Playing Rules

PLAYING RULES

Method of Play:

Read more about our playing rules by clicking on the categories below:

DIVISION PLAYING RULES

Read more about our playing rules by clicking on the categories below:

PLAYER PARTICIPATION RULE

Each player shall play a minimum of two (2) quarters in each game, one (1) of which must be uninterrupted unless an injury or fouling out occurs.  However, when there are six players present, each player must play a minimum of three (3) quarters, two (2) of which must be uninterrupted.  Each player on teams with 7 or more players must meet the minimum playing time and sit out a minimum of 1 full quarter.  For teams with 10 players, each player will play two quarters, one of which must be uninterrupted.  The rule is summarized below:

• If you have 7 or more players at the game:
  • Every player must play at least half the game.  One quarter of the game must be uninterrupted, from 00:00 through the 10:00 minute of the quarter.
  • Every player must sit out at least one full quarter.  To fulfill this requirement, it means the player must sit from the beginning of a particular quarter until the end of that quarter.  Sitting out ten minutes of a game, divided among multiple quarters does not satisfy this rule.  Scorekeepers should be keeping track of this information.
• If you have only 6 players (or less) at the game:
  • Every player must play at least 75% of the game.  Of the time played, each player must play at least two full quarters (uninterrupted).
  • Because you don’t have enough players, there’s no requirement that any player sit out a full quarter.

Coaches may reduce or eliminate playing time for disciplinary reasons including chronic missing of practice, but only with the prior notification and concurrence of the Director of Basketball.  Teams violating the participation rule may be required to forfeit the game in which the violation occurred, and the coach may be subject to warning or possible suspension.

GAME DAY ‘BLOW OUT’ RULE

POLICY:

LMVSC’s Recreational League emphasizes participation, teaching basic basketball skills, good sportsmanship, and team play.  The objective of LMVSC recreational basketball is to provide an atmosphere in which players can enjoy the game for its own sake without an undue emphasis on winning or losing.  Accordingly, blow-out games are contrary to the objectives of Recreational League, and LMVSC Recreational League coaches shall make reasonable efforts to avoid blow-outs.

RULE:

A.  DEFINITION:  For the purposes of this rule, a blow-out situation shall be deemed to exist in an LMVSC Recreational League game at any time and under any circumstances when the point-differential between the two teams then playing reaches twenty (20) points.

B.  REQUIRED ACTION:  At any time that a blow-out situation begins to develop, a point differential of approximately 15 points, in an LMVSC Recreational League game, the coach of the dominating team shall actively endeavor to preclude increasing the goal differential.  LMVSC recognizes that a coach cannot definitively control all of the dynamics of play in any given game, but the coach of the dominating team shall attempt to institute play with will result in a reduction in the rate of scoring.

If the point differential increases to twenty (20) points, both the two following rules will be implemented by the coach of the dominating team:

(1)  When on defense, the dominating team cannot defend further from the end line than the foul line and its extensions to the sidelines, and

(2)  The dominating team cannot execute a “fast break” offense.  When obtaining possession in their defensive end, the dominating team may play as necessary to clear the ball, but must walk the ball to the mid-court line.  A long pass may not be executed to move the ball quickly, in essence, executing a “fast break.”

If the weaker team scores and reduces the point-differential to fourteen (14) points, the two rules will not be enforced until such time as the differential increases to twenty (20) points.

C.  SANCTIONS:  Existence of a blow-out situation, of itself, shall not be cause for sanctions.  The sanctionable action, or lack of action, shall be the failure of a coach of a dominating team to take the actions described above to relieve a blow-out situation or the direct action of such a coach to “run up the score” and exacerbate a blow-out situation.

First violations of this rule shall be reported to the Player Director, as may be appropriate.  If the Player Director believes that a violation occurred and that sanctions are warranted, he or she shall report the situation to the Director of Basketball.  The Director of Basketball will consult with the Club Executive Director and shall decide if a suspension is warranted.  Suspensions shall be for one (1) game and shall apply to the dominating team’s next game, regardless of whether that game is a regularly scheduled or post-season tournament game.  Suspensions incurred as a result of the last game of a season shall be served at the first game of the next season if the coach of the dominating team is coaching at the next season.  A suspended coach shall not serve as an assistant coach while suspended.

Second or subsequent violations of this rule shall be referred to the LMVSC Rules and Discipline Committee and if a violation is found to have occurred, the R&D Committee shall impose such sanction as it deems appropriate.

D.  APPEALS:  Findings of first violations and/or sanctions imposed as a result of first violations may be appealed to the Basketball Commissioner.  Findings of second or subsequent violations and or sanctions imposed by the R&D Committee may be appealed to the LMVSC Executive Board.

E.  HEARINGS:   Nothing in this Rule shall be interpreted to mean that a coach alleged to have violated this Rule shall be entitled to a hearing in person.  The Player Director, Director of Basketball and Club Executive Director acting on a first violation, the R&D Committee acting on a second or subsequent violation, the Club Commissioner acting on an appeal of a first violation, or the LMVSC Executive Board acting on an appeal of a second or subsequent violation shall conduct such inquiry, by such means, as he, she, or they deem to be appropriate to the circumstances, including, but not limited to, inquiries by email, by telephone, by written reports, or by in-person hearings.

REFEREES:  Referees at LMVSC Recreational League games shall be asked to enforce the Blow-Out rule modifications when the score differential of twenty points is reached and to cease enforcement when the differential drops to fourteen (14) points.  Because the referees do not normally watch the score differential, they may need to be advised by the scorekeeper that the twenty (20) point differential is approaching.

When the 20-point differential is reached, the referee will initiate a non-chargeable 30-second timeout so that the dominating team’s coach can brief his or her players on the proper way to play during this “Blow-out Period of Time.”  The play will be restarted with a throw-in on the baseline where the last basket was scored. During this non-chargeable timeout, the clock will be stopped.  There will be no stoppage in play for subsequent occurrence of a 20-point differential in the same game.  This is the case where the margin varies between 20 and 14 points, should that occur.

SCOREKEEPER GUIDELINES

The following instructions apply to scorekeepers.  Familiarity with the scorebook is important to properly fulfilling the requirements of this task.  Many scorebooks have instructions in the book on how to keep track of the statistics of the game.  The Scorekeeper needs to allow him/herself time to review these procedures prior to the start of the game.

1. Home team shall generally be responsible for providing the scorekeeper; however this can be negotiated the teams.  The scorekeeper should be an adult.
2. Seek designation from referee as to who is the official scorer and which is official scorebook and consult with him as to signals used to designate fouls and time-outs.
3. Obtain names and numbers of all players who may participate in the game at least ten minutes before the start of the game.
4. At least three (3) minutes before scheduled starting time have each team designate its five starting players.
5. Record field goals made, free throws made, running summary of points scored, personal and technical fouls on each player, team personal fouls per half and time-outs.  The Scorekeeper is encouraged but not required to keep individual player point totals; game score is first priority.
6. Designate each goal and each foul in the manner provided in the scorebook.  Any questions regarding the format of the scorebook should be discussed and resolved with the game referees prior to the game.
7. Notify official when team has taken (a) the maximum number of legal time-outs (3 per half), (b) when a player has had five personal fouls, (c) after a team has been charged with seven personal fouls (also when a team has been assessed 10 personal fouls in a half resulting in a “double bonus” situation) in either half of a game played in halves, and (d) when a team has used time-outs in excess of the legal number.  If there is an error in any of the above mentioned scenarios (a, b, c, or d), and if play is in progress at time of discovery, withhold whistle until ball is dead or in control of offending team.
8. When a coach calls a timeout, notify the coach after the time out how many timeouts his/her team has remaining.
9. Scorekeeper must also advise referee of who is entitled to possession in alternating possession held ball situations when the possession indicator is incorrect or not operating properly.  However, please remember that the referees are the ultimate arbiters as to who is entitled to possession.
10. Check with clock/scoreboard operator regarding display of score, bonus situation, possession arrow, etc.  If any discrepancy occurs, notify referee for resolution once next dead ball situation occurs.
11. When a substitute reports (must be ready and entitled to enter game) signal only when ball is dead.  Allow substitute to go on court only when referee beckons.  Do not signal after ball has been placed in the hands of a free-thrower.  If the ball is dead after a free throw attempt, a substitution may be made.  If thrower is to be replaced, be sure that it is legal for another player to attempt that particular throw.  A substitute cannot replace a player designated to jump or designated to attempt a free throw; he must wait until the next dead ball or time-out situation.
12. The basketball must wiped down/sanitized at the end of every quarter and timeout.  Please assist in that endeavor as needed.

TIMEKEEPER GUIDELINES

Each game will consist of four, 10-minute quarters.  The clock will stop only on foul shots and time outs, except for the last three minutes of the game, when the clock additionally stops at every whistle.  There will be a 1-minute break between quarters and a 3-minute break between halves.  Time limit between scheduled games shall be at least five minutes.

Each team will have three 30-second timeouts per half.  These timeouts do not carry over one half to the next.

In the event of a tie during a tournament game, a tie game shall be continued in overtime for 3-minute periods with one additional time out per team per overtime period (unused time outs do not carry over one O.T. period to the next).  If a third overtime is required, the game will end by either team scoring one point (sudden death).  There is no overtime during regular season play.

A.   GAME ROUTINE

• The visiting team will generally provide the Timekeeper; however this can be negotiated between the teams.  The Timekeeper should be an adult.
• Consult Officials as to signals used to indicate a time-out and resumption of time.
• Keep eyes on the officials throughout the game
• Timekeeper’s horn signals the end of a period.
• Check on duration of time between 1st and 2nd, 3rd and 4th periods, and notify coaches accordingly.
• While LMVSC provides game clocks for each gym, there may be a time when the clock is unavailable or possibly needs to be repaired.  When that happens, please use your phone for keeping time and score.

B.   WHEN TO START CLOCK

• Generally the referee will signal when the clock should be started.  The following situations are when the referee should signal the clock should start:
  • When the ball is legally tapped on all jump balls.
  • When the ball is touched in bounds (not as the ball is being thrown in).
  • When the ball is legally touched after a missed free throw.
  • Remember, the clock is running at all times except on official timeouts, shooting fouls and during last three minutes of the game and overtime, when the clock stops on all dead ball situations.

C.   WHEN TO STOP CLOCK

• When time expires at the end of a period.
• When an official signals a shooting foul.  (Clock stops on non-shooting fouls only during the last three minutes of game).
• When a violation occurs (Last 3 minutes of game only).
• When an official orders timeout.
• To avoid unusual delay, such as repairing or adjusting equipment.
• For an injury or other emergency.

GUEST PLAYER POLICY

(1)  If a team knows in advance of the game that it will be short players, the Coach should contact the Player Director or Director of Basketball to obtain the necessary players to get to five players for the game.

(2)  If arrangements are being made in advance:

• • The Player Director/Director of Basketball should first contact members of any teams that are on byes for that weekend to ask whether any of them would like to play for the team needing players.  The first player to respond yes is the player that will play.
  • If nobody on a bye team wants to play, the Player Director/Director of Basketball will send out emails to the players on teams that are playing PRIOR to the game in question.
  • If the team needing players is the first game of the day for that division, the Player Director/Director of Basketball shall contact players on teams that are playing in the latest game of the day to maximize the rest between games.
  • If a team winds up having five players after obtaining a guest player in advance, the guest player can continue playing for the team, but must play only the amount necessary to meet the minimum playing time requirements.  In other words, if there are six players at the game with the guest player, the guest player can play only three quarters.  The guest player also has the option to leave the game in this scenario.  This will be the player’s and parent’s option — not the coach’s option.

(3)  If the coach learns at game time he/she doesn’t have five players, the coach can try to obtain a player from the game before.  In this situation, if a fifth player arrives, the guest player should cease playing by the end of the quarter in which the fifth player arrives.

• • If the coach cannot find a player from the previous game to play, the coach can play with four players, as permitted under the rules, and try to reach out the Director of Basketball and/or Player Director to find another player.  In some cases, it will be possible to locate a player fairly quickly.

(4)  No guest players are permitted during the end-of-season tournament.

(5)  A report shall be made to the Director of Basketball in all cases of when a guest player is used.  Information included in that report are as follows:

• • Team/Coach needing players.
  • Which players will be missing the game.
  • Date Coach made request for guest player(s).
  • Players contacted.
  • Player(s) who played.

REFEREE CHEAT SHEET