The Platinum League is governed by modified NCAA rules, adapted to promote basketball development in Jamaica and accommodate local resources. These modifications are subject to change.

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1. Game Duration

• 2 Halve of 20 min (20 min run time last 2 minutes of each half stop time)

• The clock stops on made baskets, time outs and free throws in last 2 min

• Overtime: If the game is tied, overtime periods are 2 minutes long. (sudden death/1st basket wins)

 

2. Team Composition

• Players: Each team consists of five players on the court at a time.

• Substitutions: Unlimited, and they can occur during stoppages in play. (mandatory playing time 10 min per half)

• Fouls: Each player is allowed five personal fouls before fouling out (disqualification).

 

3. Starting the Game

• The game starts with a jump ball at center court.

• Possession alternates on jump ball situations after the initial jump ball (using the alternating possession arrow).

 

4. Scoring

• Field Goal: 2 points inside the three-point line.

• Three-Point Shot: 3 points from beyond the three-point arc.

• Free Throw And 1: One shot for 1 point after a made basket on a foul, 

• Free Throw Missed Basket Foul: the total of the points lost on a shooting foul per successful free throw 

 

5. Shot Clock

• There is a 20 second shot clock and resets to 12 seconds on an offensive rebound

 

6. Time Limits

• Five-Second Violation: A player has 5 seconds to inbound the ball or make a decision if closely guarded.

• Five-Second Violation: The offensive team has 5 five to advance the ball past half-court.

• Three-Second Violation: Offensive players cannot stay in the opponent's key (paint) for more than 3 seconds.

 

7. Fouls and Violations

• Personal Foul: Contact that impedes an opponent’s movement (e.g., blocking, holding).

• Technical Foul: Unsportsmanlike behavior or other infractions (2 free throws and possession to the other team).

• Flagrant Foul: Excessive or violent contact (leads to ejection).

• No Zone defense

• Team Fouls: After 7 team fouls in a half, the opposing team is awarded a bonus free throw (1-and-1). After 10 fouls, the opposing team gets double bonus (2 free throws).

• Only the designated captain can speak to the referee on the floor (1 warning then a technical foul)

• No cursing (1 warning then a technical foul)

• No fighting (no warning, ejection)

• Shirts must be tucked in when entering the game (1 warning then a technical foul)

• Non-registered athletes or coaches are allowed on the bench (1 warning then a technical foul)

• Coaches can not come onto the floor during gameplay (1 warning then a technical foul)

• Only the coaches may approach the score table (1 warning then a technical foul) 

 

8. Timeouts

• Teams are allowed 3 timeouts per game (1 - 30 second timeouts in the 1st half and 2 - 30 second timeouts in the 2nd half, 1 additional 30 second time out in overtime).

• Live timeouts (players can call a timeout on the floor).

• The ball advances to half on timeouts called before the ball is inbounded in the backcourt.

 

9. Defense and Offense

• Onball screens are allowed

• Teams can play either man-to-man defense or full-court zone defense back to a man-to-man.

• Backcourt Violation: After crossing mid-court, the offensive team cannot pass or dribble the ball back into their own backcourt.

 

10. Possession

• Alternating possession rule: After the initial jump ball, alternating possession is used for tie-ups or other situations requiring a restart.