Active Ummah Basketball implements a majority of FIBA rules with some custom rules.
*Rules can be amended/altered at the discretion of the committee.
General Rules:
ALL games will begin according to schedule. Teams with less than 5 players will forfeit the game 25-0. Teams cannot bring in substitute players/fillers for any game. Coaches are responsible for their team attendance. There will be no bending/breaking of the rules.
Teams must give at least 24 hours notice if they do not have enough players for their scheduled game.
Regular Season will consist of two 12 minute halves (Primary Division) and four 10 minute quarters (Junior & Intermediate divisions) – could be reduced if we are short on time.
The last two minutes of the game will be stoppage time (only if the point differential is 10 or less)
There will be a 2 minute break between halves. This is also up to referee and committee discretion if time is running short.
Each team will generally consist of an 8-10 player roster, including three subs. Games will be played on a 5 versus 5 basis and substitutions can happen anytime during dead ball/foul situations and referee discretion. A team can ONLY officially sub in when the referee announces it.
Players will have to indicate to the scorer’s table that they’re subbing in, to make Stat Keepers aware.
A late player can join at any time during the game.
At the referee’s sole discretion, any player may be required to remove jewelry deemed unsafe for play. Failure to comply could result in a suspension and game forfeit.
Teams will have 8 seconds to get the ball across half court, otherwise possession goes to the opposing team. The “Over and Back” rule also applies.
Shots that go over the backboard are ruled out of bounds even if it doesn’t touch the structure and possession will change hands.
Shots that get stuck in the basket or wedged between the rim and backboard will go to team with possession arrow.
Only the Offensive “3 Seconds in the Key” applies.
Free Throws are played on the release of the shooter for those waiting in their respective spots in the key. The player shooting the free throw, must wait until the ball hits the rim before they can attempt to rebound the ball. An air ball free throw, results in an automatic possession to the opposing team.
Live ball timeouts can be called on possession or dead ball. Any player on the court or bench can call it, including the coach.
One 30 second Time-Out in the 1st half, and One 30 second Time-Out in the 2nd half will be allotted for the regular season. Unused Time-Out from 1st half can be carried over to the 2nd half. The referees/stat keepers are going to be extremely strict about the 30 second Time-Out in order to avoid any time being wasted.
If you do not have your official jersey then you will not be allowed to play. No excuses.
Off court encouragement is allowed but no negativity please. There is a zero-tolerance policy on fighting/assaulting referees/players, swearing and/or taunting. For swearing and/or taunting, the first offence results in a technical foul. The second offence in the same game results in an ejection and a possible suspension. An automatic ban will be handed out for fighting (even if just a swing/punch is thrown) and this includes playoffs for even a first time offence.
We are here to have fun and, although any form of competition sometimes gets heated, there is no room for abuse of any kind. You are only costing yourself and your team with suspensions which are not appealable. There is no refund or discount on league fees. Let’s respect the game and everyone involved!
Fouls:
Each team will have 5 Team Fouls (non-shooting fouls) per half but on the 6th foul, teams will be awarded free throws (one and one rule). 5 fouls on any one player results in the player being fouled out from the game.
Fouls that occur away from the ball in the LAST 2 MINS of the game and in OVERTIME will result in 2 free throws and will retain possession. Even if it is a bonus situation, the team will only get 2 free throws and possession. This means you cannot foul a weak free throw shooter if they do not have the ball in the last 2 mins/overtime without being penalized for it. For inbound situations, a defensive foul that occurs before the ball is released by the inbounder will result in an away-from-the-play foul and 2 free throws plus possession will be awarded.
Last minute of play in 2nd half or overtime, teams can advance to halfcourt on makes or misses regardless of where the ball is after calling a timeout.
If a player is fouled and the team that committed the foul has less than 5 fouls, then the foul counts and the offensive team claims possession. No free throws allotted.
If a player is fouled and the team that committed the foul has 5 fouls or more, then the offensive team will go to the line to shoot a “single bonus” free throw (one and one). 1 free throw, plus another if the first is successful is awarded on the 6th, 7th and 8th and 9th foul of each half; the penalty is increased to two shots on the 10th and subsequent fouls; overtime is an extension of the second half.
5 players total in the lane when free throws are being taken. 2 from the offensive team and 3 from the defensive team.
Clear path fouls if determined by the referee will result in 2 free throws and possession of the ball regardless of whether it is a bonus situation or not. This applies to “unsportsmanlike misconduct” fouls as well.
Fouls are completely at the referee’s discretion. Treat the referees with respectand talk to them during stoppages or after the game and voice your opinion at those times. Even though the referees are certified, everyone is prone to missing calls and they need to be treated like human beings so approach/talk to them in a non-aggressive manner. They do have the right to give players “technical fouls” at any time for reasons they feel are valid.
Referees have the discretion to call “Delay of Game” and allot 1 basket to the opposing team (if necessary). However, the possession will go back to the team that had the ball prior to that call.
Technical fouls will function as follows: Shoot the one free throw immediately. After the free throw, the inbound shall be administered by the team that had control of the ball or was entitled to the ball when the technical foul was committed and from the place nearest to where the ball was located when the game was stopped.
If a team has players foul out of the game, to the extent that at least 5 players are no longer available to take the court, that team will automatically forfeit the game. The opposing team shall receive a Win as a default.
Overtime:
Regular Season: In case of Over Time (OT), there will be 1 OT half consisting of 2 minutes. Possession goes by arrow. No additional time outs are awarded in OT during regular season. Fouls and time out situations are an extension of the second half. If the score remains tied after OT, both teams will be credited with a tie.
Playoffs: One 30 second Time-Out in the 1st half and Two 30 second Time-Out in the 2nd half for the playoffs. Unused Time-Out from 1st half will not carry over. You get one timeout in the playoffs for OT and no carryover from the 2nd half. 2 minute overtime. If it goes to Double Overtime, there will be a tip-off and first team to score will win the game (does not matter if it is a free throw or a basket). Commissioner could allow for another 2 minute double overtime instead of first basket wins if time permits.
All teams will make the playoffs and the standings will be determined by point differential. If there is a tie in point differential, it will next be determined by head to head record and lastly by total points scored.
Note – players may be traded during the regular season. Trade deadline is May 19, 2024