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Game Day Guides

Participation & Substitution Rules Summary

Key Participation Rules
 

  • All players must play at least two full, uninterrupted quarters.
  • No player can play 3 quarters unless all teammates play 2 full quarters by the end of the game. 
  • No player can play 4 quarters unless all teammates play 3 full quarters by the end of the game.
    • Exception:  Modified Participation Rule (see below)
  • Coach MUST IMMEDIATELY alert opposing coach and referees if participation rules will not be satisfied.
  • Overtime:  Any players may play regardless of how much they played during the game.

Key Substitution Rules


1st, 2nd or 3rd Quarters:  Substitutions are only allowed if a Permitted Exception occurs (see below).

4th Quarter:

Leagues 4th Quarter Rule Removed Players
B9-10, B11-12, B9-12 Free substitutions allowed May return
All Others Substitutions allowed to even out playing time May not return

 

Exceptions to the Participation & Substitution rules

Permitted Exceptions
 

Rule:  Substitutions during the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd quarters are permitted if:

  • A player becomes ill;
  • A player becomes injured;
  • A player fouls out; or
  • A player or player's parent/guardian requests removal from the game.

Effects: 

  • The removed player is deemed to have satisfied the full quarter requirement. 
  • The replacement player is charged with a quarter of participation (but not a full, uninterrupted quarter).

Players Arriving Late
 

If player arrives... Playing Requirement
Before 2nd quarter begins 2 uninterrupted quarters
Before 3rd quarter begins 1 uninterrupted quarter
After 3rd quarter begins None


Player's coach must inform other coach and referees once the player arrives. 

Players Leaving Early
 

If player leaves... Playing Requirement
Before 3rd quarter begins 1 uninterrupted quarter
After 3rd quarter begins 2 uninterrupted quarters


Coach must let opposing coach and referees know as soon as an intended early departure is known.

Modified Participation rule
 

Modified participation rules are an exception to the general participation requirements.  This rule is applied when:

  • One team has 7+ players; AND
  • The other team has 6 or fewer players.

When this occurs, the team with 7+ players may play one or two players for 4 full quarters as long as the remaining players fulfill their minimum playing requirements (i.e. the remaining players are no longer required to play at least 3 quarters).

Situational Guide to the Modified Participation Rule


For clarity, here is a chart that describes when modified participation does and does not apply:

 
Situation Resulting # of Team A Players Resulting # of Team B Players Does Rule Apply?
Start of Game 7 or more 6 or fewer Yes, for entire game
Start of Game 6 or fewer 6 or fewer No
Player Arrives Late From 6 or fewer to 7 or more 6 or fewer Yes, for remainder of game
Team A Player Temporarily Out of Game 6 or fewer at time of removal 7 or more No
Team A Player Fouls Out of Game Drops from 7 or more to 6 or fewer 7 or more No
Team A Player Leaves Game due to Illness or Injury From 7 or more to 6 or fewer 7 or more Yes, for remainder of game
Team A Player Requests to Leave Game in advance 6 or fewer 7 or more Yes, for entire game.  Team A Coach must inform Team B Coach  & Refs before game
Team A Player Requests to Leave Game during game From 7 or more to 6 or fewer 7 or more Yes, for remainder of game

Pregame FAQs

  1. Which teams wear which color jerseys?
    • The Home team wears White;
    • The Away team wears Blue.
  2. Which side is my team's bench?
    • When facing the two benches, the Home (White) team uses the left side; and
    • The Away (Blue) team uses the right side.
  3. Where should my team warm up?
    • Each team warms up at the basket opposite from their bench (i.e. in front of their opponent's bench).
  4. Which team provides the VBD?
    • The Home team.
  5. Which team provides the Scorebook Keeper?  Which team provides the Scorebook Operator? 
    • To fill these two roles, both teams must each provide one Table Volunteer, and the volunteers will decide between themselves.
  6. Who sets up the gym on game day?
    • The Home (White) team of the day's first game.
  7. Who takes down the gym on game day?
    • The Away team of the day's last game ("If you're blue, it's you").