5 Surprising Rules College Basketball Players Must Follow

It’s no secret that being an NCAA athlete means following strict rules when it comes to training schedules. After all, Division I and II schools reportedly give out more than $3.7 billion annually in financial aid to athletes. In exchange, athletes are expected to deliver in the field of play as well as in their academic lives. Today, we’re looking at the strangest rules which college basketball players have to follow.

First things first, playing college basketball is no joke. A 2019 NCAA survey found that between games, practices and conditioning, the vast majority of college athletes train between 30 and 44 hours per week. Given that playing is essentially a full-time job, perhaps it should be no surprise that the NCAA has rules and protocols for just about everything, from the size of envelope which schools can send to new recruits, to the prohibition of real money sports betting for all athletes.

Nevertheless, these rules don’t even scratch the surface of the surprising regulations at hand. Here are five of the weirdest rules in the college game:

5) Uniform Rules

Did you know you can tell who’s playing at home from just a single glance at the game? Under NCAA rules, home teams wear light colors whereas the traveling teams must wear contrasting dark colors. That said, the rule can altered if both sides agree to the change. 

On that note, you might notice that no jerseys contain the numbers 6, 7, 8 or 9. This is another NCAA rule, but it’s more about practicality. For referees, the numbers 6, 7, 8 and 9 require two hands to sign. For that reason, college ballers are restricted to a choice of 37 numbers, all of which can be signalled with one hand. 

All jerseys must be fully tucked in for the duration of the game to prevent sweat on the floor and allow for a full range of movement.

4) Blood in the Game

Oregon State’s Talia Von Oelhoffen (22) shoots over Oregon’s Jaz Shelley (4) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Pac-12 women’s tournament in Las Vegas, in 2021. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Any player bleeding on the court has exactly 20 seconds to take care of the problem. If the injury, for example a bloody nose, is not under control within that time, they have to leave the game. The rule also applies to other physical niggles such as displaced contact lenses. 

In an attempt to keep players safe, all jewellery is banned. Long fingernails are also banned as they can be dangerous to both the wearer and their opponents. These rules are designed to keep the games moving quickly which is essential when they’re being televised. 

3) Technical Infractions

Like in the NBA, there is a long list of technical infractions which the NCAA has put in place. One of these prohibits players from possessing or using tobacco, while another restricts players from climbing on or lifting one another in order to gain a height advantage.

2) No Dunking…Sometimes

That’s right, the NCAA has implemented a no-dunking rule, but it only applies in the last 20 minutes of pregame warm-ups. If it sounds ludicrous, that’s because it is. Dunking is one of the most entertaining parts of basketball! The penalty for breaking the rule is two technical free throws for the opposing team. 

1) Coach-Player Relationship

While coaches and players might compliment one another in front of the press, the reality of the NCAA is that the relationship is limited to the court-side. Coaches can only communicate with players about and in practices and games. 

Coaches cannot gift its players anything, nor can they help them in any way.  One such famous example of a rule violation came in the 90’s when UNLV player Chris Richardson was sanctioned because an assistant coach had helped him move a mattress. Similarly, coaches are prohibited from lending money to players even in dire circumstances. 

There have been numerous instances of players and coaches being punished for breaking the NCAA’s rules. 

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