| Manchester Area Basketball League | |
| League Rules of Play | |
| 8 Rules plus Player Disciplinary Policy | |
| Rule 1 | LEAGUE OF COMPETITION |
| 1.1 | Each team shall play every other team in its division twice, once at home and once away. Except in exceptional circumstances as directed by the league committee. |
| 1.2 | Two points shall be awarded for a win, one for a loss and no points for a default as defined by the league committee |
| 1.3 | All games shall be played on a Court approved by the League Committee. Teams wishing to change venues must give the Divisional Co-ordinator 28 days notice in writing of their intentions. League approval must be received in writing before any games can be played. |
| 1.4 | Rules of play shall be the current rule of FIBA with the additions and exceptions contained in the League Rules of Play. |
| 1.5 | Division winners shall be the team securing the greatest number of league points on a completion of the competition. In the event of an equality of points, it shall be resolved by placing the team that has won the aggregate head to head followed by the team who has played the most games. |
| 1.6 | All fixtures shall be considered completed by a date set by the League Committee. The decision of the Divisional Co-ordinator, if necessary after consultation with the League Committee, as to unresolved disputes and outstanding games shall be final |
| 1.7 | The League Committee shall decide the organisation and formation of the League. |
| 1.8 | Trophies shall be awarded each season. These trophies shall remain the property of the League. The trophies shall be returned immediately upon request and in any case no later than 14 days after the written request. Any damage shall remain the responsibility of the club in possession at the time and cost of repair/replacement must be made by that club. |
| 1.9 | Postponements and fixture alterations will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. Any team wishing to postpone a match must contact their Divisional Co-ordinator (Competition Secretary for cup matches) at least 48 hours before the game is due to be played, whose decision shall be final. Divisional Co-ordinator must be provided with three dates that the game can be rescheduled for as agreed with the opposing team before the postponement can be authorised. This shall apply except during the last four weeks of the competition where a fixed date for the rescheduled game must be given to the Divisional Co-ordinator before the postponement can be authorised. Any game cancelled without notifying the Divisional Co-ordinator will be considered an unauthorised postponement. If the game is postponed within 48 hours of the game being played, this will only be an authorised postponement if the above terms are complied with. |
1.9.1 |
The opposing team have the right to claim this game to be indicated to the Divisional Co-ordinator by telephone immediately. This must be followed up in writing within 7 days enclosing a scoresheet with all details at the top of the sheet together with a statement across the sheet to explain why the game did not take place. Failure to follow this procedure could result in a default being awarded. |
| 1.10 | Any team that defaults by non attendance shall pay the legitimate expenses incurred by the opposing team as approved the League Committee.Claims must be made in writing to the Divisional Co-ordinator within 7 days of the original fixture date. No order of payment will be made unless the 7 day rule is complied with. The decision of the League Committee shall be final. |
| 1.11 | If a default is claimed the divisional co-ordinator shall have complete discretion in requiring the game to be replayed, regardless of reason for the postponement. Where it is deemed that a default shall be the accepted outcome the divisional co-ordinator shall have discretion as to the award of points to each team within the range –1 to +2. |
| 1.12 | Any appeal of a default will be heard at committee within one calendar month only if the submission of the appeal is received in writing. |
| 1.13 | In all cases re-arranged game dates will be determined by the divisional co-ordinator in consultation with both teams, these should usually occur within 28 days. |
| 1.14 | Any team that defaults three times shall be disqualified from the League except in exceptional circumstances as directed by the League. In these circumstances all games played shall be expunged. |
| 1.15 | Tip-off times shall not be earlier than 7:00pm or later that 8:45pm subject to the overriding discretion of the Divisional Co-ordinator. A minimum of two hours Court time must be available for each match. The visiting club must have the opportunity to have a minimum of 10 minutes warm up period. This period will start when 5 players for each team are available on Court. |
| 1.16 | The Division champions and the Play-off winner shall have the right to be considered for promotion except where these are the same team. In these circumstances the League runner up shall have the right to be considered for promotion. The two bottom teams shall be considered for relegation. Promotions and regulations are subject to Rule 1.7. |
| 1.17 | In the event of a colour clash the home team shall change. |
| 1.18 | A Play-off competition will be held for all divisions on completion of the league season. The League Committee shall decide the format and venues. The Play-offs shall constitute the top 8 teams of each division. Teams winning the Play-off final shall be exempt from league registration [fees] the following year. |
| Rule 2 | Registration and Transfer |
| 2.1 | Each team must submit a League Player registration form to the appropriate. The divisional co-ordinator by 31/10/07. |
| 2.2 | The Divisional Co-ordinator must give approval for any new players to be added to the League Player registration form before they participate in any game. Failure to do so may result in a default being awarded. |
| 2.3 | Clubs with more than one team in the league shall provide their Divisional Co-ordinator with a list of six players to be considered “starred” who may play only for the highest placed team as follows:- |
| 2.3.1 | Players who are under the age of 17 before 1st January in each season cannot be "starred". |
| 2.3.2 | "Starred" players must participate on court in at least 65% of all games excluding knockout competitions. |
| 2.3.3 | "Starred" players who cannot participate in more than two games due to injury must inform the Divisional Co-ordinator before the third game and a replacement must be nominated to become “starred”. The Divisional Co-ordinator must be notified when the injured player has recovered before he participates in any game whereupon he takes over from his replacement and is considered a “starred” player as before. The injured player and his replacement during injury shall share the same statistics and between them must have played in 65% of all games excluding knockout competitions. Failure to adhere to this rule may result in the expunging of results where the rule is broken. |
| 2.3.4 | Any player may only participate in games within a single division in a League week as designated within the handbook. That is a player may not play in two separate divisions in any week of fixtures. |
| 2.4 | In a club with more than one team, national league player licence holders may only play for the highest placed team. |
| 2.5 | No national league player licence holders may compete in the lowest division. |
| 2.6 | There is no limit on registration of national league player licence holders for the middle division(s). However only two national league player licence holders may participate in a game. |
| 2.7 | All non-European players who have held a foreign national players licence are not eligible for League Registration without written Committee consent for that season. |
| 2.8 | In all competitions all teams must be registered with the EBBA through the Registrar. |
| 2.9 | The appropriate forms and fees must be sent to the Registrar. All cheques should be made payable to MABL. |
| 2.10 | Any team not registered with the EBBA by 31st November will not be allowed to enter/continue in any competition. All player participating in MABL matches must be registered. |
| 2.11 | Any new players throughout the season must register with the EBBA within 4 weeks of participating in their first game through the Registrar |
| 2.12 | To be eligible to play in all knockout competitions after 31st January all players must have participated on court in a minimum of 6 matches. The Divisional Co-ordinator shall provide a list of ineligible players. |
| 2.13 | Players wishing to transfer from one club to another must first request approval from their Divisional Co-ordinator. A player must not play for the new team until approval has been granted. A ban of that player and possible reversal of result may occur if this rule is broken. |
| Rule 3 | Officials |
| 3.1 | The Committee shall set the policy for the appointment of officials. |
| 3.2 | Qualified neutral officials shall be appointed by the Committee to all fixtures. |
| 3.3 | The Committee reserve the right to appoint officials and/or observers to any match. |
| 3.4 | All match officials must appear on the MABL approved list or updates. Officials who are not MABL approved may not be used unless approval is obtained from the Divisional Co-ordinator prior to the game being played. |
| 3.5 | Where an appointed referee fails to arrive a suitable replacement if available should be found to ensure that the game proceeds. If a substitute referee cannot be found either team or the other referee may opt not to play the game. The Divisional Co-ordinator must be informed by telephone within 48 hours and a further date arranged within 14 days for the game to be replayed. Failure to follow this rule may result in disciplinary action by the committee. |
| 3.6 | Where both referees fail to arrive and suitable replacement(s) cannot be found, the fixture shall be postponed. The Divisional Co-ordinator must be informed by telephone within 48 hours and a further date arranged within 14 days for the game to be replayed. |
| 3.7 | Under no circumstances must a person connected with either club referee. |
| 3.8 | Under no circumstances must anyone officiate and also participate in the game. |
| 3.9 | All teams must appoint qualified table officials to every match. If this is not possible suitably experienced and competent unqualified table officials may be appointed. In order for this official to remain eligible they must contact the NATO Co-ordinator within 6 weeks of their first appointment to arrange to attend the first available NATO 2 course. |
| Rule 4 | Control of Matches |
| 4.1 | 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 players and officials can see it. |
| 4.2 | A visual clock must be visible to both team at all time and must be of suitable size to allow it to be easily read by the players. |
| 4.3 | All teams shall wear a consistent kit with clearly marked numbering in line with FIBA regulations. All shirts and shorts will be consistent. Failure to do so will result in any player not fulfilling this rule being excluded by the officials. |
| 4.4 | Where the scoresheet has been signed under protest a written explanation must be sent within 48 hours to the Divisional Co-ordinator |
| 4.5 | The winning team must send the top copy of the scoresheet to the Divisional Co-ordinator within 3 days of the date of the fixture. Failure to do so may result in the match result being expunged. |
| Rule 5 | Knockout Competitions |
| 5.1 | A knock out cup competition will be held during each season the format and venues to be decided upon the by Committee. |
| 5.2 | The League will provide qualified neutral officials. |
| 5.3 | The semi-finals and Final will be played on a neutral court with qualified neutral officials appointed by the committee. |
| 5.4 | Under no circumstances will a player be permitted to play for than one team in the cup and playoff competitions. |
| 5.5 | All League rules of play apply where applicable. |
| 5.6 | All non-venue fees for a cup game shall be equally divided between the 2 teams, payment to be made on the night of the match. |
| Rule 6 | Loss of Matches |
| 6.1 | A loss of match by score 20-0 score shall be incurred for the following offences. |
| 6.1.1 | Non-attendance at home or away matches. |
| 6.1.2 | Playing a player under a false name. |
| 6.1.3 | Breach of the star player rules. |
| 6.1.4 | Team "walk off" from a match or other inappropriate behaviour. |
| 6.1.5 | Unauthorised postponement. |
| Rule 7 | Fines |
| 7.1 | The league committee shall set the amount of any fines. All disciplinary matters will be dealt with by the Disciplinary Officer. |
| 7.2 | All fines must be received by the League Treasurer within 14 days of the notice of fine being received by registered post by the team secretary. Failure to comply will result in the fine being increased by 50% every 14 days until payment is received. |
| Rule 8 | Match Organisation |
| 8.1 | At least one week prior to each match the home team must contact the visiting team and comfirm: Tip-off time; venue; colours. Should a home team be unable to make contact their divisional co-ordinator must be infiormed at least 5 days before the scheduled match date. |
| 8.2 | Should a visiting team not receive contact by 6 days before the match they too must contact the divisional co-ordinator. |
| 8.3 | Should any match be postponed for any reason; players who were ineligible will remain ineligible for the re-arranged fixture. |
| 8.4 | All details on the scoresheet must be completed and accurately filled in. Failure to do so will result in a written warning followed by fines. |
| 8.5 | The home team is responsible for ensuring that the scoresheet is correctly filled in. Should the visiting team not have such details this should be noted on the reverse of the sheet by the referee. |
| Player Disciplinary Policy | |
| 1 | All disciplinary matters to be sent to the disciplinary officer. This officer will then have the power to choose a sub committee of 3 (includes DO) to liaise, ponder, and judge on any action to be taken. The members must not have any connection to the incident, which they are judging. |
| 2 | In all instances reports by officials (both or 3) are to be sent to DO within 72 hours of the incident in writing/e-mail. A responsibility will also be on the Divisional Rep to check the score sheet to see if any player has been disqualified and advise DO so they can chase the officials if heard nothing in writing. |
| 3 | All disqualifications will carry an automatic one-match ban, which the Div. Rep will notify the team concerned the game in which the player is to miss. This ban cannot be appealed against. |
| 4 | Any further ban given by the disciplinary sub committee may be appealed by the team concerned. This should be done within 7 days from notification of the ban. |
| 5 | Any team wishing to appeal will submit a cheque for £25 along with the appeal letter to the DO. If received the DO will have a further look into the original reports with a further 2 members of the committee or if no one available 2 independent members of the league. Providing all time scales are met a decision will be made within 72 hours following receipt of the appeal. If successful teams will be notified of new decision and £25 returned. However if not successful original decision will stand and teams will be notified accordingly. The league will keep the £25. |
| 6 | It is imperitave that all officials report on all disqualifications, this includes 2 UN-Sport Man like Fouls. Obviously if the disqualification is for verbal or violent action a more detailed report is required to allow the DO to accurately assess the penalty required. |