Rules and Regulations: Basketball (Open)

Last updated: November 7, 2023

Download  a PDF here – LYG24_Basketball_Info_Rules.

BBA 1 The London Youth Games Basketball competition will run in accordance with FIBA Rules of the Game.

BBA 1.1 In the event any rules outlined below contradict those found in the FIBA Rules of the Games, these will supersede those.

BBA 1.1.1 The London Youth Games Basketball competition will follow the Transgender Policy outlined by Basketball England.

BBA 1.2 It will be at the discretion of the event referee and LYG personnel as to the application of these rules, and any subsequent decision made as a result will be final.

BBA 1.3 The Tournament Organisers reserve the rights to alter or amend the playing schedule if necessary and make decisions on any matters arising during the tournament, including any matters not covered by the tournament regulations.

BBA 2 Age Category

BBA 2.1 The following age groups and respective maximum date of births will apply to the London Youth Games Basketball Competition:

Age Category Oldest DOB Youngest DOB
U16 01/09/2007  

BBA 2.2 Competitors are not permitted to enter this competition if they are ineligible. No exceptions will be made.

BBA 2.3 It is the responsibility of competitors/parents/team managers/local authority staff to ensure all competitors details are entered correctly at the time of submission, and that they are eligible to compete for their borough under the London Youth Games Games Rules, and in accordance with the age groups outlined for the competition.

BBall 2.3.1 In the instance a competitor is found to be ineligible, they will be disqualified from the competition entirely, and the borough will receive a points penalty as per the Games Rules.

BBA 3 Eligibility Borough teams need to register and affiliate with Basketball England to participate in the competition. This includes sharing data of participants submitted in the squad submission form. The cost of affiliation is £55 per team.

BBA 4 Squad Size Boroughs are permitted to enter a minimum of 5 competitors and a maximum of 15 competitors.

BBA 4.1 Boroughs are permitted to bring 12 competitors on the day.

BBA 5 Kit & Equipment

BBA 5.1 Each team must provide two contrasting sets of numbered shirts OR bibs.

BBA 5.2 Boroughs must bring their own basketball for warm up.

BBA 5.3 Boys match ball size 7.

BBA 5.4 Girls match ball size 6.

BBA 6 Competition Format Qualifiers and finals.

BBA 6.1 Qualifiers: up to 8 groups of 3 – 5 teams followed by a quarter-final knockout stage.

BBA 6.2 Teams will be drawn randomly for qualifier and finals.

BBA 7 Competition Rules

BBA 7.1 10 minutes before the start of the game, each head coach shall confirm their agreement with the names and corresponding numbers of the team members and the names of coaches by signing the scoresheet. At the same time, they shall indicate the 5 players who are to start the game.

BBA 7.2 The coach of team ‘A’ shall be the first to provide this information. Any inaccuracies on the scoresheet, after the head coach has signed the scoresheet will be deemed the fault of the head coach with any game/technical punishment awarded as per games rules.

BBA 7.3 Only nominated players may participate in the warmup.

BBA 7.4 Boroughs are permitted to have a maximum of two accredited staff court side. These two people can be the BTO/Team manager and/or head coach. No other spectators or supporters are permitted on courtside at any point.

BBA 7.5 A technical commission will be appointed to supervise the tournament, including nominating the officials for the matches. The Technical Commission decision is FINAL.

BBA 7.6 Teams must be ready to play 15 minutes before its scheduled match. Teams not ready to play at the designated time could be asked to forfeit the match. This will be under the jurisdiction of the Competition Director.

BBA 7.7 Boroughs, coaches and team managers should note that they do not have permission to approach players from other teams on the day of the competition. Approaching players without the written consent of the coach, club, parent and/or borough may result in LYG requesting that team manager/coach to leave the premises.

BBA 7.8 Round robin, Quarter finals, Semi-Finals, Bronze play off

BBA 7.8.1 Round robin, quarter-final, semi-final and bronze playoff games will be four quarters of 5 minutes each: running clock, stopping clock in the last minute of the match.

BBA 7.8.2 One-minute interval between quarters.

BBA 7.8.3 Three-minute half-time intervals.

BBA 7.8.4 One time-out per team per match.

BBA 7.8.5 Four team fouls per quarter.

BBA 7.8.6 Four personal fouls per game.

BBA 7.9 Finals

BBA 7.9.1 The finals will be four quarters of 7 minutes stopping clock, with the clock stopping after a basket in the last minute of the game.

BBA 7.9.2 One-minute interval between quarters.

BBA 7.9.3 Five-minute half-time intervals.

BBA 7.9.4 One time-out per team per half.

BBA 7.9.5 Four team fouls per quarter.

BBA 7.9.6 Four personal fouls per game.

BBA 7.10 When a game is drawn at full time, 2-minute overtime will be played to find a winner, and if drawn after that, another 2-minute overtime and another until a winner is found.

BBA 7.11 Any appeals must be made in writing, signed by the Team Coach and Captain within ten minutes of the game ending.

BBA 7.12 A player disqualified in a match may be barred from any further games by the commission.

BBA 7.12.1 The commission will be made up of the following; one of the Competition Directors, the senior LYG staff member present, and a LYG Games Referee (if present).

 BBA 8 Overall Scoring Points will be awarded for each game to give a borough’s round robin standing at the event.

BBA 8.1 The following points will be awarded:

  • 3 points for a win
  • 1 point for a loss
  • 0 points for the team which forfeits (the opposing team win and receive a 20-0 result).

 BBA 8.2 The top placed team in each round robin pool will advance to the quarter final knockout stage, held during the same session as the group stage.

BBA 8.2.1 In the event of a tie in the groups at qualifying stage, group placings shall be resolved as follows (in this order):

  • Head-to-head (the result between the two teams tied)
  • Points difference
  • Points scored
  • Points conceded

BBA 8.2.2 If more than two teams are equal in the group, a new group standing will be established considering only the results of the games between the teams in question.

BBA 8.2.3 If the multiple tie is reduced to a tie involving only two teams, the procedure in BBA 8.2 will be applied.

BBA 8.2.4 If it is reduced to a tie still involving more than two teams, the procedure beginning with BBA 8.2.1 is repeated.

BBA 8.2.5 In the instance there is less than four pools in a session, and another team is required to make up the quarter final stage, the best placed runner up across all groups will be awarded this spot, based on round robin competition points accumulated.

BBA 8.2.5.1 Where two or more teams have accumulated the same points in their respective pool, the tiebreakers used in BBA 8.2.1 will be applied (except for head-to-head).

BBA 8.3 Final Positions Points allocated based on final positions and group placings – all teams achieving same group position awarded equal position.

BBA 8.4 Incomplete competition In the event that the competition is cancelled or suspended, the following steps will be used to calculate a final result:

  • The furthest completed stage of competition will be used to countback.
  • Any teams tied on position will be separated based on the rules which determine group position, using averages.
  • The minimum competition required to determine a result is a completed stage.

BBA 9 Medals & Trophies Medals and trophies will be awarded as follows:

BBA 9.1 Overall Borough medals will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed teams per gender and a trophy awarded to the winners of the event per gender in the FINALS ONLY.