This document outlines the eligibility rules, registration process, divisions of competition, policies and procedures, and game rules for intramural basketball at Tennessee Tech University. Key details include: undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled at least half-time are eligible to participate, while alumni and professional athletes are not; team captains are responsible for registering their team and completing required forms and quizzes; leagues are separated by gender and skill level; policies address proper equipment, conduct, and sportsmanship; and game rules cover timing, scoring, overtime procedures, and other in-game guidelines.

3. Eligibility
› Students
– Undergraduate and graduate students must be currently enrolled at least half
time (six hours) to be eligible for participation.
– Alumni, spouses, & other dependents are not eligible and cannot participate in
Intramural activities.
– Current varsity athletes cannot compete in their sport or related sport.
– Former varsity athletes cannot participate in their sport or related sport for one
calendar year (365 days) after their official affiliation with the University team
has ended.
– Professional athletes cannot play their sport or related sport for a period of five
years after their retirement.
› Faculty/Staff
– Currently employed faculty and staff may participate in IM events.
– Adjunct faculty may participate during the semester of employment.
– Staff associated with University affiliated organizations may participate.
› Officially University recognized organizations are listed on the Tennessee Tech Student
Affairs page.

4. Registration
› Team Captain
– The liaison (i.e. point of contact) between the team and the Intramural Sports Office
› Captain’s Responsibilities
– In short, the Captain is responsible for the behavior and actions of the players, the team’s
spectators, and himself/herself.
› Captain’s Quiz
– The Captain’s Quiz should be completed during the captain’s registration process.
– The Captain’s Quiz should be completed before the first game
› Team Names
– Subject to approval by the Intramural Sports Office
› Roster Information
– The captain is responsible for an accurate and up-to-date roster.
– Roster additions should occur before 2:00 PM on the day of the scheduled contest.
– Individuals not listed on the official roster will not be allowed to participate.

5. Divisions of Competition
› Leagues
– Men’s Leagues
› Recreational
› Collegiate
› IFC
– Women’s Leagues
› Open
› PHC
The Intramural Sports Office reserves the right to
promote teams to higher levels of play for the
postseason.

6. Team Availability
› Your availability should be
completed at the time of
registration.
› Please do not change your
availability after the schedule
has been published.
› Failure to complete your
availability before the
publishing of the season
schedule may result in game
time conflicts.
› You will need to indicate both
your (1) Regular Season & (2)
Post-season availability on
IMLEAGUES.

7. Free Agents
› Students that are unable to form
or join a team sign up on
IMLEAGUES as free argents.
› As the captain, you can view and
recruit available players to your
team.
› You may find the perfect player
for your team.
› You have some options when
trying to land the perfect player
for you team.

8. Option #1: Starting from the League home page, select Free Agents
Option #2: Starting at the Team home page, select Available Free Agents under the “Captain” tab

9. Option #3: Starting from the Team home
page, select Available Free Agents under the
“Team Options” dropdown menu

10. Browse the list of available free agents, and contact or add the chosen player.
We suggest contacting the player to judge team and personality compatibility.

11. Policies and Procedures
› Eagle Card Policy
– All participants should be
prepared to present their
Eagle Cards when signing in
for each contest.
– If a participant cannot present
his or her Eagle Card when
asked, he or she cannot play.
– If a participant attempts to
sign in using the Eagle Card of
another individual, the Eagle
Card will be confiscated, and
the participant will not be
allowed to play.

12. Policies and Procedures
› Proper Attire
– Athletic clothing and shoes are required for participation.
› Players cannot play without wearing a shirt, pants, and appropriate shoes.
– All attire and equipment is subject to the approval of Intramural
Sports staff.
– Any clothing or equipment that is deemed unsafe or illegal must
be removed prior to competition.
– Intramural staff reserves the right to ask participants to remove
or conceal clothing that, in the opinion of IM staff, displays
offensive or demeaning language or imagery.

13. Policies and Procedures
› Pets
– Pets are not allowed in the Campus
Recreation and Fitness Center or Memorial
Gym.
› Exception: Service animals with proper
paperwork.
› Rules
– All TTU Intramural sport rules are based on
rules publications of the National Federation
of High Schools (NFHS) and professional
associations.
– When appropriate, rules are modified
and/or created to level the playing field and
foster a safe and enjoyable experience for
all participants.

14. Defaults, Forfeits, & Grace Periods
› Defaults
– An unplayed game without penalty to either team. To receive a default, the team captain must notify
(by e-mail or in person) the Intramural Sports Office by 2:00 PM on the day of the contest.
› Forfeits
– Four types:
1. Failing to field a team for an intramural contest without contacting the Intramural Sports Office
2. Receiving three or more conduct warnings before, during, and after an Intramural contest
3. Defaulting two games during the regular season
4. Having ineligible players participate during a contest
– A single forfeiture renders a team ineligible for the postseason.
– Teams may be assessed a forty dollar ($40.00) fee for each forfeit.
› Grace Periods
– If at least one team member has signed in at game time, the team will be granted a five-minute grace
period.
– At the conclusion of the grace period, the team shall forfeit the match if they do not have at least five
members present.

15. Sportspersonship Rating System
› The sportspersonship rating system serves to assess a
team’s attitude and behavior throughout the regular
season and postseason.
› Actions and behaviors before, during, and after the
contest are included in a team’s sportspersonship score.
› The team captain is responsible for educating his/her
team and spectators about the sportspersonship system.

16. Sportspersonship System: Ratings & Criteria
Rating Criteria
5 - Excellent  Players fully cooperate with Intramural Sports staff and opposing team members.
 Spectators support their team in a positive manner.
 Team captain respectively addresses officials.
 The team is an exemplary model for other teams.
4 - Good  Winning Team of a Forfeited Game.
 Team members verbally complain about some calls or show some dissent.
 Their actions may warrant a conduct penalty (i.e. yellow card, technical foul, or unsportsmanlike
conduct penalty), but they do not receive a penalty.
3 - Average  Both Teams for a Defaulted Game.
 Team constantly complains to IM staff or the opposing team. The team captain exhibits no control over
his/her team, spectators, and himself/herself.
 Their actions result in a conduct penalty (i.e. yellow card, technical foul, or unsportsmanlike conduct
penalty.)
 Teams that receive a conduct penalty cannot receive higher than a “3” rating.
 The team that has one ejection or two conduct penalties will not receive higher than a “3” rating.
2 – Below Average  Team constantly complains to IM and the opposing team.
 The team captain exercises no control over anyone.
 Teams that receive one ejection and one conduct warning or three conduct warnings shall forfeit the
contest and receive a rating of “2.”
1 - Unacceptable  A Team Forfeits a Game.
 The entire team and spectators are non-cooperative.
 The team captain is combative and unhelpful.
 The team that receives two ejections or four conduct warnings during a game shall forfeit the game
and may forfeit the entire season.
Rating Criteria
5 - Excellent
 Players fully cooperate with Intramural Sports staff and opposing team members.
 Spectators support their team in a positive manner.
 Team captain respectively addresses officials.
 The team is an exemplary model for other teams.
4 - Good
 Winning Team of a Forfeited Game.
 Winning Team for a Defaulted Game.
 Team members verbally complain about some calls or show some dissent.
 Their actions may warrant a conduct penalty (i.e. yellow card, technical foul, or unsportsmanlike
conduct penalty), but they do not receive a penalty.
3 - Average
 Defaulting Team for a Defaulted Game.
 Team constantly complains to IM staff or the opposing team. The team captain exhibits no control over
his/her team, spectators, and himself/herself.
 Their actions result in a conduct penalty (i.e. yellow card, technical foul, or unsportsmanlike conduct
penalty.)
 Teams that receive a conduct penalty cannot receive higher than a “3” rating.
 The team that has one ejection or two conduct penalties will not receive higher than a “3” rating.
2 – Below Average
 Team constantly complains to IM and the opposing team.
 The team captain exercises no control over anyone.
 Teams that receive one ejection and one conduct warning or three conduct warnings shall forfeit the
contest and receive a rating of “2.”
1 - Unacceptable
 A Team Fails to Show for a Contest.
 The entire team and spectators are non-cooperative.
 The team captain is combative and unhelpful.
 The team that receives two ejections or four conduct warnings during a game shall forfeit the game
and may forfeit the entire season.

17. Postseason Eligibility
› The league will consist of a pool play
section followed by a postseason
tournament.
› Team records, results, and overall
sportsmanship rating will be considered
final at noon on the day following the end
of the regular season.
› Team captains should notify the IM Sports
Office of any errors before the deadline.
› Please note that postseason eligibility
and inclusion is subject to change due to
unforeseen circumstances (.g. weather,
time constraints etc.).

18. Postseason Eligibility
› The Intramural Sports Office reserves the right
to promote teams to a more competitive
division for the postseason.
› Teams will be promoted based on regular
season performance and observations by
Intramural Graduate Assistants and
Professional Staff.
› When a team is promoted to a higher division
for the postseason, regardless of their regular
season record and performance, that team will
be receive the lowest seed.
› Teams that will be promoted will receive
notification from the Intramural Sports Office
before the release of the Postseason
Tournament Schedule.

19. Postseason Eligibility
› For the Men’s Collegiate, Men’s Recreational, and
Women’s Open divisions in the larger sports, the
top team(s) in each pool shall automatically
advance to the postseason tournament.
› The following criteria will determine pool rank:
1. Win/Loss Record
2. Head-to-Head Match Up
3. Point Differential
4. Sportspersonship Rating
5. Coin Toss

20. All Campus Competition
› Divisions
– IFC
– PHC
– Men’s Open
– Women’s Open
– Individual (Men’s & Women’s)
› IFC, PHC, Men’s Open, & Women’s Open
Divisions
– Points are award based on participation,
performance, and sportspersonship
› Individual Division
– The male and female participant of the year
will be selected based on participation,
sportspersonship, team/individual success,
and overall enthusiasm and passion for TTU
Intramural Sports.

21. Extramural Competitions
› TTU Intramural participants may be
asked to represent Tennessee Tech
University at local, regional, and national
extramural tournaments.
› These extramural competitions are an
excellent opportunity to visit a new place
and learn new strategies and techniques
in flag football and basketball.
› In order to field highly competitive teams,
the Intramural Sports Office will prioritize
recruiting players from our Men’s
Collegiate and Women’s Open divisions.
› Please contact the Intramural Sports
Office for more information. 2016 TIRSA Shootout Women’s Open Champions

23. Playing Court
Divisionline(Midcourt)
The Lane
The “paint”
Sideline
Endline
Endline
Free-ThrowLine
TABLE BENCHBENCH
Three-point arc
Foul Reporting Area

24. Player Equipment
› Jerseys/Shirts
– Each team is required to wear similar jerseys with numbers on
the front and/or back
› Athletic Shorts or Pants
– Clothing should allow freedom of movement.
› Hats
– No billed hats or any headwear with knots
– Headbands and knit or stocking caps are legal.
› Shoes
– Shoes must be worn at all times!
– Non-marking basketball, running, or tennis shoes are allowed.
– Non-athletic footwear is prohibited
› Example: Boots, vibrams, sandals, flip flops, dress shoes
› No Jewelry!
– Watches, rings, and necklaces can result in injuries to players.
– Religious and medical jewelry is allowed. It needs to be taped to
the body or placed inside the shirt or jersey.

25. The Game: Basics
› Players
– Five players are allowed on the court at one time.
– Four players are required to avoid a forfeit.
– If a team has five or more eligible players, five
players must start the game.
› Injuries and/or disqualifications may reduce the
number of eligible players to lower than five.
› A team may have only one eligible player left and may
still win the game.
› The Ball
– Participants may choose to play with the ball
provided by IM Staff or agree to use an alternative
ball.
– The ball must approved by IM Staff prior to play.

26. The Game: Team Areas
› Team Benches & Supporters
– Memorial Gym
› Team benches will be located on opposite
scorer’s table.
› Spectators for each team are required to
occupy opposite sides of the court.
› The Home team supporters shall occupy the
table side of the court.
› Teams are responsible for the behavior of
spectators seated in their team’s area.
– Campus Recreation & Fitness Center
› Teams shall occupy the table side of the
court.
› Spectators may be seated anywhere around
the court but may not block fire exits or the
entrance to the court.

27. The Game: Timing
› Two twenty minute (20:00) halves
– First half
› The clock will run continuously unless stopped
due to team and official timeouts.
– Second half
› The clock will run continuously unless stopped
due to team and official timeouts until two
minutes (2:00) is remaining, or the next dead ball
under two minutes (2:00) is reached.
› The clock will stop for the last two minutes or less
of the game in accordance with NFHS rules.
› Unless there is a foul or timeout, the clock will not
stop after successful two or three point field
goals.
› Five minute (5:00) halftime
› Each team shall receive three (3) timeouts per
game.
– During a live ball, the team in control may only call a
timeout.

28. The Game: Mercy Rule
Point Differential Time Remaining Result
Fifty or more points Twenty minutes or less in 2nd half End of game
Thirty or more points Ten minutes or less in 2nd half End of game
Twenty or more points At Any Time No backcourt pressure
Twenty or more points Two minutes or less in 2nd half End of Game

29. The Game: Overtime
› Overtime will only be played during the
postseason.
› Overtime (i.e. extra period) is an extension
of the second half when the score is tied at
the end of regulation.
› Each Overtime period shall be three
minutes (3:00) in duration.
› For the entire period, the clock shall start
and stop accordingly to NFHS basketball
rules.
› Each extra period starts with a jump ball.
Therefore, the alternating possession arrow
is reset at the beginning of each extra
period.
› All player fouls as well as the team foul
count carry over from regulation to all
overtime periods.

30. The Game: In Play & Out of Play
› The boundary lines are out of
play.
› When the ball touches or is
touched by a person or object
outside the court boundaries,
the ball is dead.
› The ball is inbounds when the
ball contacts the bottom, side,
or top of the backboard.
› The ball is out of bounds if it
rolls over the backboard.

31. The Game: Scoring
› Three-Point Field Goal
– Any made basketball with the player’s feet
completely behind his or her team’s three
point line and the ball enters his or her
team’s basket.
› Two-Point Field Goal
– Any made basket with the player’s feet on
and within his or her team’s three-point
line.
– Automatically awarded due to a technical
foul, intentional foul, or flagrant foul.
– A team scores in the wrong basket.
› One-Point Field Goal
– A successful free throw

33. Basket Direction
1st Half
Teams will shoot in the basket
opposite their benches.
Bench
Bench
Bench
Bench
2nd Half
Teams will shoot in the basket
adjacent to their benches.

34. Possession Arrow
› The direction of the possession
arrow is initially established by the
opening tip and the start of each
overtime.
› The possession arrow is
established by a player/team
gaining control of the ball, or the
ball being awarded to a team due
to a foul or violation.
› The possession arrow determines
which team receives the ball in
certain situations.
– Held balls
– Throw-in at the beginning of the
second half
– The ball becomes dead when player
and team control does not exist.

35. Player & Team Control
› Player control exists when a player is
holding or dribbling the ball
› Player control does not exist
– during an interrupted dribble
– during a pass
› Team control exists during the
following situations:
– A player of the team has control
– The ball is being passed among
teammates.
– When the ball is at the disposal of a player
for that team (throw-in).
› Neither player or team control exists
during the jump ball, a dead ball, or
when a try or tap is in flight.

36. Dribbling
› The dribble begins when the ball is
released to the floor before the pivot
foot is lifted.
› The dribble ends when:
– The dribbler causes the ball to rest in one
or both hands.
– The dribbler carries/palms the ball by
allowing the ball to come to rest in one or
both hands.
– The dribbler touches the ball with both
hands simultaneously.
– The ball touches or is touched by an
opponent, and the dribbler loses control
(interrupted dribble).

37. Traveling
› Traveling is defined as running
with the ball. A player must
have control in order to travel.
› A player can never travel while
dribbling.
› Once a pivot foot is
established, the player mat lift
the pivot foot to pass or shoot.
› The player cannot start a
dribble or return the pivot foot
to the floor.
› A moving player that ends his
or her dribble has a maximum
of two steps to pass or shoot.

38. Traveling
› A player on his or her knees and
in control of the ball may not
attempt to get up.
› If the player is holding the ball and
not dribbling, he or she cannot:
– When standing, drops to one knee
– While on both knees, lifts one knee.
– While on one knee, drops the other
knee.
– While on one knee, attempt to
stand.
› The player may pass, shoot,
dribble, or call timeout while on
his or her knees and within the
limits of the rules.

39. Traveling
› It is legal for a player to slide or
roll while gaining possession on the
floor.
› A player that has gained control on
the floor may not attempt to get up
or roll.
› A player with possession that is
lying face down may not roll over.
› A player with possession that is
lying flat on his back may sit up.
› That player may shoot, pass,
dribble, or call time out within the
limits of the rules.

40. Screening
› A screen is legally using one’s
body to delay or prevent an
opponent from reaching a desired
position.
› The screener must not cause
contact and must give the
opponent time to react.
› The screener must satisfy the
principle of verticality.
› A legal screen may be stationary
or moving.

41. Kick Ball Violation
› A kick ball violation occurs when a
player intentionally kicks the ball
with any part of the leg or foot.
› No player can intentionally kick
the ball.
– An offensive player can commit a
kick ball violation.
› If a defensive or offensive player
accidently kicks the ball, it is not
a violation.

42. Closely Guarded
› Closely Guarded Situation
– Two Important Factors:
› Offensive player has player control
(holding or dribbling the ball) in his or
her front court.
› Defender is ACTIVELY guarding player
(within three feet, facing the player, and
attempting to prevent a pass, shot, or
drive to the basket)
– The distance is measured from the
forward foot of the defender and the
player holding the ball.
– When dribbling, the offensive player
has five seconds to pass, shoot, get
his or her shoulders past the
defender, or end his or her dribble.
< 4 Feet

43. Three Seconds
› When his or her team has
control in the frontcourt, a
player may not be in the red
area (i.e. the “paint”) for
more than three (3)
seconds.
› If a player dribbles or moves
in an attempt to score, the
three second count is
terminated.
› Without team control, there
is no three second lane
restriction.

44. Ten Seconds (Backcourt)
› A player shall not be, nor may
his/team be, in continuous
control of the ball which is in
his/her backcourt for ten (10)
seconds.
› The ten (10) second count
beings once an offensive
player touches the ball
inbounds.
› The ten (10) second count
ends when the ball and/or
player is in the frontcourt.
› A team is awarded a new ten
(10) second count after every
dead ball.
BACKCOURT
ONLY

45. Substitutions
› Substitutions occur at the scorer’s table.
› Unlimited substitutions are allowed during
the game.
› Substitutions are only allowed during
stoppages of play.
› Substitutions cannot enter the court without
being beckoned by an official.
› During a free throw situation, substitutes
may only enter before the final free throw
attempt.
› When a player is replaced due to injury or
disqualification, any substitute that has
already reported to the scorer’s table may
enter the game as well.

47. Designated Spot Throw-Ins
› Designated spot (DS)
throw-ins are the most
prevalent type.
› DS throw-ins typically
occur after most violations
and fouls that are not
followed by free throws.
› The designated spot is
three (3) feet wide and
limitless in terms of depth.
3 feet

48. Non-Designated Spot Throw-ins
› Non-designated spot (NDS)
throw-ins occur after scoring
plays.
› Scoring play examples
– Successful two or three point
goal
– Successful final free throw
– Basket awarded due to
goaltending or defensive
basketball inference
› During a NDS throw-in, the
thrower may run the length
of the end line and has
limitless depth.

49. Alternating Possession Throw-Ins
› The team entitled to an alternating
possession (AP) throw-in is
determined by the AP arrow.
› Common AP throw-in examples:
– Throw-in to begin 2nd, 3rd, and 3rd
quarters or second half
– Held Ball
– The officials cannot determine which
team caused the ball to go out of
bounds.
– Ball lodges between the backboard
and rim or rests on the flange.

50. Changing the AP Arrow
› The AP arrow is reversed (i.e.
switched), and the opposing team is
entitled to the next AP throw-in.
– When does this happen?
› The AP throw-in ends legally.
› The team entitled to the throw-in commits
a violation.
› The AP arrow remains unchanged,
and the same team is entitled to the
next AP throw-in.
– When does this happen?
› Either team commits a foul before the AP
throw-in ends.
› The defensive team commits a violation.

51. Foul Count Chart
TEAM FOUL COUNT
One - Six Seven - Nine Ten & More
FOUL TYPE
Common Foul
Throw-In
Awarded to
Offended
Team
One & One Two Free Throws
Shooting Foul*
Dependent on location of foul and result of
continuation (if applicable) – one, two, or, three free
throws may be awarded
Intentional Foul*
Two points are automatically awarded. No Free Throws
are attempted.
Flagrant Foul*
Technical Foul*
Player or Team
Control Foul*
No Free Throws are awarded.
*The foul court is ignored for non-common fouls.