League Rules

5-on-5 Men's Basketball Rules

Every game will be officiated by two Basketball Refs, who will call the rules according to International Basketball Association (FIBA) rules. (http://www.fiba.com/basketball-rules)

For rules concerning roster sizes, player eligibility, defaults and other general Average Joe rules, please view the following link: https://www.averagejoesports.ca/brands/ajs/pages/rules/rules-general.php

1. All Games are roughly 55 minutes in length, which includes 2 x 20 minute halves, a 5-10 minute warm-up, and a short break at half-time.
2. The clock stops for time outs.
3. The clock also stops on a whistle during the last 2 min of the game, when the point differential is 9 points or less.
4. The clock does not stop when a basket is scored.
5. All players must wear a shirt with a permanent number (no tape). The number must be: different from the numbers of his/her teammates AND a minimum of 4” tall and proportionally wide so as to be easily visible.
6. The colour of the shirt must be the same / similar to those worn by teammates AND different from the colour of the shirts worn by the opponents. If a player or players on a team are wearing a jersey that is different than the rest of the team (e.g. for a sub or if a player is missing their jersey) the colour of the shirt must be reasonably different from the colour of the shirts worn by the opponents. Acceptable example - If a player on the Red Team is wearing a green shirt and playing against the Black Team, this player is allowed to play because green is discernible enough. Unacceptable example - If a player on the Red Team is wearing a dark blue shirt and playing the Black Team, this is NOT allowed because dark blue is too close in colour to black. This player must then wear a league sanctioned pinnie (of a brighter colour) in order to play. 
7. One player per team will be allowed to play without a number. They will be listed on the game sheet as “0” or “blank”. If a 2nd player on the same team has no number, they will be allowed to play as “00” and as a penalty the opponents will be awarded 2 free throws. A 3rd such player will not be allowed to play.
8. Official games will not start unless both teams have 5 players each. As per referee policy they will not referee a game if this standard is not met or if a game has been forfeited. Teams may recruit players from other teams to avoid a forfeit during the regular season (this includes borrowing players as subs). Teams have 10 minutes after the scheduled start time to assemble their 5 players to begin the game. The clock will start running

Playoffs: During playoffs teams need their rostered players to play unless both teams agree to waive this rule.

Should players request an explanation from a ref on why a call was made, please direct your team captain to discuss this with the ref on your behalf. Team captain's are required to ask in a calm and concise manner (yelling or berating a ref will not be tolerated). The only permitted time to discuss calls with referees is prior to, during half-time or after your game has concluded. Questioning referee calls during a game is not permitted (as they will not take time to stop the game to discuss calls with you).  

Not a Member?

Play with Friends, Meet new People,
Stay Active and have FUN!. Learn more about why you should choose Average Joe Sports Club.