Season 2

League Rules

The official 2026 Summer League rulebook. Play hard, play fair, respect the game.

Game Format & Clock

Game Format

Four 11-minute quarters. Running clock through Q1–Q3, with stop-time only in the final 2 minutes of Q4.

Clock Rules

  • Q1–Q3: the clock runs continuously — it does not stop for fouls, free throws, substitutions or out-of-bounds.
  • It stops only for injuries, referee discretion, or the final 2 minutes of Q4.
  • Q4: running clock until the last 2 minutes — stop-time then applies only if the margin is 15 points or less.

Breaks & Warm-ups

  • Warm-ups — 5 minutes
  • Between Q1–Q2, halftime, and Q3–Q4 — 1 minute each

Timeouts

Two timeouts per team per game, 30 seconds each. A maximum of one timeout per team in Q4.

Hard Stop — 75 Minutes

Games hard-stop at 75 minutes of real time: the next dead ball ends the game and the score stands. Officials may switch to a running clock after 73 minutes to finish on time.

Scoring & Fouls

Scoring

  • Beyond the 3-point line (outermost line) — 3 points
  • Inside the 3-point line — 2 points
  • Free throws — 1 point each

Personal Fouls

Each player gets six personal fouls per game. On the 6th, the player fouls out and may not return. Personal fouls reset each game.

Team Fouls & Bonus

  • Personal, technical, flagrant and breakaway fouls all count as team fouls.
  • Team fouls are tracked by quarter and reset at the start of each quarter.
  • On a team's 6th team foul in a quarter, the other team shoots 1-and-1 on non-shooting fouls: make the first to earn a second; miss and the ball is live. There is no automatic two-shot bonus.

Technical Fouls

One free throw (any opposing player may shoot) plus possession. Two technicals in the same game = ejection.

Flagrant Fouls

Unnecessary, excessive or dangerous contact: two free throws and possession. Severe or malicious contact may bring immediate ejection at the referee's discretion.

Free Path / Breakaway Fouls

Fouling a player with a clear path to the basket to stop an obvious score: two free throws and possession, counting as both a personal and a team foul.

Play & Conduct

Substitutions

Only during dead balls and completed promptly, regardless of possession. Players must report to the scorer's table; play resumes on the referee's whistle.

Playoff Subs & Drop-Ins

Any additional substitute players (regular season or playoffs) must be approved by league organizers. Missing playoff players may only be replaced by equivalent-level subs — this prevents team stacking.

Game Stalling — 5-Second Rule

A closely guarded player (within 6 feet) has 5 seconds to pass, shoot or stop dribbling; stopping the dribble resets the count once. Enforced strictly in the 4th quarter of close games, relaxed during blowouts unless stalling is excessive.

Overtime

  • Regular season: no overtime — ties stand.
  • Playoffs: a tie goes to sudden-death OT (schedule permitting). Tip-off at half-court, first point wins.
  • In OT, fouls result in a change of possession — no free throws.

Sportsmanship & Officials

Referee decisions are final and there are no video reviews. Treat officials with respect — excessive arguing, profanity or unsportsmanlike conduct brings a warning, technical, or ejection. Only team captains may address referees, and only for brief rule clarifications.

Attire

League-issued jersey tops are required. Substitutes receive a temporary jersey or wear a similar color (league-approved). No jewelry — necklaces, watches, bracelets or earrings — may be worn while playing.

Join the 613 Playground Newsletter

Schedules, scores, drop-in updates and merch drops — straight to your inbox.