Downtown Toronto Basketball League
DOWNTOWN TORONTO BASKETBALL LEAGUE
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Downtown Toronto Basketball League
Downtown Toronto Basketball League
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Rule Book

DTBL BASKETBALL RULE BOOK

The active playing rules for The DTBL will be based off of the FIBA rulebook in combination with our own modifications listed below.  Should your team require further clarification on any rule or regulation, send the league an email in the contact section of the website and we will respond back to you as soon as possible.

The notes below indicate the rules and regulations that cater specifically to our gameplay.

Section 1: Facility

  1. All games will be played at To Be Announced unless otherwise noted.
  2. Facility premises conduct can be found in our Facility Rules here and must be followed at all times.  Jeopardizing the DTBL's partnership with To Be Announced by any individual will not be tolerated and may be grounds for expulsion.

SEction 2: Player Eligibility

  1. All players must be of at least 18 years or older.
  2. All players must have filled out the proper paperwork beforehand.

section 3: Team Composition

  1. The game shall be played between two teams of five players each on the court at one time. Co-Rec will consist of five players (two men/three women or three men/two women).  A minimum of five players (Co-Rec; at least two men/two women) is required to prevent a forfeit. A team's roster can consist of a maximum of 12 players.

Section 4: Equipment

  1. Jewelry: No jewelry is allowed to be worn during games due to liability issues.  Earrings and other piercings are not permitted regardless of how old or young they are and can not be taped over.
    • Any player in the game found wearing illegal jewelry will be assessed a technical foul and must immediately be replaced by a substitute. The player may not re-enter the game until the illegal jewelry has been removed.
  2. Headgear: Bandanas with exposed knots, baseball caps or any other headgear with a bill or a hard outer surface are not permitted. Players may wear a headband no wider than two inches and made of non-abrasive cloth, elastic, fiber, soft leather, or rubber. Rubber or elastic bands may only be used to control hair.

Section 5: Beginning a Game

  1. The game will begin with a jump ball at the center circle.
  2. Games will begin 5 minutes after the top of the hour (7:05 pm for example) to allow for a short warm up.  The clock will commence regardless of whether enough players are present to field  a full team.
  3. A minimum of five players (Co-Rec: at least two men/two women) must be present to start an official game. If less than five players are present and ready to play (signed-in, dressed properly etc.), the game will be declared a forfeit at the end of the first quarter. A team may only play with less than five players if a player fouls out or becomes injured during the game.

section 6: Game format

  1. Length: A game will consist of (4) 12 minute quarters.  
  2. Time-outs: Each team will be entitled to (1) 30 second time-out per half during each game. Time-outs do not carry over between halves.
  3. Clock: The DTBL will be played with a running clock to encourage players to use their time on the court accordingly and engage in sportsmanship.  The clock will be stopped within the last 10 seconds of the first half and the last 30 seconds of the second half.  In addition, the clock will also stop during time-outs and injuries.
  4. Half time will last for 60 seconds.
  5. Overtime: If the score is tied at the end of regulation or any overtime period, the ball will be put into play with a jump ball. During the regular season, The 'Golden Goal' will The overtime periods shall be three minutes in length. These overtime periods will continue until there is no longer a tie after an overtime period.

Section 7: Scoring

  1. Official Score: The official score will be kept by the scorekeeper. In the event of a discrepancy, the score kept on the score sheet will be considered the official score. It shall be the running score at the bottom of the score sheet.

Section 8: Officiating

  1. Two experienced basketball officials will be present for every DTBL league game.
  2. In the event of a default, both officials will be asked to leave the court due to liability issues.

section 9: Free Throw and Fouls

  1. Shooting Fouls: Fouls against a shooter in the act of shooting – two or three free throws will be attempted if the player's try was not successful, one free throw, if the shot was made.
  2. Common Fouls: Ball awarded out-of-bounds at the spot nearest the foul until the seventh team foul of the half.
  3. 1-and-1 Bonus:  One free throw will be awarded to the offended player on the seventh, eighth, and ninth team foul of each half.  If successful, a second free throw will be attempted (non-shooting fouls only).
  4. Double Bonus: Two free throws will be awarded to the offended player on the tenth team foul and all subsequent team fouls of each half (non-shooting fouls only).
  5. Free Throw Substitution: During multiple personal foul free throws, substitutions may only be made before the final attempt in the sequence and after the final attempt has been converted. EXCEPTION:  When a player is required by rule to be replaced prior to administering the free throw(s), all other substitutes who have legally reported may then also enter the game.    
  6. Player-Control Fouls: A foul committed by a player in control of the ball. The official shall award the ball to the offended team at a place out-of-bounds nearest to the point where the foul occurred. No free throws are awarded, nor can any points be scored on player-control fouls.
  7. Team-Control Fouls: Any common foul committed by the team that has team-control of the ball. The official shall award the ball to the offended team at a place out-of-bounds nearest to the point where the foul occurred. No free throws are awarded, nor can any points be scored on team-control fouls.Team control does not exist on jump balls or during a shot attempt.
  8. Technical Fouls: All technical fouls will result in two free throws for the offended team. The offended team then gets possession of the ball at mid-court after the two free throws. Anyone on the offended team may shoot the free throws. Examples are, but not limited to: unnecessary roughness, dirty play, foul language, abusive language from players, intentional tripping, fighting, intentional delay of game other than by regular play, intentionally slapping the backboard, requesting a time-out without a time-out remaining, etc. When the words or actions of any player(s), or fan(s) are deemed inappropriate or unsporting, the official has the authority to eject the individual(s) involved as to maintain a wholesome playing situation for the other participants in the game.
  9. Intentional Fouls: An Intentional Foul is a Personal or Technical Foul that may or may not be premeditated and is not based solely on the severity of the act. All Intentional Fouls will result in two free throws awarded to the offended team, and the ball out-of-bounds at the spot nearest the foul. This includes Intentional Fouls on successful shot attempts. An Intentional Foul on a missed three point shot attempt will result in three free throws to the offended team.
  10. Entering the Lane: On a free throw, players not in a legal marked lane space (including the shooter) shall remain behind the three-point field-goal line (free throw line for the shooter), AND behind the free throw line extended, until the ball strikes the ring, flange, or backboard, or until the free throw ends. Players occupying any of the legal marked lane spaces on each side of the lane may enter the lane once the free-thrower has released the ball. Players occupying marked free-throw lane spaces may not cross over into the area reserved for the free throw shooter until the ball touches the ring or until the free throw ends. 
  11. Lane Space Occupants During Free Throws: The first two lane spaces adjacent to the end line may not be occupied. The spaces above the blocks must be occupied by opponents of the shooter. If the offense desires the third spaces, it may have them. If the defense desires the fourth spaces, nearest the shooter, it may have them. If a player entitled to the third or fourth spaces does not occupy that space, an opponent may be in the space (within the number limitations, four defense and two offense). EXCEPTION: Lane spaces will be unoccupied during free throws resulting from Technical or Intentional fouls.  
  12. A player must leave the game after he/she has received five fouls (personal or technical). A second unsportsmanlike technical is considered flagrant and the offender is automatically disqualified and must leave the gymnasium.  Any ejected player will also be suspended for at least his/her next scheduled game, plus any other Intramural events within that time frame.  Failure to leave the facility following an ejection may result in a team forfeit.

Section 10: Playoffs

  1. Only roster players with a minimum of 5 regular season games played will be eligible to fill your playoff roster.  Exceptions must be made with DTBL management before playoffs commence.
  2. The playoffs will consist of a single game elimination style tournament based on seeding.  Playoff brackets will be available on the DTBL website.
  3. Week 1 will consist of all 4 quarter final games.  Week 2 (Finals Night) will consist of BOTH the semi finals and finals in the same night.  An hour long intermission will follow the second semi final game before the Final game commences.
  4. Playoff overtime will consist of a 1 minute stop time extra period.

SECTION 11: UNROSTERED EXTRA PLAYERS

  1. DTBL permits the use of extra players during regular season if and only if the considered team has 7 or less players. If at that time the team will be able to recruit players to substitute for the team for a maximum of 10 players.
  2. Extra players MUST not exceed the skill description f the division that the team plays under.  If an unfair advantage is made aware, the player will be asked to exit the game at the end of the quarter.  Management, officials or opposing team members may make requests for the removal of over qualified players.
  3. Extra players are not permitted for the playoffs under any circumstance.

SECTION 12: MID SEASON TRADES

  • We give teams the opportunity to conduct no more than 1 mid season trade at exactly the 5 game mark.  Sometimes teams made from individuals do not gel properly or an abundance of players at the same position can make for awkward chemistry. The following conditions must be met before a trade will be approved.
    • Both Captains mutually agree on the swap
    • The two players involved in the swap both approve
    • Only 1 for 1 trades are allowed
    • Both players have played a minimum of 3 regular season games by the deadline

Section 13: Forfeits/Defaults

  1. If either team does not have 5 players at game time, a default will be called at the end of the first quarter (12 mins).
  2. Signing up is a commitment.  It is our expectation that as part of the agreement we make in allowing you/your team’s registration, we will allocate a space for you/your team in return for your team attending and utilizing that space. Our business and the satisfaction of our entire membership are predicated on this agreement being honored. 
  3. If a team voluntarily defaults a scheduled DTBL game under the agreed schedule, the team will be given a warning.

    If a team voluntarily defaults a second time, the team will be subject to league ejection. The circumstance will be put under review by DTBL Management and a final decision will be made.

    DTBL does not tolerate game defaults under voluntary circumstances.

section 14: ALCOHOL + CANNABIS (Important)

  1. When participating during DTBL contracted hours,  the TBA school board permit states that “no alcoholic beverages are to be dispensed, sold or consumed on the property at any time.” This means that you can not sell, give out, or drink any alcohol when on school property. This is a zero-tolerance policy. If you are confirmed to have acted in violation of the policy your opportunity to participate in DTBL leagues will be revoked without refund.  Alcohol is prohibited.
  2. There are no glass bottles allowed on the team bench or in the dressing rooms.  If a player/team is caught with glass bottles of any kind the 1st offense will result in an automatic 4 game probation. 2nd offense will result in a 4 game suspension and disqualification from the playoffs.
  3. Similar to alcohol, 
    • Cannabis may not be consumed while participating in any league or event.
    • Participants may not participate while impaired by cannabis or any other substance.
    • Disorderly Conduct: You may not engage in disorderly or lewd conduct including disorder associated with alcohol, cannabis or controlled substances.

section 15: DISCIPLINARY ACTION 

  1. DTBL reserves the right to impose disciplinary action against any player/team deemed to have broken the rules and regulations of the league including but not limited to suspension and expulsion with ZERO cash refund.  Our league polices can be viewed here.

section 16: Protests

  1. If a team feels an official has misinterpreted a rule, it must lodge a protest at the time of the ruling. The team must call a time-out at the time of the ruling and inform the official it wishes to protest a misapplication or misinterpretation of a rule.  The game will be stopped to obtain a ruling from the Supervisor. Failure to call time-out and obtain an immediate ruling from the Supervisor at the time of the rule in question will void any future right to protest. If the official’s ruling stands, the protesting team will be charged the time-out. If the official’s ruling is changed, the team is not charged a time-out. If a team does not have any time-outs remaining, it can still call a protest time-out. If the official's ruling stands, that team will be charged a technical foul. No protest concerning officials’ judgment will be considered. If the protesting team still feels the ruling is incorrect, it must then lodge a written protest form through the Intramural Supervisor.
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