free throw shot. Anyone outside the 3-point arc and free throw line extended must stay out of the arc and beyond the line extended until the ball hits the rim of the basketball hoop.
Fouling-Out
Five (5) fouls per player per game in any combination of technical or personal are allowed before player fouls out.
Ejections
Any player, coach, or spectator may be ejected from the game for any actions occurring before, during or after that event.
Participants will not be told at the time of their ejection as to the length of their suspension. The suspension will be given, and then a meeting must be set up with the Coordinator of Intramural Sports to determine when the participant is eligible to return to play.
Over & Back (Backcourt Violation)
A 10 second count for anyone possessing the ball in the backcourt once the throw in out of bound has ended will begin. The 10 second count will continue until the ball, and both feet of the team member in possession of the ball has crossed over the division line at center court. IF the 10 second count has been reached/ expired from a visual count by the official then a violation is called for 10 second backcourt count and the ball is awarded to the opposing team for a throw-in at the division line.
If any part of the player’s body comes in contact with the division line or the team’s backcourt once legally crossed and having front court status, then this will be a backcourt violation and the ball will be awarded to the other team for a throw- in at the division line. (IT IS NOT a violation if the ball is tipped and/ or last touched by the opposing team not in possession that causes the ball to return to the backcourt). If it is tipped the ball can be possessed again by any team member and a new 10 second count will begin, applying to the above rules and provisions.
For the purpose of the backcourt rule: The team’s backcourt is considered that which extends from the baseline from where the ball is taken out of and extends to the division line at midcourt. The front court is that extending from the floor across the division line to the baseline of the team’s basket. The division line for all purposes will be considered part of a team’s backcourt.
Front Court and Back Court Ball Status: The ball is considered to remain in the backcourt while a player is dribbling the ball until the players both feet and the ball have been in contact with the front court. When an airborne player gains possession of the ball during a throw in, a jump ball or while on defense they are considered to have no status as related to front court or backcourt if they (and only that player) return to the floor possessing the ball. The location where they land will determine the location of the player and the ball.
Time Outs
Each team is allowed 3 per game; 1 minute each. 1 additional time out is awarded in each overtime period with any unused time-outs carrying over for the first overtime period ONLY.
Tie Game - Overtime Period(s)
NO OVERTIME IN REGULAR SEASON.
Overtime period will be 2 minutes. The clock will stop in overtime periods.
Overtime periods will continue until a winner has been determined. Only used in playoffs.
There will be absolutely no dunking on Courts not equipped with breakaway rims. Penalties for violations are as follows:
- Before game: game misconduct technical will be assessed plus that player will be suspended from playing that game.
- After game: player will be suspended from playing in the next scheduled game.
- Dunking will be allowed on courts during the game only!
In Bounding
Team gaining possession of the ball is responsible for retrieving the ball and handing it to the nearest official. The officials will handle the ball on all violations which result in a change of possession or a free throw.
Substitutions
Substitutes must give name to scorer and wait to be summoned onto the floor by officials:
- During a dead ball situation (EXCEPTION: after a made basket during)
- Prior to shooting a free throw a live clock
- During time outs
- Between quarters and halves
Sportsmanship and Conduct Guidelines
The key to a successful and satisfying intramural program is sportsmanship on the part of participants and spectators. Unsportsmanlike behavior, swearing, trash talking, taunting, or any threatening actions directed toward other participants, officials, spectators, and staff will not be tolerated! For this reason technical fouls, disqualification’s, and forfeitures of contests due to threatening behavior will be handled as follows:
There will be two (2) categories of technical fouls, game misconduct technical and unsportsmanlike conduct technical.
- Game misconduct technical: is a technical foul that disrupts normal game operation, examples would be intentionally slapping the backboard, calling a time-out in excess of those allowed, illegal substitution, etc. The penalty for each technical would be two (2) free throws and possession to the offended team.
- EXCEPTION: Dunking is a GM Technical which carries an ejection/suspension penalty. See dunking section for specifics. Accumulating game misconduct technical fouls will not cause a team to forfeit the game.
- Unsportsmanlike conduct technical: is a technical foul which consists of unsportsmanlike behavior, verbal and/or physical abuse directed towards an official, other participants, spectators, or staff that is considered threatening. The penalty for this technical is immediate ejection from the game and facility plus two (2) free throws and possession to the offended team. If the technical is assessed in the 4th quarter it will suspend the player for the following game as well. Any player ejected from more than one game shall automatically be disqualified from further play in IM basketball. If a team is assessed two (2) unsportsmanlike conduct technical in the same game it will forfeit that game. If two games are forfeited for the above reason, that team shall be disqualified from further play in IM basketball.
Protests
Judgment calls may not be protested! If a team feels that an official has misinterpreted the rules, the offended team should lodge a protest immediately with the official. The official must (1) stop the game and (2) then bring the rule in question to the attention of the IM Coordinator or IM Supervisors who will make the ruling. This ruling will stand and the game will continue. If the team questioning the rule believes the ruling is incorrect, they must lodge a written protest with the Intramural Coordinator who will make a ruling.
Note: Play must be stopped immediately. If the protesting team allows subsequent action or does not follow the protest procedure, they forfeit the right to protest.