Kerrisdale Basketball
League - Rules & Guidelines
1.0 General
The rules
below are our guide and have been developed with
player feedback over many years. Players must
agree to follow these rules. Sometimes, there
is a tendency for teams to compromise the rules
as “agreed between themselves” such as: 1)
playing with 4 players each, 2) allowing grey
shirts, etc…. This won’t work as it is
important the rules we play under are consistent
from game to game and team to team. If the
rules need to be adjusted, we need to do it as a
league, and not per game, or individually.
Our rules do not cover
every situation, therefore, sometimes, we simply
need to use good judgment and play with good
spirit. The organizer has discretion and final
decision in all situations. Players are
responsible for knowing the rules and spirit
guidelines and playing within them.
2.0 Fouls
1) Any player involved in the
foul may call a foul. However, the foul is only
recorded if there is agreement between the
players involved. The player being fouled may
“Contest” the call, in which case,
the foul is not recorded. Offense maintains
possession unless it is an offensive foul.
Player being fouled cannot overrule player
committing the foul and gain possession unless
there is agreement on the call. It is in the
spirit of the league for players to admit their
fouls - please signal the scorer’s table. In
the case of a “Contest”, players should either
say “Contest”, or simply motion to the scorer’s
table that it is a “Contest”. Please keep the
communication “cool”, fair, and simple, and try
not to get personal about the calls – be
objective.
2) 11 team fouls allowed.
At 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and every foul
thereafter, the opposing team is in a bonus
situation. During regular continuous
time, teams get this point automatically. In
the last 3 minutes during stop-time, if the
point spread is 6 or less, teams will have the
opportunity to earn the point with a foul shot.
Women shoot first, with men and women
alternating thereafter. Also, please don’t
worry too much about the number of fouls. The
point percentage of the total number of points
scored is very small (~5%), compared to about
25% in regular leagues. Just make a call, or
accept a call, and play on. If the foul
is “Contested”, offense just keeps the ball and
the play moves on – it should be as close to
instantaneous as possible and smooth – there
should hardly be any discussion. Put
the no. of fouls in perspective. Don’t get
bugged – just play.
Fouls occurring after a
basket count.
Note: On any call by the defense,
the ball does not get turned over unless the
offensive player agrees on the call. For
example, on an offensive foul call by a
defensive player. Generally, the idea is that
there are no possession changes unless both the
offensive and defensive players agree.
3) There are three (3)
kinds of fouls:
i) A regular foul,
which is worth 1 foul. These fouls should
account for about 90% of the fouls.
ii) An automatic basket
without possession. This occurs when
the defender is behind the player on a
breakaway
going to the hoop and commits a hard foul. No
fouls marked. The intent of this rule is to let
the player go if you don’t have a reasonable
chance of defending the play. Again, players
should call this. Monitors may use their
discretion here as well.
iii) An automatic basket
plus possession. This occurs when there
is an intentional or flagrant foul, which occurs
primarily when a player is behind the offensive
player and appears to have little or no chance
of defending the play. A flagrant foul also
occurs when a player takes a hard swing (like a
volleyball spike) to swat the ball away.
Generally, the scorer’s desk will make this
call, although the first choice is to get
agreement between the players involved and the
scorer’s desk. Of course, if a player or team
volunteers this call, that’s even better.
In the
case of an “extreme” intentional foul, see
Section on “On Court” behaviour.
5)
If a player drives towards the hoop looking for
a foul, there will be no foul. Offense retains
possession. Please drive only when there is a
legitimate opening, otherwise the contact
creates too much confusion and conflict.
6)
On screens or picks, guys may not put up
their arms and elbows. This is a foul.
However, it is okay for women to put up their
arms, but only to protect themselves, and not to
use the arms to make the pick more effective -
no pushing. Screens
or picks in the backcourt are allowed, however,
players cannot “pick players off” – no blind
picks.
7)
If players do not make the call, the
organizer/monitor will use his/her discretion in
making a call in the spirit of fairness.
Players must make a call and give the benefit of
the doubt to the opposing player.
8)
Players not involved in the foul may not make a
foul call. If such players do make a call, a
warning is issued. A second infraction is
marked as a foul.
9)
“And 1” – “And 1” after a made hoop will only be
recorded if both players on the court involved
in the foul agree. Most times, the defensive
player has “moved on” with the play down the
court, while the player calling for the “And 1”
is requesting the foul. The onus is on the “And
1” player to look for agreement from the player
he/she called the foul on. If the player
doesn’t get the agreement, no foul will be
marked. If the foul is pretty obvious and the
player committing the foul is too caught up in
the play to acknowledge the call, the monitor
can mark the foul, however, the monitor should
look to get acknowledgement. Generally, this is
a tough situation because the play has changed
direction, so the onus is on the “And 1” player
to get agreement.
3.0 Clock
1)
Games are about 60 minutes, with the last 3
minutes stop time. However, organizer can
change the duration for scheduling reasons.
The clock will
only go into stop time if the point spread is 18
or less – organizer can use discretion here.
2)
Games should be played in the spirit of a 30
second clock, including a 10 second clock in the
back court (times are just approximate - please
do not go crazy if the timer is out by a few
seconds either way - until we get a clock, timer
will do their best).
Organizer will try and arrange a
“shot clock warning” buzzer to indicate 5 secs
before shot clock expires – or use shot clocks
if available.
3)
When the game is in stop time, the clock will
stop after a basket is scored, and will be
started again when the ball is touched after the
inbound. Realistically, the ball is put into
play pretty quickly, so most times, there is no
need to stop/start the clock. Clock only needs
to be stopped if a team is taking too long –
more than 3 seconds.
4)
If a game is tied after regulation time,
consecutive 5 minute overtime periods (with last
2 minutes stop clock) will be played. Organizer
can change overtime duration for scheduling
reasons.
5)
Each team is allowed 2 time-outs per game.
Time-outs are 40 s, with a buzzer signaling
return to play. Game clock starts 5 secs later,
unless it’s a disadvantage to the team that is
behind. If the score
is within 6 pts, and the game is in the last 3
minutes, each time may have on additional
timeout. One timeout is added for each overtime
period.
6)
In the last 3 minutes, on a foul,
offense has 15 secs or the balance of the shot
clock. Each time there is a foul, shot clock
resets to 15 secs. If this can’t be tracked
with a shot clock, we track it approximately.
7)
Shot clock will remain at 30 seconds in the last
3 minutes if it’s stop time. The spirit of the
league is to not “run out the clock”, but to go
for the hoop.
8)
If there are 20 to 30 seconds left in the game,
and the team with possession is ahead, the team
that is behind will get
5 seconds
after possession turnover (other team must shoot
with 5 secs). Please note that on a timeout,
ball is moved up to the front court, just ahead
of half. If the clock inadvertently runs down
after a made basket, the clock will be reset to
5 seconds in the backcourt. Monitor should try
and remember to remind both teams of the “5
second rule”. General idea is to give the other
team possession near the end of the game if the
game is close. The times aren’t exact. Be
flexible.
4.0 Rosters
1) All games to be played with
3 guys/2 women. A minimum game roster is 4
guys/3 gals. Otherwise, penalties apply.
2)
Teams that do not field 5
players, including 3 guys/2 women, will default
their game. If a
team cannot field 5 of their own players
20 minutes
past the scheduled game time they will default
that game. At that point, it becomes a pickup
game. The league organizer will organize
subbing options for all the teams, whether it be
a sublist or specific arrangements with other
teams within the league.
Limited cross Division subbing -
subbing “up” allowed. For example, a Div. 2
player may sub for a Div. 1 team, but not vice
versa. Similarly, a Div. 3 player may sub for a
Div. 2 or Div. 1 team. Div. 3 players can sub
for each other. If subbing becomes excessive,
we will tighten this rule.
3)
If a team brings either only 2
women or only 3 men, this may be a penalty.
Cumulative occurrences could equal one default.
Please see section on Minor Penalties – 6.0.
4)
If a team defaults once, the team
will lose any tie they are in. If a team is
defaulted twice, then the team will be moved
down to the bottom of the Pool or Division and
will only be eligible for consolation games.
The organizer may also remove the team from the
league on the second or subsequent defaults.
Teams defaulted from the league will have their
community centre registration revoked, not be
reimbursed for the remainder of the season, nor
will they be permitted to register for the next
session.
5)
A player may only play in the Playoffs if they
have played 5
games in a 13 or 14 week schedule
;
6 games in a 15 week to
18 week schedule; and 3 games in a 9 week
schedule.
In an 18 week schedule, the player may have
played in either the round robin or the Pool
Play. There are no
substitutions for injured players or players
leaving town. Teams must ensure a sizable
roster through the season to ensure adequate
roster size if there are injuries. However,
teams may pick up league subs at any time.
League subs are exempt from the min. game
rules. Subs are noted on the league website or
available through the league organizer.
6)
A team roster consists of a maximum of 16
players (9 guys/7 women) - team captains must
submit an initial roster and keep updating the
roster as players are added. Rosters
are separate for the fall and winter session.
However, registration is not.
All players playing
a game must pay the Kerrisdale Community Centre
Registration Fees whether it’s the first week of
the fall season or the latter part of the Winter
Season – unless the player is a league sub.
7)
In case of injury or other circumstances where a
team started with at least 4 guys or 3 girls,
but is left with only 4 players through the
game, the team may replace the injured player
with another of equal or lesser strength or play
with 4 or less players. Technically, teams must
play with their own players. Game is not a
default even if they play with 4 or less players
because they started with at least 4/3.
However, if a team started with only 3 guys
and/or 2 women, game is a default in case of
injury – see below.
8)
If a team brings only 3 guys or 2 girls and
cannot finish the game with the same 3 guys or 2
girls, the team will default the game.
9)
Players must be 18.5 years old on game day to
play in this league.
10) Teams may play with 3 women
each for a very brief period – say 5 minutes,
but not in the last 3 minutes; this is only
allowed if both teams have a minimum roster of
4/3. This is just to give keep some flexibility
within the league.
11) If a team defaults by not
fielding any players or not making an effort to
field a team, i.e., calls the other team to
indicate they cannot field enough players, or
calls the organizer to indicate that they won’t
be able to field a team, that team will be
removed from the league. Teams must make an
effort to field a team by calling players from
the sublist, asking the organizer for help, and
making a significant effort to field subs.
There has to be a game. If a game isn’t played,
the team that defaulted will be removed from the
league – no warning – this is it.
12) Players may only register on
one team.
5.0 Game
1) Over and back rule at centre
court is in effect.
2) Three point baskets count.
3) Players must play “man to
man” defense similar to NBA. NBA rules allow
some sagging off depending on where the
offensive player is with respect to the play.
Generally, defensive player should not have both
feet in the key if offensive player is near the
3 point line. This is somewhat similar to the
defensive 3 sec rule currently in the NBA. If
our “man to man” guidelines don’t work, we will
try the NBA defensive 3 sec rule. (Any player
may check anyone, i.e., guys may guard women and
vice versa – needs to be discussed). (Ongoing
discussion on allowing zone – so far, “man to
man” preferred).
4) Three second rule in effect.
5) Strictly no hands on
defense, however, players may use one elbow in
post positions for position and not to push.
Generally, play defense with your feet.
6) Held ball goes to defense
(team whose half the play is in)
7) Ball must be checked in at
the offensive half. No need to check ball in at
defensive end
8) All
players must help to ensure the games are fair
and fun.
9)
Guys cannot leave their feet
to block women anywhere on the court. The
penalty is goaltending – an automatic basket.
Even if the block doesn’t actually occur, as
long as the motion of the block interfered with
the shot, then it’s still goaltending. Players
should make the call. Teams have been very good
about this. Most times, the blocking motion
occurs inadvertently, and it’s simply a judgment
call.
10)
Game
stops when there is an injury - continuation
negated.
11)
During
play, players may only sub in at their
defensive end, when the team is bringing
up the ball; the “sub exchange” must take place
near the bench.
The ball must be in the backcourt, otherwise, it
is difficult for players to see who is subbing
in and when.
Only teams on
offense can sub.
The best time to sub is during stoppage of
play, when ball is in the backcourt. Offensive
players may sub anywhere on the court when play
is stopped, but it is preferred that players sub
only when the ball is in the backcourt to
maintain continuity of the game.
Initial violation of subbing rules will result
in a warning; subsequent violations will be
fouls.
12)
No
dribbling balls on
the sidelines while a game is in progress.
Please check with the organizer about warm up
areas. It’s best to come to the games already
warmed up.
13) Teams will locate their bench
in their defensive end.
14) Unless the organizer
volunteers to score, teams must assign monitors
as indicated on the schedule.
15) Players will respect the
court boundaries. As in a refereed game, any
stepping on lines either inadvertently or
innocently is a violation.
16) Players must play with
self-discipline. Without it, it is very
difficult to make this league work.
17)
On a lay-up where a player catches his or her
own “air ball”, this will be considered a
“travel”.
18) Time outs – Only the players
on the court and the captain may call a time
out. Once one of these players calls a timeout,
the clock will stop immediately, and the play
will stop as well, or be called back to when the
timeout was called. In
a close game in the last 3 minutes, the monitor
or organizer may call a timeout to help the game
along. Monitors are encouraged to do this to
keep the game under control and set the game up
for a good finish.
19)
Dunking – The
league has a “No
touching the rim”
policy at all centers. Players may dunk the ball, but they
cannot touch the rim. "Air dunks" are
okay. Players are not allowed to touch the
rim at all. The reason for this is that
the league has already had to deal with the
breakage of glass backboards twice, each time
having to pay a $1500 fine to Kerrisdale.
Unfortunately, the Kerrisdale rims are quite
weak, and hence the primary reason for the
league’s dunking rule. The penalty for an
“illegal dunk” is an initial warning, and a
minimum one
game suspension on the subsequent infraction
along with a $20 to $100 fine from the deposit.
If the offence is repeated by a team, the team
will lose their deposit and miss the playoffs.
If there is a repeat offender, this player is
ejected
from the league. If
the backboard and/or rim break, the team causing
the damage will be fined $500. The balance
of the $1500 payment will be recovered from all
the other teams in the league. Please note
that the cost of a damaged backboard and/or rim
is more than $1500, partly because the cost of
cancelled programs needs to be considered.
6.0 Minor Penalties
The following are sample
penalties that could be implemented at the
organizer’s discretion.
|
Type |
Number of Occurrences |
Penalty |
|
Default |
1 |
Lose any tie |
|
Default |
2 |
Dismissed from League or sent to bottom
of Division at discretion of league
organizer |
|
2 Women and/or 3 Men |
4 |
One Default |
|
No Monitor |
3 |
One Default |
|
Part Monitor |
2 |
One No Monitor |
7.0 On-Court Behaviour
1)
Any sign of taunting, intimidation, name
calling, and other unsportsmanlike behaviour
will result in a warning on the initial
violation and a player ejection on the second
occurrence. This includes any sign of mocking,
ridicule, name calling, or any inappropriate,
uncalled for remarks on the bench. This
behaviour will not be tolerated – it has no
place in this league nor in the community
centre. A third occurrence will result in a
team default.
2)
Any player (one - no mobs!) may bring a
complaint to the organizer’s attention, although
it’s preferred if the captain does this. At the
organizer’s discretion, he/she may allow further
discussion with other players. Failure to
respect this rule will result in an initial
warning, then a player ejection, and finally, a
team default.
3)
If a player shows up with alcohol under their
breath or the organizer sees any sign of
narcotics, the organizer has the right to remove
the player and/or default the team.
4)
If a player kicks the ball, the player will be
suspended for one game and the team will be
given a warning. Acts such as “punching” or
throwing the ball across the court will be
penalized based on review with the captains and
monitor.
5)
Any fighting will result in an ejection of the
player(s) from the league and an automatic team
default of 2 games including the current game.
The next team default will result in removal of
the team from the league.
6)
In the case of physical
misconduct such as an extreme intentional foul
with no play on the ball where a player is
strictly “going after” another player, the
organizer may choose to suspend the player for a
“to be determined” number of games. As well,
the team will default one game (organizer’s
discretion) – if they are losing the current
game, they will default the next game. Please
note that because of the subjective nature of
these types of incidents, the organizer has
discretion with suspensions and defaults. The
organizer will do his/her best to be consistent
with these types of penalties. It’s important
to note that the league doesn’t tolerate such
behaviour, therefore, the inclination is to
remove such players from the league.
7)
If a player appears to be ignorant of the league
rules, the organizer has the right to remove the
player from the court - with cooperation from
the team captain. The organizer also has the
right to suspend any player from the league for
any duration if the player does not play within
the rules and spirit of this league.
8.0 Requests:
1)
Please help with scoring, sweeping, and keeping
the gym area clean. It is very expensive to
hire additional staff to help with the league.
The last two teams at each gym
must clean up or help clean up. I rarely can
get over to Sunset, so it’s pretty much up to
the players to keep the gym clean and to clean
up after the last game. I normally clean up at
Kerrisdale and then try and get over to Kits to
clean up there. But sometimes, I cannot make it
because of timing. Therefore, it’s very
important that we ensure that Kits is cleaned up
after the last game. All of our complaints last
year were from Kits.
9.0 Monitoring
Duties
1)
Keep score
2)
Keep track of fouls
3)
Keep the game moving. If players
are taking too long to decide, ask the team with
possession to begin play
4)
Encourage a good spirit
5)
Give shot clock warnings as
necessary
6)
Sound the buzzer on a time out
call and when it’s time to return to play
Monitoring
can be a difficult job depending on the teams
and also the monitor. It is important to
remember that monitors are there to help the
league run smoothly. Sometimes, it’s hard to
understand how players can demand so much from
monitors. I think this has a lot to do with
perceiving the monitor as some type of ref.
The monitor’s main responsibility is to keep
score and keep track of fouls; they are not
referees. Please treat the monitor and
organizer with respect.
1)
Please do not blame
the monitors for calls.
2)
Please do not tell
the monitor what to do. However, you may check
with the monitor, but politely.
Monitors
will only step in if players cannot resolve
disagreements between themselves. Captains
should step in when difficult situations arise.
Sometimes captains naturally get caught up in
the game. In such situations, and generally,
teammates can be a big help in resolving the
situations.
Near the end
of a close game, monitors have to multi-track to
keep the game running smoothly. Players and
captains can help in such situations by
recognizing the situations with respect to the
rules and the spirit of the league.
In this
league, there is an expectation that the players
will manage their own game and the monitor will
simply help the players have a good game.
Sometimes monitors do make mistakes, but the
players have to accept this reality. Players
miss a lot more on the court than the monitor
ever does; however, the players are rarely or
never scrutinized as closely as the monitors by
some players. This cannot happen. We must
treat the monitor’s desk with respect and make
our individual contribution to ensure a smooth
game.
10.0 Injuries & First Aid
1)
Players must bring
their own First Aid supplies. The community
center First Aid equipment is only for
emergencies. Teams should get a bit organized
by arranging within the team to have First Aid
equipment. Sometimes, because of unforeseen
circumstances, the First Aid equipment can be
made available to the players. However, please
try not to dip into the league First Aid
supplies.
2)
If anyone has any
First Aid or other practical and useful Health
Related qualification, please let the organizer
know, and help out when you can.
Suggestions:
1)
A recommended roster is 5 guys/4 women. 6/4
also works. More is safer; less is more risk to
the game.
2)
Please check email or the web page for game time
changes and comments.
3)
Team captains --- please try and verbally
contact your players prior to game time. In our
modern age, emails and text messaging are okay,
but regardless of communication medium, don’t
assume anything unless you have confirmation.
4)
Do your best with fouls. Even with refs, the
games deteriorate unless players take
responsibility for the character of the games.
Good refs may make a difference, however they
are too expensive (70$/game).
5)
Players must keep the monitor’s
desk area clear. There is a tendency for
teammates to gather around the desk near the end
of the ongoing game when the game is usually in
its most important phase from a win/loss
perspective.
11.0 Spirit of the league
The
league began as a pickup night for about 6
players in 1996, three or four of whom had
played high level organized bball. Since then,
the league has grown to 30 teams. Even with
the growth, it is the intention of the league to
maintain the initial sense of community and fun.
The main
criteria for players is to have fun, play with
self-discipline, respect other players, be
creative, and enjoy the game of basketball.
The rules
of the league are there to help players play a
fair game and enjoy the game of basketball.
There are several rules that are specific to
this league and give the league its own
identity. Players are consulted on all rules.
To put
the rules in perspective, we are surrounded
by rules everywhere - at work, school, on the
streets, etc… One can never cover all the rules
resulting from a blending of bball & human
behaviour. Therefore, it’s left to the
creativity and judgment of the players to play
with common sense using the listed rules as a
basis. It is this sense of creativity and
flexibility that makes this league worthwhile
for many players in this league, including
myself.
