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Basketball - 5’s (Officiated)
There is only one format of Officiated Basketball 5’s rules under JAM Rules. This rulebook will cover Mixed-Gender Basketball, Men’s Basketball and Women’s Basketball Officiated programs.
JAM is for Everyone – Inclusion Statement
Our program offerings are designed to be inclusive for all members of the JAM community. Our goal is to create a welcoming gender policy that uplifts and supports each player where they are at. To ensure we can offer something for everyone, our programs may be offered in the following formats: Mixed-Gender, Women's, Men's, and Open.
Many of our league rules specify gender-based roster requirements, the goal of which is to ensure that each player has an equal opportunity to be included in gameplay.
Everyone participating in a JAM program is welcome to compete based on their gender identity and gender expression; regardless of their gender assigned at birth. Members whose gender identity does not align with the binary man/woman construct are welcome to play in all our mixed-gender and open programs.
Nonbinary, trans, genderqueer, and all other players who identify as a gender minority can count towards the roster minimums for either men or women in our mixed-gender leagues.
Game Time
All Basketball games are comprised of 2 x 23-minute halves. During the last 2 minutes of the 2nd half, if the score differential is 10 points or less, the game will continue as stop time. Please arrive early to ensure you get the full use of your allotted court time.
Time Keeping: The on-site JAM Scorekeeper will keep track of the time and score using the digital score clock.
Halftimes: Halftime will take place between the first and second halves and will be 1 minute in length. Teams should be prepared to start the second half quickly.
Changing Sides: Teams will switch sides at halftime.
Time Outs: Teams may call one (1) 30-second timeout per half if needed, no carry-over (the clock will stop during all timeouts). Any player on or off the court is eligible to call a timeout, as long as all other FIBA requirements for calling a timeout are met (i.e dead ball, possession)
Players
Teams are comprised of five (5) players on the court at a time. A default will occur if any team cannot field a squad by 10 minutes after the official start time. All roster requirements for each specific league are noted below.
Roster Numbers: The following indicates the roster requirements for each specific Basketball program:
- Mixed-Gender (Formerly Co-ed)- Each team must have a minimum of two (2) men or gender minority players and two (2) women or gender minority players on the court at once.
- Men’s- Each team will consist of five (5) Men on the court at once
- Women’s- Each team will consist of five (5) Women on the court at once
Defaults: Teams will default a match if they cannot provide a full team within 10 minutes after the scheduled start time. A team cannot play with less than 5 players on the court. During the regular season, teams may "borrow" players (i.e. players from a previous game) or bring in a sub not listed on their roster as needed. Any substitute players MUST have a valid JAM profile and MUST have signed the online waiver within the last three months. Substitute players are NOT permitted during playoff games.
Teams that cause a delay in the start of the game or teams that do not have proper jerseys may be assessed a technical foul. This will be at the sole discretion of the referee and cannot be disputed.
Playing Area
All Basketball gyms vary in size and there is no set standard for an JAM Basketball surface.
Equipment/Set Up
Team captains are responsible for bringing a regulation-sized basketball for each game. Both Co-ed and Men’s Leagues will play with a regulation Men Sized Basketball. Women’s Games will play with a regulation Women Sized Basketball unless agreed upon by both teams to use a Men’s Sized Ball.
Uniforms
- Uniforms with unique numbers are mandatory for Officiated Basketball programs, and numbers must be visible on both the front and the back of the uniform.
- Any and all jewellery must be removed prior to stepping on the court. Specifically, earrings must be removed (they cannot be taped). This is a safety issue and there will be no exceptions. Any player refusing to remove their jewellery will not be eligible to play.
- Teams are required to bring both light and coloured shirts to every game. Team colours are posted on the JAM website in your schedule. If two teams have the same colour the team captains should contact each other to ensure that each team knows what colour to wear.
Basketball 101
The following outlines the basis of the rules of Basketball 5’s Programs:
General Rules (For the most part, FIBA rules will be used: http://www.fiba.com/documents/2015/Official_Basketball_Rules_2014_Y.pdf - however, the following exceptions apply):
- Teams may call one (1) 30-second timeout per half if needed, no carry-over (the clock will stop during all timeouts).
- Foul shots are live "off the release", as opposed to "off the rim"
- A game can end in a tie during the regular season. In the playoffs, a game that is tied at the end of regulation time is decided by a two-minute stop-time overtime period. If still tied after the two-minute period, any additional overtime periods will be one-minute stop time.
- Halftime will be one (1) minute in length. Please be prepared to start the second half quickly.
- A team will be in a "bonus" situation (two automatic foul shots, regardless of the type of foul), when their opponents have 10 fouls or more in one half.
- Standard federation key will be used (no trapezoid).
- Dunking is permitted, but please DO NOT HANG ON THE RIM.
- There is no shot clock for this league
- Any player on or off the court is eligible to call a timeout, as long as all other FIBA requirements for calling a timeout are met (i.e dead ball, possession)
Fouls:
- All standard basketball infractions will be enforced by the referees (e.g. reaching-in, body contact of any kind, charging, etc).
- The decisions of the referees are final and are NOT to be disputed. Players who disrespect the referees will be subjected to JAM policy, including possible suspension/ejection from the leagues.
- If a player is ejected from a game (2 technical fouls or a straight ejection), that player receives an automatic one-game suspension. When a player/coach/spectator is ejected, they must promptly leave the gym. Ejected players who returns to the gym to confront officials or other players may be subjected to additional penalties from the referees' disciplinary board. Incidents are also subject to further discipline pending review. Please note that fouling out (5 fouls) is not considered to be an ejection.
What happens if an official JAM scorekeeper is not present?
- Should there be no JAM scorekeeper present, teams may pick a teammate or spectator to keep score for that game. Games tracked by non-JAM scorekeepers in this situation will count towards standings.
What happens if only one referee is present?
- JAM games may be played with only one official. Results of these games will count towards standings
What happens if there are no referees are present?
- In the rare event that both officials are not present for the game, it is strongly recommended that the games continue as a self-officiated game. In these events, JAM Head Office will follow up with the team captains the following day.
Regular Season Matches
Games can be tied during the regular season.
Playoffs Eligibility and Tiebreak
There must be a winner in a playoff match. In the event that the match ends in a tie, teams will partake in the following tie-breaker until a winner is determined:
In the playoffs, a game that is tied at the end of regulation time is decided by a two-minute stop-time overtime period. If still tied after the two-minute period, any additional overtime periods will be one-minute stop time.
Rough Play
Any rough or physical play will result in immediate expulsion from further league play and may result in a lifetime league expulsion. Please see the JAM General Policy for our official guidelines on this subject. It is recognized that incidental contact between players is inevitable; however, all players should go out of their way to avoid creating an unsafe play. This rule supersedes all others.
Please note that the referees have full autonomy when supervising games. Games may be stopped entirely, players may be asked to leave the playing area or be removed from the game entirely under their discretion.
Alcohol
There are absolutely no alcoholic beverages permitted on JAM property. Any offenders will be asked to leave the league without refund. No exceptions.