Somerset Basketball League Rules

These rules apply specifically to the Association’s men’s league and playoff competitions. They are established and, when necessary, amended by the Committee.

Note: this is currently a draft policy and will be finalised prior to the 2025/26 season.

Agreed by the League Committee: TBF
Next review: TBF
Last Updated: 13/06/25

Organisation
Administration
Competitions
Competitions Schedule
Matches
Individual Eligibility
Officials
1. Appointment and Authority
2. Match Reporting
Disqualifications
League Positioning
Play-Off Competition
Fines and Sanctions
1. Team and Individual Penalties

1. Organisation

1.1 Scope and Authority

These rules apply specifically to the Association’s men’s league and playoff competitions. They are established and, when necessary, amended by the Committee. The rules will be published and made available to club representatives and referees via a link on the Somerset Basketball website.

In any situation not covered by these rules, the Committee has the authority to make an ad hoc decision. This authority may be delegated.

1.2 Team Entry and Eligibility

The Committee will invite entries from teams affiliated with member clubs of the Association. Only teams deemed suitable—based on conduct, administrative capability, and financial standing—will be accepted. Each team must pay a deposit, which may be refunded at the AGM or retained as surety for the following season, depending on the team's preference.

1.3 Delegation of Responsibilities

The Committee may delegate day-to-day responsibilities to Officers or sub-committees, including:

Referees Sub-Committee: Appointment of referees for all competitions
League Committee: Scheduling of league and cup matches
Social Media Lead: Publication of results and league tables
Treasurer: Management of financial matters and maintenance of proper accounts
League Committee: Enforcement and review of sanctions for disqualified players or disciplinary incidents
Emergency Committee: Handling urgent matters requiring immediate action

Each Officer or sub-committee must report on their activities at each Committee meeting.

1.4 Sanctions and Appeals

The Committee will publish a list of sanctions for rule breaches. Financial liabilities are handled between the teams and the Association:

The liable team pays the Committee

Teams or individuals may appeal sanctions. Before submitting a formal appeal, they must attempt to resolve the issue through negotiation with the Committee. If unresolved, a written appeal (via email) must be submitted to the League Chair within two weeks of the sanction being imposed.

For time-sensitive matters involving teams, the Committee’s decision is final and not subject to appeal.

2. Administration

2.1 Payments and Fees

All outstanding payments from the previous season, along with the entry fee for the current season, must be paid in full by 1st May.

2.2 Deposits and Instalments

Clubs wishing to enter the league must pay their deposit by 31st July prior to the start of the season. All other payments will be collected at agreed intervals during the season (e.g., in December and February).

2.3 Communication

Each team must designate a representative to join and actively participate in the official league WhatsApp group.

3. Competitions

3.1 Governing Rules

All competitions shall be conducted in accordance with Basketball England Rules, except where specifically overridden by these local rules.

3.2 Entry Applications

Teams must submit their application for entry using the official league entry form by 15th July.

3.3 Competition Structure

The Committee may divide teams into various competitive categories to form separate leagues, knockout tournaments, or other formats. These categories may be based on age, gender, or geography, but are not limited to these criteria.

3.4 Playoff Seeding and Home Advantage

Home court advantage in the playoffs will be awarded to teams finishing in higher league positions (e.g. 1st and 2nd place in a four-team playoff).

3.5 Playoff Final Venue

The playoff final will be hosted at the best available facility, considering factors such as seating capacity, court size, cost, and location. In exceptional circumstances, an alternative venue may be used.

3.6 Playoff Seeding

Playoff matchups will be determined by seeding based on final league standings.

3.7 Team Classification

Team classification will follow the Basketball England Official Games Procedures.

3.8 Withdrawal or Expulsion

If a team withdraws or is expelled from a competition, all of its results and effects on the competition will be annulled and voided.

4. Competitions Schedule

4.1 Match Priority

The Committee’s primary objective is to ensure that all scheduled matches are played in accordance with the rules, wherever practicable.

4.2 Fixture Schedule

The League Committee will circulate a full schedule of league and playoff matches to all teams at least two weeks before the September Committee meeting.

Teams must review the schedule to confirm venue availability and player availability.

If changes are needed, teams must propose them to the League Committee well in advance of the meeting where the schedule will be confirmed.

4.3 Match Start Times and Defaults

Matches must begin at the scheduled time unless both teams and the appointed officials agree otherwise in advance.

If a team is not ready to start as per Basketball England rules, the opposing team may claim the match. The referee will then award the match and sign the score sheet accordingly.

If the late team becomes ready and there is still time for a full match, the game may proceed. A second score sheet must be completed.

Both score sheets must be submitted to the League Committee, which will refer the matter to the Executive Committee for a final decision.

Sanctions may still apply to the offending team regardless of whether the match is played.

4.4 Fixture Rearrangements

Matches should be played on their scheduled dates.

The Committee will allow changes without a rearrangement fee during a designated pre-season period.

After this period, any changes will incur a rearrangement fee.

The team requesting the change must:

Notify opponents and officials at least 48 hours before the original match date
Arrange a new date and venue
Submit a written statement detailing the rearrangement to the League Committee before the original match date

If the rearrangement causes unavoidable costs (e.g. referee fees due to late notice), the responsible team must reimburse the Association, which will then compensate the affected party.

If the match is ultimately not played, it will be recorded as a default against the team that initiated the change.

4.5 Match Defaults

Any team that fails to fulfil a fixture without prior approval (as outlined in 4.4) will:

Be sanctioned with a default
Be fined accordingly
Be responsible for paying officials’ fees and any other related expenses

If the match is later played, the default sanction will be lifted, but the fine and other penalties may still apply.

4.6 Knockout Competition Player Eligibility

Clubs with multiple teams may use players across teams in the knockout competition, provided they meet eligibility requirements.

However, once a player has played for one team in the knockout competition, they may not play for another team in the same competition.

4.7 Match Confirmation

As best practice, the home team should contact their opponents at least one week before the scheduled match to confirm:

The match will go ahead
Venue details
Tip-off time
Team colours

The home team should also confirm arrangements with the assigned referees.

4.8 Abandoned Matches

If a match is abandoned due to circumstances beyond either team’s control (e.g. power failure), the result will stand if:

Fewer than 5 minutes remain in the final quarter and one team leads by 20+ points, or
No more than one quarter remains and one team leads by 30+ points

In all other cases, the match will be replayed unless both teams and the League Committee agree to accept the score at the time of abandonment.

5. Matches

5.1 Home Team Responsibilities

The home team, through its coach, is responsible for:

a) Providing and funding all suitable facilities required to host the match
b) Supplying a competent scorer and timekeeper (at least one must be qualified and registered with Basketball England)
c) Ensuring a visible running scoreboard is available
d) Providing technical equipment in accordance with Basketball England rules
e) Supplying court furniture as required by Basketball England’s Official Game Procedures
f) Ensuring a visible running clock (or flip time chart) is available
g) Any failure to meet these requirements should be reported by the lead referee who will add this information to the game feedback form.

5.2 Uniform Clashes

If team uniforms are similar in colour, the home team must change unless otherwise agreed in advance.

5.3 Team Sheets and Player Eligibility

Each team must provide the scorer with a list of players and coaches, including names, initials, and shirt numbers in ascending order, at least 10 minutes before tip-off.

The coach must sign the score sheet to confirm the accuracy of the information.

A player is only considered to have played if they physically step onto the court and are recorded as such by the official scorer, or if it is evident from fouls or points attributed to them.

5.4 Match Officials

If only one referee is present, they may officiate alone and are entitled to claim a double match fee.

If there are insufficient table officials or technical equipment, the referee may require home team players to fulfil these roles or take other necessary measures.

5.5 MVP Selection

After the match, each team’s coach (or captain, if the coach is absent) must nominate the Most Valuable Player (MVP) from the opposing team.

Players registered with multiple teams must choose one team for MVP eligibility and cannot be nominated across multiple teams.

5.6 Protests

If a score sheet is signed under protest, the protesting team must submit a copy of the score sheet and an explanatory email to the League Committee within 72 hours.

5.7 First Aid

Each team is responsible for its own first aid arrangements for players, supporters, and others present.

The home team must provide the location and postcode of the nearest hospital with an emergency department.

5.8 Junior Player Supervision

Teams with junior players (as defined by Basketball England) must have at least two responsible adults present to ensure the game can continue in the event of injuries or other issues.

5.9 Match Recording

Matches may be recorded via video or still photography.

Teams must inform their players of this possibility.

Special consideration must be given to junior players, and clubs must ensure that appropriate consent has been obtained from parents or guardians, especially if content may be shared publicly (e.g., on social media).

6. Individual Eligibility

6.1 Licensing

All players, coaches, referees, and umpires must be licensed and registered with Basketball England. Their licenses must be verified using the Basketball England app.

6.2 Match Eligibility

A player is only eligible to participate once their registration has been confirmed and verified by the table officials before tip-off.

If a player cannot provide proof of registration before the match begins, they are not permitted to play.

6.3 Club Registration

Players may only be registered with one club for the Association’s competitions, except in the case of clubs that operate multiple teams.

6.4 Player Transfers

To transfer a player between clubs, the receiving club must email the League Committee with:

Written (email) agreement from the player
Written (email) consent from the player’s current club

Transfers will not be approved after a predetermined deadline set at the start of each season.

6.5 Multi-Team Clubs

Clubs with more than one team must register eight players per team.

All other players may move freely between teams for league games only.

In cup competitions, players are considered “cup-tied” to the first team they play for that season.

These registered player lists must be shared with all league teams before the season begins.

Clubs are expected to uphold the principles of fair play, integrity, and sportsmanship.

If these principles are violated, the League Committee will intervene.

6.6 Playoff and Cup Eligibility

To be eligible for a cup semi-final, final, or playoff, a player must have participated in:

At least four league games or
At least two cup pool games for that team

6.7 Disciplinary Suspensions

If a player receives a disqualifying or two technical fouls in a single match, the coach or captain must ensure that the player does not participate in the next scheduled league or cup game.

Suspensions may be extended depending on the circumstances and are subject to the appeals process.

6.8 Coach/Captain Responsibility

It is the responsibility of the coach (or captain, in the coach’s absence) to ensure that all players listed on the score sheet are properly registered and eligible to play.

6.9 Junior Players

The age limit for players is 16.

Junior players (as defined by Basketball England) are the responsibility of the coach or captain.

Clubs must obtain written parental consent and ensure appropriate welfare arrangements are in place for junior participants.

6.10 Fixture result submission

It is the home team’s responsibility to submit the result to league according to the fixture result submission procedure.

7. Officials

7.1 Appointment and Authority

Wherever possible, qualified officials will be appointed to each match by the League Committee.

In some cases, apprentice or unqualified officials who have passed their theory examination and are awaiting practical assessment may be assigned.

All officials have the authority to adjudicate any potential infraction of competition rules during the match.

7.2 Match Reporting

The lead official is responsible for submitting a match report to the League Committee within 48 hours of the game’s conclusion.

8. Disqualifications

8.1 Reporting Disqualifications

Lead referees must report any disqualifying foul committed by a player or coach using the official match reporting form. This report must be submitted to the League Committee immediately after the game.

8.2 Automatic Suspension

Any player or coach who receives a disqualifying foul will be automatically suspended from their team’s next scheduled match.

8.3 Further Disciplinary Action

If the referee states that a one-match ban is sufficient, no further action will be taken—unless the disqualified individual chooses to appeal.

If the referee does not indicate that a one-match ban is sufficient, the matter will be referred to the League Chair.

In such cases, a Disciplinary Committee—comprising the Chair and two independent officers—will be convened urgently. This committee has the authority to:

Impose a fine (up to the current maximum)
Impose a suspension of any duration

8.4 Appeals

Appeals must be submitted to the Chair within 72 hours of the disqualification, along with an appeal fee.

The fee will be refunded if the appeal is successful.

Once an appeal is submitted, the suspension is temporarily lifted until the appeal is heard.

Appellants may also appeal to Basketball England under its rules.

8.5 Appeal Hearing Procedure

If an appeal hearing is required, the Chair will:

Schedule the hearing at the earliest possible date and arrange a venue
Notify the appellant of the hearing details and their right to bring a representative
Provide the appellant and the Disciplinary Committee with copies of the referee’s report, these rules, and a summary of the hearing procedure
Arrange for witnesses to attend if necessary
Ensure the decision is reported to the League Committee at its next meeting

9. League Positioning

9.1 League Rules Distribution

The rules governing league positioning will be distributed to all teams at the beginning of the season by the General Secretary.

9.2 Points System

Win: 3 points
Loss: 1 point
Default: 0 points

9.3 Forfeited Games

If a team forfeits a game, the opposing team will be awarded a 20–0 win, and 3 league points. The forfeiting team will be allocated no league points.

9.4 Void Matches

If a match is declared void, neither team will receive points.

The League Committee will determine whether a fixture should be voided.

10. Play-Off Competition

10.1 Format and Qualification

At the conclusion of the regular league season, a separate Play-Off Competition will be held for the top four teams (or another number as determined by the Committee based on circumstances).

The 1st and 2nd placed teams will have home-court advantage in the semi-finals.
The final will be held at the best possible venue (3.5), unless the venue is unavailable.

10.2 Scheduling and Costs

Semi-finals will take place in the week immediately following the end of the regular season, as scheduled by the Committee.
The final will be played the following week.
The League will cover all referee costs for both the semi-finals and the final.

10.3 Defaults and Replacements

If a team is unable to fulfil its semi-final or final fixture, it will forfeit the match by default.

In such cases, the League reserves the right to replace the forfeiting team with another eligible team.

11. Fines and Sanctions

11.1 Team and Individual Penalties

Failure to Fulfil a Fixture
If a team fails to fulfil a scheduled fixture and does not provide at least 48 hours’ notice, it will be fined £80.
Disqualification or Two Technical Fouls
Any player or coach who is disqualified or receives two technical fouls in a single game will:
- Be fined £20
- Receive an automatic one-game suspension
Accumulation of Technical Fouls
Any player or coach who accumulates five or more technical fouls in a season will:
- Be fined an additional £20
- Receive an automatic one-game suspension
Late Payment of League Fees
Any team that fails to pay its league fees on time will be barred from competition until the outstanding amount is paid in full.

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