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Sport Specific Rules: Click Here

RUGBY BASKETBALL

1. Game Time/Default:

  • Please arrive 15 minutes early so that you can start your games on time.
  • Games are 55 minutes in length, with no stoppage for a halftime.
  • Please agree on one person to act as timekeeper.
  • Teams are comprised of four (4) players with a minimum of one (1) of each gender. A default will occur if any team cannot field a squad by 10 minutes after the official start time.
  • Captains may agree to waive the rules regarding minimum people but this should be decided before the game starts. IF IT IS AGREED THAT THE GAME COUNTS, IT COUNTS!

 

 2. General Rules:

  • Games begin with a jump ball
  • Defensive play is man-to-man only (no zone defense)
  • Players may substitute on the fly, but the outgoing player must tag the incoming player. 
  • Each basket scored counts as a single point (regardless of where the shot was taken from i.e. no 3-pointers).  The team that was scored upon passes in the ball from the end-line under the basket, like in normal basketball.
  • A game can end in a tie during the regular season.
  • If the ball is on the ground, it is live (anyone can pick it up).
  • If a ball goes out of bounds, it goes to the team who was not the last to touch it. The ball is put back into play from the sidelines like basketball.
  • "Three seconds in the key": If an offensive player is in the key for more than 3 seconds, the defensive player may warn the player. An offensive player can receive 2 warnings, after the 3rd warning an automatic turnover occurs. Please note that time starts when the ball crosses half court. Counting should go as follows: "one one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand."
  • When the ball is 'tied up', and a jump ball call is made, the team who lost the opening tip will be awarded possession of the ball (irrelevant of who was on offence or defense).  For any subsequent "jump balls", possession will alternate between teams (next jump ball will go to the team who won the opening tip) and continue to switch.
  • DUNKING IS NOT ALLOWED. Dunking damages the rim which makes the schools very unhappy.  

 

3. Moving the Ball:

  • A player may take 3 steps with the ball, after which time they must dribble, pass or shoot the ball. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO ADVANCE THE BALL!
  • After a player has taken their steps, they have 4 "stalls" (like "steamboats") to either dribble, pass or shoot the ball. Only the defensive player covering the person with the ball may call the stalls and they must be within 3-4 feet of the person they are counting stalls on. Stalls must be counted out loud "Stall 1, stall 2, stall 3, stall 4, and only when the offensive person is not taking steps. If the ball is not released by the "4" of "stall 4"; the ball is turned over to the defensive team at that spot. When a player gains possession of the ball, the stall count may begin. Once that player begins to take their steps/dribble, the stall count is to stop and resume at Stall 1 once the offensive player has stopped.
  • No player may contact the ball with their feet for any reason (foot blocking, stopping a ball from going out of bounds etc). Should this occur, it is a turnover.

 

4. Fouls - In general, basketball rules apply to this sport with respect to fouls, with the following highlights:

  • You must call your own fouls. Be generous with your calls as sportsmanship makes the game much more enjoyable to play.
  • Whenever a foul is called, the ball is turned over to the non-offending team for a pass (the ball cannot be shot directly at the basket after a foul).  If a foul is disputed, the ball should go back to where it was before the foul was called. Only the two players involved with the foul may discuss the situation.
  • NO BODY CONTACT IS PERMITTED.
  • You may not strip the ball out of a player's hands while they are holding it.
  • You may not impede the movement of a player's arm to block a shot or pass
  • You may not make dangerous plays on defense or offence. You are to make a choice: "Can I play this ball safely?" If the answer is no, then you must "let it go."
  • If a defensive player is stationary and an offensive player makes contact with their body, an offensive foul has occurred (like a charge in basketball). If a defensive player steps into an offensive player a defensive foul has occurred.
  • Picks are not allowed. Any time an offensive player --either intentionally or unintentionally-- sheds their defender by running around another player or by having a player block their path, a foul has occurred. Play is stopped and the defender is allowed to regain position with their player.  Possession does not change when this occurs.

 

5. Rough Play:

ANY ROUGH OR PHYSICAL PLAY WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE EXPULSION FROM FURTHER LEAGUE PLAY AND MAY RESULT IN LIFETIME LEAGUE EXPULSION. PLEASE SEE THE SPORT AND SOCIAL CLUB POLICY SHEET FOR OUR OFFICIAL POLICY 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.