Basketball Rules

Code of Conduct

• Fighting or deliberately attempting to injure another player results in immediate removal from the league (zero tolerance).
• All players must follow the Carleton University Intramural & Adult League Player Code of Conduct.
• Unsportsmanlike actions such as taunting, aggression, intimidation, or intentional fouls are prohibited.

Eligibility & Registration

• Players may only play for one basketball team per league per semester.
• Eligible participants include Carleton students, faculty, staff, alumni, and Athletics members with an active gym membership.
• All players must be registered in the Fusion IM portal before playing.
• Players must check in with the league official and present a valid student or membership ID.
• Players must participate in 4 of 9 (Adult) or 3 of 7 (Intramural) games to be playoff eligible.
• Team shirts must be worn each game.

Game Supervision

• Each game includes two league officials and a scorekeeper.
• Officials’ and scorekeepers’ decisions are final.
• Team captains are responsible for their team’s conduct and communication with officials.
• Abuse of officials or staff leads to ejection or suspension.

Equipment

• No jewelry or hard casts/braces are allowed.
• Only non-marking court shoes are permitted.
• Standard-sized basketballs and nets are used; the ball size depends on league category.

Game Rules

1. Players

• Games are 5 vs 5.
• Coed teams must maintain a gender ratio of 3:2 or 4:1 on the court.
• A minimum of 4 players is required to start the game.
• Players must be listed on the roster and wear numbered shirts.

2. Game Time

• Games consist of two 20-minute halves with a 2-minute halftime.
• The game ends at the scheduled time regardless of clock status.
• One time-out per half per team.
• No overtime in regular season play.
• The clock stops in the final 2 minutes if the score difference is 10 points or less.

3. Boundaries

• Games are played on a standard-sized basketball court.

4. Jump Balls

• A jump ball starts the game.
• Alternating possession is used after the initial jump.

5. Substitutions

• Players must report to the scorekeeper and enter only when called.

Fouls & Free Throws

Personal Fouls

• Contact fouls include holding, pushing, charging, tripping, or impeding movement.
• 5 personal fouls result in disqualification.
• Team fouls lead to bonus free throws:
  • 6 fouls = Bonus (1-and-1)
  • 10 fouls = Double Bonus (two free throws)

Technical Fouls

• Issued for unsportsmanlike behaviour, jewelry, illegal substitutions, or disrespect toward officials.
• 2 technicals in one game = ejection.
• 5 in a season = one-game suspension.
• 8 or more = review or ban from play.

Intentional/Flagrant Fouls

• Intentional fouls = 2 free throws + possession.
• Flagrant fouls = ejection + 2 free throws + possession.

Common Violations

• Out of bounds, traveling, double dribble, carrying/palming
• Three seconds in the key (offensive)
• Eight seconds to cross half court
• Over and back, goaltending, lane violation, kick ball, or closely guarded (5 seconds)

Each violation results in a turnover or throw-in.

Scoring

• 3 points: shots made beyond the 19-foot arc
• 2 points: shots inside the arc
• 1 point: free throws
• The team with the most points wins. In playoffs, ties are resolved through overtime.

League Standings & Points

• Win = 2 points, Tie = 1 point, Loss = 0 points
• No overtime in round-robin play.
• Weekly standings are posted on the Carleton Rec website.

Forfeits & Defaults

• Teams have 10 minutes after the scheduled start to field a team.
• Use the Fusion IM portal to forfeit or default games at least 10 hours in advance.

Tie-Breakers

• Two-Team Tie:
  1. Head-to-head result
  2. Most wins
  3. Point differential
  4. Most points scored
  5. Fewest points allowed
  6. Coin flip
• Three-Team Tie:
  1. Winning percentage among tied teams
  2. Most wins
  3. Points differential
  4. Coin flip

Playoff Format

• Determined by league size and facility availability.
• Overtime: 3 minutes; if still tied, sudden death (first team to score 2 points wins).

Cancellation Policy

• First cancellation: no reschedule or refund.
• Second or third cancellation: rescheduled if possible; otherwise, partial team credit for next season.

Injury Policy

• Injured players must report to officials immediately.
• Bleeding players must leave the court until bleeding stops and is covered.
• Participation is voluntary; players are responsible for their own injury or property damage costs.