SMLAL Rules for Basketball
The following are rules specific to the Southeastern Michigan Lutheran Athletic League. The are supplementary to the official high school rules developed by the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS). Any changes, deletions, or additions to these rules must be made by the SMLAL.
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SMLAL Rules for Basketball
Once an A team is ahead by 20 points and B team by 15 points, the referee will call a time out and...
a. Inform BOTH coaches that the mercy rule will be applied.
b. And inform BOTH coaches that the clock will run continuously until such time as the lead is cut to below 20 or 15. The LOSING coach, however, has the option to refuse the continuous clock.
c. And finally, inform the WINNING team coach that his/her team may not come past the 3 point line to play defense, may not fast break, and is encouraged to sit first string players.
a. Once possession has been established by the offense in the backcourt, the defense must fall behind the half court line.
b. The defense may press, however, for the last 60 seconds of quarters 2 & 4.
The home team is responsible for providing and paying both referees.
A team must have 5 eligible players to begin a game. Teams unable to field 5 roster players at the beginning of the game will forfeit the game. In forfeit situations, the game may be played "for fun," but will be officially recorded as a forfeit.
If a team cannot play or refuses to play a league scheduled game, it shall count as a win for the other team. The win must be called in to the league secretary (or entered at the SMLAL website as a 1-0 win) in order for it to count.
B-games have 5 minute quarters with 5 minute halves. A-games have 6 minute quarters with 5 minute halves.
A team is allowed three 60-second time outs and two 30-second time outs.
Teams may play their players more than 6 quarters as long as both coaches are in agreement.
When a player is injured, the game can be stopped immediately by the referee and not wait for a dead ball. This would be especially true in cases where the score is not close and the opposing team is NOT about to score. The exception to this would be in cases where little time remains and the score is close AND the referee decides the injury does not need immediate attention.
Overtime periods are 3 minutes in length and a team gets 1 full and any time outs leftover from regular play.
3 point shots count (where available).
A and B tournaments MUST have certified referees.
A sportsmanship statement must be read before any league game.