Rules

In case you're not convinced, here's a breakdown of what rules apply at WeBall

Games will adhere to a combination of FIBA European rules, NBA Rules and G League Rules. Players should seek referee clarification for any queries. Click here for most recent FIBA rules

Team Composition

Each team is limited to 5 players on the court simultaneously. There are no restrictions on squad size however 7 players are recommended for maximum value.

Jerseys: The Cornerstone of Our League

Jerseys play a fundamental role in the unique offerings of our league, particularly in the accurate tracking of stats and fouls. These elements set our league apart from others and are integral to the smooth running of our competitions. The integrity and efficiency of our stats and foul tracking system hinge on the consistent use of assigned jerseys. This system is what elevates our league, providing detailed insights and fairness that distinguish our play from other leagues.

We include the following policy to underline their significance:

  • Guaranteed Jerseys: At the start of each season, every team will be guaranteed a full set of jerseys.
  • Roster Limitations: The number of players you can have on your roster, including ringers and substitutes, will now be directly tied to the number of available jerseys your team has. This means the loss or misplacement of a jersey will directly impact your team's roster spots.

CONSEQUENCES OF LOST JERSEYS

Misplacing or losing a jersey will have tangible consequences on your team's roster flexibility, affecting your strategy and ability to adapt to in-game situations. We hope this policy underscores the importance of managing and maintaining your team's jerseys with the utmost care.

Forfeit Policy

Teams are given a grace period of 5 minutes beyond the scheduled start time to field a legal team. A team can participate with a minimum of 3 players, even if it is short-handed. If a team is unable to present a legal roster within the grace period, the match will be designated as an exhibition game. The official standings will record a 20-0 victory in favour of the team that was able to assemble a legal team. Should both teams fail to field a legal roster, the match will be marked as an exhibition game and recorded as a tie in the standings. All disputes regarding policies, rules, or player eligibility must be settled prior to the start of the match.

Substitutions

Teams may make substitutions at any time during the game, without restrictions on the frequency of changes. There is no maximum limit on the number of substitutions a team can make during a game. Players entering the game must do so from the designated substitution area, under the supervision of the table official. Players leaving the game must exit the court completely before their replacement enters. It is required for the outgoing player to physically tag the incoming player. Substitutions made outside of the designated area or without the required tagging between the outgoing and incoming players will result in a turnover.

Ringers

A ringer refers to an external player recruited to join a team temporarily, especially when the team faces a shortage of its regular members. Ringers may be employed during regular season matches to assemble a complete team of five players. Teams with at least 3 rostered players may recruit ringers to complete a team of 5; however, they cannot exceed the 7-player limit (no substitutes). Additional substitutes are not allowed unless agreed upon with the opposing team and referees before the game begins. Only ringers who have participated in at least one regular season game for their team during the current season are eligible to compete in the finals.

Time

Games consist of two 12-minute halves. A running clock is maintained throughout the game. If a game's score differential is within 10 points, the clock halts on stoppages during the final 2 minutes. In the event of shortened games (due to injuries, incidents, etc.), lost time will not be compensated, and the result will stand. The clock manager reserves the right to manipulate the clock before the start of a game or between halves, based on time available at the venue.

Time-Outs

Each team is granted one 1-minute timeout per game.

Injury Time-Outs

If an injury occurs, the clock will be stopped for one minute and then resumed as normal from the moment the clock was stopped

Ties

Due to time constraints, tied games during the regular season will proceed to a 2- minute overtime period. If the score remains tied after overtime, the game ends in a tie.

Standings

Teams will be ranked according to wins and losses. When multiple teams have an equal record after the same number of games, standings are determined by head-to-head results. In event there us still a tie then the tie breaker will be determined by overall points difference.

Play-offs

Post-season matches will commence following the conclusion of the regular season's final week and will adopt a single- elimination format. Post-season play-off matches will adhere to the identical structure as the regular season during regulation. In the event of a tie at the conclusion of regulation time in a play-off match, one additional 2-minute overtime period will ensue. If a victor is still undetermined after this overtime period, a free throw shoot-out will be conducted to ascertain the winner.

Free Throw Shoot-Out

In the event of a tie after one overtime period in basketball, a "free throw shoot-out" procedure is implemented with no substitutions allowed and teams must match the number of available players. Any player on the court at the end of overtime is eligible to participate, and all players must take one free throw before anyone can take a second. The order of shooters can change in subsequent rounds if the initial round does not break the tie. There are no delays allowed for absent players; if a player is unavailable for their turn, their attempt is forfeited. The game will be decided by the shootout regardless of a team being reduced to fewer than five players, ensuring a fair and decisive end to the match.

Personal and Team Fouls

Personal and team fouls are tracked for all leagues. Players "foul out" after receiving their 3rd personal foul. Technical fouls are recorded as personal fouls. If a player fouls out without a replacement/ substitute, the team must play short- handed unless agreed upon by the opposing team. A team earns one free throw on their 7th team foul and subsequent fouls for the remainder of the game. All shooting fouls result in one shot of the intended value (2 or 3 points), unless the shooter scores ("And 1"), in which case the subsequent free throw is worth 1 point.

Technical Fouls

Technical fouls count as personal fouls. A player receiving two technical fouls will be ejected from the game. Depending on the severity of the technical foul, a player can be ejected after one technical foul. During a player's sin-bin period, the team plays with 4 players. All technical fouls result in one free throw and possession of the ball.

Free Throws

WeBall uses a novel One Free Throw Rule. Introduced by the NBA G League in the 2019-20 season. According to this rule, only one free throw is attempted in any free throw situation. The single free throw counts for the entire potential points of the traditional multiple free throw opportunities as per the usual NBA regulations.

Jewellery

Players must remove any potentially dangerous jewellery before tip-off. Referees have the final authority to determine what constitutes dangerous jewellery and may remove players who do not comply.

Player Conduct

Maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for all participants is our top priority, regardless of competition level. We expect all league participants to adhere to these values and refrain from any disrespectful or abusive behavior (verbal or physical) toward referees, venue staff, or other league members. This includes swearing, threats, or aggressive body language. Any reports of misconduct will be addressed seriously, and we reserve the right to eject players or teams found to be in violation of this policy without refund. Remember, all players represent their teams, and we appreciate your efforts in fostering a fun, social, and respectful atmosphere in our leagues!

Dunking

Due to the hoops not being specifically designed for dunking, it is prohibited to grasp the ring under any circumstances. Any instance of grasping will result in an immediate technical foul. Players engage in dunking at their own risk. Should a player damage or break the ring, they will face an immediate ban from the league and We-Ball without refund. Additionally, they will be responsible for covering the costs associated with replacing the ring. While dunking is appreciated, the inconvenience caused by prolonged downtime due to a damaged hoop is not beneficial for any team, nor does it foster a positive relationship between We-Ball and the facility.