Rules

1. PLAYING TIME: Each game will be 32 minutes in length, consisting of four 8-minute quarters. If required, the game will go into an overtime period as described in paragraph 6 below. There will be 2 minutes between quarters, 4 minutes at half time and, if required, 2 minutes prior to the overtime period. The clock will run continuously except for (i) free throws, (ii) time outs, (iii) referee timeouts, (iv) a referee whistle call during the last two minutes of each half and during the last two minutes of the overtime period, and (v) in the Boys 7th/8th Grade Division, (a) for a referee whistle call during the last minute of the 1st and 3rd quarters and (b) after a basket in the last 2 minutes of the 2nd half and any overtime (in which case, the clock will commence upon the throw in). Each team is allowed two time outs (one minute each) per half and one time out (one minute) during overtime. Time outs may not be carried over from the first half to the second half or to overtime. Coaches or players may call time out. The referee shall also stop the clock in the event of injuries or necessary directions to the players or coaches. If coaches wish to line players up to clarify guarding assignments, this must be done prior to the start of each quarter AND within the break time. The start of a quarter will not be delayed by this activity and referees will instruct the timekeeper to begin the quarter even if the teams are not ready.

2. PLAYER PARTICIPATION: The primary philosophy of this league is player participation. We encourage all kids to join LondonBasketball, including kids who might not ordinarily get to play competitive basketball in the United States. Coaches should endeavour to play each of their players for approximately the same amount of time each game. In all circumstances, no player may play in excess of one half of a quarter (one-eighth of a game) more than any other player that is suited up and physically able to play the entire game. In other words, if a team has 6 players, 4 players will play for 7/8ths of the game and 2 will play for 3/4ths. If a team has 7 players, 5 players will play 3/4ths of the game and 2 will play for 5/8ths. If a team has 8 players, everyone plays for 5/8ths of the game. If a team has 9 players, 4 players will play 5/8ths of the game and 5 players will play for 1/2. If a team should lose a player at any time during a game due to injury, removal from the game or an early departure, the coach should endeavour to adjust the team's substitution plan to abide as closely as possible to this rule. It is the obligation of all coaches to keep track of their players' playing time. The referees and officials will not be responsible for doing so. If a coach has any questions about the other team's substitution policy during a game, that coach should wait until there is a break in play and then quietly discuss this matter with the other team's coach away from both teams.

3. FORFEITS: A team can field four players and not have to take a forfeit. Forfeits will result when a team cannot field at least 4 players. If a team opts to play with four players rather than take a forfeit, the other team will play with five players. Only if both teams have only four players shall there be a four on four game played.

4. ATTIRE: All players should wear shorts and their team shirt to every game. Players will not be allowed to play in long pants or sweat pants. All jewellery (earrings, necklaces, bracelets, etc.) and watches must be removed before the beginning of play.

5. SCORING: With the exception of the Boys 7th/8th Grade Division, while players are free to shoot from anywhere on the court, all field goals will count for only two points (in other words, there are no three-point shots). In the Boys 7th/8th Grade Division, field goals shot from outside the three-point line will count as three points.

6. FOULS: Each player is allowed five fouls (fouls out on 6th foul) in a game, including any overtime. Referee calls for non-shooting fouls will result in the ball being inbound at half court or front court. Free throws will be awarded for fouls committed in the act of shooting, intentional fouls and technical fouls. Teams will be in a penalty situation once they have committed 5 team fouls in a half; the opposing team has the option of taking the ball out on the sideline or taking two shots at the foul line. (note: in an overtime period, the team fouls from the second half carry over). Flagrant or intentional fouls will result in two shots plus possession. No free throws are taken in the Boys 3rd/4th Grade and Girls 3rd-5th Grade Division - all violations and fouls result in the ball being inbound by the non-violating/fouling team.

7. OVERTIME: If a game is tied at the end of the regulation four quarters, one 5-minute overtime period will be played. If the teams are still tied, the game will be determined by sudden death overtime (i.e., each team will take 5 foul shots by 5 different players, simultaneously; if still tied, it will go to sudden death foul shots-five different players must take a foul shot before a player may take a second foul shot).

8. DEFENCE (MAN-TO-MAN / DOUBLE TEAMING): With the exception of the Boys 7th/8th Grade Division and, with respect to the other four divisions, only in circumstances where a team is forced to play with only four players against five to avoid a forfeit, all teams must play half-court, 'man-to-man' defence. Other than those two exceptions, zone defence is not allowed. In the Boys 3rd/4th Grade and Girls 3rd-5th Grade Division 'double-teaming' is not allowed - full stop. The 'double-teaming' rule in the Boys 5th/6th, Boys 7th/8th and Girls 6th-8th Divisions is as follows: Generally, double-teaming a player continuously during play will not be allowed, but when a player has the ball and is 'in-play', defensive players may assist in stopping the advance. Teams will receive one warning before a violation is called. Any subsequent violation will result in a team technical foul. In the circumstance where a team is facing an opponent fielding only 4 players, the team with 5 players may either (1) shift to a zone defence or (2) stay with a man-to-man defence but station the extra player (the 5th player) outside the key as a "roaming defender" that can assist the other defenders but may not continuously double-team any particular player. In all instances, the referees shall have complete discretion to interpret these rules.

9. THREE-SECOND RULE: The 3-second rule will be based on the "US Key" (i.e., the straight lines, as opposed to the International Key (the angled lines). In the Boys 3rd/4th Grade and Girls 3rd-5th Grade Divisions, this rule will only be loosely enforced and coaches are encouraged to instruct their players not to 'park' in the 3-second area.

10. BACK-COURT: In all divisions other than Boys 7th/8th Grade Division, there is no back-court call or minimum time to advance the ball to the frontcourt. The offensive team MUST attempt to advance the ball to the front half of the court at all times. Freezing in the back half of the court is not allowed. A delay of game violation will be called if the referee believes that a team is not making an effort to advance the ball to the front court in an expeditious manner. The standard 8 second rule for advancement from the backcourt to the frontcourt applies only in the Boys 7th/8th Grade Division.

11. FULL COURT PRESSING: Full court pressing is prohibited except during the last two minutes of each half and during the full overtime period. This does not mean that the offensive team has the freedom to make a fast-break without being challenged. The defensive players must make a concerted effort to 'quickly' drop back past the half-court line, but may pick up an offensive player who is breaking down the court and may intercept a pass in the back court if it comes their way. In other words, the 'no-press' rule is meant to allow the offence to re-group and slowly advance down the court without being pressured by a full-court press, but is not meant to give the offence free reign to pursue a fast break unchallenged. The referees shall have complete discretion to interpret this rule. Teams will receive one warning before a violation is called. Any subsequent violation will result in a FREE inbound at mid-court. Repeated violations may result in a technical foul.

12. TRAVELLING VIOLATIONS: In the Girls 6th-8th Grade and Boys 5th/6th Grade Divisions, each team will receive one warning for travelling before a violation is called. The team will have to take the ball out of bounds again if it receives a warning. After the first warning, subsequent violations will result in a turnover of the ball to the other team.

13. IN-BOUND PASSES / 5-SECOND RULE: Teams will be called for a violation (with no initial warning), if an in-bound pass is not completed within 5 seconds or if a player is holding the ball (or standing and dribbling the ball) for 5 seconds while closely guarded. This violation will result in a turnover of the ball to the other team.

14. PLAYER SUBSTITUTION: In all divisions, substitutions may be made at any dead ball (once the referees give permission). As a convenience to the coaches in the Girls 6th-8th Grade and the Boys 5th/6th Grade Divisions, the referee will stop the clock for approximately 15 seconds at the four minute mark of each quarter (or as close as possible) to allow for multiple substitutions. This is not a time-out and coaches may not confer with their team, step on the court, etc. Injury substitutions can be made at any time.

15. LOCATION OF COACHES DURING GAMES: During games, all coaches and assistant coaches must remain in their half of the court on the sidelines (off the court). At no time may a coach go on the court (except in the case of an injury) or to the other half of the court.

16. PARENT PARTICIPATION / SPORTSMANSHIP: We encourage parents to come and support their children's teams. However, good sportsmanship must be exhibited by all players, coaches and parents. With respect to behaviour exhibited by the players, any harassment of the referees or other players will first receive a one-time warning. A second infraction will result in a technical foul and the child will be asked to sit on the bench for a quarter (8 minutes). Continued infraction will result in the removal of the child from the League. Any decision by the referees in these matters will be considered final. Any parent or other spectator who demonstrates unsportsmanlike behaviour (in the sole discretion of the referees, the division heads or the league commissioners) will be asked to leave the premises.

17. AUTHORITY OF THE REFEREES: The referees have complete authority during the game. They can modify the game or remove any parent, coach or player who is acting unruly, demonstrating unsportsmanlike behaviour or endangering others.