League Rules

Clocks and timing:

A 24-second shot clock will be used across all leagues regardless of age or gender to promote an upbeat tempo and the rotation of bench players to mitigate fatigue.

A game will consist of 5-minute quarters, and a 3-minute half-time.

If overtime is necessary, there will be up to two 2-minute overtimes. Each team will be given a single 30-second timeout per overtime period. If the game is still tied after two overtime periods, the game is over and will recorded as a tie in the league standings.

Teams are asked not to arrive for warm-ups any earlier than 15 minutes prior to their games. As we are hosting the league at our home this gives us time to transition and setup as we manage our own family’s schedule. This also is a courtesy to our neighbors for parking on the street.

All games will start on time to every extent possible. A team may play with as few as 2 players and may be asked to do so if others do not arrive by the scheduled game time.

Change of possessions and court-flow:

This is a half-court league, but change of possession, including shot-clock operation follow standard HFHS rules. This is not Hoopfest and there will be NO CHECKING THE BALL IN. The ball will be put into play via throw-ins as in regular basketball, this includes side-lines, base-line, as per standard locations for out-of-bounds rules.

On a change of possession, the ball must be cleared outside of the 3-point line above the free-throw line extended (see diagram) before attacking the basket on offense. One warning will be given, but subsequent infractions will result in a turnover with the other team throwing the ball into play from out-of-bounds, up-top. On a change of possession with the ball going out of bounds on the baseline, the new offense must clear the ball back upon inbounding just as if they had to travel the length of the floor in a full-court game.

The entire court is in-play, so the defense may press/steal as the other team is clearing the ball to the take-back area. When a team is leading by 10 or more points they may no longer press but must wait until the offense crosses into the take-back area before picking up on defense. After two warnings continuing to press will result in a free point being awarded to the trailing team in addition to possession out-of-bounds, up-top. At any point when the difference in scores in less than ten points pressing may resume.

Games begin with a jump-ball at the free-throw circle. The visiting team will jump facing the hoop and the home team with the jumper’s back to the basket. Whichever team gains possession must clear the ball to the take-back area before advancing to the hoop.

Fouls, Technicals, and Forfeits:

There is no “fouling out” based on personal fouls, however in addition to the standard- and double-bonus free-throw rules at 7 and 10 team-fouls respectively, there will also be a double-bonus-PLUS at 13 team-fouls which results in 1 automatic point PLUS two free-throws.

When any team commits a technical-, intentional-, or flagrant-foul, the other team is immediately awarded 2 points and the ball out-of-bounds, up-top. The official will also call a 30 second timeout to allow both teams to compose themselves and to encourage the offending party to apologize before play resumes. At the official’s discretion the opposing party may be required to sub-out for a time before returning to play.

Foul language will result in a technical foul. The official may give one warning at his or her discretion.

A team will be required to forfeit if they drop below two eligible players on the court or if the team accumulates more than two technical-, intentional-, or flagrant-fouls. Technical fouls can be given to spectators and count towards this total. We really do want to keep this league focused on great sportsmanship.

Any forfeit will be recorded with the forfeiting team’s present score. The winning team will be recorded as either 15 points more than that or their own score at the time of forfeit, whichever is greater.

League Rules

Rosemont Roundball will use NFHS rules with the following modifications:

Clocks and timing:

Change of possessions and court-flow:

Fouls, Technicals, and Forfeits:

Division-Specific Rules:

Court Availability