League Rules of Play

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Rules

LEAGUE OF COMPETITION
1. League Stucture
  1. The league committee shall determine the structure of the league based upon entries, there will be no right of appeal to this structure.
  2. The league shall be divided into divisions that are equal, or as near to equal as possible, in the number of teams.
  3. Each Team shall play every other team both home and away, unless in exceptional circumstances as approved by the league committee.
  4. Two points will be awarded for a win, one for a loss and the points for a default will vary between 1 and -2 as defined by the Divisional co-ordinator.
2. Rankings
  1. Division winners will be determined by the team with the largest number of points on completion of the competition.
  2. If two teams are tie then the determining factors will be the season head to head, number of games played, points scored in that order.
  3. Trophies will be awarded each season. These trophies remain the property of the League. Trophies must be returned on request by the League and any damage repair or replacement cost will be met by the team with custody of the trophy.
  4. Teams finishing first in the division shall be promoted. The team finishing second and the team who wins the playoff final will be considered for promotion.
  5. The bottom team in each division will be relegated. The team finishing second bottom shall be considered for relegation.
  6. A playoff completion will be held at the end of each season. The playoffs will involve the top 6 teams in each division. The date and venue for the finals weekend will be determined by the league.
3. Match Disciplines
  1. The home team must have 2 different colour kits available and in the event of a clash the home team shall change.
  2. Tip off times shall be between 7.00pm and 8.45pm unless otherwise agreed by the league. A minimum of 10 minutes warm up time will be granted to both teams which will commence when both teams have 5 players on the court.
  3. A minimum of 2 hours court time must be available for each game.
  4. All games must be played on a court approved by the League. Teams wishing to change venues must give the Divisional Co-ordinator 28 days notice in writing before changing. Approval must be received in writing before changing court.
  5. Rules of Play will be the current rules of FIBA with any exceptions and additions as contained in the League rules of play.
  6. All fixtures must be completed by the date set by the League. Any disputes will be resolved by the Divisional Co-ordinator, where necessary after consultation with the committee. This decision will be final.
  7. Postponements and fixture alterations will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
  8. Postponements must be requested at least 48 hours before the scheduled date of the fixture. This request must be made to the Divisional co-ordinator and their decision on granting the postponement will be final.
  9. In the event of a postponement, the Divisional co-ordinator will determine the date for the game to be played and will advise both teams.
  10. Any game postponed without the prior agreement of the Divisional Co-ordinator will be considered as unauthorised and subject to default.
  11. The Divisional co-ordinator will determine if a postponed game shall be replayed and will advise of the date on which it should be replayed.
4. Defaults
  1. Any game postponed inside 48hrs shall be considered a default unless the Divisional Co-ordinator deems the circumstances exceptional.
  2. Other circumstances that will constitute a default include fielding and ineligible player, team walk off, players participating under a false name, inappropriate on court conduct.
  3. Any team involved in a game that is defaulted may claim the game if they believe they were not responsible for the default. Any claim must be made in writing or by e-mail within 7 days of the date of the fixture. If possible a scoresheet should be included detailing the details of the fixture and the reason for the default.
  4. Any team that defaults by non-attendance shall pay the legitimate expenses incurred by the opposing team. These shall be travel expenses at the rate of 25p per mile for 3 vehicles from the home court of the travelling team to the court scheduled for the fixture or the cost of the referees in the case of the home team. Claims must be made in writing to the Divisional co-ordinator within 7 days of the default. The Divisional co-ordinator shall decide upon the validity of the claim. Where a award is made payment will be made to the League who will reimburse the relevant club.
  5. The score of a default game will be considered to be 20-0.
  6. The Divisional co-ordinator may award a number of points in the range -1 to +2 to any team involved in a default.
  7. Any appeal against a default must be made to the Divisional co-ordinator within 7 days. In the event of an appeal this will be carried out by a committee made up of two other committee members not involved in the original decision.
  8. Any team that defaults 3 games or more shall be considered for disqualification from the League. This shall be determined by the committee.
Registration and Transfer
1. Registrations
  1. All Teams must be registered with England Basketball via the League registrar and England Basketball website before 31st October 2010. Failure to do so will result in being unable to play any fixtures after that date.
  2. All Players must be registered with England Basketball via the League registrar and England Basketball website before 31st October 2010 to be considered eligible to play in a fixture. Players who join a club after this date must be registered prior to participating in a fixture.
  3. The appropriate forms and fees must be sent to the registrar. All cheques must be made payable to MABL. Registration direct with EB will require each participating club to register a minimum of 8 players with MABL or pay a fee equal to the cost of 40% of 8 EB player registration fees. This charge is to ensure all clubs pay a valid contribution to the running costs of the League.
  4. Each Team must submit a league registration form by the 31/10 to the appropriate Divisional co-ordinator. These lists will be collated and published on the league web site.
2. Eligibility
  1. All players must have their licence available for inspection by the match officials when participating in a fixture. The licence numbers shall be entered onto the scoresheet and only players with a valid licence number will be eligible to play.
  2. Failure to gain a dispensation or register a player prior to the player participating in a game may result in a default being awarded.
  3. Any player may only participate in games within a single division in a League week as defined within the handbook. No player may play in two divisions within a League week.
  4. Players wishing to transfer from one club to another must first request approval from their Divisional co-ordinator using the transfer request form. The player must not play for the new team until approval is received. Any games played whilst unauthorised may be defaulted.
  5. All transfers will be validated on the Saturday of each week. No transfers will be granted mid-week.
  6. There is no limit on registration of National League players within the MABL. All non-European players who have held a foreign national players licence are not eligible for League registration without the express permission of the League.
  7. To play in cup competition beyond the 31st January a player must have played at least 6 games in either cup or League. Only players who have entered court will be considered to have played.
  8. In order to play in the end of season playoffs a player must have played 9 games before the commencement of the playoffs. Only players who have entered court will be considered to have played.
Match Organisation
1. At least 7 days before each match the home team must contact the visiting team to confirm the tip off time, venue, team colours. If contact cannot be made prior to 5 days before the game the Divisional co-ordinator must be informed.
2. The home team must contact the designated officials 7 days before the game and confirm the same points.
3. Any away team not receiving contact 6 days before the game should attempt to contact the home team and inform the Divisional co-ordinator.
4. Should any match be postponed for any reason then any players deemed ineligible will remain ineligible for the re-arranged fixture.
5. The completion of the scoresheet is the responsibility of the home team. This should be completed clearly and accurately. Failure to do so will result in point deductions.
Officials
1. The Committee shall set the policy for the appointment of officials. Qualified neutral officials will be appointed to all fixture. Where deemed necessary extra officials and/or observers will be appointed to fixtures.
2. All match officials must appear on the MABL approved list on the MABL website. Officials must be approved by the Referee co-ordinator prior to being utilised in any game.
3. If an appointed referee fails to arrive for a fixture a suitable replacement may be sought to ensure the game proceeds. If a substitute referee cannot be found the either team or the other official may opt not to play the game. In this situation the game will be replayed if the official was previously confirmed. If confirmation did not take place then a default may be awarded if the official is in no way at fault.
4. In the event both officials do not arrive the game shall be postponed.
5. In the event of a postponed game the Divisional Co-ordinator must be informed within 48 hours. Both teams will be advised of a future date.
6. Under no circumstances must a person connected with either team referee, nor may any official participate in another capacity within the game.
7. All clubs must appoint competent, qualified table officials to every fixture. Where a qualified official is not available a competent table official must be appointed. Where possible competent table officials should be encouraged to attend a NATO course at their earliest opportunity.
Control of Matches
1. The Home team shall provide an official score pad and keep a cumulative visual record of the scores throughout the game in such size that both teams and officials can see it at all times.
2. A clock visible to both teams at all times must be used. This must be of a size suitable to be seen by both teams when on court.
3. All teams shall wear a consistent kit with clearly marked numbering in line with FIBA regulation. All shorts and shirts must be consistent and players that do not meet this condition may be excluded by the officials.
4. Completed scoresheets must be sent to the Divisional co-ordinator via post, scanned document attached to e-mail or JPG within 3 days of the fixture by the winning team. Failure to send these on time will result in points being docked. The losing team must retain their copy in case the winners copy becomes lost.
Player Discipline
1. All disciplinary matters to be sent to the Disciplinary officer. This officer will then have the power to impose sanction consistent with the offence. Where necessary this officer may appoint a sub-committee should he wish any matter to be considered by a larger group. No member of the committee may have any connection with the club involved or the incident.
2. In all instances reports by officials are to be sent to the Disciplinary Officer within 72 hours of the incident by post or e-mail. The Divisional Co-ordinators must check all scoresheets for evidence of any disqualification and advise the Disciplinary officer if necessary.
3. All disqualifications will carry an automatic one match ban. The Divisional Representative will notify the team of the fixture in which this will be served. This ban cannot be appealed.
4. Any further ban awarded by the DO or Disciplinary sub-committee may be appealed to the full Committee. This must be done within 7 days of notification of the ban.
5. Any team wishing to appeal will submit a cheque for £25 along with the appeal letter. The DO will appoint a second sub-committee who will re-consider the matter. If the appeal is successful the £25 will be returned with the notification of the new decision. If the appeal is unsuccessful the fee shall be forfeit.
6. It is imperative that the officials report on all disqualifications including those for 2 unsportsmanlike fouls. Obviously where the disqualification is for violent conduct or verbal abuse a more detailed report is required to allow appropriate action to be taken.
7. Where fines are levied these must be paid within 14 days of notice being received by the club secretary. Failure to comply will result in a 50% increase in the fine per 14 days until payment is received. The player will be considered banned if the fine is not paid after 14 days until payment is received.
General
1. In all other matter the decision of the committee will be the overriding policy of the League.