New sport.
New rules.

Basket & Backboard

The basket is the structure made up of the rim, net, backboard, and supporting pole. The rim is the ring that players shoot the ball through.

• The visiting team chooses which basket it wants to defend in the first half.
• Teams switch baskets during the game.
• All sides of the backboard are considered in play and in bounds.

Pass

A pass is the exchange of ball possession between teammates.

• A pass can be made by hand, foot, body, or head.
• Accidental contact is not considered a pass.

Loose Ball

A loose ball means neither team has possession.

• Both teams have an equal right to go after the ball.
• Any ball in the air, other than a shot, or on the ground is considered a loose ball.

Fouls

• A personal foul occurs when there is illegal physical contact with an opponent during live play.
• A loose ball foul occurs when a player makes illegal contact with an opponent while neither team has possession.
• A foul in the act of shooting will be called even if it happens after time expires, as long as the shot was released before time expired.
• An offensive foul is committed by a player on the offensive team while that team has possession.
• A double foul occurs when two opposing players commit personal fouls at approximately the same time.
• A flagrant foul is excessive contact committed against an opposing player during or after the game.

Field Goal Attempt

A field goal attempt happens when a player attempts to shoot the ball into the basket.

• The act of shooting begins when the player starts the shooting motion.
• The act of shooting continues until the ball is released and the player re-establishes position.
• To count as a score, the ball must be released before time expires.
• The ball must pass through the rim and net to count.

Pivot

A player may pivot by keeping one stationary plant foot while moving the other foot.

• If the plant foot moves, it is considered traveling.

Traveling

Traveling occurs when a player takes more than two steps while in possession of the ball.

• If a player jumps and lands before passing or shooting, a travel will also be called.

Check-In / Check-Up

A check-up is used to restart play after a stoppage.

• All check-ups happen at the middle of the court or playing field.
• The offensive player passes the ball to a defender.
• The defender checks that the defense is ready, then passes the ball back.
• Play resumes as soon as the offensive player catches the ball.
• The purpose of a check-up is to restart the game quickly and allow the defense to get prepared.

Court Size

• A full-court regulation game is played on a 40-foot court, measured from pole to pole.
• A half-court game is played 20 feet from the pole to the take-back line.
• There is no out of bounds.

Ball

• Games are played with an official UBALL-approved basketball with a diameter of 25.5 inches.
• The ball should be inflated between 7.5 and 8.5 pounds per square inch.

Backboard

• The backboard should be 33 inches wide and 23.5 inches tall, with a flat transparent surface.
• The backboard should include a centered shooting box measuring 14 inches horizontally and 11.5 inches vertically.
• The bottom line of the box should sit directly above the rim plate.

Rim & Net

• The rim should be a detachable UBALL-approved rim with a 15-inch inside diameter.
• The net should be 18 inches long and made of white cord.
• The rim should be set at 8.5 feet above the ground, measured from the ground to the top of the rim.
• The rim should protrude 5.5 inches from the backboard.
• The rim should be painted red.

Backup Equipment

• The home team is required to have a fully configured backup UBALL set available in case the game equipment is damaged.

Uniforms & Accessories

• Shoes are not required, but they are recommended on fields.
• Matching uniforms are required.
• Each player must have a number.
• No two players on the same team may wear the same number.
• Pants or shorts do not need to match the uniform or match the other teammates.
• Headbands, medical braces, and arm or leg sleeves are permitted.
• Any clothing or accessory that is dangerous, threatening, or provides an unfair advantage is not permitted.
• This includes weapons, jewelry, and wristwear.

Players

• Each team has 3 players on the court.
• Each team is allowed 1 substitute.
• No more than 3 players may be on the court during gameplay.
• Each team must provide the scorer with a starting lineup at least 10 minutes before tip-off.

Substitutions

• A substitute must report to the scorer’s area and request to enter the game.
• A substitute may only enter during a stoppage and with permission from the game official.
• Once a substitute enters the game, they must remain in the game for at least one live-ball play.
• Substitutes may not enter after a made basket unless a timeout is granted or a personal foul occurs.

Coaches

• Teams may have one coach, but a coach is not required.
• The coach may be a player or a non-player.
• If the coach is not a player, they must be designated before the game and remain in that role for the entire game.
• Only one coach is permitted per team.
• The coach must stay within 10 feet of the players’ area.
• The coach may not physically interfere with gameplay.
• If a coach intentionally interferes with play, the team will be assessed a technical foul.
• A player-coach has no special privileges.
• While playing, they are treated as a player.
• While not playing, they are treated as a coach.

Officials

• There are two officials: the Game Official and the Official Scorekeeper.
• Game officials are responsible for making sure the game is played fairly and legally.
• A game official’s judgment on rules and fair play is final unless a clear error can be demonstrated.

Game Official Duties

• Before the game, officials inspect all equipment, including each team’s basket and basketball structure.
• Officials will not allow players to wear jewelry or other objects that could create a safety hazard.
• The game official checks the ball to make sure it is suitable for play.
• The game official confirms the ball is inflated between 7.5 and 8.5 pounds per square inch.
• The game official confirms that the court or playing field follows the required dimensions.
• Gloves are permitted, but tacky substances are not allowed.
• If a tacky substance is found, the player must leave the game until it is fully removed.
• The game official tosses the ball for the opening tip and any other jump-ball situations.

Scorekeeper Duties

The Official Scorekeeper keeps the official game record, including:

• Player names and jersey numbers
• Made and missed field goals
• Player statistics, including shot attempts, made shots, rebounds, and assists
• Team and individual personal fouls
• Change-of-possession arrow
• Official game score
• Official game clock, including stoppages, timeouts, and intermissions

Tip-Offs

• Games begin with a tip-off at the center of the court or field.
• Players in the tip-off may not touch the ball before it reaches the highest point of the toss.
• Players may tip or hit the ball in any direction.
• Players may line up anywhere for the tip-off, except directly behind the opposing player who is tipping.

Jump Balls

• The ball must be tapped by one of the jumpers after it reaches its highest point.
• If the ball falls to the ground without being tapped, the official will restart the jump ball.
• Neither jumper may take possession until another player has touched the ball.

Inbounding

• After a successful field goal, players bring the ball back into play with an inbound throw.
• A legal throw-in requires the player to have both feet behind the baseline or imaginary baseline connected to the hoop pole and parallel to the backboard.
• Players may take two steps, but those steps must be parallel to the baseline.
• Defenders may not cross or reach across the baseline.
• If the ball enters the rim from the bottom during an inbound play, the ball is given to the defense for a check-in at half court.
• Players have five seconds to inbound the ball after establishing both feet behind the baseline.
• If they do not inbound within five seconds, a five-second violation is called and possession goes to the defense through a check-in.

Live Ball

• The ball is live after a tip-off, check-in, or when the opposing team retrieves a made shot on their basket.
• After a made basket, the opposing player retrieving the ball must be given enough space to make a first pass to a teammate.
• After any dead ball, play resumes with a jump ball or check-in.
• On any rules infraction, possession is awarded to the opposing team through a check-in.
• Exception: A clear path foul results in a point being awarded.

Duration of Game

• Regulation play continues until one team scores 11 points.
• There is no “win by 2” rule.
• When the first team reaches 6 points, the teams switch baskets.

Timeouts

• Each team is allowed two timeouts per game.
• Timeouts last 60 seconds.
• A team must have possession of the ball to call a timeout.
• Timeouts may be called verbally or by making the timeout hand signal.
• Players and coaches may call timeout.
• After a timeout, teams may insert a substitute.
• Timeouts may also be called to readjust the hoop.
• There are unlimited timeouts for hoop adjustments.
• Hoop-adjustment timeouts should last no more than 10 seconds.

Scoring

• A field goal counts when the ball passes through the rim and through the net.
• If the ball does not pass through the net, there is no score.
• A field goal can be made by a shot, layup, or dunk.
• Players may not hang on the rim after a dunk.
• If a player hangs on the rim after a dunk, the basket does not count and possession goes to the opposing team.
• Players may not use the rim, pole, or backboard to lift themselves while scoring.
• Doing so results in a turnover.
• Each successful field goal is worth 1 point.
• Field goals may be shot from anywhere, including behind the basket.

Gameplay

• Players may take two steps, then must pass or shoot.
• Dribbling does not allow a player to take more steps.
• If a player takes more than two steps, a travel is called and the result is a turnover.
• There are no out-of-bounds areas.
• If the ball leaves the immediate playing field, players must continue playing and retrieve the ball.
• If the ball enters the substitute or coach area, play continues unless a substitute or coach interferes.
• If interference is unintentional, play stops and the team with possession receives a check-in.
• If interference is intentional, the interfering team receives a technical foul.
• If the technical foul is on the offensive team, possession goes to the defense.
• If the technical foul is on the defensive team, possession stays with the offense.
• If a player passes or shoots and the ball does not hit the rim, backboard, or another player, that player may not be the first to touch the ball again.
• A player may throw the ball off the backboard and retouch it without another player touching it first.
• Zone defense is prohibited.
• Players must play man-to-man defense.
• A held ball is called when players from both teams have a firm grasp of the ball and there is a risk of injury.
• When a held ball is called, the two players involved have a jump ball at the spot of the call.

Screens

Players may set screens if:

• The screener is motionless at the point of impact.
• The screen is set in a non-threatening manner.

If the screener’s feet are moving at the point of impact, a moving pick is called and results in a turnover.

Loose Ball Play

• If a player drops or fumbles the ball, it is not a turnover.
• The ball becomes loose.
• Players may be physical when the ball is loose.
• Slight pushing or hip checks are permitted.
• Excessive or flagrant contact results in a personal foul and possession for the team that was fouled.
• Players may use their feet to push the ball forward or pass to a teammate.
• Excessive kicking intended to kick another player instead of the ball results in possession for the opposing team.

Backcourt & Behind-the-Basket Play

• There are no backcourt violations.
• The ball can move freely to both ends of the court or field.
• Players may play behind the basket for shooting, rebounding, passing, or defending.
• Players may not grab the pole while the ball is in play.
• Exception: Players may touch the pole when the hoop needs to be readjusted.

Basket Interference & Goaltending

• Players may not block or contact a shot while it is descending toward the rim.
• Players may not reach through the bottom of the rim to block a shot.
• Players may not block a shot that has touched the backboard and is moving toward the hoop.
• Players may not hit the rim or backboard while a shot is moving toward the rim if it causes the rim to vibrate or creates an unnatural bounce.
• Players may block a shot against the backboard if the defender’s hand contacts the ball before or as the ball contacts the backboard.
• Once the ball hits the rim, any player may play the ball, even if it is within the cylinder of the hoop.

Fouls in General

• To keep the game moving, only blatant shooting fouls and technical or flagrant fouls should be called.
• When a foul is called, the fouled team restarts with the ball at half court for a check-up.
• If a player has a clear path to the basket and a defender fouls only to stop the score, a point is awarded.
• Excessive swinging of elbows is not allowed, even without contact.
• Excessive swinging of elbows results in a technical foul and a turnover.
• Each player is entitled to their own space.
• Defenders may not excessively invade the offensive player’s space.
• Offensive players may not excessively invade the defender’s space.
• A double foul results in offsetting fouls with no loss of possession by the offensive team.
• A flagrant foul results in loss of possession and ejection of the violating player.
• If a player is ejected, that team may either forfeit or continue playing with one fewer player.

Technical Fouls

The penalty for a technical foul is loss of possession.

Actions that may result in a technical foul include:

• Excessive timeouts
• Delay of game
• Interfering with the ball after a made field goal
• Preventing the ball from being put into play quickly
• A bench player or coach intentionally interfering with gameplay
• Hanging on the rim, net, or backboard
• Disrespecting an official
• Physically contacting an official
• Taunting

Exception: A player may hold the rim, net, or backboard if needed to prevent injury.