Rules

Big 4-0 Basketball > Rules

Big 4-0 Basketball – RULES & REGULATIONS

Updated: December 2024*

1. REQUIREMENTS

  • 1.1  Rules are subject to change.
  • 1.2  All players must sign a Waiver and Release of Liability form and submitted before playing their first game
  • 1.3  Registration fees must be paid in-full prior to start of the first game of the current season.
  • 1.4  Age requirement to play is 35 years or over (except for the 45+ Recreational 2 Division).
    • 1.4.1  If 34 years old, but turn 35 anytime during the current calendar year, you are allowed to play.
  • 1.5  ONE (1) 30 years+ player is allowed to play per team.
  • 1.6  Age requirement to play in the 45+ Recreational 2 Division is 45 years or over.
    • 1.6.1  If 44 years old, but turn 45 anytime during the current calendar year, you are allowed to play.
    • 1.6.2  ONE (1) 40 years+ player is allowed to play per team in the 45+ Recreational 2 Division.
    • 1.6.3  At the league’s discretion, players under 45 may be placed in the Rec.2 division based on skill level and team availability. 

2. TEAM ROSTERS AND PLAYERS

  • 2.1  Each team will consist of a roster of a minimum of 4 players to a maximum of 11 players (4 starters and up to 7 reserves), but ONLY 10 players can be present and available to play on game days.
  • 2.2  An individual rostered player registering with 2 teams in the same season can ONLY play up a division from which their original team was registered in. Playing for a 2nd team in a lower division in the same season is NOT ALLOWED.
  • 2.3  Team rosters will be locked in & finalized prior to start of the 4th week of games of the current season. Team captains must confirm their team roster at this time.
  • 2.4  Picture ID must be presented to league officials if a player’s age or roster status is called into question. If the player fails to provide a picture ID or refuses to comply, the player is not allowed to play and is disqualified from the league.
  • 2.5  A player that suffers a season-ending injury can be replaced by a new player at any time during the regular season but not in the playoffs.
  • 2.6  Teams may be moved into another division at the league’s discretion based on previous seasons results, team roster, and/or the number of teams registered in a division. Team captains will be notified if your team will be moved.

3. MANDATORY JERSEYS & ASSIGNED JERSEY NUMBERS

  • 3.1  Teams must wear numbered jerseys of the same or similar colour.
  • 3.2  All rostered players MUST wear an assigned numbered jersey, meaning rostered players must have their own numbered jersey, in which the number is assigned to the player.
  • 3.3  Players must wear the same numbered jersey for the entire season, including playoffs. NO SWITCHING OF JERSEYS OR JERSEY NUMBERS.
  • 3.4  If a player wears an unnumbered jersey or t-shirt, the player will be considered a DROP-IN AND a drop-in player fee will be charged.
    • 3.4.1  Drop-in rules will apply (Section 4) and playoff eligibility credit will not be given.
    • 3.4.2  FURTHERMORE, the player must obtain a numbered jersey to play in future games.
  • 3.5  No masking tape of jersey numbers on t-shirts/tank-tops allowed.
  • 3.6  Multiple jersey numbers can be assigned to a player, if not a duplicate number from teammates

4. DROP-IN PLAYERS

  • 4.1  A drop-in player is a player that is not listed on a team roster.
  • 4.2  Fee for a drop-in player is $15 and will be fully enforced, NO EXCEPTIONS.
  • 4.3  Fees will be collected from the team captain or co-captain, NOT from the drop-in player.
  • 4.4  Drop-in players are only allowed to play once (1 game) during the regular season and CANNOT play again as a drop-in.
  • 4.5  Drop-in players are not permitted in the playoffs
  • 4.6  Drop-in players must sign a waiver form prior to start of game in order to play.
  • 4.7  Outstanding drop-in fees must be paid in-full by the end of the regular season. If not paid, penalties or forfeit of playoff games may result.
  • 4.8  Drop-in players can be added to a roster anytime before the start of the 4th week of games.
  • 4.9  Rostered players CANNOT play as a drop-in for any other team in any division.
  • 4.11  It is up to the team, team captains and co-captains, to make every effort possible to find a drop-in player on their own before contacting the league. Contacting the league to find a drop-in player will only be used as a last resort.

5. GAME PLAY

  • 5.1  Games are played on a half-court, 4v4, with games played simultaneously.
  • 5.2  All games MUST start with at least 4 players on each team.
  • 5.3  Games may NOT start 4v3 or 3v3. Games will only start 4v4. (4 players from each team on the court to begin play).
    • 5.3.1  Team with 3 players or less 10 minutes after the scheduled start time will forfeit the game. NO EXCEPTIONS.
    • 5.3.2  Games can continue to be played 4v3 due to player injury and/or player ejection.
  • 5.4  Games are 40 minutes running time. Halftime happens at 20 minutes, regardless of score.
  • 5.5  Halftime lasts for 5 minutes, game clock stops.
  • 5.6  First possession is determined by “shoot-for-ball” from the top of the 2-point arc.
  • 5.7  All regular season games in all divisions will be officiated by one (1) referee.
  • 5.8  A second referee may be added to officiate a game if an extra referee is available.
  • 5.9  1-point and 2-point baskets are used. Shots made inside the arc is awarded one (1) point and shots made outside the arc is awarded two (2) points.
  • 5.10  First team to reach 40 points wins or the team with the highest score at the end of 40 minutes wins. Teams DO NOT have to win by 2 points.
    • 5.10.1  In addition to rule 5.3.2, if the team with 4 players during a 4v3 situation reaches a lead of 15 points or more, they will be declared the winner. Game ends.
  • 5.11  A 20-second shot clock will be used for all games AND will be enforced by the officiating referee(s).
  • 5.12  Full stoppage time exists in the following situations:
    • 5.12.1  In the final one (1) minute of play in the first half, regardless of score.
    • 5.12.2  In the final two (2) minutes of play in the second half if the score difference is 10 points or less.
    • 5.12.3  Timeout or injury situations.
  • 5.13  If the score is tied at the end of 40 minutes, game goes into overtime. First OT possession is determined by a COIN FLIP, and NOT by “shoot-for-ball” from the 2-point arc. A 20-second shot clock is enforced. First team to score two (2) points wins.
  • 5.14  No “possession” ball. The ball changes possession after each scored basket.
  • 5.15  After a scored basket, the opposing team takes the ball out at the check line (green line) beyond the 2-pt arc. Must give the defensive team 2 seconds to set.
    • 5.15.1  Ball must be passed into play, no shot or dribbling into play allowed. Also, both feet must be behind the check line prior to passing the ball into play.
    • 5.15.2  A violation to this will result in loss of possession, NO WARNING GIVEN.
  • 5.16  All defensive rebounds, including “airballs”, must be cleared.
  • 5.17  Steals and blocks also needs to be cleared.
  • 5.18  The ball is cleared when the offensive player with the ball establishes both feet behind the 2-point line. The ball can be cleared by dribbling or passing.
    • 5.18.1  A violation to this will result in loss of possession, NO WARNING GIVEN.
  • 5.19  No defensive 3-second rule, normal offensive 3-second in-the-key rule apply.
  • 5.20  All jump balls becomes the possession of the defensive team.
  • 5.21  Any concerns with the score or game-clock are to be addressed to the officiating referee and NOT the scorekeepers. Team captains and co-captains will ONLY be allowed to address the referee with these concerns, all other players must remain at their respective benches. The referee will determine changes accordingly if needed.

6. SUBSTITUTIONS

  • 6.1  Substitutions during a game can ONLY be made on a “whistled” deadball situation (ex. out-of-bounds or a turnover violation such as travelling), on a free-throw attempt, or on a time-out.
  • 6.2  No “on-the-fly” substitutions.
  • 6.3  Change of possession after a made basket is NOT A DEADBALL and is still considered on-going game play. NO SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED.

7. TIMEOUTS

  • 7.1  Each team is allowed one (1) one-minute timeout per half. Game clock stops during a timeout.
  • 7.2  Timeouts do not carry over.
  • 7.3. No timeouts in overtime.

8. FORFEITED GAMES

  • 8.1 Game is forfeited 10 minutes after start time if a team does not have enough players to start the game. Score will be recorded as 30-0.
  • 8.2  Forfeited games during the season will result in the following fines and are fully enforced, NO EXCEPTIONS:
    • 8.2.1  1st regular season forfeited game: $50 TEAM FINE
    • 8.2.2  2nd regular season forfeited game: $100 TEAM FINE AND POSSIBLE TEAM DISQUALIFICATION for the entire season and forfeit of remaining games (determined by the league). NO REFUND GIVEN
    • 8.2.3  3rd regular season forfeited game: TEAM IS DISQUALIFIED FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON AND FORFEITS ALL REMAINING GAMES. NO REFUND GIVEN. Reinstatement into league for future seasons will be determined by league officials.
    • 8.2.4  Forfeited playoff or consolation game: $100 TEAM FINE
  • 8.3  Regular season fines must be paid in full before the start of the playoffs. If not paid, penalties or forfeit of playoff games may result.
  • 8.4  Playoff fines must be paid immediately.
  • 8.5  These fines are to deter games from being forfeited. Costs must be covered for referees, scorekeepers and gym rentals for any forfeited game.
  • 8.6  Fines can be avoided if twenty-four (24) hours notice is given to the league by contacting the league commissioner. Ex.) Game scheduled for Sunday @ 1pm, notice must be given by Saturday @ 1pm.
  • 8.7  A deposit of $100 may be asked to be given from each team captain at the beginning of each season (in addition to team registration fees) to cover possible fines for forfeited games. The deposit will be returned at the end of the season or used towards for next season.

9. FOULS, FREE THROWS AND BONUS SITUATIONS

  • 9.1  Only team fouls are recorded, players do not foul out.
  • 9.2  Shooting fouls within the 2-point arc are awarded one free throw and shooting fouls beyond the 2-point arc are awarded two free throws. “And-1” rule apply.
  • 9.3  Free throws made are worth one point each. All other players will remain behind the shooter during a free throw attempt.
  • 9.4  All free throws are dead balls, no rebounding. Regardless of whether the free throw(s) are made, the opposing team receives possession and checks the ball at the check line.  Ball possession applies when a team is in a penalty-bonus situation.
  • 9.5  Bonus situation happens at team fouls #7, 8 & 9, opponents are given ONE free throw, but no possession.
  • 9.6  Penalty-bonus situation happens at team fouls #10 and beyond, opponents are given ONE free throw AND possession.
  • 9.7  Offensive fouls never result in a free throw, regardless the number of team fouls, but DOES COUNT towards to a team’s foul total.

10. TECHNICAL AND FLAGRANT FOULS

  • 10.1  The following will result if a technical foul is given to a player during a game:
    • 10.1.1  1st technical foul: Opposing team receives ONE (1) point and takes possession. No free throw taken.
    • 10.1.2  2nd technical foul: The player is disqualified from the game and must leave the venue immediately. Opposing team receives TWO (2) points and takes possession. No free throws taken.
  • 10.2  If a player receives THREE (3) technical fouls over the season, the player is suspended for ONE (1) game and cannot play in the next game.
    • 10.2.1  a FOURTH (4) technical foul will result in an additional game suspension.
    • 10.2.2  a FIFTH (5) technical foul will result in the player being disqualified for the season. Re-entry into league for future seasons will be determined by league officials.
  • 10.3  Unsportsmanlike and bench (team) technical fouls will be treated as technical fouls. The following will result if a technical foul is given to a team during a game:
    • 10.3.1  1st team technical foul: Opposing team receives ONE (1) point and takes possession. No free throw taken.
    • 10.3.2  2nd team technical foul: Opposing team receives TWO (2) points and takes possession. No free throws taken.
    • 10.3.3  3rd team technical foul: Team forfeits game. Score will be recorded as 30-0. FORFEIT GAME RULES WILL APPLY (Section 8).
  • 10.4  Flagrant fouls are unnecessary, excessive & dangerous contact and non-basketball plays which will be determined as either a Flagrant-1 or Flagrant-2 at the discretion of the league and officiating referee.  
  • 10.5  The following will result if a flagrant foul is given to during a game:
    • 10.5.1  Flagrant-1: Opposing team receives TWO (2) points and takes possession. No free throws taken.
    • 10.5.2  Flagrant-2: the player is disqualified from the game and must leave the venue immediately. A ONE (1) game suspension is also given to the player and cannot play in the next game. Opposing team still receives TWO (2) points and takes possession. No free throws taken.
  • 10.6  If a team receives TWO (2) flagrant fouls in a game, team forfeits the game, score will be recorded as 30-0, AND is under probation under the duration of the season. FORFEIT GAME RULES WILL APPLY (Section 8).
  • 10.7 If a player receives TWO (2) flagrant fouls over the season, the player is disqualified for the season. Re-entry into league for future seasons will be determined by league officials.
  • 10.8  Technical, flagrant, unsportsmanlike and team technical fouls are given at the discretion of the officiating referee and league commissioner.
  • 10.9  Technical, flagrant, unsportsmanlike and team technical fouls DO NOT count towards to a team’s foul total during a game.
  • 10.10  Any abuse given by a player, (verbal or physical) towards another player or league member or officials (including referees, scorekeepers, volunteers or contractors), as well as other teams, players and spectators, any of the following may result at the discretion of the officiating referee or league officials:
    • 10.10.1  Technical fouls assessed.
    • 10.10.2  Player ejected from the game.
    • 10.10.3  Team disqualified, game forfeited, score recorded as 30-0. FORFEIT GAME RULES WILL APPLY (Sec.8).
    • 10.10.4  Team/player suspension and placed on probation.
    • 10.10.5  Team/player dismissed from the league. No refund given.
    • 10.10.6  Team/player banned from the league indefinitely
  • 10.11. Any racial slurs or actions given by a player towards another player or league member or officials (including referees, scorekeepers, volunteers or contractors), as well as other teams, players and spectators, player will be suspended indefinitely and/or disqualified for the season and/or dismissed from the league. No refund given.

11. FIGHTING

  • 11.1  Fighting will not be tolerated. Players involved in a fight will result in immediate ejection and dismissal from the league. Players will be banned from the league indefinitely. No refund given.
  • 11.2  Punches thrown by a player(s) during a game will be considered FIGHTING and will result in immediate ejection and dismissal from the league. Players will be banned from the league indefinitely. No refund given.
  • 11.3  There’s no room in this league for excessive, rough play, intentions to injure, verbal or physical abuse, malicious or harmful actions. If you plan to NOT have fun and compete without sportsmanship & respect, this league is NOT FOR YOU!

12. PLAYOFFS

  • 12.1  Tie-breakers will be determined according to head-to-head regular season results.
  • 12.2  If still tied after head-to-head results, regular season point-differential will be used.
  • 12.3. If still tied after regular season point-differential, average points-scored will be used.
  • 12.4  To be eligible to play in the playoffs, players must play at least 2 (two) regular season games.
  • 12.5  No drop-in players allowed in the playoffs.
  • 12.6  Playoff games may be officiated by 1 (one) referee or by two (2) referees at the league’s discretion.

13. PENALTIES FOR UNPAID FINES & FEES

  • 13.1  Any outstanding fines or fees (drop-in fees, jersey fees, registration fees) that remain unpaid after the start of playoff games, penalties or FORFEIT OF PLAYOFF GAMES may result.
  • 13.2  Team captains and co-captains will be contacted and sent up to three (3) reminders in writing for unpaid fees.
    • 13.2.1  If payment is not received immediately after the 3rd reminder, fees will be deemed UNPAID and penalties will be enforced as per determined by league.
  • 13.3  Fees & fines must still be paid. Outstanding fines & fees will affect a team’s or individual player’s registration status for future seasons.