Basketball Rules
Get the lowdown on our social Basketball rules.
Game rules will abide by FIBA rules and be modified for social basketball. Any players can ask the referee at the venue before games or during quarter breaks for clarification on any of the rules.
NOTE: Players OVER 18 years old only
SportUP operates adult only social competitions. As a result, all players must be 18, or over the age of 18, before they can start playing with us. Any players found to be playing while under the age of 18, will be asked to leave the league/venue immediately and no refunds will be offered for future fixtures missed that may have been paid for.
TEAMS
Each team consists of no more than 5 players on the court at one time, with no limit on squad sizes.
The majority of our competitions are Open so both male and female players can play but there are no requirements for certain numbers of either gender so you can have all men’s teams.
Our mixed competitions require one female player on the court at all times. We recommend having at least 2 or 3 in your squad.
TEAM UNIFORMS
All team tops must be the same colour.
All players must wear sporting attire and footwear.
JEWELLERY
All jewellery or items worn by players must be removed at the start of the game. Referees will have final say on what constitutes as dangerous and have the power to remove any players from the game who do not comply with this rule.
* This includes any watches, wristbands, rings, necklaces etc.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Team substitutions are ‘rolling,’ and can be made at any point in the game.
There is no limit on the number of substitutions per team/per game. The substituted player must be off the court before a new player comes on and they must substitute within touching distance of each other.
FILL IN PLAYERS
If the minimum number of rostered players are met, teams are legally allowed to pick up ‘ringers’ to make a team of 5 with 1 sub. Teams may not pick up any players to exceed a team of 6 (1 substitution) and fill-in players must be agreed upon with the opposition BEFORE THE GAME BEGINS.
Extra Substitutions are not allowed in the Finals unless they have played a minimum of 3 games for the team within the regular season and signed on the team waiver.
*Teams can only pick up extra substitutions at the BEGINNING of the game. None throughout.
TEAM FOULS
Our Basketball rules have been modified for our social competitions to keep games simple but still fair.
So teams are given up to 5 fouls per quarter until the opposition is awarded 2 free throws for each foul following.
UNSPORTSMANLIKE FOULS/TECHNICAL FOULS
Unsportsmanlike Fouls and Technical Fouls will be called at the discretion of the referee. All plays made directly at the player and not a play at the ball will be ‘Unsportsmanlike’.
Any swearing will be given one warning, and continuous swearing or arguing with calls will result in a ‘Technical Foul’. Consistent technical fouls are against the nature of this competition so 2nd technical foul in a season results in a 2-week suspension and 3rd technical foul in a season results in suspension from the competition.
Unsportsmanlike Fouls: 2 free throws for the player fouled, and the team gains possession at halfway.
Technical Fouls: 1 penalty free-throw for any player and then the ball goes to the team who had the ball at the time of the foul at the location of the technical foul.
GAME TIME
Games consist of 4 x 9 minute quarters with a 1-minute break in between and clocks will start ON TIME.
The clock does not stop for any injuries/incidents within the regular playing time and ONLY stops in the last 2 minutes if the score differential is within 5 points during the 4th quarter.
Ties within the regular season will remain a tie.
EQUAL STANDINGS
When two or more teams have an equal number of points after playing the same number of games, table positions are calculated using the overall points difference for the league.
NO SHOWS
Teams must have a minimum of 3 players from the rostered team for a legal game; any less and it will become an automatic forfeit. Teams must also have a minimum of 4 players on the court to start the game. If 4 players cannot be made, the team will have till the end of the first quarter (running clock) to finalise players and find “Fill In Players”.
Game clocks will start on time; therefore each minute passed within the first quarter unplayed, the opposition will be awarded 2 points until the team is ready or has the minimum number of players on the court.
If your team is short you can post on our Brisbane SportUP Subs group to find some fill-ins.
If a team forfeits and no fill-in players show up then there is a $99 No Show fee.
This No Show fee must be paid before Friday to remain in the competition.
If you post before 1 pm then you can find subs 99% of the time.
What to do if your team needs to forfeit
SEASON
The Regular Season runs for 12 weeks. The team at the top of the table after 12 weeks will be crowned Champions.
Prizes will be awarded to the Most Social Team.
This prize will be awarded based on SportUP Points collected throughout the season as well as other contributing factors over the season. Find out more about SportUP Points here.
Enjoy your games!