AABL College Division Rules Game Time First Half: consists of 2 periods: 1st period (7 minutes) – usually designated starters but anyone CAN play 2nd period (8 minutes) – non-designated starters ONLY Half Time Second Half: consists of 3 “slots”: 3rd period – (4 minutes) – usually designated starters but anyone CAN play 4th period – (6 minutes) – non-designated starters ONLY 5th period – (5 minutes) – usually designated starters but anyone CAN play Slots will run on time clock buzzer. Playing Time/Player Eligibility Each team will name 5 designated starters (the five best players on the team). The rest of the players (non-designated starters) are eligible to play in any slot at any time. The designated starter players are not eligible to play in the 2nd & 4th periods. At the start of the game, if there are not enough (5) non-designated starters to field a team for those periods then the opposing coach will select which designated starter (or starters if down more than 1 player) are eligible to play in those 2 periods. Those chosen players are then ineligible to play in the 1st & 3rd periods. They are eligible to play in the last period (5th). Conversely, the coach of the shorthanded team will select an equal number of designated starters from the opposing team that are eligible to play in 2nd & 4th periods. These players are still eligible to also play in the 1st, 3rd & 5th periods. In both cases the starters chosen should be the least skilled starting players. It is the responsibility of both coaches to make sure both teams have enough non-designated starters before the game begins. If a team is short designated starters no arrangements need to be made as non-designated starters can play in any period. Any non-designated player who you start in that shorthanded game is still not considered a starter so is eligible to play in all periods. Please make sure you understand these rules. If you have any questions please ask any board member ahead of time. The time to try and understand is not during the game you or the other team is shorthanded. Defense During the 1st & 3rd periods, once the offensive team transitions to defense, those players must retreat behind the half court line to assert defensive tactics. The transition occurs once a defensive player has gained control of the ball in the shooting team’s frontcourt. Any violation will result in an Illegal Defense assessment. During the 2nd & 4th periods, the defensive players must fall back within the 3 point arc and remain there until the ball crosses over the 3 point arc line. A defensive player is allowed to reach over the line to deflect a pass or dribble as long as their feet are behind the line. Once the ball crosses the line, players may then play defense in the frontcourt as in any other period. During any offensive possession, any interruption of that possession that occurs after the ball has crossed over the 3 point line will not stop the defensive team from applying defensive tactics in the entire frontcourt. During the last 5 minutes of the game and any overtime periods, the 2 designated guards (noted by arm bands) from each team are allowed to play full court defense. All other players must fall back behind the half court line on defense. Illegal Defense The first illegal defense violation will result in a warning reported to the scorers and the coaches. The second and any subsequent violations will result in a technical foul - two free throws by any player on the floor and possession of the ball. Illegal defense violations will not be enforced during the “B” and “D” slots. 3 Point Shots Any shot for a basket taken behind the 3 point arc during the last 5 minutes of the game or in any overtime period will result in 3 points if successful. All successful attempts during any other time will result in 2 points. Personal Fouls Any player who commits a total of 5 fouls will be ineligible to play in the remainder of the game. Seven team fouls will result in “1 & 1”. Ten team fouls will result in 2 free throw shots. Free Throws Any player attempting a free throw must release the ball behind the free throw line. A violation will not be assessed if their momentum causes them to cross over the line. However, if the shooter attempts to advance towards the goal before the ball hits the rim, a violation will be assessed and the attempt is nullified. In periods “B” and “D” the small line in front of the free throw line may be used. Mercy Rule Whenever a team is ahead by more than 15 points, the Mercy Rule will go into effect and only one designated starter is allowed to play until the lead is reduced to less than12 points. (It’s best to pull your players back a bit, maybe not have your guards pressing right at the line or make a substitution or two, before it gets to this point.) Time Outs Coaches or players can call for time outs. Each team has 4 time outs per game but can only use 3 per half. In the event of overtime, each team can carry over any unused time outs and will receive 1 additional time out for each overtime period. Player Uniforms Every player must wear the official team jersey and AABL shorts. Any violation will result in a 2 shot technical foul.