Rules

SHEFFIELD BASKETBALL LEAGUE RULES 2012-13

 

RULE 1 - LEAGUE OF COMPETITION

 

1.1    Each team shall play every other team in its division at least twice. Except in exceptional circumstances as directed by the league committee.

 

1.2    Two points shall be awarded for a win and zero points for a loss, no points for a default as defined by the league committee.

 

1.3    Rules of play shall be the current rule of FIBA with the additions and exceptions contained in the League Rules of Play.

 

1.4    Division winners shall be the team securing the greatest number of league points on a completion of the competition. In the event of an equality of points, it shall be resolved by placing the team that has won the aggregate head to head followed by the team who has played the most games.

 

1.5    The League Committee shall decide the organisation and formation of the League and divisions. There will be two divisions (1 and 2) of approximately equal number of teams.  Division one shall be the stronger. New teams will normally be placed in Division 2 unless a Division 1 place is (a) requested and available or (b) deemed more appropriate by the League Committee. The last placed team in Division 1 will be relegated to Division 2 for the following season. The top team from Division 2 will be promoted to Division 1 for the following season. Any other teams promotion or relegation will be decided by the committee.

 

1.6    Trophies shall be awarded each season. These trophies shall remain the property of the League. The trophies shall be returned immediately upon request and in any case no later than 14 days after the written request. Any damage shall remain the responsibility of the club in possession at the time and cost of repair/replacement must be made by that club.

 

1.7    Postponements and fixture alterations will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.  Any team wishing to postpone a match must contact the League Secretary at least 7 days before the game is due to be played, whose decision shall be final. The League Secretary will rearrange the fixture as soon as possible. Any game cancelled without notifying the League Secretary will be considered an unauthorised postponement and opposing team will be awarded the game.

 

1.8    Any team that defaults by non attendance shall be deemed to have lost the fixture and no points shall be awarded to that team. The opposing team shall be recorded as winners with a score of 20-0 and two points awarded. The decision of the League Committee shall be final.

 

1.9    Any team that defaults (by nonattendance) three times shall be disqualified from the League except in exceptional circumstances as directed by the League. In these circumstances all games played shall be expunged. The game fee will still be due from the non attending team. Any fees already paid by a team may be retained by the league.

 

1.10    Tip-off times are to be set by the league. Both teams must have the opportunity to have a minimum of 5 minutes warm up period subject to the start of a game.

 

1.11    In the event of a colour clash the home team shall change.

 

RULE 2 - REGISTRATION, PARTICIPATION AND TRANSFER

 

2.1    Teams must register all participating players with the league, The league will be responsible for registering players with England Basketball and checking that all players are registered.

 

Where a player, coach or official has registered with England Basketball through another organisation, evidence of registration must be provided to the league secretary before participation in the league's competitions will be permitted. EB registration numbers for all players, coaches and referees must be provided to the table officials at each game and shown on the score sheet. The referees must ensure that this is done before the match starts.

 

2.2    Each team must submit a League Player registration form to the League Secretary at least 2 weeks before their 1st game. Additional players can be registered throughout the season up until March 31st. After March 31st, teams may request the registration of further players only if their ability to fulfil their remaining fixtures can be shown to be in doubt. Such additions will be subject to approval by the League Committee.

 

2.3    Clubs with more than one team in the league shall provide the League Secretary with a list of five senior players who may play only for the highest placed team as follows with the exception of players who are under the age of 17 before 1st January in each season who cannot be tied to the highest team.

 

2.4    In a club with more than one team, senior national league player licence holders may only play for the highest placed team. The League Secretary should be notified of these players as soon as possible.

 

2.5    There is no limit on registration of national league player licence holders for a team. However, only two senior national league player licence holders may participate for one team on court at any one time.

 

2.6    Any new players joining the league throughout the season must register with the League Secretary prior to participating in their first game. Teams who field unregistered players will be fined £10 per player per game.

 

2.7    Players wishing to transfer from one club to another must first request approval from the League Secretary. A player must not play for the new team until approval has been granted. A ban of that player and possible reversal of result may occur if this rule is broken.

 

2.8    A player may only play for one team within the league. In certain extenuating circumstances, and provided the integrity of the league is not compromised, exceptions to this rule may be made using the following protocol;

 

The team wishing to field a player belonging to another SBL club must seek permission from the opposition prior to tip-off. Teams should inform the match officials before tip-off of any arrangements that have been agreed and indicate this on the score sheet. A team cannot use any player who is not registered with the league. These exceptions exists to help reduce any likelihood of postponements or forfeits. It may also allow ‘A’ team players to play alongside ’B’ team players for developmental purposes in clubs with two teams. In all such circumstances, the opposition reserve the right to refuse. Any team who believe the spirit of this rule is being exploited should make their concerns known to the League Committee.

 

2.9    Where it is apparent that teams are consistently struggling to field the minimum number of players required the League may require the team to take actions to address the situation or withdraw from the league completely.

 

RULE 3 - OFFICIALS

 

3.1    The league will be responsible for the appointment of officials

 

3.2    Qualified officials shall be appointed by the Committee to all fixtures; this may include newly qualified officials who are taking ‘qualification’ games.

 

3.3    All officials must be approved by the League Committee.

 

3.4    Where an appointed referee fails to arrive, a suitable replacement if available should be found to ensure that the game proceeds. If a substitute referee cannot be found either team or the other referee may opt not to play the game. The League Secretary must be informed within 48 hours and a further date will be arranged for the game to be replayed.

 

3.5    Where both referees fail to arrive and suitable replacement(s) cannot be found, the fixture can be postponed. The League Secretary must be informed within 48 hours and a further date will be arranged for the game to be replayed. A game can take place with only one referee if BOTH teams are in agreement prior to tip off. This must be indicated on the scoresheet.

 

RULE 4 - CONTROL OF MATCHES

 

4.1    The league shall provide an official score pad and keep a cumulative visual record of the scores throughout the game.

 

4.2    All teams shall wear a consistent kit with clearly marked numbering in line with FIBA regulations (4-15 preferred). All shirts should be consistent.

 

4.3    Sign under protest - Where the scoresheet has been signed under protest a written explanation must be sent within 48 hours to the League Secretary. The referee is also required to send a report within this timescale. Other officials are not required to submit a report unless requested to do so by the League Secretary.

 

RULE 5 - KNOCK OUT COMPETITIONS

 

5.1    A knock out cup competition will be held during each season the format and venues to be decided upon the by Committee

 

5.2     The first round games for the knock out competition will be based on the league standings at the end of February.

 

5.3    The League will provide qualified officials.

 

5.4    Under no circumstances will a player be permitted to play for more than one team in the cup and plate playoff competitions.

 

5.5    All League rules of play apply where applicable.

 

RULE 6 - LOSS OF MATCHES

 

6.1    A loss of match by score 20-0 score shall be incurred for the following offences

• Non-attendance at match (subject to Rule 1.7)
• Playing a player under a false name
• Team Walk off from a match or other inappropriate behaviour
• Unauthorised postponement
• Playing an individual not registered with the league

 

RULE 7 - FINES

 

7.1    The league committee shall set the amount of any fines. All disciplinary matters will be dealt with by the Disciplinary Officer and league committee.

 

7.2    All fines must be received by the League Treasurer within 14 days of the notice of fine being received by registered post by the team secretary. Failure to comply will result in the fine being increased every 14 days until payment is received.

 

7.3    Fines:

• Playing an individual not registered with the league £10 per player per game.
• Disqualifying foul £10 and one game ban.
• Team failure to turn up for game without notifying the league 7 days in advance, full game fee.
• Team walk off from match or other inappropriate behaviour, full game fee.

 

RULE 8 - MATCH ORGANISATION

 

8.1    Should any match be postponed for any reason players who were ineligible will remain ineligible for the re-arranged fixture. If a scoresheet is completed for the game and for whatever reason the game is abandoned and replayed, then only players on the original scoresheet will be eligible to play unless prior permission is sought from the League Secretary.

 

8.2    The table officials are responsible for ensuring that the scoresheet is correctly filled in and all player license numbers are recorded. Should either team not have such details as required this should be noted on the reverse of the sheet by the referee.

 

RULE 9 - PLAYER DISCIPLINARY POLICY

 

9.1    All disciplinary matters to be sent to the disciplinary officer (DO), who will then have the power to choose a sub committee of three (3) people (includes DO) to liaise, ponder, and judge on any action to be taken. The members must not have any connection to the incident which they are judging.

 

9.2    In all instances reports by officials (Referee, Umpire(s) and Table Officials as required) are to be sent to DO within 72 hours of the incident in writing/e-mail. A responsibility will also be on the Referee to check the score sheet to see if any player has been disqualified, for example by virtue of two Unsportsmanlike fouls, and advise DO if necessary.

 

9.3    All disqualifications, other than for Unsportsmanlike fouls, will carry an automatic one-match ban, which the Committee will notify the team concerned / match officials of the game in which the player is to miss. This ban cannot be appealed against.

 

9.4    Any further ban given by the disciplinary sub committee may be appealed by the team concerned. This should be done within 7 days from notification of the ban.

 

9.5    Nothing in paragraph 3 above prevents the DO and Committee from taking disciplinary action against a player for repeating use of the unsportsmanlike foul.

 

9.6    Any team wishing to appeal will be required to submit a cheque for £25 along with the appeal letter to the DO. If received the DO will have a further look into the original reports with a further 2 members of the committee or if no one available 2 independent members of the league. Providing all time scales are met a decision will be made within 72 hours following receipt of the appeal. If successful teams will be notified of the new decision their monies returned. However if not successful the original decision will stand, teams will be notified accordingly and the league will retain the appeal fee.

 

9.7    It is imperative that all officials report on all disqualifications, this includes 2 unsportsmanlike fouls. Obviously if the disqualification is for verbal or violent action a more detailed report is required to allow the DO to accurately assess the penalty required.

 

 

RULES UPDATED AUGUST 2012