INTRAMURAL RULES
LAA Basketball Rules
Game Timing & Substitutions
- Game Start Time: Games start on the hour and last 50 minutes.
- Time Periods: Four (4) 10-minute quarters (running clock).
- Halftime: 2 minutes.
- Substitutions:
- Every 5 minutes in all divisions.
- Substitutions are only allowed at these marks, except for injuries.
- Clock Stoppages:
- Stops for time-outs.
- Stops on all whistles in the last 4 minutes of the game (except for ages 5-8, where the clock runs continuously).
- Overtime:
- 4-minute running clock (stops for foul shots).
- Maximum of one (1) overtime period in the regular season (ties allowed).
- In playoffs, additional overtimes continue until a winner is determined.
- Substitutions required at the 2-minute mark in overtime.
Timeouts
- Each team is allowed 3 timeouts per game (no more than 2 per half).
- Each timeout lasts 60 seconds.
Playing Time Guidelines
- MINIMUM & MAXIMUM playing times are listed below and are based on the number of team players present for the games.
| Active Players | Min. Playing Time | Max. Playing Time |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Players | 20 min (4 shifts) | 20 min (4 shifts) |
| 9 Players | 20 min (4 shifts) | 25 min (5 shifts) |
| 8 Players | 20 min (4 shifts) | 25 min (5 shifts) |
| 7 Players | 20 min (4 shifts) | 30 min (6 shifts) |
| 6 Players | 20 min (4 shifts) | 35 min (7 shifts) |
| 5 Players | 20 min (4 shifts) | 40 min (8 shifts) |
- Late Arrivals:
- Players arriving before Q2 must still play 20 minutes.
- Players arriving after Q2 starts must play at least 10 minutes.
Forfeits
- A team forfeits if they have fewer than 5 players by the start of the 2nd quarter.
- The game can still be played, but the forfeit is recorded.
Defensive Rules
Ages 5-8
- Defense must stay in a 2-3 zone setup (marked by dots) until a shot is taken.
- If the defense gets the rebound, the offensive team must transition to defense.
- If the offense gets the rebound, defense must switch to man-to-man (no double-teaming).
Grades 3-4
- No full-court press.
- Man-to-man defense only, within the 3-point arc (no double-teaming).
- Defensive players do not have to extend beyond five (5) feet outside the perimeter.
- In the last 2 minutes, defense is allowed beyond the 3-point arc to prevent clock stalling.
Grades 5-6
- No full-court press, except in the last 2 minutes.
- Defense can be chosen by the team.
- No double-teaming, except in the paint.
Grades 7-12
- Teams can choose any defensive strategy.
- Full-court press is allowed at any time.
Fouls & Free Throws
- Each player is allowed 5 personal fouls. Upon the 5th foul, the player must leave the game.
- Team fouls:
- 10 team fouls per half.
- Grades 3-12: Two free throws awarded at 10 team fouls.
- Team fouls reset at halftime.
- Second-half team fouls carry over to overtime.
- Three-Point Shots: Counted for Grades 5-12 only.
- Free Throw Line:
- Standard 15 feet.
- Grades 3-4 use a closer line.
- Stealing:
- No stealing off the dribble for Ages 5-8 & Grades 3-4.
Scorekeeping & Technical Fouls
- Scorekeeping:
- The official bookkeeper's score is final, unless overruled by a majority decision of the referee and scorekeeper.
- Technical Fouls:
- Any player, coach, or parent receiving a technical foul is suspended for the rest of the game and the next game.
- A second technical foul in a subsequent game results in removal from the league for the season.
Equipment Specifications
- Only LAA-provided basketballs are allowed in the gym during games.
- Ball Sizes:
| Division | Boys | Girls |
|---|---|---|
| Junior (Ages 5-6) | Size 5 (27.5") | Size 5 (27.5") |
| Ballers (Ages 7-8) | Size 5 (27.5") | Size 5 (27.5") |
| Rookies (Grades 3-4) | Size 6 (28.5") | Size 5 (27.5") |
| Starters (Grades 5-6) | Size 6 (28.5") | Size 6 (28.5") |
| All-Stars (Grades 7-8) | Size 7 (29.5") | Size 6 (28.5") |
| Jr. Varsity (Grades 9-10) | Size 7 (29.5") | Size 6 (28.5") |
| Varsity (Grades 11-12) | Size 7 (29.5") | Size 6 (28.5") |