Rules

ETBL implements a majority of FIBA rules with some custom house rules. Rules can be amended/changed at the discretion of the commissioner at anytime!  

GENERAL

ALL games will begin according to schedule. Teams with less than 5 players will forfeit the game 25-0. Teams cannot bring in ringers/fillers for any game. There is a 5 min warmup generally and games will start at 6:05pm if the time slot available is scheduled for 6 to 7pm. Time will start running after 6:05pm and thus players will be wasting their own playing time if they are not punctual. GMs are responsible for their teams’ contact info and attendance and there will be no bending of the rules. Teams must give at least 24 hour notice if they do not have enough players for their scheduled game. There is a 100$ fine for forfeiting within 24hours. No exceptions.

• There will be a 1 minute break between halves. The time-keeper will set his stop watch for 1 min. This is also up to the Refs' and Commish's discretion if time is running short.
• Each team will generally consist of a minimum 8 man roster, including three subs or more. Games will be played on a 5 on 5 basis and substitutions can happen anytime during dead ball/foul situations and referee discretion.  A team can ONLY officially sub in when the Referee announces it. 
• Regular Season will consist of two 21 minute halves (could be reduced if we are short on time). During the Season the 1st half will NOT have any stoppages and the ONLY stoppage during the 2nd half will be in the last 2 minutes if the game is within 6 (2 possessions).  As for the playoffs, there will be stoppages in the last 4 mins of the game if the game is within 10. It will be two 20 minute halves in the playoffs (time could be shortened if there are any delays). Semi-Finals and Finals are eligible for an increase in game time. 
• X number of teams will make the playoffs and the standings will be determined by run differential. If there is a tie in run differential it will next be determined by head to head record and lastly by total points scored if no head to head exists. The only exception to this rule is if EXACTLY 2 teams are tied for the final playoff spot then we will use head to head record between them to determine who gets into the playoffs and if they did not play each other we would use run differential. For example if 12th, 13th, and 14th place are tied then we only use run differential if there were 12 teams making playoffs.
• You have 8 Seconds to get the ball across half-court, otherwise possession goes to the opposing team. Also the Over and Back Rule Applies.
• Shots that go over the backboard are ruled out of bounds even if it doesn't touch the structure and possession will change hands.
• Shots that get stuck in the basket or wedged between the rim and backboard will go to team with possession arrow. 
• Live ball timeouts can be called on possession or dead ball. Any player on court or bench can call it including the coach.
• The 30 second shot clocks will be used throughout the game whenever possible in regular season (playoffs for sure).  Change of possession or ball hitting the rim will result in shot clock reseting to 30 seconds as well shooting fouls.  On non-shooting fouls, the clock must be at 14 seconds or less for it to reset back to 30.  This applies to kick balls/technicals/delay of game.  Otherwise the clock will continue from where it was stopped (15 to 30 seconds).       
• Only the Offensive 3 Seconds in the Key applies
• One 30 second Time-Out in the 1st half and One 30 second Time-Out in the 2nd half for the regular season. Unused Time-Out from 1st half can be carried over to the 2nd! The Refs/stats keepers are going to be extremely strict about the 30 second Time-Out in order to avoid any time being wasted.
• Regular Season: In case of Over Time (OT), there will be 1 OT half consisting of 2 minutes. Possession goes by arrow.  No additional time outs are awarded in OT during regular season.  Fouls and time out situations are an extension of the second half. If both scores remain the same after OT, both teams will be credited with a tie.
• Playoffs: One 30 second Time-Out in the 1st half and Two 30 second Time-Out in the 2nd half for the playoffs. Unused Time-Out from 1st half will not carry over! You get one timeout in the playoffs for OT and no carryover from the 2nd half. Don't use it then you lose it. 2 minute overtime. If it goes to Double Overtime, then another 2 minute overtime (tip off again). If it goes to triple overtime, there will be a tip-off and first team to score will win the game (does not matter if it is a freethrow or a basket). Commissioner could allow for another 2 minute triple overtime instead of first basket wins if time permits. 
• PLAYERS WILL HAVE TO INDICATE TO THE SCORER'S TABLE THAT THEY ARE SUBBING so the stats keeper are aware.  
• A late players can join at any time during the game.
• There is a jersey rule in place. If you do not have both your official top and shorts then you will not be allowed to play. No excuses after jersey rule is in effect.  This will take place during the 1 minute break between halves or before the game.  Only exception is if a jersey has not arrived due to supplier error. In playoffs, you must have your jersey top and shorts or you will not be allowed to play. 
• Any player lost due to a season long injury or other personal reasons can be replaced by an alternate at the Commissioner's discretion. Overall team talent will be taken into consideration when assessing replacement players skill.  No player can be replaced after the 7th game of the season. Only exception would be if you are adding a bench player to your squad in because of injuries and to avoid forfeiting. You must play one game by Game 7 to be eligible for playoffs. There is an admin fee for adding a replacement player.    
• Off-court encouragement is allowed but no negativity please.  There is a zero tolerance policy on fighting/assaulting referees/players.  Automatic ban will be handed out for fighting (even if just a swing/punch is thrown) and this includes playoffs for a first time offence.  We are here to have fun and although any form of competition sometimes gets players heated, there is no room for physical abuse of an individual.  You are only costing yourself and your team with suspensions which are not appealable.  There is no refund or discount on league fees. Let's respect the game and the players at the same time!
• At the Referee's sole discretion, any player may be required to remove jewelry deemed unsafe feel for play.  Failure to comply could result in a suspension and game forfeit.

Every season GMs will be selected either by the Commissioner or through volunteers who are capable of the role, or simply through the recommendation of the previous GMs. 

FOULS

• Each team will have 5 Team Fouls (non shooting fouls) per half but on the 6th foul, teams will be awarded Free Throws (one and one) . 5 fouls on a player and he is ejected from the game!
• If the team only has 5 players remaining on the court when the 5th personal foul occurs, then the player will be allowed to remain in the game but the opposing team will be awarded two free throws and possession regardless of if they are in the bonus or not. Any player on the team can shoot the freethrows. 
• Fouls that occur away from the ball in the LAST 2 MINS of the game and in OVERTIME will result in 2 freethrows and will retain possession. Even if it is a bonus situation the team will only get 2 freethrows and possession. This means you cannot foul a weak freethrow shooter if they do not have the ball in the last 2 mins/overtime without being penalized for it. For inbound situations, a defensive foul that occurs before the ball is released by the inbounder will result in an away-from-the-play foul and 2 freethrows plus possession will be awarded. 
• Last minute of play in 2nd half or overtime, teams can advance to halfcourt on makes or misses regarldess of where the ball is after calling a timeout. 
• However due to time restraints, the clock does NOT stop during the 1st half. The clock will ONLY stop in the last two minutes of the 2nd half for FT’s if the game within 6.  If free-throws push the score to a difference of 7 or more, then we will wait until the free throws are done before starting the clock.  The only other time when the clock will stop is when a Time-Out is called or according to the referee’s discretion.
• If a player is fouled and the team that committed the foul has less than 5 fouls, then the foul counts and the offensive team claims possession. No FT’s allotted.
• If a player is fouled and the team that committed the foul has 5 fouls or more, then the offensive team will go to the line to shoot 'single bonus' free throws (one and one).  1 free throw, plus another if the first is successful is awarded on the 6th, 7th and 8th and 9th foul of each half; the penalty is increased to two shots on the 10th and subsequent fouls; overtime is an extension of the second half. 
• 5 players total in the lane when freethrows are being taken. 2 from the offensive team and 3 from the defence. 
• Clear path fouls if determined by the refereee will result in 2 freethrows and possession of the ball regardless of whether it is a bonus situation or not. This applies to 'unsportsmanlike' or 'unsporting' fouls as well. 
• Fouls are completely at the referees’ discretion.  Treat the referee's with respect and talk to them during stoppages or after the game and voice your opinion but wasting time arguing/yelling uncontrollably during the game will not get you anywhere.  Even though these are certified refs, everyone is prone to missing calls and they need to be treated like human beings so approach/talk to them in a non-aggressive manner.  They do have the right to T-Up anyone at anytime for reasons they feel are valid.
• Refs have the discretion to call Delay of Game and allot 1 basket to the opposing team (if necessary). However, the possession will go back to the team that had the ball prior to that call.
• If you have 2 T's in a game, you are going to sit off that entire game and are expected to exit the gym. This will only affect your game for that particular night. Your team will be expected to play with the remaining (legal) roster for that night.  IF the 2 T's results in having less than 5 players on the court, then the team would forfeit the game.
• If a team gets 6 Techs (which means three players with 2 T’s each)...they automatically forfeit their game as well for the night and suffer a 25-0 loss in points’ differential, regardless of the match results and scores.
• Technical fouls will function as follows: Shoot the one freethrow immediately. Afer the free-throw the throw in shall be administered by the team that had control of the ball or was entitled to the ball when the tech was committed and from the place nearest to where the ball was located when the game was stopped.  
• There is no trading of players (unless under extreme circumstances).