Participation & Substitution Rules Summary

Referees may resolve unusual situations if participation rules conflict with gameplay. Coaches should seek a quick, good-faith resolution at the scorer’s table.

Key Participation Rules

  • All players must play at least two full, uninterrupted quarters.
  • No player can play in 3 quarters (including partial ones) unless all teammates play 2 full quarters by the end of the game.
  • No player can play in 4 quarters (including partial ones)  unless all teammates play 3 full quarters by the end of the game.
    • Exception:  Modified Participation Rule (see below)
  • Coach MUST IMMEDIATELY alert opposing coach and referees if participation rules will not be satisfied.
  • Overtime:  Any players may play regardless of how much they played during the game.

Key Substitution Rules

  • 1st, 2nd or 3rd Quarters:  Substitutions are only allowed if a Permitted Exception occurs (see below).
  • 4th Quarter:  Free substitutions allowed and removed players may return.
    • EXCEPTION:  You can't remove a player who must play the full 4th quarter to meet the minimum participation requirement.

Permitted Exceptions

Rule:  Substitutions during the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd quarters are permitted if:

  • A player becomes ill;
  • A player becomes injured;
  • A player fouls out; or
  • A player or player's parent/guardian requests removal from the game;
  • A player is removed for disciplinary reasons.

Effects: 

  • The removed player is deemed to have satisfied the full quarter requirement.
  • The replacement player is deemed to have played in a quarter, but not a full quarter.
    • HINT:  If you use your best player as a replacement player in this situation, you may lose the ability to use the player in the 4th quarter.

Players Arriving Late

If player arrives... Playing Requirement
Before 2nd quarter begins 2 uninterrupted quarters
Before 3rd quarter begins 1 uninterrupted quarter
After 3rd quarter begins None

Player's coach must inform other coach and referees once the player arrives.

Players Leaving Early

If player leaves... Playing Requirement
Before 3rd quarter begins 1 uninterrupted quarter
After 3rd quarter begins 2 uninterrupted quarters

Coach must let opposing coach and referees know as soon as an intended early departure is known.

Modified Participation rule

Modified participation rules are an exception to the general participation requirements.  This rule is applied when:

  • One team has 7+ players; AND
  • The other team has 6 or fewer players.

When this occurs, the team with 7+ players may play one or two players for 4 full quarters as long as the remaining players fulfill their minimum playing requirements (i.e. the remaining players are no longer required to play at least 3 quarters).

For clarity, the chart below provides guidelines about when modified participation does and does not apply:

 
Situation Resulting # of Team A Players Resulting # of Team B Players Does Rule Apply?
Start of Game 7 or more 6 or fewer Yes, for entire game
Start of Game 6 or fewer 6 or fewer No
Player Arrives Late From 6 or fewer to 7 or more 6 or fewer Yes, for remainder of game
Team A Player Temporarily Out of Game 6 or fewer at time of removal 7 or more No
Team A Player Fouls Out of Game Drops from 7 or more to 6 or fewer 7 or more No
Team A Player Leaves Game due to Illness or Injury From 7 or more to 6 or fewer 7 or more Yes, for remainder of game
Team A Player Requests to Leave Game in advance 6 or fewer 7 or more Yes, for entire game.  Team A Coach must inform Team B Coach & Refs before game
Team A Player Requests to Leave Game during game From 7 or more to 6 or fewer 7 or more Yes, for remainder of game