DRMBL follows NFHS (National Federation of High Schools) rules as its baseline, with the overrides listed below. For rules not listed here, visit nfhs.org.
1. Game Format
Clock & Quarters
Quarters 4 x 10 minutes
Clock (Q1–Q3) Running clock
Clock (Q4) Running clock; stoppages in last 3 minutes
Halftime 3 minutes
Between Quarters 1 minute
Timeouts
Per Team 2 full timeouts + 2 half (30-second) timeouts
Clock Timeouts stop the clock
Fouls & Free Throws
Personal Fouls 5 fouls per player
Team Bonus After 5th team foul per quarter (resets each quarter)
Lane Violations Enforced per NFHS
Overtime
Length 5 minutes
Clock Running clock; stoppages in last 1 minute
Timeouts 1 full timeout per team
General Rules
Shot Clock None
Dunking Not allowed (in-game or warm-ups)
Substitution Free subs on dead balls; players must announce in/out
Possession Jump ball at tip-off, then alternating possession
Backcourt 10-second rule enforced
Mercy Rule None
Warm-Up 5 minutes before each game
Game Ball League-provided
2. Season Structure & Schedule
Regular Season
Season Length 11 weeks (10 regular season + 1 playoff week)
Start Date April 2026
Registration Deadline March 20, 2026
Teams 12
Games Per Team 10 (guaranteed)
Game Days Sundays only
Game Times 8 AM – 2 PM (6 games per day, 1-hour slots)
Team Drops Remaining games become forfeits; opponents get free wins; past results still count
Playoffs
Format Single elimination
Qualification Top 4 teams
Seeding Win/loss record
Tiebreakers 1) Win/loss record → 2) Point differential (+/−) → 3) Head-to-head
Matchups #1 vs #4, #2 vs #3
Playoff Day Semi 1 → Semi 2 → 3rd Place → Championship
Championship Full stopped clock
3. Roster & Player Eligibility
Roster Rules
Roster Size 5–12 players per team
Roster Lock After week 5, rosters cannot be modified unless approved by the commissioner
Minimum to Play 4 players (game counts as a normal loss, not a forfeit)
One Team Only Players may only be on one team at a time
Eligibility
Ages 18+ (16–17 with signed waiver)
League Men’s only
Residency Open (no residency requirement)
Player ID QR code issued to every player
Free Agent Portal
Sign-Up Free — individuals can register to be picked up by teams
Pickup Fee $5 transfer fee when a team picks up a free agent
4. Conduct & Discipline
Technical Fouls & Ejections
Technicals 2 technical fouls = ejection
1st Ejection 1-game suspension
2nd Ejection 2-game suspension
3rd Ejection Full season ban
Ejected Player Must leave facility at refs’ discretion
Fighting & Flagrants
Fighting 1st offense = suspended rest of season; 2nd offense = lifetime ban
Flagrant Fouls Per NFHS (refs’ discretion)
General Conduct
Spectators Disruptive fans will be removed; no team penalty
Substances No alcohol or substances allowed — zero tolerance
Appeals Players may appeal, but the commissioner has final say
5. Uniforms & Equipment
Jerseys Matching jerseys or matching colored shirts with numbers
Numbers Required — no number, no play
Jersey Deadline Must have them by week 3
Colors Teams should wear different colors when possible (no strict home/away rule)
Shoes Basketball or tennis shoes only
Jewelry No jewelry on the wrists (watches, bracelets); other jewelry allowed
Dress Code Shorts and numbered jersey/shirt — no jeans or pants
6. Forfeits & Scheduling
Forfeits
Grace Period 5 minutes before scheduled tipoff
No Notice 20–0 loss + 50-point deduction from point differential
With Notice 20–0 loss, no point deduction
Penalty No monetary fine — just the loss and point penalty
Scheduling
Rescheduling Possible with advance notice, but limited within the 11-week window
Facility Closure League will attempt to reschedule on a weekday
7. Registration & Fees
Team Fee $275
Late Registration $300 ($275 + $25 late fee)
Referee Fee $25 per team per game (each team pays $25 to one ref — 2 refs per game)
Ref Fee Due During the game; team won’t be scheduled next week if unpaid
Payment Methods Venmo, CashApp, Cash, Zelle
Refunds Only if not enough teams sign up to run the league
8. Transfers & Pickups
Transfers & Pickups Available until week 5 (roster is locked on week 6)
Transfer Fee $5 per player movement (adding or switching teams)
Who Pays Player or team — league just needs the $5
Limit No limit on additions — capped only by roster max (12)
9. Referees & Protests
Referees 2 per game
Decisions All referee decisions are final — no exceptions
Protests Protests will be allowed for rule violations, but not for referee calls