JAM rules for Basketball - 4's


© JAM 1996-2024

  

Basketball - 4’s

There is only one format of Basketball 4’s rules under JAM Rules. This rulebook will cover Mixed-Gender Basketball, Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball, Open Basketball 4's 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 approximately 55-minutes in length. Please arrive early to ensure you get the full use of your allotted court time. Regardless of when your game begins your game will always end on time to allow the succeeding games to begin at their scheduled time.

Time Keeping: If you’re playing without an official score clock, the JAM Ambassador on site will be keeping track of time and will determine the end of your game. In this instance, you will receive a warning indicating the final five (5) minutes of your game and a final signal for the end of your game. Once the final signal occurs your game is over.

Halftimes: There is no stoppage for halftime unless requested by one of the teams. If a half-time is requested, then it must be accommodated by the opposing team.

Changing Sides: If one side of a venue has a potential advantage (i.e. stage at one end, etc.), teams should agree before the game that they will be switching sides at approximately the mid-point of the game (and agree on the time to switch). If a switch requested, then it must be accommodated by the opposing team.

Time Outs: Teams may call a one (1) minute time-out per game if needed except in the final 10 minutes of play.

 

Players

Teams are comprised of four (4) 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 player requirements for each specific league are noted below.

Roster Numbers: The following indicates the roster requirements for each specific Basketball programs:

Defaults: Teams will default a match if they cannot provide a full team 10 minutes after the scheduled start time. A team can play with a minimum of 3 players on the court.

Note: For Mixed Leagues, teams may play with minimum of 3 players, as long as the roster minimums are met. 

Exceptions: Both teams can agree to play with any number of people on the court up to four (4) players, as long as roster requirements are met. If both teams agree then the game counts.

 

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 Mixed 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.

Teams are also responsible for keeping track of the score. Please designate one person to keep track of the score.

 

Uniforms

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.

Defaults: There is no default for players that don’t wear the right colour. However, that player must do everything they can to ensure it’s not confusing for the opposition. Whether this means wearing a pinny, a hat, a teammate’s shirt, etc. Under no circumstances can a player purposely deceive the opposition.

 

Basketball 101

The following outlines the basis of the rules of Basketball 4’s Programs:

 

General NCAA Basketball rules apply to JAM games with the following modifications/exceptions:

 

Fouls:

All standard basketball infractions are enforced (e.g. reaching-in, body contact of any kind, charging, etc.). Players are responsible for calling their own fouls. Please don't abuse this rule. If a foul call has not been made, the player who has been fouled can also make the foul call.

 

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 three-minute overtime period.  If still tied, the game continues without a stoppage until the next point is scored (sudden death).  Please note that playoff games should only be 50 minutes in length in anticipation of needing the extra time to settle a tie.

 

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 on-site staff members 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.