Basketball Rules
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Remember, this is a social League. Keep a relaxed attitude, meet some new people, and have a good time.
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There should be equal playing time for all Players, regardless of gender.
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You always need your T-Shirts. They are our only way of identifying you and not wearing them will affect your standings!
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Please treat our referees with respect.
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Referees will be judging your Sportsmanship; it’s best to be gracious whether you’re winning or losing.
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Any aggressive behavior will not be tolerated and may result in suspension or expulsion from our Leagues.
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Please be on time. We recommend showing up at least 10 minutes early to avoid any confusion and the chance of forfeiting.
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Overly Competitive Players
All Texas Sports & Social Club leagues are intended to be recreational. Any player deemed to be excessively competitive and/or overly aggressive may be removed from competition at the discretion of Texas Sports official or game day coordinator.
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Sportsmanship Rating:
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Teams will be awarded a sportsmanship grade based on their conduct:
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A (4.0) - Above and Beyond Conduct and Sportsmanship
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B (3.0) - Good Conduct and Sportsmanship
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C (2.0) - Average Conduct and Sportsmanship
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D (1.0) - Below Average Conduct and Sportsmanship
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F (0.0) - Poor Conduct and Sportsmanship
Teams must maintain a 2.5 AVERAGE in order to be ELIGIBLE for the playoffs
Once in playoffs, the team must maintain a 2.5 average in order to remain in playoffs
Number of Players
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5 V 5
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5 players
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If a team is short of the required number of players in a specific gender, they may play down.
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A team must have a minimum of 4 players to start.
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Teams must have at least 1 player of each gender on the floor at all times. If this is not possible:
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In the regular season, a team may play with up to 4 of one gender on the floor and play 4 v 5 (a team can do this for ​no kore than 2 games during the season, any times beyond the second time would be a forfeit)
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In the playoffs, this would be a forfeit--you MUST have 1 player of each gender on the floor at all times
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Substitutions
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If a team is short the required number of players in a regular season game, they may invite players from other teams within the division. Subs from within the division are subject to the Referee’s discretion. Teams can only invite enough Subs from within the division to meet the maximum number of players allowed on court (4) plus one additional player to rotate in.
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Substitute players from within the division should be the last one to cycle into the game (barring gender requirements). If players from a team’s roster arrive late, the Subs from within the division must rotate out.
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Substitutions from outside the division are allowed. Substitutions during the Playoffs are not permitted. Teams using pre-registered substitutes may not exceed the headcount of their original roster, and individuals may not serve as a pre-registered substitute player more than 2 separate dates during a Season.
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Substitute players must check in with the Host onsite to receive a league issued pinnie to wear in the Game. Substitute players must leave a form of identification with the Host in exchange for the participation pinnie. The ID will be returned to the player when the pinnie is turned in after the Game.
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Game time
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- Two 15-minute halves​
- ​The clock will run continuously throughout the game, stopping ONLY during the last 2 minutes of each half for all dead balls
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Possession
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Possession Changes
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The “check-line” will be the three-point line.
Putting the Ball Back in Play
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The ball changes possession after each basket unless a foul is awarded. The ball must be PASSED in from the start of a possession in order to attempt a shot on net.
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The referee must handle the ball after an out of bounds is called or a foul is awarded.
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After defensive steals, rebounds, blocked shots, or air-balls (shots that don’t hit the rim from the opposing team), the ball must be returned to the three-point line but does not need to be passed into play.
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Timeouts & Substitutions
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Will take place AFTER a converted basket, timeout, a foul shot, or any stoppage of play. The substitute must get an official’s attention and wait to be called in. A technical foul will be charged to the team for failure to abide by this rule. There must be a fair rotation of all players throughout the game. This means both men and women get time, both on the bench and on the court. Referees may require substitutions to ensure this.
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Each team is allowed two (2) one minute time-out per game. One time out for each half. Timeouts do not roll over to the next half.
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If play is stopped by a teammate to attend to an obvious injury, then the injured player must sit out at least until the next dead ball.
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Player substitution is permitted during any dead ball situation
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Live Ball/ Dead Ball Possession
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The ball changes possession after each scored basket and brought out of bounds and passed in play by the opposing team.
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Jump balls will be called by the Official and awarded through alternating possessions.
Fouls
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Personal fouls will not be recorded to a specific player (i.e. no player can foul out), but a referee may have a player sit out if they are clearly fouling excessively
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Team fouls will be kept for each half and bonus will be:
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Regular season: 4th team foul results in a 1-and-1, 5th team foul and beyond results in 2 free throws​
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Playoffs: 5th and 6th team foul results in a 1-and-1, 7th team foul and beyond results in 2 free throws
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Defensive Hand Check
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When a defensive player reaches in coming across the offensive players hand or body will result in a foul. If player is in a shooting motion he/she will receive two foul shots. If it was on the ground it will result in the offensive team taking the ball out of bounds and passing it in play. The clock will not stop unless it is within the last two minutes of the game.
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Blocking Fouls
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If a defensive player impedes onto a offensive player with to much force by using there body to alter a offensive players route they will be charged a foul for blocking.
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Offensive Charge
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When the offensive player is in motion and the defensive player has two feet firmly planted without motion, knocking the defensive player over, they will be called for a foul at the referee’s discretion.
Technical Fouls
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(Again at the Referees Discretion) will result in two free throws and possession of the ball goes to the offended team. If a single player receives two technical fouls in a single game he/she will be ejected.
Stalling or Deliberate Attempts to Freeze the Ball
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This will result in loss of ball possession. The referee may issue a verbal warning before taking away possession
Three-Second Lane Violations
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“Three Seconds in the Key” will be called.
Free-Throws
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The Referee will signal the ball in play for free throw attempts and teams will line up promptly and in the correct places for foul shots. The officials will penalize teams attempting to consume time by using stalling tactics. Officials may order stoppage of time and charge a technical foul.
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After every made basket the ball must be took out of bounds and passed in play by the opposite team. If a player does not dribble the ball when in possession he/she will be called for travelling. They have ten seconds to cross half court.
Scoring
For all players:​
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Each field goal inside the arc is worth two points.
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A successful shot from beyond the three-point line (arc) is worth three points. The player shooting the ball must have both feet completely behind the arc when initiating the attempt.
Overtime Procedure (Playoffs Only)
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If the score is tied after regulation play, an overtime period of five minutes (running clock) will be played. If the score is tied after the overtime period a second overtime will be played and so on and so forth.
Officials (if applicable; see specific league for details.)
Some leagues are self refereed. For self refereed leagues the League Coordinator will have the last word.
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Balls
Balls will be provided by the club/facility. We do recommend captains bring a regulation-sized Men's Basketball 29.5 inches.
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Rough Play
Any rough or physical play will result in immediate expulsion from further league play and may result in a lifetime league expulsion. Please see TXSports General Policy for our official guidelines on this subject. It is recognized that incidental contact between players is inevitable; however, all players should go out of their way to avoid creating an unsafe play. This rule supersedes all others.
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Please note that on-site staff members have full autonomy when supervising games. Games may be stopped entirely, players may be asked to leave the playing area or be removed from the game entirely under their discretion.
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Forfeits
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5 v 5
Teams should report to the gym at least 10 minutes before their scheduled starting time of the match. A game will be ruled a forfeit if any of the following occur:
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No one from one of the teams is present at game time
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The minimum number of players are not present (3)
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Not enough female players are present (1)
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Improper conduct by one or more players on any team
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Repeat Rule:
Competition is great, but a single team dominating the league consecutive seasons is not cool and not fun.
A team retaining more than three players that has won two championships seasons for which they have been registered, that team to will have to form two or more separate teams to promote balance in the league or withdraw their registration (no refund will be issued, league credit will be issued). The team will then have the opportunity to divide their roster (with no more than three retaining players) to form two separate teams with each subsequent roster approved by the Texas Sports & Social Club-Waco.
Teams that dominate leagues will be moved to a appropriate league or asked to separate if Texas Sports & Social Club staff believe that the team intentionally lost the Playoff or Championship game to circumvent the rules.
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Season Abandonment
Registered teams that miss two weeks of play will be considered to have abandoned their place in the league. Teams in this category will be contacted by a Texas Social Sports Club staff member to confirm their status. Teams failing to respond within two business days will be removed from the Season schedule and will forfeit their registration fees. Teams that do respond will be required to supply reasoning for lack of attendance and petition the league for reinstatement. Season abandonment and reactivation decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis at the sole discretion of the league management and must be resolved before returning to play in the current Season or in subsequent Seasons.
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Pre-Registered Player Substitute
A team may pick up a substitute player for regular season games, when the have a roster player that will not be able to attend their scheduled game. The player who is subbing will need to create an account and purchase a game sub pack. The same player may only sub up to 3 weeks in the regular season. Sub players cannot play in Playoffs or Championship Games.
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Team T-Shirts
Team t-shirts will be provided. Please plan to wear the shirt each gameday. All official players on the roster must have the same color shirt.
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While shirt customization is allowed, teams/players must abide by the following rules when personalizing shirts:
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No unauthorized company names or logos
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No offensive language
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No design that obscures or alters the Texas Social Sports Club logo
Names, nicknames, numbers, and team logos are all welcome additions to the Team T-Shirts. Please also feel free to bedazzle, tie-dye, or apply patches to them, if you are so inclined.
Alcohol, Controlled Substance, and Safety Policy
Individuals (players, fans, or friends of players) will, at the discretion of Texas Social Sports Club, be ejected immediately if any of the following are true:
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found bringing alcohol, weapons, or controlled substances to any venue or sponsor bar in use by Texas Social Sports Club
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suspected of excessive pre-game alcohol consumption
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suspected of abusing a controlled substance
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deemed unruly or a danger to themselves or others at any time
Anyone who is ejected from one of our venues or sponsor bars will be required to petition the Club for reinstatement before participating in or attending any subsequent Texas Social Sports Club event.
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These policies are in place for the safety, enjoyment, and continued camaraderie of all players, the sponsoring venues, sponsor bars, and the entire Club.
Note: Players must wear appropriate colored, league-issued Team T-Shirts during games.
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Sportsmanship
Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Any participant that does not conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner will be removed from the game.
Types of Illegal Conduct:
Unsportsmanlike conduct includes the following:
-Arguing with an official or with other players.
-Abusive or insulting language to a player or official.
-Throwing the ball at another player in an unsportsmanlike manner.
-Abuse of the “honor system.”
-Harassing others
-Acting inappropriately when challenging a refs call
-Not maintaining an attitude that is consistent with Texas Sports SC’s core values
In the event of unsportsmanlike conduct the following penalties may be enforced (the order and amount of penalties will depend on the severity of the incident)
Team captain has a talk with the individual, notifies the League Coordinator
The League Coordinator has a talk with the individual and suspended for one game
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Removal from team and/or league and/or club
Fighting: Fighting may result in a player’s permanent suspension from participation in Texas Sport & Social Club
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Ejected Participants
Any ejected individual must get approval by Texas Social Sports Club prior to attending or participating in future Club games, leagues, or hosted events, including Post-Game Parties. Attempted participation without approval is subject to further penalties. Rulings may include, but are not limited to, probation, game/league suspension, or permanent expulsion.
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Playoffs & Awards
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Regular season team standings are determined by number of wins, then head to head, then point differential.
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Top 4-teams will be guaranteed a shot at the championship
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All 9 teams will have post-season games during week 5 (June 19th)
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League winners receive $5 in league credit for each player on the winning team as well as a picture with the championship banner and Social media spotlight.
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MOST IMPORTANTLY!
THIS IS A SOCIAL LEAGUE: Have fun and make new friends. The game may or may not go your way!
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