Basketball Rules

Eligibility

• All team members must have a current DAPER membership and be either:
  • A MIT undergrad or grad student who is registered for the semester
  • A member of the Staff, Alumni, Faculty, Instructors, Lecturers or Post Docs
  • A member of MIT Alumni Club of Boston (MITCOB) who is registered with DAPER
  • A spouse or partner of any eligible player who has an active DAPER membership IM participants may only compete on one team in each league per sport.

Varsity/Club Sport Eligibility

• After gaining permission from their coach, members of MIT club or varsity teams may ONLY compete in the highest level league offered (ie B league if no A league is offered) in the same sport as their varsity/club sport. These members are eligible to participate in any B or C League as well as any A League of a sport different from their varsity or club. In the event that only 1 general league is offered for the IM sport, then varsity and club sport members are ineligible to compete in the same sport as their varsity/club sport.
• IM participants may only compete on one team in each league per sport. Roster changes may be made up to the start of playoffs. During this time, players may join, quit, or switch teams. Once playoffs begin, rosters will be locked.

Sportsmanship

• Proper sportsmanship is expected of all teams at all times.  Attire and/or behavior that implies, or contains; inappropriate, offensive, or vulgar themes, language, images, or symbols, is not permitted within DAPER facilities. Individuals found with inappropriate attire can be denied participation in DAPER sponsored programs and events.  Staff decisions regarding attire policy enforcement are final. Refer to MIT’s Mind and Hand Book’s section on Harassment, Freedom of Expression, and Institute Expectations of Student Behavior and Integrity for further elaboration of standards and expectations.
• IM Basketball games (excluding A league) are not refereed. The captains are expected to control the behavior of their team members.
• The sport manager reserves the right to remove any player or team from the league without prior warning if there are any incidents of unacceptable sportsmanship.
• Any complaints should be reported to the manager immediately and/or via this form. Please also submit reports of any exceptionally good sportsmanship experiences.

Forfeits

• If a team does not have the minimum number of players by 10 minutes past the scheduled game start, it counts as a forfeit.
• If the minimum number of players are not present by game time, the other team has the option of calling a forfeit on that team OR waiting 10 minutes.
• The penalties associated with a forfeit can be avoided by communicating to the sport manager and opposing captain that you will not be able to field a team. Further advance notice reduces the penalty, as it gives the manager a better opportunity to use that field/court time for other games:
• More than 72 hour advance notice results in no penalty. We will try our best to reschedule the game but
  are limited by facility space. If the game cannot be rescheduled, it will not count towards your record.
• 24 – 72 hour notice results in loss if game cannot be rescheduled (but no fine)
• Less than 24 hour notice results in forfeit and fine

Fines

• Fines will be issued according to the IM Handbook Section XII. Refer to the handbook for more information.
• Failure of either team to commence play at game time will cause either or both of them to be charged with a forfeit and a corresponding fine.
• Failure to attend captain’s meeting: $15
• Forfeited Matches- First infraction: $25. Second infraction: $50 and disqualification from playoffs. Third infraction: $75 and removal from league.
• Dropping out of league (once games have been scheduled): $75

Reporting Scores

• It is the responsibility of the WINNING team’s captain to record the score at the tournament table immediately following the game.
• If this is not done in a timely fashion, teams are at risk of double forfeiting the played game.

Playoffs

• A & B leagues will have playoffs. Unless the manager requests special conditions, the following guidelines will be used in all IM sports for determining qualifications for playoffs:
  • Total points (a) two points for a win (b) one point for a tie (c) no points for a loss
  • Head-to-head result
  • Point differential (in case of less common scoring system, the manager will determine the method of point scoring)
  • Points for / Points against
  • Coin toss

Injuries

• All IM Basketball games will take place in the Z Center. If an injury occurs, send a teammate to summon help at one of the desks within the Z Center. The Z Center staff can provide 1st aid and summon additional help if needed.
• Please report any injuries to the Intramural Office via the Injury Report Form: (http://bit.ly/1VwUyAD)

Leagues

• Here are basic descriptions of levels of skill and competition within each league. Leagues may be combined or split at manager’s discretion. Champion t-shirts are awarded to all leagues in the basketball tournament. See ‘Number of Players’ section for how many t-shirts will be awarded.
• A League – Higher level of competition. Players may have played in high school or have a higher level of skill. Open to anyone.
• B League – Intermediate level of competition. Players’ main goal is to be active and have fun. Open to anyone.
• C League – Lower level of competition. Typically players have little to no experience playing and are just looking to try a new sport. Open to anyone.

Game Play

• Games will consist of two 20-minute halves, with no more than 3 minutes for half time.
  • The clock will not stop except for the last two minutes of both halves.
• It is the responsibility of one player on the sideline to keep the time and give periodic updates.
• Do not deliberately stall or attempt to freeze the ball.
• A player on the sideline should keep score from the sideline. Scoring is in units of 2 and 3s.
• The team that initially puts the ball into play will be determined by a coin toss or rock-paper-scissors. Possession will then alternate on jump balls and at the start of the second half.
• After team A scores, team B shall get possession at the top of the 3 point line.
• The person checking the ball needs to pass the ball in (They cannot just shoot it or dribble it in). They have 5 seconds to do so.
• The ball shall be cleared (both feet and ball) behind the 3 point line on any change of possession (ex: steals, air balls).
• Time permitting, overtime will be a single period of 3-minutes with time stoppage in the last minute; if the score is still tied, the game will be declared a tie.
• During a forfeit the winning team will claim a 15-0 victory in order to keep the point-diff standard for all forfeits.

Number of Players

• All players must register on IMLeagues.com before playing in a game.
• Each team on the field shall consist of 3 players. A team must have a minimum of 3 players to start a game. A maximum of 6 champion t-shirts will be awarded per team.

Uniforms

• Teams should come with 2 sets of shirts; a white/light set and a dark set.
• All jewelry and watches need to be taken off.

Time-Outs

• Each team is allowed one time-outs per half. These do not accumulate and will be one minute in duration. One time-out will be granted for the over time period if necessary. Unused time-outs during the first half do not carry over to the second half.
• Time-outs must be called by someone on the court.
• Calling a time-out when your team no longer has any results in a two-shot technical foul and loss of ball.

Equipment

• Teams are encouraged to bring their own ball. If no one has a ball, one can be borrowed from the Z Center Vassar Desk in exchange for an ID card.

Fouls and Violations

• Player safety must be a priority in games.  In general, IM Basketball follows NFHS Basketball regulations, except when a rule is explicitly explained above. A complete set of rules is available at this link: https://www.nfhs.org/activities-sports/basketball/
• Teams in games without a referee have to call their own fouls.
• The two captains are the ultimate arbiters of all fouls and violations. It is their responsibility to agree on the enforcement of fouls and violations.
• Teams in un-reffed leagues have the ability to call flagrant foul if they feel the foul was too hard and unnecessary. Flagrant fouls result in 2 free throws AND the ball.
• If a flagrant foul is called, the team who calls it must fill out this sportsmanship form to provide info to the sport manager and IM office.
• There are no foul shots in unreffed game, all fouls result in the ball being checked at the top of the 3-point line, except for any foul in the last 2 minutes of the second half, which will be considered shooting foul and 2 free throws will be awarded.
• On non-flagrant, intentional fouls under 2 minutes, teams have the ability to call fouls on themselves as well as the other team. The player intending to foul only needs to use two hands and audibly say “Foul”.
  • They should do this to avoid having to make hard fouls and this must be accepted by the opponent
• Dunking is not allowed in any leagues.
• If the ball hits the top of the backboard and bounces behind the backboard then it is out. If the ball hits the top of the backboard and falls in front of the backboard it is in play.
• A ball that is kicked by a player intentionally will become the opponent’s ball for a throw in.
• A ball that is kicked by a player unintentionally is in play until it rolls out of bounds.
• Substitutions can only occur on a dead ball.
• A made basket is not a dead ball.
• The player must notify the other team of their substitution into the game.

Leagues

• Here are basic descriptions of levels of skill and competition within each league. Leagues may be combined or split at manager’s discretion. Champion t-shirts are awarded to A, and B Leagues. See ‘Number of Players’ section for how many t-shirts will be awarded.
• A League with refs – Higher level of competition. Players may have played in high school or have a higher level of skill. Open to anyone.
• B League – Intermediate level of competition. Players’ main goal is to be active and have fun. Open to anyone.
• C League – Lower level of competition. Typically players have little to no experience playing and are just looking to try a new sport. Open to anyone.

Game Play – A League with Refs

• Refs control position of in-bounds and substitutions.
• Games will consist of two 20-minute halves, with no more than 5 for half time.
• The clock will not stop except for the last two minutes of both halves.
• All shooting fouls will result in 2 free throws
• Personal fouls won’t be recorded
• In each half, team fouls will be recorded. The seventh foul will result in a one-and-one (unless it is a shooting foul) and the tenth foul will result in two free throws (NCAA rules). At halftime, the team foul count resets. As usual, personal fouls will not be recorded and any shooting foul results in two free throws.
• It is the responsibility of one player on the sideline to keep the time & score.
• A player on the sideline should keep score from the sideline. Scoring is in units of 2 and 3s. A digital scoreboard will be made available.
• The team that initially puts the ball into play will be determined by a jump ball.
• Time permitting, overtime will be a single period of 5-minutes with time stoppage in the last minute; if the score is still tied, the game will be declared a tie.
• During a forfeit the winning team will claim a 15-0 victory in order to keep the point-diff standard for all forfeits.

Game Play – B & C Leagues

• Games will consist of two 20-minute halves, with no more than 5 for half time.
• The clock will not stop except for the last two minutes of both halves.
• Free throws will be rewarded during a shooting motion at all times in the game.
• It is the responsibility of one player on the sideline to keep the time & score.
• A player on the sideline should keep score from the sideline. Scoring is in units of 2 and 3s.
• The team that initially puts the ball into play will be determined by a coin toss.
• Time permitting, overtime will be a single period of 5-minutes with time stoppage in the last minute; if the score is still tied, the game will be declared a tie.
• During the playoffs digital score boards will be made available.
• During a forfeit the winning team will claim a 15-0 victory in order to keep the point-diff standard for all forfeits.

Fouls and Violations

• Player safety must be a priority in games.  In general, IM Basketball follows NFHS Basketball regulations, except when a rule is explicitly explained above. A complete set of rules is available at this link: https://www.nfhs.org/activities-sports/basketball/
• Teams in games without a referee have to call their own fouls.
• The two captains are the ultimate arbiters of all fouls and violations. It is their responsibility to agree on the enforcement of fouls and violations.
• Teams in un-reffed leagues have the ability to call flagrant foul if they feel the foul was too hard and unnecessary. Flagrant fouls result in 2 free throws AND the ball.
• If a flagrant foul is called, the team who calls it must fill out this sportsmanship form to provide info to the sport manager and IM office.
• On non-flagrant, intentional fouls under 2 minutes, teams have the ability to call fouls on themselves as well as the other team. The player intending to foul only needs to use two hands and audibly say “Foul”. They should do this to avoid having to make hard fouls and this must be accepted by the opponent
• Dunking is not allowed in any leagues.
• If the ball hits the top of the backboard and bounces behind the backboard then it is out. If the ball hits the top of the backboard and falls in front of the backboard it is in play.
• A ball that is kicked by a player intentionally will become the opponent’s ball for a throw in.
• A ball that is kicked by a player unintentionally is in play until it rolls out of bounds.
• Substitutions can only occur on a dead ball.
• A made basket is not a dead ball.
• The player must notify the other team of their substitution into the game.
• Should the referee deem the game to be unruly or the actions of any player to be unacceptably dangerous, they reserve the right to terminate game play immediately. In doing so, play must cease, and the referee must follow up with an immediate report to the sport manager and to the IM Executive Board so as to enable corrective and punitive action to take place.

Number of Players

• Each player can be on one team. However, a single organization can have multiple teams if there is no overlap in players between the teams.
• All players must register on IMLeagues.com before playing in a game.
• Each team on the field shall consist of 5 players. A team must have a minimum of 4 players to start a game. A maximum of 12 champion t-shirts will be awarded per team

Uniforms

• Teams should come with 2 sets of shirts; a white/light set and a black/dark set.
• Home team will wear white/light and away team will wear black/dark.
• All jewelry and watches need to be taken off.

Time-Outs

• Each team is allowed one time-outs per half. These do not accumulate and will be one minute in duration. One time-out will be granted for the over time period if necessary. Unused time-outs during the first half do not carry over to the second half.
• Time-outs must be called by someone on the court.
• Calling a time-out when your team no longer has any results in a two-shot technical foul and loss of ball.

Equipment

• Teams are encouraged to bring their own ball. If no one has a ball, one can be borrowed from the Z Center Vassar Desk in exchange for an ID card.