North Texas Basketball Officials Association (NTBOA)

A coach asked one of our officials if he could only play 4 players. The coach indicated he had 5 eligible players but he wanted to rest some of them and only wanted to play with 4. What is the proper ruling? Should the team be allowed to only play 4 players or do they have to play 5 if they have them?

Rule 3.1.1 states that each team consists of five players and that a team must begin the game with five players, but, if it has no substitutions to replace a disqualified or injured player, it must continue with fewer than five. When there is only one player participating for a team, the team shall forfeit the game, unless the referee believes that team has an opportunity to win the game.

On the surface, this rule only states teams have to start the game with 5. It does not specify that 5 have to be in the game the entire time if available. However, if you look in the case book situation 3.1.1 states that it is not permissible to play with less than 5 if you have them available. A team must have 5 players participating as long as it has that number available. Therefore, the coach is not allowed to play 4 players when 5 are available.

The case book made this situation extremely clear and if you don't have one, be sure and get one. The case book is a great resource and I encourage everyone to always look in both the rule book and case book whenever you are studying the rules.

Click Here for Case Book Reference 3.1.1