[BillyMac]

The head coach may request, and be granted, a timeout if his, or her, player is holding, or dribbling, the ball; or during a dead ball period. A player saving the ball in the air can ask for, and be granted, a timeout even if that player is going out of bounds. The key is whether, or not, the player has control of the ball.

Injured player to be removed from the game (unless a timeout is requested by, and granted to, the team) if the coach is beckoned by the official, whether the coach enters the playing area, or not, or if bench personnel enters the court without being beckoned. If an official stops the clock to check on an injured player, and the coach or bench personnel are not beckoned by the official, and do not come onto the court, and if the player is ready to play immediately, that player may remain in the game and no timeouts need to be requested, and granted. Twenty seconds is allowed for a player to address any minor blood on the body or uniform without leaving the game or the coach requesting a timeout.

On free throws, there is a maximum of two offensive players, and four defensive players, in the six marked lane spaces. The defense must be in the first marked lane spaces, above the neutral zone marks, on all free throws. The offense must not occupy the first marked lane spaces, above the neutral zone marks. For free throws when there are no rebounders in the marked lane spaces (technical fouls, intentional fouls), the nine nonshooters shall remain behind the free throw line extended, and behind the three point arc.

Players in marked lane spaces must not move into the lane until the ball is released by the free throw shooter. The shooter, and the players behind the three point arc, must wait until the ball hits the ring, before entering the lane, or penetrating the three point arc. On release of the ball by the free thrower, the defender boxing out the free thrower shall not cross the free throw line until the ball contacts the ring. In addition, the free throw shooter must cause the ball to enter the basket, or touch the ring, before the free throw ends. During a free throw, no opponent, including bench personnel, may distract the free thrower.

A held ball occurs when opponents have their hands so firmly on the ball that control cannot be obtained without undue roughness. It is a violation for a player to excessively swing his, or her, arms, or elbows, even without contacting an opponent. Action of arms, and elbows, resulting from total body movements as in pivoting or moving to prevent a held ball, or loss of control, shall not be considered excessive.

Kicking the ball is intentionally striking it with any part of the leg, or foot. An unintentionally kicked ball is never illegal, regardless of how far the ball goes, and who recovers it.

A player who has been replaced, or directed to leave the game, shall not reenter (with rare exceptions) before the next opportunity to substitute after the clock has been started properly following his, or her, replacement. In other words, a player who has been replaced must sit a tick of the clock; however, a player doesn’t have to play a tick of the clock.

Players may not participate or even warm up while wearing jewelry (safety issue). Medical alert medals and religious medals are not considered jewelry. A medical alert medal must be taped, and may be visible. A religious medal must be taped, and worn under the uniform. Players are permitted to wear head coverings for religious reasons.

Shorts on teammates, while allowing for different styles, must be the same color. Players are required to tuck in jerseys that are designed to be tucked inside the shorts.

Undershirts must be a single solid color similar in color to the torso of the uniform jersey, and shall not have frayed edges. Undershirts worn by a visiting team may be black, or a single solid color similar to the torso of the jersey. Undershirts shall be the same color for all members of a team who choose to wear them. Undershirt sleeves shall be the same length. Note that this rule does not require all players to wear the same length sleeves on their undershirts, but each individual player must have sleeves the same length on the undershirt when worn.