5 on 5 Basketball Rules – Upward

Markets: Upward

Format: basketball

FORMAT

  • Full-court 5-on-5
  • Must have at least 4 players present to avoid forfeit
  • Game Length
    • One 40-minute game (20-minute halves with 4-5 minute halftime)
    • Overtime: Sudden death! First point scored wins–any basket or free throw.
      • Starts with jump ball. Team fouls do not carry over. This is time permitting.
      • The referee can decide to go directly to a free throw shootout or, if no team scores, to end sudden death after 2 minutes and go to a free throw shootout. In shootout each team shoots a free throw for the win.
  • Clock: Running clock format until final 2 minutes of the game.  In final 2-minutes of game, clock will stop on dead balls unless point differential is 7 points or more.  Clock will always stop during timeouts.
  • Shot Clock: there is an unwritten 30-second shot clock applied by the referee’s discretion
  • Unless otherwise stated, games follow college rules

STANDINGS

  • Win = 2 points
  • Loss = 0 points
  • Forfeit = -1 point

SCORING

  • Normal 2 and 3 points scoring
  • Free Throws
    • Shooters must wait until ball hits rim
    • Players can enter lane on shooter’s release of the ball

SUBSTITUTIONS

  • All players should play at least ½ of every game
  • We recommend subbing every 5 minutes or so
  • We recommend giving each player a “number” (i.e., Player 1, Player 2. . . Player 8 or 10)
  • We recommend subbing in number order.  For example,
    • If you have 6 players, at the first substitution, Player 6 goes in and Player 1 goes out.  At the second substitution, Player 1 goes back in and Player 2 goes out
    • If you have 8 players, at the first substitution, Players 6-8 go in and Players 1-3 go out.  At the second substitution Players 1-3 go back in and Players 4-6 go out, etc.
  • Other substitution formats are allowed as long as the ½ game rule is followed.  In the spirit of Upward Sports, everybody plays.

FOULS

  • Bonus: starting with the 7th team foul, opponent will be in double bonus.  We skip 1-and-1 and go straight to double bonus
  • Team fouls will reset at halftime
  • Personal fouls: 5 per player. Technical fouls count as personal fouls.

TEAM ROSTER

  • Maximum roster size is 9. If team purchasers want to add more than 9 players to their roster for $120/person, please email Upward@ZogSports.com
  • No additional players can be added to the roster after the midway point of the regular season

FORFEIT NOTIFICATION

To forfeit, please email Upward@ZogSports.com

Forfeits ruin the experience for everyone. Upward Sports (and ZogSports) exists to give you an opportunity to play and build community and forfeiting is a huge bummer. If your team absolutely needs to forfeit, you must let us know in advance so we can contact your opponent so that they don’t unnecessarily travel to the gym/field.

If you do not inform us of a forfeit your team could face penalties in your league’s standings. Once we’re notified of your forfeit, it is final (you cannot change your mind) and the other team will be notified.

PICKING UP PLAYERS

  • You should be able to field a team with only roster players.  Only players on your roster are allowed to play if you want the game to count in the standings.  If you pick up another registered player to complete our team, a scrimmage game can be played, but the result will be a forfeit in the standings
  • A team is never allowed to pick-up a non-registered player to join their team

UNIFORMS

  • Upward will provide uniforms
  • If players don’t have the team jersey with them, we ask they wear a similar color to match the rest of the team

TIMEOUTS

  • Each team gets two 30-second timeouts per game

START OF PLAY AND POSSESSION

  • A tip-off will start the game
  • Jump ball is alternating possession.
  • 3-second rule in the lane will be applied

PRE-GAME AND WARM-UPS

  • There will be a 2-minute warm up period provided before each game

FOULS AND VIOLATIONS

  • All technical, flagrant and intentional fouls count as team fouls
  • Team fouls will reset at halftime. 2nd half team fouls will carry over if there is overtime.
  • Opposing team will receive 2 free throws and receive possession for any technical, flagrant or intentional foul
  • Opposing team can select any player on the floor to shoot for a technical or flagrant foul free throw
  • A second flagrant foul by the same team will result in an automatic team forfeit for that game
  • A player ejected for any reason may be suspended for the next game.  If that player is suspended and is caught playing in the next game, the team will forfeit
  • Any player(s)/team(s) that are involved in a fight are subject to being suspended from all Upward Sports leagues for life

TIEBREAKERS FOR PLAYOFFS/SEEDINGS (in order)

  • Head-to-head record (among all tied teams)
  • Record against other teams in or tied for playoffs (winning percentage – i.e. 0-1 is same as 0-2, but 1-3 is better than 0-1)
  • Number of wins
  • Record against next best common opponent
  • If team forfeited
  • “Coin-flip”

PLAYOFFS

  • 2-minute overtimes until there is a winner
  • Team fouls will reset at halftime. 2nd half team fouls will carry over if there is overtime.
  • A tip-off will start each overtime
  • Clock will follow same rules as the final 2-minutes of regulation
  • Fouls carry over from regular to overtime
  • Each team received 1 additional time out per overtime

SPORTSMANSHIP & MISCELLANEOUS

  • Any unsportsmanlike behavior may result in that player/team being suspended/removed from participating in all Upward Sports leagues.
  • Players will not be allowed to participate in any game without signing the waiver
  • Following the concept of the shot clock, stalling goes against the spirit of the game and will be up to referees’ discretion.  Stalling will result in the loss of possession
  • While we appreciate the level of competitiveness in our league, we do not tolerate any unsportsmanlike behavior. This includes anyone who:
    • Antagonizes players on other teams or their own teammates
    • Exhibits excessive uncontrollable play
    • Inappropriately “mouths off” to the referee(s)
    • Verbally or physically threatens a member of our staff
    • Any player ejected from a game will be suspended for a minimum of one game upon league review
    • Upward Sports and ZogSports reserves the right to remove any player from a game(s), season and/or future season
    • Upward Sports and ZogSports reserves the right to remove a full team from the schedule and/or future seasons if we feel they are unable to participate in a manner in keeping with our mission to provide a fun, inclusive league

CODE OF CONDUCT: The Participant’s Code of Conduct applies to all Upward participants:

Participant Code of Conduct

The Participant Code of Conduct applies to all participants in the church adult basketball league. The Code of Conduct is committed to promoting a positive, respectful, and enjoyable environment where participants can engage in friendly competition, physical activity, and fellowship. All participants—players, coaches, officials, and spectators—are expected to uphold the following standards of behavior that reflect the values of sportsmanship and Christian principles.

  1. Sportsmanship
  • Play with integrity, fairness, and respect for others at all times.
  • Treat all participants, including teammates, opponents, referees, and spectators, with courtesy and kindness.
  • Win or lose with grace. Taunting, mocking, or gloating is strictly prohibited.
  • Accept the referee’s decisions without argument or hostility. Any disputes should be addressed respectfully and calmly through the proper channels.
  1. Respect for Others
  • Respect others’ safety and well-being. Avoid dangerous or overly aggressive play, and refrain from actions that could cause harm to others.
  • Offensive, abusive, or discriminatory language and behavior, including but not limited to insults based on race, sex, ethnicity, gender, or faith, will not be tolerated.
  • Physical altercations, including fighting or intentional physical harm, will result in immediate ejection from the game and potential suspension from the league.
  1. Teamwork and Fellowship
  • Encourage and support your teammates, fostering a positive and inclusive team culture.
  • Uphold the spirit of fellowship by engaging with other teams in a friendly and respectful manner, both on and off the court.
  1. Compliance with League Rules
  • All players must adhere to the league’s rules, including those related to game play, player eligibility, and safety.
  • Players must wear appropriate attire and equipment for games.
  • Be punctual and respect the league’s schedule. Consistently showing up late or failing to notify the team of absences may result in removal from the team.

Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Use

  • The use of alcohol, illegal drugs, or any substances that impair performance or judgment is strictly prohibited before, during, or after games.
  • Any participant found to be under the influence during league activities will face disciplinary action, including possible suspension or expulsion from the league.
  1. Disciplinary Actions
  • Any violation of this code of conduct will result in disciplinary action, which may include warnings, suspension from games, or removal from the league.
  • The league administration reserves the right to review and address violations on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the church leadership.
  • Repeat offenses or serious misconduct may result in a permanent ban from participating in the league.

Acknowledgment

By participating in the church adult basketball league, all participants agree to abide by this Code of Conduct. We aim to create an atmosphere of fun, fellowship, and respect.

Markets: Upward