Recreational Sports provides a fun, fair, and safe environment for everyone who plays. Our rules are based upon the national governing bodies for each sport (such as NCAA, USVA, etc.) There are some university-specific rules, so please read closely.
After five (5) minutes, if a team is not present and ready to play, that team will forfeit the first game of the match. The team then has five more minutes to get their team together, or the team will forfeit the second game and the match.
B.
In order to claim a forfeit, a team must have the correct number of players present and ready to play.
C.
If neither team is able to field a team, a double forfeit will be declared.
D.
Teams that forfeit a contest without giving at least 48 hours notice to the Recreational Sports office will be charged a forfeit fee. This is to ensure that all teams have an opponent each week.
E.
The team which forfeited will receive a 3 as their SOG rating. The SOG rating will be changed to a 4 once the forfeit fee is paid. If the team has notified the office, then they will receive a 4.5 SOG rating for the match.
F.
The forfeit fee is $15 per forfeit. Forfeit fees must be paid at the Fitness and Recreation Desk before the team's next match (usually 7 days) or else they will not be allowed to play their next scheduled match.
G.
A second forfeit within the same sport may result in that team being dropped from league play and an additional forfeit fee charged.
The purpose of the game is to score a point by passing a rubber playground ball (slightly deflated for grip) over the scoring line into the scoring zone and have it caught by a team member.
B.
Length of the game
A standard length contest is two 17-minute halves running time.
The clock only stops for injuries, time-outs, and for all whistles during the last ten (10) seconds of the first half and the last minute of the game including substitutions.
If the buzzer sounds for the half or games end after a ball is passed into the air, any passing or catching action may take place until the ball is either intercepted or it touches the floor. An offensive player catching a pass in this instance may make a last stretch-step in an attempt to place foot over the scoring line.
C.
Time-Outs
Each team is allowed two (2) twenty (20) second time-outs per game.
During play, time-outs may be called only by the team in possession of the ball, and only by someone who is on the court.
After a time-out, the team in possession takes the ball out from the mid-court line, regardless of where the ball was when the time-out was called. Scoring is not allowed off the first pass after the time-out, whereas the opponent may guard that first pass.
Time-outs called wrongfully will result in a foul, which shall be taken from the midcourt line with no guarding and scoring permitted off this first pass.
D.
Substitutions
Either team may substitute after any team time-out, official's time-out, or at half-time.
A team may call for a substitution during play after it has been scored upon, and before making the first pass. The other team may substitute after this has been called.
Any substitution called wrongfully that hinders the other team's fast break opportunities will result in a foul, which shall be taken from the midcourt line with no guarding and scoring permitted off this first pass
E.
Passing/Catching the Ball
The only way a team may advance the ball is by passing.
Upon catching the ball, a player may finish with a step (or two or three depending on momentum). This allows a player to stop safely and not too abruptly.
The official will make the decision whether a player attempted to stop after receiving a pass and did so in time. One exception where a player does not need to attempt to stop is the "fast break" style of pass, where a player catches and throws the ball in the same stride.
Making the travel call when a score is involved is one of the more difficult calls. Speeding up after catching the ball will certainly result in a travel call. If the official determines a player never could have made the stop in time before scoring, it is a score. If there is a question in the officials' Recreational Sports Student Leader judgement the "2 tough 2 call" rule is invoked.
In this instance, the player is not allowed the score but does not lose the ball. The ball is brought out to the foul line extended for a pass in and the defender may guard.
If a player moves with the ball after stopping (a pivot foot is used as in basketball) this is traveling and the ball turns over to the other team.
After establishing a pivot foot an offensive player may not drag foot or jump to pass; this is considered traveling. Traveling is not called on the first possession behind the scoring line after a goal.
A stretch-step is often attempted in order to get the foot completely over the scoring line. At least one foot must be completely over the scoring line to score while the back pivot foot remains stationary.
If a player falls down upon first catching the ball, it is not a travel. They may get up again and establish a pivot foot. The defensive team must permit this.
A player who drops a pass should not pick it up. Note: A player after dropping the ball may not hit or deflect ball away in order to hinder his opponent's fast break; a warning is given to the team, after which a foul is called.
The first pass into the playing area after a score may not be a scoring pass because the defense must remain behind the defensive line. Teams have five seconds, after retrieving the ball, to make the first pass after being scored upon.
The official does not touch the ball after a score.
Walls that are open and available can be used for deflection or scoring. Therefore a score may be made if a ball is caught after bouncing off the back wall and the player is within the scoring area.
For safety reasons, the ball may not be kicked. The penalty is a turnover to opponent.
Handing off is not allowed. The ball must be passed in the air.
Picks are not permitted. A foul will be called when one is seen setting a stationary pick. A warning will be given when the officials first see a pattern of players passing closely to draw off defenders; the next occurrence will draw a foul.
F.
Incomplete/Intercepted Passes
When the ball touches the floor or is caught by a defender the pass is incomplete and turns over to the other team.
A defender may knock the ball out of the air so it hits the ground, or catch it.
A held-ball from a simultaneous catch goes to the defense.
If a ball is deflected out of bounds, it is considered an incomplete pass and the ball turns over to the other team. (The ball is put into play near the sideline and requires an official's whistle). However, a simultaneous catch by an offensive player and deflection by the defensive player, shall be ruled in favor of the offensive player. Note: If the ball travels more than 12-15 feet after being knocked down, it will be up to the judgment of the official whether the ball will be brought back to the spot where it was deflected by opponent. This is to negate any advantage a player gets by striking the ball down towards his/her goal and potentially scoring quickly. The distance will vary depending on whether the ball is in the forecourt or backcourt.
Any time a dropped pass or a foul leaves the ball with the attacking team in the DS area (between the Defensive line and Scoring line), the ball is brought out to the foul line extended for the pass-in (Depending on where the foul occurred, it is brought back to the intersection of that point and the foul line extended across the court). This also holds for anytime the ball is left in the attacking team's possession after a foul or dropped pass in the scoring zone. This promotes safety by keeping players from packing into a small area trying to score.
G.
Balls that bounce on the ledge along the walls more than twice are ruled incomplete pass. This is to prevent injury from players battling for the ball.
H.
Balls that go over and behind gaps between the mats and wall are incomplete.
I.
The ceiling and all items hanging from it, as well as the scorer's stand, are out of bounds. Possession goes to the other team directly under where the ball went out.
All defensive movement is person-to-person coverage. This will vary according to circumstances, but will generally be construed as an attempt to stay within a 10-ft. radius of their defensive assignment. A defender must move towards his/her opponent aftert s/he receives a pass. If not, the referee shall call illegal defense. Penalty: throw shall be made from wherever the defender was standing, if that benefits the attacking team. Zone defenses are not allowed, as they clog the scoring zone, promoting congestion and potentially dangerous play.
B.
A defender may not touch or attempt to hit the ball out of an opponent's hands. The ball must clearly leave the offensive player's possession before a defensive player may make a deflection. A defender may deflect the ball out of an opponent's hands if they are both in the process of trying to catch the ball and there has been no possession established.
C.
A five-second tie-up rule is in effect. This turns the ball over to the defending team if an offensive player is being closely guarded and has not passed within five seconds. The penalty for zone play or double-teaming is the same as for a foul.
D.
Double-teaming is not allowed. This includes, but is not limited to harassing a ball holder while chasing his or her own defensive assignment.
Once the ball is thrown they may leave the player they are guarding to deflect a pass. Guarding another player, with or without the ball, is double-teaming and the official will make the final judgment on the interpretation.
Defensive switches are permitted. However, if one defensive player calls for a switch to cover an offensive player, the other defensive player must be guarding his/her new defensive assignment before a deflection/play on the ball may be made. Example: Defense A guards Offense A, Defense B guards Offense B. Offense A breaks away, and Defense B goes to cover, calling a switch. Defense A must be close enough to Offense B to be construed as guarding, before Defense B may make a play on Offense A's ball.
Note: This rule promotes a greater aerobic workout through tighter one-on-one guarding.
E.
Face guarding is not allowed.
The defensive player must have an eye on the ball and not wave hands in offensive player's face.
A violation is called when the defender is:
Unaware of where the ball is while facing the player they are guarding.
Is in close proximity to their assignment.
Acts to impede the ball.
F.
Physical contact should be kept at a minimum during the game. Incidental contact will occur and play should continue. Hand checking is not permitted.
G.
A defensive player may not block an offensive player from attempting a stretch step to score.
If this happens, a warning from the official will occur first, then next time it occurs against either teams a point plus bonus will be awarded.
H.
After a score, the new defending team must stay back of the defensive line (white line) until the ball is passed once. At that point they may come into the scoring area to defend if they desire.
I.
The defender must allow the offensive player their own vertical space, as well as ability to pivot. Conversely, offensive players may not ward off the defenders to gain space to pass.
Foul = Contact that inhibits action and is more than merely incidental; also includes violations described above. Note: If a player is fouled in the act of passing and the pass is complete, the penalty occurs at the spot of the completed pass. All offensive players must be in front of the ball, if the spot of infraction is the forecourt.
Penalty: Defender must stand still beside thrower with hands at sides until ball is thrown into play. Note: For any situation where a player is fouled, that player must throw the ball into play. In other situations, the team in possession determines who will inbound.
Delayed Penalty- If a foul is committed, and in the judgement of the official, the advantage of the team who has been fouled, would be taken away by stopping play, the official will make a delayed penalty call. If the team scores on the play, the foul will be ignored and the point awarded. If the team does not score, the foul will be assessed in the normal manner. If the team scores and the official rules that the foul is dangerous or intentional, the official may award the score AND the foul.
B.
Dangerous fouls: Overly aggressive foul and dangerous, a foul of this nature is not in the spirit of Towerball. If this type of foul occurs at the end of the first half and time runs out, the penalty will occur. This foul does not take player intent into account but rather the possibility of serious injury. Since "all players are just going for the ball," it is necessary to consider the effect of actions on the court.
Penalty: Player fouled goes to foul line (of basketball court); a player is chosen to receive and the player who normally defends must defend against a pass from the foul line into the scoring area. The offensive team has ten seconds in which to attempt to score. All other players are behind the foul line. Ball is dead after attempt or if score is made.
C.
Bonus rule: If a player is fouled in the scoring zone upon scoring, or if a player is fouled upon passing to another player and they score on that pass, they will receive the ball at half court in the center and pass it in uncontested (defender stands at thrower's side with hands down). This may not be a scoring pass.
D.
If the foul is a serious foul, then a penalty try will be taken from the foul line as with all Dangerous Fouls.
E.
A YELLOW card will be issued to any player who willingly intends to harm his/her opponent, or who plays in a dangerous manner. The player receiving the yellow card must sit out for three (3) minutes of play. This penalty carries over to the second half or overtime. The penalized team may substitute for the player serving the penalty. A RED card (ejection) will be issued to any player who accumulates two yellow cards and/or commits any serious personal foul after the first yellow card. The referee reserves the right to issue a RED card without previously issuing a yellow card, if he/she interprets that the foul committed merits an automatic ejection.
F.
Zone Foul: Foul that takes place in the scoring zone.
Penalty: This foul will be treated the same as a dangerous foul even though there may have been no danger. It will be a one on one toss into the scoring zone.
G.
Dangerous Zone Foul: Foul that takes place in the scoring zone that is determined to be dangerous. Again this does not involve intent or "just going for the ball" as justification for the act.
Penalty: results in one-on-one toss into scoring zone. After that, the ball is brought to half-court where the team that was fouled keeps possession. The first pass must not be a score.
H.
Any player intending to harm another participant or playing so recklessly as to cause injury will be removed from the game until cleared by Rec Sports Director or Assistant Director.
NOTE: TWO DANGEROUS FOULS AND A PLAYER IS EJECTED FROM THE GAME
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