1. Equipment/Set-Up: Team captains are responsible for bringing the supplied Wilson basketball to each game. In addition, teams are responsible for keeping track of the score. Please designate one person/team to keep score. Each team should bring both light and dark coloured shirts to each and every game.

2. Game Time/Default: Please arrive 15 minutes early so that you can start your games on time. Games are 55 minutes in length, without a break at halftime. Please agree on one person to act as timekeeper. Teams are comprised of four (4) players with a minimum of one (1) woman. A default will occur if any team cannot field a squad by 10 minutes after the official start time. A team can play with a minimum of 3 people, as long as one (1) of the players is a woman and one (1) is a man. Captains may agree to waive the rules regarding minimum people but this should be decided before the game starts. IF IT IS AGREED THAT THE GAME COUNTS, IT COUNTS!

3. General Rules:

1. Games begin with a jump ball
2. Defensive play is man-to-man only (no zone defense). You can pick up your man anywhere on the court, however double teaming can only be done on your side of half (updated Summer 05).
3. Players may substitute after a basket has been scored (although play doesn't stop) or during a stoppage in play (not “on the fly”)
4. Each basket scored counts as a single point (regardless of where the shot was taken from i.e. no 3-pointers)
5. An out of bounds ball in favour of the attacking team, or a defensive foul results in the attacking team taking possession of the ball at the top of the key. At this point, the ball must be “checked” in by the defensive team before play can resume. Once the ball has been checked in, the attacking player can dribble the ball but must make a pass (S/he cannot score directly off the check-in). If an offensive player causes a foul, the defensive team takes the ball to the closest sideline to the foul and starts play by inbounding the ball.
6. When the ball is 'tied up', and a jump ball call is made, the team who is on defense will be awarded possession of the ball. (updated Oct. 30/07)
7. Teams may call a one (1) minute time-out per half if needed except in the final 10 minutes of play.
8. A game can end in a tie during the regular season. In the playoffs, a game that is tied at the end of regulation time is decided by a three-minute overtime period. If the game is still tied after the overtime, the next basket will win. (Please note that playoff games should only be 50 minutes in length in anticipation of needing the extra time to settle a tie).
9. "Three seconds in the key": If an offensive player is in the key for more than 3 seconds, the defensive player may warn the player. An offensive player can receive 2 warnings, after the 3rd warning an automatic turnover occurs. Please note that time starts when the ball crosses half court. Counting should go as follows: “one one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand”

4. Fouls: All standard basketball infractions are enforced (e.g. reaching-in, body contact of any kind, charging, etc). Purposely obstructing an opponent's vision by placing or waving a hand in his/her eyes is not allowed [updated Oct 5/04]. This is a NCAA rule which will reduce the chances of eye injuries. Please keep a hand at least a foot away from someone's eyes.

Players are responsible for calling their own fouls. Please don’t abuse this rule. If a foul call has not been made, the player who has been fouled can also make the foul call.
· Only one of the two players involved with an infraction can make a foul call
· If a foul call is disputed and the two players cannot come to an agreement, the player who allegedly committed the foul will take a shot from the free-throw line. If it goes in, that team gains possession at the free-throw line (the basket does not count towards the final score). A missed basket results in the other team taking possession under their own hoop. Remember that games are timed, so it is not worth wasting time arguing over calls.
· During the last 10 minutes of a game (as announced by the designated timekeeper), if the offensive player with the ball is fouled (whether shooting or not), this person has the option of taking the ball at the top of the key (as usual) OR going to the line and shooting one foul shot. If the player elects to shoot a foul shot and it goes in, it is equivalent to one basket. The ball would then be turned over to the team that had originally committed the foul. If the foul shot does not go in, the ball is live. To avoid defensive players from killing time during the setup for the foul shot, the shooter can attempt the foul shot as soon as the rest of his team is in position for the foul shot (regardless of the position of the defensive players) The foul shooter has a maximum of 20 seconds to take the shot - do not delay the game by taking an unnecessary amount of time.
· Intentional fouls are not condoned by the league ie. a player is on a break away lay up and fouled purposely from behind. This leads to an unsafe play and is not sportsmanlike.

5. Dunking: If you can dunk, DO NOT HANG ON THE RIM! We are responsible for damages at all facilities. In general, not a lot of dunking goes on in our leagues, so please chose your opportunities with safety and sportsmanship as priorities.

6. Rough Play: ANY ROUGH OR PHYSICAL PLAY WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE EXPULSION FROM FURTHER LEAGUE PLAY AND MAY RESULT IN LIFETIME LEAGUE EXPULSION. PLEASE SEE THE OSSC POLICY SHEET FOR OUR OFFICIAL POLICY ON THIS SUBJECT. It is recognized that incidental contact between players is inevitable – however, all players should go out of their way to avoid creating an unsafe play. This rule supersedes all others.