2025 NACBA RULES OF PLAY
1. Timing Regulations:
Round Robin or Similar (All Divisions):- Two (2) eighteen (18) minutes halves, with a running clock.
- Stop time in the last 15 seconds of the first half and in the last 2 minutes of the second half.
- Stop time after all made baskets in the last 1 minute of the second half and during any overtime periods.
- Halftime is 2 minutes in duration.
New Rule:
- When the game clock has reached the last 2 minute mark of the second half, if either team has not reached a total of 5 team fouls, then their team’s team foul will be adjusted to 5 team fouls for the half.
Playoffs-Same as the round robin except two (2) twenty (20) minute halves, with a running clock for the following games:
- Men’s Open Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, finals; Championship Finals (Women’s, Friendship, Seniors, Masters, Youth)
All other playoff games, not listed above, will be using the same timing regulations as in the round robin Overtime (All Games):
- 2 minutes, with a running clock; stop time in the last minute, including after all made baskets.
2. Time Outs:
Each team will be allotted three (3) sixty (60) seconds time outs for each game with no carry over into any overtime periods. Each team will be allotted one (1) time out per over time period with no carry over. Game clock is stopped during all time-outs.3. Uniforms:
Each player on the same team must wear the same colored (reasonably) jersey. Each player with an illegal jersey will be assessed a team technical foul (recorded as a team foul but not a personal foul) upon first entry into the game as a player. The penalty will be 2 free throws and possession of the ball for the opposing team for each infraction. There are no restrictions on the color of any of the other garments worn by players. However, each team should have two set of colored shirts/uniforms (one light color and one dark color. In the event that two teams are wearing the same color, the team that has joined the NACBA most recently must change their color uniform.4. Forfeitures:
All games must start exactly at the scheduled game time, with each team having at least five (5) players to start the game; there is no default time. Failure to have five (5) players to start a game will result in forfeiture. Once a game has started in accordance with above, once a team has been reduced to three (3) players or less, that team will forfeit the game at that point. If game times are behind schedule, the next game must start within five (5) minutes from the end of the previous game. Failure to start the game by any team, for any reason, will result in forfeiture.5. Dunking:
Including grabbing or pulling the rim, is not permitted at any time except during live game play.6. Five Second Count:
Will be in effect in all games (closely guarded and dribbling) except those games when a shot clock is used (count in effect while holding the ball).7. Shot Clock:
Will be used for Championship games in the Men’s Open, Men’s Friendship and Women’s Open divisions.2025 Additional Tournament Rules in Effect
GAME SCHEDULES, RESULTS: A QR code will be posted at all venues, including the Hilton which gives access to a “Read Only” shared excel file where scores will be updated regularly by one of the NACBA Executives.
We will be using FIBA rules A QR code will be posted at all venues, including the Hilton which gives access to a “Read Only” shared excel file where scores will be updated regularly by one of the NACBA Executives.
Significant rule difference between FIBA and NHFS/NCAA rules are as follows…
- Teams warm up and go towards the basket in front of the team bench.
- 8 seconds to move the ball into the front court, not 10.
- Timeouts are to be requested through the scorer’s table not the referees. A timeout can only be called when the ball is dead after the referee has blown their whistle. The only exception is when a team is scored upon, they may call time out before they take possession of the ball for the inbound.
- When inbounding the ball in the front court, cannot be thrown into the backcourt. Referees will remind the inbounder of this.
- Player may fall while possessing the ball but may not get up, roll or sit up.
- Ball is still in play if it hits the top of the backboard and/or goes over the backboard.
- The ball may be touched immediately after it strikes the rim.
- A blocked shot where the ball never leaves the shooter’s hand is a travelling violation , not a held ball.
- FIBA allows a gather or zero step when a dribbler stops their dribble while in motion and then is allowed an additional 2 steps after that step.
- Penalty situation is after 7 team fouls (on the 8th foul) where it is 2 free throws.
- All jump balls go to the arrow. Start of every quarter including all over time periods will go the arrow.
- If the ball is released before the player control foul occurs, the basket will count and the foul will be recorded.
- Substitutes will be allowed before the first free throw and after the last one, not in between.
- A technical foul is 1 free throw and then play is resumed at the point of interruption.
- An unsporting foul is not playing the ball (excessive contact), a deadball contact foul (pushing after the whistle), stopping a break (take foul), or clear path (last defender fouls) which may include being fouled while receiving a pass or going after a loose ball. The penalty is 2 free throws and a front court throw in.
- In the last 2 minutes of the game, after a dead ball stoppage, the team that has possession of the ball in their backcourt may advance the ball to the front court.
- In the last 2 minutes of the game, if a team has been scored upon and has substitutions at the table, the game will be stopped and the subs brought in.
- Shot clock is 24 seconds, which will used for the Men’s Open, Women’s Open, and Friendship finals on Monday. There will be 5 second count on a closely guarded dribbler, within 1 metre or 3 feet when there is not shot clock. A closely guarded 5 second count violation on a held ball may be called in the backcourt.
Points of Emphasis Include:
Rule instituted in 2024/2025: When the game clock has reached the last 2 minute mark of the second half, if either team has not reached a total of 6 team fouls, then their team’s team foul will be adjusted to 6 team fouls for the half.
Rationale: Teams that are behind will often foul on purpose in order to enter the bonus situation. With this rule, a team who needs to foul can reach the bonus situation on their second foul under 2 minutes. This will prevent fouls where contact may be intentionally or unintentionally hard/agressive in nature. Hard fouls can often lead to injury, conflict, escalation, and retaliation. These hard fouls can also be deemed as flagrant and/or intentional by a referee and penalized with technical fouls and retention of the ball which defeats the purpose of the foul by the team that is behind.
3 POINT LINE: We will be using the High School line. The only exception will be at the King’s Square venue where the courts there only have the FIBA 3-pt line.
RESTRICTED AREA ARC: This will not be used.
Tournament Rules & Regulations
Teams will play at least three (3) games throughout the tournament. Men’s Open teams will play at least four (4) games. Upon completion of preliminary game play, teams may advance to the playoff or consolation round based on their seeding.
Flagrant & Technical Foul:
Flagrant fouls will be penalized in accordance with the NCAA Rules of Play. Flagrant fouls will be reviewed by the Committee and may result in a player disqualification from the tournament. Fighting is strictly forbidden and players and/or teams may be disqualified from the tournament. The following penalties will be assessed at a minimum:
- 1st fight – player/players will be disqualified from the tournament.
- 2nd fight – team will be disqualified from the tournament.
- Other penalties may follow as determined by the NACBA Executive Board, in its sole discretion.
2 technical fouls assessed to any player during a game shall result in automatic ejection and may result in other penalties as determined by the NACBA Executive Board.
All Players must present original documents and photo identification (passport, birth certificates, etc.) that proves age and/or nationality at the request of the Tournament Committee.
If a protest is lodged, the burden of proof is on the player to prove otherwise. Failure to do so will result in such player’s disqualification from the game and tournament. All protests must be submitted by the coach and/or team captain by notifying the tournament coordinator in the respective gym before the start of any scheduled game. A $100 cash deposit must be made prior to any protest. If age and/or nationality cannot be confirmed at the time of protest, each game that such player has participated in will result in a forfeit and such player will be forbidden from continuing to participate in the tournament.Except as otherwise set forth, players may only participate on one team and only in one division.
Any player caught playing on another team within the same tournament will result in the disqualification of such player and each team that he or she played with during the tournament will be considered a loss.
In the 40+, 45/50 and over and 55+ Men’s Divisions, players may participate in more than one division but no more than two divisions. This is only allowed if they have been pre-approved by the NACBA Board. Players can not just decide to do this on the day of the tournament. For example, a player who is 56 years old can play in both the 55+ and 45/50.
A limited number of exceptions related to the youth divisions can be granted on an as need basis.
Team Forfeits:
Any team that forfeits a game either by not showing up on time or walking off the court during a game may be disqualified from the tournament pending the decision of the NACBA Board. In addition, the team and/or organization may also be banned from the NACBA Invitational Tournament for a period of not more than three (3) years, as determined by the NACBA Executive Board.Tie Breaking Procedure:
- Two team tie – head to head, win/loss between the two teams tied.
- Three team tie – to determine first place: head to head W/L among three teams tied, then total point differential of the three teams tied against each other if necessary. To determine second place: head to head Won/Loss.
- Four team ties – settle the highest ranking team first, then revert back to three team tie break rules, and so on. If any point differential ties exist after taking the sum total of all tied teams, then total point differential of all teams in your division is the next tie breaker.