LESAA Basketball Playing Rules
The rules of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) shall govern play at the LESAA Division Tournaments with the following exceptions:
Participants
Team Composition: Teams can carry an unlimited amount of players on their roster and are encouraged to carry at least 10 if possible
A/B Teams: "A" teams must carry at least 10 players during the division tournament. If an "A" team comes to a tournament with less than 10 players, their games will be forfeited. If an injury or an unforeseen departure from a player occurs during the tournament, the team does not need to fill in their roster spot. If an "A" team makes a final, 10 players must be on the roster
Equipment
- All Intermediate LESAA tournaments will use a size 6 basketball
Procedure
Warm-up: Teams will receive up to 5 minutes on the court before each game
Time-outs: 3 time-outs per game, teams can use up to 2 time-outs per half. If a time-out is used after the opponent scores in the last 2 minutes, the ball may be advanced to half
Game Length: All games will consist of two 20 minute halves with running time. The final 2 minutes will be stop time unless the score differential is greater than 10
Fair Play: LESAA strongly encourages coaches to get every player into every match
Tournament Format & Style of Play
Competitive
- Format: Pool round robin play. Playoffs: 1st in A plays 2nd in B and 1st in B plays 2nd in A
Recreational
- Format: Round robin games. No playoffs
Special Defensive Rules
Zone
- No zone defense of any kind, including a zone press or half court zone
Person-to-Person
- Full court defense is allowed if the score is within 10 points
- Switching checks, double team, trapping and “helping out” are all allowed
Free Throw Rules
Intermediate
- Players may cross into the key once the ball has released the shooters’ hand
Half Court Violation
- Team on offence has 8 second to advance the ball to half court