OSSO Basketball Rules

PLAYING AREA:

  • Basketball games are played on a single court.  Boundary line widths vary depending on venue.

REFS:

  • OSSO will provide a Ref for all games.  
  • Arguing with Refs will not be tolerated and may result in technical fouls, ejection & suspension.

EQUIPMENT:

  • OSSO will provide one regulation 29.5” game basketball for each court.  An alternate game ball may be used if agreed to by both captains.
  • Athletic shoes with non-marking soles are required while on the court.
  • The following items are not permitted:
    • Athletic braces or casts made from hard, unyielding material (unless covered on all sides and edges with at least ½ inch of closed cell slow recovery rubber or similar material)
    • Headgear containing hard, unyielding, or stiff material (including billed hats)
    • Jewelry (except for smooth wedding bands)

 

PLAYING ROSTER:

  • The minimum roster is 8 players. There is no maximum on the roster as long as those players are paid registrants.
  • The minimum number of players on a team to play an officiated, official game is FOUR.

FORMAT:

  • Each team plays two games per night during the regular season. Each game shall consist of a single 25-minute period, including any desired warm-up time.
  • Each team is allowed two 30-second timeouts per game. The game clock does not stop during timeouts except if the game clock is under 1 minute and the game score is within 10 points.
  • The game clock will run continuously except in cases of an officials timeout (injury, equipement, etc) or a timeout under 1 minute with game score within 10 points.
  • Whichever team has scored more points at the end of the 25-minute period will be declared the winner.
  • Regular season games can end in a tie.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

  • Substitutions may be made only when a team will gain possession of the ball and the ball is not in play, I.E. Dead Ball.
  • Abuse of this rule will not be tolerated (ex: subbing every possession in order to run out the clock)

SCORING:

  • Buckets made from on or inside the arc count for two points.
  • Buckets made from outside the arc count for three points.
  • Buckets made from beyond half court will count for four points.
  • When a bucket is made by a shooter with his feet near the arc, the referee will declare the point value aloud.
  • Free throws count as one point.  
  • Shooters shall be awarded free throws based on the point value of the attempted shot.
  • Shooters awarded free throws have 5 seconds after possession of the ball at the free throw line to shoot the foul shot with 5 seconds for each additional attempt.

TEAM POSSESSION:

  • Initial possession shall be determined by jump ball.
  • When a “jump ball” occurs, possession shall be awarded to the defending team.
  • Stalling is not permitted.  
    • The Referee, at his or her discretion, will initiate a ten-second count to prevent stalling and other delays in action.  If the team in possession has not attempted a shot that is successful or has struck the ring or flange at the expiration of the ten-second count, a violation will be called and the defending team awarded possession.
  • A player shall not be permitted to have any part of his or her body remain in the free throw lane for more than three consecutive seconds while a live ball is in control of that player’s team.

FOULS:

  • The Referee will record all team fouls.  Personal fouls are not recorded. However, a player deemed to be excessively fouling will be warned and subsequently disqualified if the behavior continues.
  • If the fouling team has committed nine or fewer fouls, a non-shooting foul shall result in the offended team gaining possession of the ball.
  • If the fouling team has committed 10 or more fouls, a non-shooting foul shall result in the fouled shooter being awarded two free throws.
  • If a shooting foul occurs when a shot is made:
    • The bucket counts
    • One free throw attempt is awarded.
    • Defending team shall be granted possession after the free throw.
  • If a shooting foul occurs when a shot is missed:
    • Shooters shall be awarded free throws based on the point value of the attempted shot.
  • Unless in the act of shooting, a player who is intentionally fouled shall be awarded two free throws.  
    • If the player is in the act of shooting, free throws will be awarded based on normal foul procedures.
    • The offended team shall be awarded possession following the completion of any free throw attempts.
  • A flagrant foul will result in immediate disqualification of the offending player for the remainder of the night plus the following week.  
    • Repeated flagrant fouls or other continued misconduct by any team will result in game forfeiture for the remainder of the night plus the following week.
  • Unless in the act of shooting, a player who is flagrantly fouled shall be awarded two free throws.  
    • If the player is in the act of shooting, free throws will be awarded based on normal foul procedures.
    • The offended team shall be awarded possession following the completion of any free throw attempts.
  • A team who is technically fouled shall be awarded one free throw and possession following the free throw attempt.  
    • Any member of the offended team may attempt the free throw.
    • A second technical foul will result in immediate disqualification of the offending player for the remainder of the night.
  • Further actions in response to intentional, technical, or flagrant fouls, including additional suspensions and expulsion from the league, will be made at the discretion of the OSSO.

PLAYOFF RULES:

  • For playoff games only, a tie score at the end of regulation will result in overtime.  Overtime periods are untimed.
  • Initial possession shall be determined by Rock/Paper/Scissors.
  • The first team to score 5 points in any manner during the overtime period shall be declared the winner.  It is not necessary to win by two points.
  • Each team is allowed one 30-second timeout during the overtime period.

 

DYNASTY RULE:

  • Everyone loves a little competition, but one team dominating a league season after season can spoil the fun for everybody.
  • If a team retaining more than three players has won three championships in consecutive seasons for which they have been registered, OSSO will have the option to, in its discretion, request that team to form two or more separate teams to promote parity in the league or withdraw their registration. That team will then have the opportunity to form two separate teams with each subsequent roster approved by OSSO.

Any rules not specifically mentioned here are at the discretion of the OSSO Basketball Coordinator and will be determined with Safety, Fairness & Fun in mind.