Statement: A game shall not start unless each team has a minimum of 5 players on the court ready to play.

Example: At the start of the second half, team A cannot present 5 players on the court because of injuries, disqualifications etc.

Interpretation: The obligation to present a minimum of 5 players is valid only at the start of the game. Team A may continue to play with fewer than 5 players.

Example: Close to the end of the game, A1 is charged with a fifth foul and leaves the game. Team A is reduced to 4 players as they have no more substitutes available. As team B is leading by a large margin, the team B head coach demonstrating fair play wants to remove one of the players to also play with 4 players.

Interpretation: The request by the team B head coach to play with fewer than 5 players shall be denied. As long as a team has sufficient players available, 5 players shall be on the court.

Statement: Article 9 clarifies which basket a team is to defend and which basket it is to attack. If by confusion any quarter or overtime starts with both teams attacking/defending the wrong baskets, the situation shall be corrected as soon as it is discovered, without placing either team at a disadvantage. Any points scored, time used, fouls charged, etc. before the stopping of the game remain valid.

Example: After the start of the game, the referees discover that teams are playing in the wrong direction.

Interpretation: The game shall be stopped as soon as possible without placing either team at a disadvantage. Teams shall correct the direction of play. The game shall be resumed from the mirror-opposite place corresponding to where the game was stopped.

Statement: The game shall start with a jump ball at the centre circle.

Example: During the interval of play before the game, A1 is charged with a technical foul. Before the start of the game, the team B head coach designates B6 to attempt 1 free throw, however B6 is not one of the team B starting 5 players.

Interpretation: Only one of the designated team B starting 5 players shall attempt the free throw with no line-up. A substitution cannot be granted before playing time has started.

The game shall start with a jump ball.

Example: During the interval of play before the game, A1 is charged with an unsportsmanlike foul against B1.

Interpretation: Before the start of the game, B1 shall attempt 2 free throws with no line-up. If B1 is confirmed as one of the 5 players to start the game, B1 shall remain on the court.
If B1 is not confirmed as one of the 5 players to start the game, B1 shall not remain on the court. The game shall start with a jump ball and with the 5 team B players confirmed to start the game.

Statement: If during an interval of play before the game, a player designated as one of the starting 5 players is no longer able or entitled to start the game, that player shall be replaced by another player. In this case, the opponents are entitled to replace one player of its starting 5 players, if they wish.

Example: A1 is one of the team A starting 5 players. During the interval of play 7 minutes before the game

(a) A1 becomes injured.

(b) A1 is charged with a disqualifying foul.

Interpretation: In both cases, A1 shall be replaced with another team A player. Team B is entitled to replace one of its starting 5 players, if they wish.