Arena Basketball League Rules

Rules are up to date as of 4/19/2012

For any further questions regarding the rules, email: basketball@mvparena.com

1. Pre-Game

§  Warm up period before games generally range between 2-10 minutes depending on games being on schedule.

§  The half-court gym may also be used to warm up (subject to availability).

§  Games start at the top of each hour (example: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, & 9pm)

§  Games may be delayed due to previous game situations (i.e. overtime).

§  Players must make sure they are on the score keeper’s roster sheet during the warm up period before their games.

§  Players are responsible for signing in their full name and number with the score- keeper ONLY during the warm up period before their game.

§  Players caught playing not on the score sheet may be subject to a team technical.

§  It is the players’ responsibility to arrive on time! The clock will start at game time even if players have not arrived.

§  The HOME bench is on the right (side closest to the scorekeeper's table).  The AWAY bench is on the far left side. Only players are allowed on the benches.

§  Fans and spectators may sit on the middle bench between the team benches or in the stands at the far end of the court.

2. Game Time

§  Two 20 minute halves.

§  Clock runs from 20:00 to 0:00 unless a timeout is called.

§  Referee or scorekeeper has the authority to stop clock during any injuries/delays.

§  All players must check in at the front of the score keeper's table before subbing in.

§  Clock stops on ANY whistle under 2:00 ONLY in the 2nd half within a 10 point or less differential.

§  No shot clock (Use team fouls to get opposition into bonus).

§  2 Timeouts allowed per half. Only 1 timeout carries over to the 2nd half if not used in 1st half.

§  Halftime breaks = 4:00,  timeouts = 0:30.

3. Overtime

§  1st OT = 2 min, 2nd OT = 1 min, 3rd OT sudden death (first field goal wins)

§  Clock stops on ANY whistle in OT if differential is 10 pts or less.

§ Timeout situation will be an extension of 2nd half.

§  Bonus situation will be an extension of 2nd half.

4. Season & Playoffs

§ 8 games gauranteed per season including pre-season & playoffs (not all teams make playoffs).

§  Each team to play each team in their division ONCE (varies depending on the number of teams).

§  Playoff structure varies depending on the number of teams in the league (see league news for more specific details).

§  If all teams are in the same division, teams to play each other randomly in the regular season. No teams to play each other more than once in regular season if more than 8 teams.

§  The schedule for the remaining games will be ENTIRELY SET after Week 3 due to potential new teams joining or teams dropping out.

§  Playoffs to be single elimination games. All teams eliminated do not continue to keep playing.

§  In the case of a tie breaker for playoff implications, winner is determined by head to head matchup. If teams did not play during regular season, pre-season determines winner.

5. On Court

§  Held balls result in possession arrow. Team opposite from the team who inbounds each quarter gets possession first.

§  All standard basketball rules apply (blocking & charging fouls, traveling, double-dribble, 3 seconds in the key, etc).

§  10 seconds to cross half court in REC, 8 seconds to cross half court in COMP.

§  Players have 5 seconds to inbound a ball.

§  Players have 10 seconds to attempt a free throw.

§  Goaltending is NOT allowed.

§  Dunks are allowed but hanging on the rim is not permitted.

§  Closely guarded for 5 seconds enforced (while holding the ball ONLY).

§  Hand checking allowed once but no holding. Two hand checks will be called for a foul.

§  Shot at the buzzer can only be attempted with 0.3 seconds or more on the clock.

§  Timeouts may be called by any player on the team.

§  Offensive fouls under the basket are subject to the referee’s interpretation.

§  New college 3pt line (as of 2007) will be used for all games (outer line).

§  2 referees assigned per match, but the game may start and finish with 1 referee.

§  Charge line is in effect for all charging fouls. Any part of the defenders body may not cross the barrier or a defensive foul will be called.

6. Fouls & Behavioral Conduct

§  6 personal fouls or 2 technical fouls for disqualification.

§  If the 5th available player accumulates 6 or more fouls, the player may stay in the game but a technical 2 FT's is issued for each foul plus possession.

§  Players are responsible for keeping track of how many fouls they have.

§  Unsportsmanlike behavior: inappropriate and/or unprofessional behavior in the context of the game results in a technical foul. (i.e. profanity, obscene gestures, disrespect of players, referees).

§  The referee has complete jurisdiction of what constitutes unsportsmanlike behavior.

§  Unsportsmanlike technical fouls DO NOT count as personal fouls.

§  Any player who commits 2 technical fouls MUST leave the premises.

§  Technical fouls are 2 FT's for the opposing team AND possession.

§  Teams with 7 technicals (team or player) will be suspended from for the remainder of the season.

§  3 technicals per player results in a 1 game suspension. 4 technicals results in a season suspension.

§  Techinal Foul #1 (Tech 1):  when a player has no intention to play the ball, or a player fouls an opposing player from behind on a fast break.

§  Technical Foul #2 (Tech 2): fouls which warrant immediate ejection such as fighting or excessive physical fouls with intent to harm another player.

§  FIGHTING results in an automatic lifetime ban from the league.

§  Any player that comes off the bench during a fight results in a 1 game suspension.

§  Ejected players, coaches, or fans must leave the premises immediately.

§  7 fouls per half results in 1 & 1.  10 fouls per half results in 2 FT's.

§  Overtime bonus situation will be an extension of the 2nd half.

§  Offensive fouls DO NOT count as team fouls.

§  Double fouls DO NOT count as team fouls (Fouls committed by both teams simultaneously).

§  Offensive 3 seconds in the key violation enforced (no camping in the paint).

§  6 players are allowed on the free throw lane during FT attempts.

§  Timeout called without any remaining is a team technical plus possession.

§  Offensive fouls under the basket are subject to the referee’s interpretation. Charge line in effect.

§  A clear path way must be made available for refs. Players who interfere with the referees’ path are subject to a warning. Any subsequent interference is subject to a team technical.

§  The referees have the right to stop the game at any point if any major altercations occur. The score at the point of stoppage is the final score.

7. Game Time Protocol & Forfeits

§  Players may ONLY ask the scorekeeper during dead balls for any information pertaining only to fouls or timeouts.

§  ONLY referees may approach scorekeepers for any discrepancies in score/time outs/ fouls.

§  Scoreboard may be incorrect; discrepancies may be resolved by paper.

§  Scorekeeper has the ability to stop the game until all discrepancies are solved.

§  NO player-to-opposing player disputes allowed, subject to technical fouls.

§  Any inappropriate remarks or gestures made to the MVP Staff (scorekeeper, refs, league director) will lead to technical fouls and/or expulsion.

§  If your team is unable to make a game, you must contact the commissioner in advance.  Forfeits will most likely be issued depending on the circumstances.

§  If your team is issued a forfeit, the ref fee $20 will be added onto your team balance. Further games will be forfeitted until balance is paid off.

8. Team Roster

§  The maximum numbers of players per team roster is 12.

§  Teams are responsible for making sure their roster sheets are correct and finalized by week 3. Check with the league director/score keeper to make sure.

§  Players must participate in at least 2 games per season in order to be eligible for the playoffs.

§  Players may play in both COMP and REC in the same season. However, only 2 Comp players allowed per REC team. Unlimited # of REC players allowed on Comp teams.

§  Injured/inactive players may be replaced on the roster at any time during the season but the new replacement player MUST participate in at least 2 games to be eligible for playoffs (no game carry-overs from the player to be replaced).

§  All games are the standard 5 v 5.

§  4 players minimum needed in order to start a game.

§  “Illegal players” participating in a game will result in a forfeit for that team.

§  An “Illegal player” is any player who is either not on the team roster or approved to play in the regular season and playoffs.

§  Any team who wants to question the opposing team’s “illegal players” may approach the league commissioner or scorekeeper during timeouts, quarter breaks, or halftime only.

§  A team must confront the league commissioner/scorekeeper DURING the game for any illegal players.

§  Any team who wants to borrow a “non-roster” player may do so with the permission of the opposing team.

§  If the opposing team agrees, they can not dispute the player being “illegal” and request for a forfeit win if they lose the match.

§  “Non-roster” players may ONLY be used when a team has 4 or less players available. No exceptions!

§  All substitutes must inform the scorekeeper and enter the game only on a dead ball (after the 1st free throw attempt during FT’s).

§  Players entering the game for a team without checking in results in a team technical foul 2 FT's and possession.

9. Team Uniforms

§  Teams are REQUIRED to have jerseys.

§  Players MUST have visible numbers on the back of their jerseys (by week 3 for new teams).

§  Players must use the same number throughout the season unless a request to change numbers is submitted to the scorekeeper.

§  Up to 2 players who do not have numbers may be assigned “0,” and, “00” per team per game.

§  Valid jersey numbers are “00-99.”

10. Free Agents

§  A free agent is someone who does not have intentions of joining a specific team.

§  Teams with 6 or more players who intended on joining a team together are NOT a free agent team.

§  Free agent teams are formed from the free agent list. The players on FA teams pay an individual player fee to the league directly.

§  Fees for free agent players may be slightly higher than regular team fees due to labor involved in organizing teams. The benefits are team shirts with numbers are included with the player fee.

§  The league director will make arrangements for free agent teams.

11. Zero-Tolerance Policy

§  2 technical fouls results in ejection from the game and player must leave the premises.

§  Technical fouls are defined as: “violation of misconduct, unsportsmanlike conduct.”

§  Fighting equals automatic ejection from the game and the player must leave the premises. Suspension or banishment from the league may result depending on the circumstances.

§  Taunting in any way results in ejection from the game. Player must leave the premises.

§  Fans are subject to the same “zero-tolerance” rules as players and may be asked to leave the premises if fighting/taunting occurs at any time during such events.

§  No refund policy on all deposits and team fees! Especially any teams or players who have been suspended for one game, a number of games, a season, or from the league for good.