Eligibility:

1. A player may be added to a roster up until tournament time. However, for a player to be eligible for the tournament, he/she must have played in one regular season game.
2. Members of the varsity or junior varsity team are not eligible to compete. Also, players are ineligible, if they have practiced for two weeks with the basketball team.
3. Once a player plays with one team, he may not play with any other team. This includes any other league. If a player is dropped from the league and attempts to play with another team, that player becomes ineligible for all intramural sports for the remainder of the year. A player using a false name will be permanently suspended from further play, and he/she causes the team which he/she played for to forfeit its right to further games. The responsibility for determining ineligible players rests within the team members.
4. If a team does not appear for its scheduled game, the game will be forfeited, and the team will be given a warning. On a second “no show, ”the game will be forfeited, and the team will be permanently dropped from further competition. Its members will not be permitted to play with any other team.
5. Trash talk will result in a technical foul.
6. Rockford College alumni’s are not allowed to participate in intramural basketball.

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General Reminders:

1. Our purpose is for organized exercise. Have fun!
2. It is required that all players wear a shirt under their jersey as a courtesy to the next player who has to wear the same jersey.
3. Read and understand the rules. They are important!!
4. I have never met a perfect official or player. I never will either!! Let us realize that we are imperfect (amateurs), and then we can better appreciate each other. Understanding this thought should help everyone’s attitude to have fun playing and spend less time complaining.
5. I want everyone to enjoy playing basketball, and this is more easily done if everyone stays offensive-minded and worries less about defense (which often results in many fouls and bad feelings).

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The Game:

1. Games will consist of two 20-minute halves (straight time). Each team will be permitted four timeouts per game, and each time out will be for 30 seconds. Remember, however, the clock is continuous. No timeouts will be allowed during the last 5 minutes of a game.
2. If there is a 5 point or less difference in the last two minutes, the clock stops after a basket and does not start until the ball is touched inbounds. (Exception – Rule 14)
3. Both teams must be on the floor and ready to play at their scheduled time. If a team is late, they will be penalized one point for each minute they are late, and the game will be shortened accordingly.
4. Five players from each team must be present for the game to start. You can then play with four players; however, a team reduced to three players loses automatically – no matter what the score is!
5. Overtime games are to be decided with a sudden death period. The first two points wins (i.e. one basket, one free throw, or one backcourt foul).

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General Rules:

1. There is no jump ball situation to begin play. “Paper, rock, scissors” will determine the choice of having the ball to start the game or for the second half. The ball is taken inbounds at the center line by the scorer’s desk. Possession of the ball for a sudden death game will be decided the same way.
2. There is not a “3 Seconds” rule in the free throw lane. The ten-second mid-court rule is in effect.
3. Officials are expected to enforce the 5 second individual ball control rule. There is no point in having free throws count for 2 points in the last 5 minutes of every game, if you do not enforce the 5 second rule. The whole purpose of having free throws count for 2 points in the last 5 minutes is to stop the team that is behind from fouling to get the ball. If they have nothing going for them, then the penalty is too great.
4. To prelude front-court stalling, the defensive team gets the ball if the ball is held or dribbled for 5 seconds during the last 5 minutes of a game, unless a player is driving for a basket, and the shot is attempted.
5. Substitutes will enter the game on a whistle. You must inform the desk worker, but there is no need to tell them whom you wish to replace. Know whom you are to replace, and when the horn sounds, run directly to him from the court and tell him to run off. Please remember that the clock does not stop, so if you take your time, you lose playing time and a technical foul will be called.
6. If a player attempts to hinder or otherwise defense a shooter by moving in front, or under him, or rushing from behind and causes the shooter to take a possibly serious fall, then that player will be disqualified for the remainder of the game.
7. A held ball or 5 second player violation will result in the ball going to the defensive team at the nearest point out of bounds. An example is: Team A shoots the ball and Team B gets the rebound and is tied up by a player from Team A. Consequently, Team B will get the ball.
8. Do not press or use a fast break offense if you have a 25-point lead. After a warning, a technical foul will be called. If a 25-point lead is reduced to 15 points, then you can press or fast break again.
9. Over-and-back rule will occur only after the ball and both feet of the player go into the front court, and the ball or either foot returns to the back court.
10. Do not slap the backboard. If it is intentionally done, it is a technical foul. Two points will automatically be awarded to the other team. Also, the basket will count if it goes in.
11. Do not hit the ball after it goes through the net. On the first offense, a warning will be given, followed by a technical foul.
12. If the ball is on the rim or in the net, and is touched by an offensive player, it is interference, which results in no basket. The ball will go to the defensive team. If the same play is touched by a defensive player, then the basket will count, and the ball goes to the defensive team.
13. A3-point shot must be attempted from behind the 3-point line.
14. You have five seconds to get the ball in-bounds. The count will stop when the ball is released.
15. An intentional foul results in two points, and the ball goes back to the shooting team (on refs and/or scoring table).
16. If the ball hits the top of the backboard or the wire, it is out of play. The side of the backboard is considered still in play.

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Fouls and Free Throws:

1. All fouls, except shooting fouls, will be one shot fouls. No bonus (one-on-one) will be allowed at any time. In the last 5 minutes of a game, all free throws will count for two points. Shooting fouls behind the 3-point line will be awarded three free throw attempts.
2. Due to the length of the time it takes to walk the length of the court, all backcourt fouls will result in the offended team receiving the ball when applicable. Reminder: the offensive team receives 2 points on all backcourt fouls in the last 5 minutes.
3. All technical fouls will be penalized by awarding 2 points to the offended team. No free throws need to be shot. The ball is awarded to the offended team out of bounds at half court.
4. The nature and/or number of technical fouls (maximum 2) can result in suspension. Anyone ejected from the game for any reason will be suspended for a minimum of one game.
5. Vulgarity has no place on the court. A technical foul is assessed if directed at an intramural worker or player. If it is directed at yourself, you will be warned the first time and receive a technical foul the second.
6. If a player falls backward trying to create the impression that he/she has been fouled, it is deemed an unfair and act and will result in a technical foul (upon ref’s discretion).
7. On a free throw attempt, players do not enter the lane until the ball hits the rim. Players not in the lane must be behind the top of the key extended. On a missed free throw (air ball), pull the ball in play at the closest spot out of bounds.
8. In a free throw situation, if the defensive player commits a lane violation and the offensive player does the same, it is ruled as an offensive violation.
9. We do not shoot free throws on front-court charging fouls. Also, on a charging call, the basket will never count.
10. It is a technical foul to dunk or to hang on the net or rim without cause. The basket will never count.

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Special Tournament Rules:

A tied game results in a two-minute overtime game. If a tied game still exists, we go to sudden death – first win as in regular season. “Paper, rock, scissors” determines control of the ball in both situations.

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Common Courtesies:

1. Limit rosters to 10 players. That is the maximum number of players who can play in a game. If successful, you will not need to turn in a line up for every game.
2. The shirt is not a towel. Please remember that someone else has to wear it after you.
3. Remember to leave your playing shirt on your left hand side of the desk at the end of the game.
4. All students must wear gym shoes when participating in any activity on the gym floor. This includes intramural officials! Please wear a separate pair of shoes to the gym and change them before the game.
5. Only players of participating teams will be allowed to shoot baskets before their respective games. All others must leave the floor promptly when told to do so.
6. There will be no shooting baskets between halves. It is a one-minute rest period, so please use it that way. Spectators and players waiting to play will not be allowed to shoot baskets either.
7. Balls will be surrendered to the scorer when he/she asks for them. Not one more shot will be taken by anyone. Balls will be placed in a bag and remain there as long as the game is in the progress. Any delay will result in a technical foul. We are on a tight time schedule.
8. Go to the bathroom to spit. Spitting on the floor is a technical foul (not to mention disgusting).
9. Re-read the rules, because they are all important!!!

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