Section 5: Rules of Play
Game Length
- 10-minute game clock from the first check-ball start; the clock runs continuously and stops only on referee-signaled stoppages
- The clock stops on free throws, fouls being administered, timeouts, and stoppages for injury
- If neither team has reached 21 points when the clock expires, the team with more points wins
- 21-point target: if a team reaches 21 points before the 10 minutes expire, that team wins immediately — regardless of remaining time
Overtime
If the game is tied at the end of regulation (neither team reached 21 before time expired and both have equal points), untimed overtime is played: the first team to score 2 points in overtime wins. There is no overtime clock; play continues from the check-ball restart until a team scores its second overtime point.
Shot Clock
- 12-second shot clock — the offensive team must attempt a shot within 12 seconds of gaining possession
- A shot must hit the rim to satisfy the shot clock; an air ball that misses the rim entirely is a shot clock violation
- The shot clock resets on a change of possession and on offensive rebounds
Possession Rules
- After a made basket, the defending team becomes the offensive team and takes the ball at the check-ball area; no inbound pass required — the new offensive team can immediately begin the offensive sequence after the ball is taken behind the arc
- After a defensive rebound, the rebounding team must "clear" the ball — dribble or pass it to a teammate so that the ball goes outside the 3-point arc — before attempting a new shot
- After a steal, the same clearing requirement applies
- After an offensive rebound, no clearing is required — the offensive team can immediately attempt another shot
Check-Ball Restart
At the start of the game and after dead balls in specific scenarios, the offensive team starts at the check-ball area at the top of the arc. The ball is passed from offense to defense, then back from defense to offense ("checked"), and play resumes. Made-basket restarts (described above) do not require a check-ball pass — they are immediate.
Timeouts
- Each team has one 30-second timeout per game
- Timeouts are called by the players on the court (since coaches are not permitted to direct from the bench)
- The clock stops during the timeout
Free Throws
- Personal fouls in the act of shooting: free throws are awarded as in 5-on-5 basketball
- Free throw outside the arc: 2 free throws
- Free throw inside the arc: 1 free throw
- And-one (foul during a made basket): 1 additional free throw