Interpretations

Article 9

Start and end of a quarter, overtime or the game

9-1Statement

A game shall not start unless each team has a minimum of 5 players on the court ready to play.

9-2Example

At the start of the second half, team A cannot present 5 players on the court because of injuries, disqualifications etc.

Interpretation

The obligation to present a minimum of 5 players is valid only at the start of the game. Team A may continue to play with fewer than 5 players.

9-3Example

Close to the end of the game, A1 is charged with a fifth foul and becomes an excluded player. Team A is reduced to 4 players as they have no more substitutes available. As team B is leading by a large margin, the team B head coach demonstrating fair play wants to remove one of the players to also play with 4 players.

Interpretation

The request by the team B head coach to play with fewer than 5 players shall be denied. If a team has sufficient players available, 5 players shall be on the court.

9-4Statement

Article 9 clarifies which basket a team is to defend and which basket it is to attack. If by confusion any quarter or overtime starts with both teams attacking/defending the wrong baskets, the situation shall be corrected as soon as it is recognised, without placing either team at a disadvantage. Any points scored, time used, fouls charged, etc. before the stopping of the game remain valid.

9-5Example

After the start of the game, the referees recognise that teams are playing in the wrong direction.

Interpretation

The game shall be stopped as soon as possible without placing either team at a disadvantage. Teams shall correct the direction of play. The game shall be resumed from the mirror-opposite place to where the game was stopped.

9-6Statement

The game shall start with a jump ball at the centre circle.

9-7Example

At the start of the game jumper B1 is charged with a personal foul against A1

  • (a) before
  • (b) after the ball has left the hands of the crew chief on the toss for the opening jump ball.
Interpretation
  • (a) The first quarter has not yet started. Therefore, this is a foul during the interval of play before the start of the game. The game shall start with a jump ball.
  • (b) The first quarter has started. Therefore, this is a foul during the first quarter. The game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in from behind the sideline in its frontcourt nearest to the centre line, with 14 seconds on the shot clock. In both cases, the foul shall be entered on the scoresheet and the foul shall count towards the team B fouls in the first quarter.
9-8Example

During the interval of play before the game, A1 is charged with a category 1 technical foul. Before the start of the game, the team B head coach designates B6 to attempt 1 free throw, however B6 is not one of the team B starting 5 players.

Interpretation

Only one of the designated team B starting 5 players shall attempt the free throw with no line-up. A substitution cannot be granted before playing time has started. The game shall start with a jump ball.

9-9Example

During the interval of play before the game, A1 is charged with a flagrant foul committed against B1.

Interpretation

Before the start of the game, B1 shall attempt 2 free throws with no line-up. If B1 is confirmed as one of the 5 players to start the game, B1 shall remain on the court. If B1 is not confirmed as one of the 5 players to start the game, B1 shall not remain on the court. The game shall start with a jump ball and with the 5 team B players confirmed to start the game.

9-10Statement

If during an interval of play before the game a player designated as one of the starting 5 players is no longer able or entitled to start the game, that player shall be replaced by another player. In this case, the opponents are entitled to replace one player of its starting 5 players, if they wish.

9-11Example

A1 is one of the team A starting 5 players. During the interval of play 7 minutes before the game

  • (a) A1 becomes injured.
  • (b) A1 is charged with a disqualifying foul.
Interpretation

In both cases, A1 shall be replaced with another team A player. Team B is entitled to replace one of its starting 5 players, if they wish.