Competition Rules

Punctuality / Timing of Games

Teams must be on court at the start of the scheduled game time.

Score sheets must be filled in 5 mins before the commencement of games.

The clock will start whether teams are ready or not.

Teams

Each player can only play for one team throughout the league, unless permission has been given by the Competitions Manager.

Dispensation will only be given under exceptional circumstances. Highlight on scoresheet.

Players should only play up a grade, where this is not possible players may not be allowed to play twice.

Behaviour

Swearing/ abuse to other players/ referees/ coaches will result in the player being sent from the court for the rest of the game.

Score Benches

Teams need to supply 1 person for the score bench for their own games. If each team supplies a score bench person, no disputes can occur.

Please note once game is finished the score on the score-sheet is final.

Points Table

Points Tables will be maintained. If teams are tied at the end of section play the final standings will be determined as follows:

Two-way tie: result of the game between the two teams involved or if no game is played between the teams, overall points differential will decide the rankings.    

Mercy Rule

When teams are up by more than 20pts then teams should retreat to their 3pt line and only leave it when their opposition crosses half court. The Referees will control this, coaches please respect their decision.

Zone Defence

Zone Defence is not permitted. Teams must play man to man at all times. This can be full court however every player should be marking one player ONLY, this means no double teams.

Half-court defence must also be man to man with no traps in the front court.

Mouthguards

Taieri Miniball requires all players to wear a mouthguard.

Match Rules

RULE 1 – PLAYING THE BALL

When a player intentionally uses their leg or foot to contact the ball or strikes it with the fist. However, to accidently come in contact with the ball with any part of the leg is not a violation.

RULE 2 – OUT OF BOUNDS

When a player with possession of the ball, or the ball, is out of bounds.

RULE 3 – ILLEGAL DRIBBLE

When a player dribbles the ball with two hands or dribbles, stops and begins to dribble again.

RULE 4 – TRAVELLING

When a player holding the ball lifts their pivot foot and returns it to the floor or takes more than one step before dribbling the ball, or takes more than two steps after dribbling the ball.

Coaching tip: teach your players to jump stop and pivot without shuffling their feet.

RULE 5 – PERSONAL FOUL

A Personal Foul involves illegal contact on an opponent. Illegal contact occurs when the player responsible for the contact gains an advantage and/or the player contacted is disadvantaged.

A player cannot hold, block, push, charge, trip or impede the progress of an opponent by extending their hand, arm, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee or foot, nor by bending their body into an “abnormal” position, nor use any rough tactics.

Coaching tip:  teach your players to play defence with their outside arms and not reach across players with the ball.

RULE 6 – FIVE SECOND RULE

A player holds the ball for more than five seconds while being closely guarded. A player holding the ball on court and being closely guarded by an opponent, must pass, shoot or dribble the ball within five seconds.

Coaching tip: teach your players to look after the ball in the triple threat position, develop good passing techniques and look for the pass early.

RULE 7 – TECHNICAL FOUL

A technical Foul involves unsportsmanlike behaviour by a player, coach or substitute that does not involve contact. The opposing team is awarded one point and possession at the centre-line.

Coaching tip: there should be no Technical fouls at this level of basketball.  Coaches should lead by example and demonstrate positive behaviour for their players to emulate. No player should question the referee’s decision.

RULE  8 – RETURN TO BACKCOURT (BACK OVER HALFWAY) - Applies to Year 4, 5 & 6

Touching the ball in the backcourt after it has entered the frontcourt and was not last touched by the other team. Once the ball is in a team’s frontcourt it cannot be returned to the backcourt unless it is touched by a player in the other team.

RULE  9 – 4 DRIBBLE ONLY - Applies to Wednesday competion (Years 2 & 3)

Encourage players to dribble only 4 times then pass.