Required Number of Players to Play: A team must have a minimum of 4 players to start a game. The opposing coach may, at his or her discretion, elect to play with only 4 players to balance the competition or to play with 5 against 4. If a coach elects to play only 4 players against 4, he or she cannot later change, adding the 5th player, unless the opponent gains a 5th player. Exception: Once a team has 9 players they must play 5 during the second half. With 10 players present they must play 5.

Playing Time: ALL PLAYERS ARRIVING BEFORE THE SECOND QUARTER MUST PLAY TWO QUARTERS OF EACH GAME. If a team begins play with fewer than 5 players then players arriving and entering the game for partial quarters should be played in the order of arrival. When 7 or more players are present, no player may play more than 3 regular quarters. Failure to follow this rule shall be forfeiture of the game.

Exceptions to the minimum playing time may be made for illness or injury to a player or if a team is ahead by 12 or more points. (The team ahead may use weaker players to help even out the competition.) When a player plays over half of the period (or over half of the period time that they are present), that period is counted for the player's playing time. Please notify the opposing coach and officials beforehand if there is to be an exception. An exception is also made following a technical foul to a player, where any available substitute will replace the player to allow for proper coaching. (The player may return after approximately one minute of play.)

Substitutions are allowed only at the intermissions and during overtime periods, except as noted above. Substitutes should be chosen in the spirit of balancing playing time - they should not be playing 3 quarters of their own. Discipline problems to be addressed through reduced playing time must be brought to an independent commissioner and solutions approved by that commissioner.