1.0Rules and Exceptions

1.1 GYMNASIUM MAINTENANCE

1.1 The “NO SMOKING” rule will be strictly enforced in the gymnasium, including LVAHT officers, participants, and the general public associated with the LVAHT.

NOTE: Each team is responsible in cleaning their respective benches after each game.

2.0 LEAGUE OFFICIALS

2.1 Commissioner’s responsibilities are as follows:

2.1.1 The Commissioner will manage the league with the authority to control and strictly enforce the Rules and Regulations for members and teams.

2.1.2 The Commissioner may request the referee to stop and eject a player from the game whom he believes is guilty of unruly behavior and intent to harm.

2.1.3 Any decision the Commissioner makes in accordance with the LVAHT’s Rules and Regulations is final and cannot be protested.

2.1.4 The Commissioner with the assistance of Division Directors will supervise two (2) Officials, one (1) Scorekeeper, and one (1) Timekeeper per game.

2.1.5 In the absence of the Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner will take his responsibilities.

2.1.6 In the absence of the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner, the Officer-in-Charge will take their respective responsibilities.

2.2 Division Director’s Responsibilities include the following:

2.2.1. Coordinate the planning of teams with its own division.

2.2.2 Communicate the scheduled league games to the appropriate coaches and/or team captains

2.2.3 Communicate any issues/problems encountered and decisions made within its own division to the Commissioner

2.2.4 Collect the necessary league fees from each team

2.2.5 Distribute the LVAHT Rules and Regulations to the appropriate team coaches and/or team captains and document that they have received the LVAHT Rules and Regulations

2.2.6 Enforce the LVAHT Rules and Regulations

2.2.7 Comply the enforced age requirement within its own division

2.2.8 Responsible for conducting meeting with managers, coaches or team captains of its own division.

2.3 Officials, Scorekeepers, Timekeepers

2.3.1 The Official’s decision is final and is not subject to protest.

2.3.2 The Scorekeeper will use the Official Scorebook for all games. Immediately after the end of each game, the Officials, Timekeeper and Scorekeeper must agree on the final score of the game and each will sign the Scorebook to confirm the final score. The Scorekeeper will submit the scorebook to the Officer-in-Charge for that day.

2.3.3 If there is a discrepancy between the scores on the Official Scorebook and the Scoreboard, the running score on the Official Scorebook will prevail, unless both Officials agree that an error has occurred.

2.3.4 Player disqualification, defaulted games, etc. will be written in detail on the Official Scorebook which is to be signed by the Officials, Timekeeper, and Scorekeeper at the conclusion of the game.

2.3.5 The Scorekeeper will inform the Officials of the foul situation. This includes personal fouls, team fouls, and technical fouls.

2.3.6 A team may have an authorized representative team at the Official Table during the game. If the representative obstructs the Scorekeeper and Timekeeper from their respective functions, this individual may be asked to leave the Official Table.

3.0 TEAM’S FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

3.1 Full league fee payments must be paid by end of the fifth game.

3.2 NO teams will be scheduled for the 6th game unless full payments are satisfied.

3.3 Respective manager, coach or team captain is responsible for the team’s payment.

4.0 SCHEDULE OF GAMES, DURATION, AND PLAYOFF FORMAT

4.1 Schedules for the entire season will be distributed at the end of the 5th game after full payment of the league fees are satisfied.

4.2 There will be 10-minute grace period for late arriving teams. After 10 minutes, the team that does not have 5 players to start a game will forfeit and it will be counted as a lost towards their record. However, if the team with 5 players shows up within the grace period, the game will only be allowed a two (2) minute intermission between halves. Default game score is 25-0.

4.3 There will be two (2) twenty (20) minute halves running time except for the last two (2) minutes of the second half which is stop and go. There will be a three (3) minute intermission between halves.

4.4 Time outs: Two (2) time outs per half, there will be no carry over.

4.5 In case of a tie after regulation time has expired, there will be a three (3) minute overtime period. If no winner emerges after three (3) overtime periods, the first team to score a point during the fourth overtime periods will be the winner (“sudden death rule”). One (1) time out allowed per overtime, no carry over of timeouts.

5.0 PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

 5.1 A player must play at least 3 games of the regular season to be eligible to participate in the Playoff round.

5.2 A team can have a maximum of 12 players per team.

5.3 Team roster should be final on the 3rd game.

5.4 HoopTime Division 1 OPEN height

5.5 HoopTime Division 2 Height Limit is 6'0

• 6.0 TEAM AND PLAYER UNIFORMS6.1 Uniforms must have numbers.6.2 If a player’s uniform becomes torn during a game, a player will be allowed to borrow a teammate’s jersey. The team manager or player must see to it that the uniform is repaired for their next regularly scheduled game or the player will not be allowed to play without the proper uniform. EXCEPTION to this rule is when a team’s uniform has not been completed and awaiting delivery. A team will be able to play as long as their jersey colors are the same and each player having a unique number. The grace period will last for only three (3) games.7.0 FOULS7.1 A seventh (7th) team fouls places the opposing team in a bonus (one on one) situation. A tenth (10th) foul places the opposing team in a super bonus situation.7.2 A player becomes disqualified or “Fouls out” after committing SIX (6) personal fouls.7.3 A team who started five (5) players) must finish the game with at least three players, if their players were lost due to injury or foul disqualification. If the team is unable to field three (3) players, the team will forfeit the game and lose by a ten (10) point margin.7.4 A player or a coach who is assessed two (2) technical fouls during the game will be ejected from the game and be asked to leave the bench.7.5 A team fielding a disqualified player will be assessed a technical foul and the player will not be allowed to participate. The game will be an automatic default loss (25-0). Second violation of the same team will result on the team’s termination from the league. Unused portion of fee will not be refunded.7.6 A team or player who intentionally delays a game maybe penalized a technical foul.7.7 Any unsportsmanslike conduct by a player or a team official such as harassment, threats, derogatory remarks towards game officials, officers of LVAHT, or opposing players will be subject to technical fouls and possible ejection from the game.8.0 TEAM OFFICIALS AND PLAYER’S CONDUCT8.1 Team officials and players are expected to set the best examples of good behavior on and off the court. They must follow and help enforce the rules set up by the gymnasium management.8.2 No gambling of any kind will be allowed. If charges of this nature are proven, the guilty party or parties will be suspended from playing the remainder of the league and not allowed to participate in any LVAHT sanctioned events/tournaments for five (5) years.8.3 A player who has been called for a foul must raise his/her hand and direct the attention of the scorer to him/her.8.4 A player may not enter the court for substitution without reporting to the Scorekeeper at the official table. The player may not enter the game without the consent of one of the Officials officiating the game.8.5 To avoid injuries to the player or others, a player will be asked to remove watches, rings, earrings, necklaces or jewelry of any kind before participating in a game. There will be no exceptions.8.6 Proper basketball shoes are required to play in the league. No hard-soled shoes are allowed on the playing surface.8.7 Once the league starts, no player will be allowed to transfer to another team if this player has already played the game and is on the official roster submitted prior to the start of league games.NO additional players can be added to the team’s official roster after the team has played its fifth game.8.8 A player who commits a flagrant foul may be ejected from the game. The Officials and the Commissioner and/or Officer-in-Charge are the only persons who can enforce the ejection and possible suspension.8.9 Players will not be allowed to play under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance.8.10 Players or team officials who have questions regarding the conduct of the game must defer these questions through the team’s captain only. There will be no exceptions.8.11 Automatic penalties:8.11.1 Any player(s) who throws the first “blow” including punches, kicks, elbows, head butts, etc. against an opposing player or team official, will be automatically suspended for the remainder of the league.8.11.2 Any player(s) who retaliates with a “blow” will also be automatically suspended for the remainder of the league, regardless of the reason for retaliation.8.11.3 Any player(s) who enters the playing surface during an altercation. Without the referee’s permission, will be automatically suspended for the next (2) games. This regardless of the reason for entering the playing surface.8.11.4 Any harmful physical action taken by any player(s) or team officials against any of the league officials, including the Officials, Commissioner, timer, scorer, will result in automatic suspension form the remainder of the league and possible ban from future LVAHT sanctioned events.8.11.5 If a player is suspended during their final game, the suspension may carry over the next season at the discretion of the LVAHT officials.9.0 PROTESTS9.1 Protests contesting a referee’s decision will be considered by the LVAHT.9.2 Any protests must be directed to the LVAHT Commissioner or Official in Charge prior to, before or after the game. This protest shall be written on the official scorebook and all game officials shall be aware of the protest and the reason for the protest.

Basket at the Buzzer

At the end of any playing period or at the end of the game, if the shot was released before the time expired and the buzzer sounded, the basket will count(if made).

Pivot Foot

You must establish a pivot foot if you have the basketball and are not dribbling. If you catch the ball with both feet on the ground, you may use either foot as the pivot foot(in which one foot remains in contact with the same point on the ground). If you catch the ball while moving or after dribbling,if you land on 2 feet simultaneously, either foot may be used as the pivot foot. If one foot is touching the floor, when the second foot touches the floor, the first foot becomes the pivot foot. A player may make one step and then jump simultaneously on two feet, in which case neither foot may act as a pivot foot.

Fouls/Player in the Air

A player who has jumped from a spot has a right to land in that same spot. If he does not jump straight up and makes contact with his opponent who has taken a legal guarding position, it is the jumper´s foul. Moving under a player who is in the air and causing contact is usually an unsportsmanlike foul(dangerous play), and can be a disqualifying foul.

Fouls & Free Throws

If you are fouled while you are shooting, you will be awarded 2 free throws if it was a 2 point attempt and 3 free throws if it was a 3 point attempt for a basket. Free throws are not awarded on a charging foul. For all other fouls, if it is the 7th-9th team foul in the half, you will shoot 1+1(if you make the first free throw, you get another shot; if you miss the first free throw, the ball is in play). On the 10th foul and thereafter for every foul, you will shoot 2 free throws.

Holding Foul-definition

Holding is personal contact foul with an opponent that interferes with his freedom of movement. This holding can occur with any part of the body.

Violations

A violation in an infraction of the rules. The penalty is loss of the ball by the team that committed the violation. The ball is awarded to the opponents for a throw-in from out-of-bounds at the closest point where the violation occurred.

Out-of-Bounds

A player is out of bounds when any part of his body is in contact with the floor or any object on, above or outside of the boundary lines. The ball is out of bounds when it touches a player who is out of bounds, or the supports or the back of the backboards or it touches the floor or any object on, above or outside a boundary line.

Dribbling Rule

A dribble starts when a player throws, taps, or rolls it on the floor and touches it again before it touches another player. The dribble is completed when the player touches the ball simultaneously with both hands or the ball comes to rest in one or both hands. Accidentally losing and then regaining control(fumble),tapping the ball in order to gain control,tapping the ball from the control of another player, blocking the pass and then recovering the ball are NOT considered to be dribbles.

Illegal Screening

A foul will be called for illegal screening when there is an attempt to illegally delay or prevent an opponent who does not control the ball from reaching a desired position on the playing court. Remember, the foul will be called on the player causing the contact.

What is a Foul?

Basketball, in theory, is a non-contact game. However, it is obvious that when you have 10 players moving with great speed inside a limited space, contact cannot be avoided. If contact occurs in a "bona fide" (normal basketball play)attempt to play the ball and does not place the opponent at a disadvantage, the contact may be considered incidental and no foul will be called. Contact from behind is not a normal basketball play, and the player who is behind is usually responsible for the contact because of his position in relation to his opponent and the ball. The player responsible for the contact receives the foul.

Pushing Foul

A pushing foul occurs when there is personal contact (with any part of the body) that takes place when a player forcibly moves or attempts to move an opponent who has or does not have control of the ball.

10 Second Rule

In boy´s basketball, they have a rule called the 10 second rule, in which when a player gains control of a live ball, the offensive team has 10 seconds to cross over half court. If a team fails to do this, it is a violation and the ball is awarded to the opposing team.

Legal Guarding Position

To be in a legal guarding position, the defender is facing his opponent, has both feet on the floor in a normal stance for his/her heighth.

Blocking/ Charging Foul

Blocking is personal contact which impedes the progress of an opponent. Charging is personal contact, with or without the ball, by pushing or moving into an opponent´s torso. When judging a block/charge, the official shall use the following principles: 1)the defender must establish an initial legal guarding position, 2)the defender may remain stationary or move laterally or backwards in order to maintain the guarding position, 3)In moving to maintain the guarding position, one or both feet may be off the floor for an instant, as long as the lateral or backwards movement is considered normal defensive movement,4)the defensive player must be on the spot first, and contact must occur on the torso.

Backcourt Rule

A player whose team is in control of the ball which is in the frontcourt(past halfcourt line) may not cause the ball to go in his backcourt. He or a member of his team must have touched it last before going in the backcourt. It is a violation and the ball is awarded to the opposing team. Important: a player is considered in the backcourt until he has both feet on the ground in the frontcourt. So, if a teammate is already in the frontcourt(both feet and the ball) and passes to a teammate who is not yet legally in the frontcourt, then that is a backcourt violation.

Principle of Verticality

The principal of verticality means that a player is entitled to his/her space that is occupied, plus all vertical space above that player. Therefore if a defender has his/her arms in that vertical space above the offensive player, and the offensive player with the ball jumps up and there is contact with the defender´s arms, it is a foul by the offensive player

Don´t Foul Out!

In the pros, you are disqualified from playing in the game on your 6th foul. But for everyone else, you will be disqualified on your 5th foul. Your goal on defense should be to make "stops", not fouls. Stop the other team from scoring without fouling.

Handchecking

Handchecking is the action by a defensive player in a guarding situation where the hand or hands are used to contact an opponent to either impede his progress or to assist the defensive player in guarding his opponent. It is a foul!

Personal Fouls

A foul is an action that involves contact with an opposing player, whether the ball is alive, in play or dead. A player shall not block, hold, charge, trip, impede the progress of an opponent by extending his arm, shoulder, hip, knee, or foot.

Injury Time-Out

In case of an injury to a player, the official may stop play. If the ball is in play when the injury occurs, the officials shall wait to stop the game until the team with the injury gets possession of the ball. Exception: when necessary to protect an injured player, the officials may stop play immediately.

5 second violation

There are 2 differnt 5 second violation calls. One is when a team cannot pass the ball in bounds within 5 seconds. This results in a change of possesion. The other 5 second call is when a player is pressured by a defender and does not go anywhere. Example, if a player stops dribbling and looks to pass but can´t because a defender is pressuring him/her, it is a 5 second violation also resulting in a turnover. Also if a player is dribbling in 1 spot and a defender is guarding him/her tight, it can be a 5 second violation.

3 Seconds in the Key

The rule states While his team is in control of the ball, a player shall NOT remain for more than three (3) consecutive seconds in the opponents´ restricted area.
The lines bounding the restricted area are part of the restricted area and a player touching one of these lines is in the area.
The 3second restriction is in force in all outofbounds situations.
The count shall start at the moment the player making the throwin is outofbounds and the ball is at his disposal (is in play).
The 3second restriction does NOT apply:
a. While the ball is in the air during a shot for goal.
b. During a rebound.
c. When the ball is dead.
Allowance must be made for a player who, having been in the restricted area for less than 3 seconds, gets the ball inside the key. The player now has 3 more seconds to shoot or pass and get out of the key.

Double Dribble

After dribbling and after the dribble has ended, a player may not begin dribbling again or at any time dribble more than once with two hands. This is called a double dribble and is a violation, with the penalty being loss of the ball to the opposing team.

Substitutions

When substituting, the substitute shall report into the official scorer at the scorer´s table, and then wait until an official beckons you in during a dead ball. If you just run onto the court(illegal substitution), it is a technical foul on your team.

Travelling

Travelling is progressing with the ball while moving one or both feet in one direction while holding the ball.

Time-Outs

Each team is awarded 2 thirty second timeouts each quarter. Any player on the court or the coach may call a timeout.

Illegal Use of Hands

Illegal use of the hands occurs when a player contacts an opponent with his hand(s) in an attempt to play the ball. If the contact is with the opponent´s hand while it is on the ball, it shall be considered incidental contact.

Jump Ball

In high school and college basketball, there is a jump ball at the beginning of the game and at the beginning of each period of overtime played. After the jump ball, teams take turns getting possession of the ball(called alternate possession) when the ball is tied up.

Main purpose of the game

Basketball is played by two teams of five players on each team. The purpose of each team is to score into the opponents basket and to prevent the other team from scoring.