1. GAME SCHEDULE

All Provincial Championship Games are to be played as scheduled, unless advised by Basketball Nova Scotia Operations Manager, Technical Director, or Executive Director.

2. FIBA RULES

All BNS games are to be played under the current “FIBA Official Basketball Rules”, except for the variations approved by BNS and recorded in this document.

3. BALL SIZES

The ball sizes to be used for each age class are as follows:

3.1 Size 5 Basketballs – U10 and U12 males and females.

3.2 Size 6 Basketballs – U14 males and females, U16 and U18 female.

3.3 Size 7 Basketballs – U16 and U18 male teams.

4. MERCY RULE

4.1 Respect for Opponents – Teams are to show respect for their opponents at all times. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action. 

4.1 U12 Division 1 and 2 –  If a team is ahead by 15 points or more the leading team shall no longer be permitted to employ a pressure defense.

4.2 U14, U16 and U18 – If a team is ahead by 25 points or more, the leading team shall no longer be permitted to employ a full court pressure defense of any kind.

5. GAME TIMING

5.1 Under 10 Developmental Jamboree – Ten 3:20 minute run time shifts, with equal play required.

5.1.1 Half-time – 2 minutes when and where possible. Half-time may be shortened if the game is running behind schedule.

5.2 Under 12 – Eight 4-minute stop time shifts, with equal play required.

5.2.1 Quarters – Each quarter will consist of two 4-minute stop time shifts.

5.2.2 Half-time – 5 minutes when and where possible. Half-time may be shortened if the game is running behind schedule.

5.3 Under 14 – Four quarters of 8 minutes each with a 1-minute break between quarters.

5.3.1 Equal play – Required in the first three quarters of games played in ALL Divisions with those three quarters being divided into two 4-minute shifts.

5.3.2 Half-time – 5 minutes when and where possible. Half-time may be shortened if the game is running behind schedule.

5.4 Under 16 and Under 18 – Four quarters of 10 minutes each with a 1-minute break between quarters.

5.4.1 Half-time – 5 minutes when and where possible. Half-time may be shortened if the game is running behind schedule.

5.5 Tie Games – Not permitted in Provincial Championship play. Overtime must be played as per Rule 16 of this handbook.

6. SHOT CLOCK

6.1 U10, U12, and U14 – The shot clock will be 30 second duration. 2017 FIBA rules around resets following fouls shall apply except for the offensive reset rule, this will not apply. E.G. a foul in the back court will be a full 30 second reset, a defensive non-shooting foul in the front court with less than 14 seconds shall be a 14 second reset (if the shot clock shows above 14 seconds it will stay as is).

6.2 U16 and U18 – The shot clock in U16 and U18 games be of a 24 second duration. 2017 FIBA rules around resets following fouls shall apply except for the offensive reset rule, this will not apply. E.G. a foul in the back court will be a full 24 second reset, a defensive non-shooting foul in the front court with less than 14 seconds shall be a 14 second reset (if the shot clock shows above 14 seconds it will stay as is).

7. BACK COURT POSSESSION

7.1 U10, U12 or U14 – A team will be permitted to have possession of the ball in their back court for 10 seconds prior to crossing midcourt.

7.2 U16 or U18 – A team will be permitted to have possession of the ball in their back court for 8 seconds prior to crossing the midcourt.

8. TIME OUTS

8.1 Regulation Play – Each team shall be permitted a total of five (5) time outs, two of which may be taken in the first half, 3 of which may be taken in the second half with only two permitted to be taken in the final 2 minutes of play.

8.2 Overtime – Each team is entitled to one additional time out. Unused time outs do not carry over into overtime.

9. UNDER 14 DIVISION AGE CLASS VARIATIONS

9.1 Player to Player Defense – Defense must be player to player. Zone defenses of any kind are not permitted.

9.2 No Double Teaming – Double teaming is not permitted. Help defense is permitted but not in a sustained manner such as a trap. When an offensive player has beaten their defender, another defender may step in to help momentarily, but then must immediately return to guard their own offensive player or switch players to return to player to player.

9.3 Penalty for Illegal Defenses – If in the view of the referee there is intent to play a zone defense or double team, the following penalties shall be assessed:

9.3.1 First offence – a warning will be given to the Coach

9.3.2 Second & subsequent offences – one shot and possession of the ball at the point of interruption.

9.4 Equal Play – In all levels of Under 14, no one player shall play more than a one shift difference than any other teammate over the duration of the first three quarters of the game. If players have not been used in accordance with “Equal Playing Time” by the end of the third quarter, the scorer shall record clearly on the score sheet that the game is a default against the violating team. The coach of the violating team will be issued an automatic one game suspension to be served in the next scheduled game. Subsequent violations may result in the coach being suspended for the remainder of the tournament.

9.5 Substitutions during a shift – If a player fouls out, becomes injured or is unable to play their shift, the player replacing this player will be charged with the full shift and the injured or unable to play player will also be charged for the full shift. The coach may if he or she so chooses to not substitute a player and play with only 4 for the remainder of the shift.

9.6 Fourth Quarter Exclusion – Rules 9.4 and 9.5 do not apply in the fourth quarter of a game.

10. UNDER 12 DIVISION AGE CLASS VARIATIONS

10.1 Equal Play – In all levels of Under 12, no one player shall play more than a one shift difference than any other teammate, and no one player shall play more than five (5) shifts per game. If 8 or more players have not been used in accordance with “Equal Playing Time” by games end, the scorer shall record clearly on the score sheet that the game is a default against the violating team. The coach of the violating team will be issued an automatic one game suspension to be served in the next scheduled game. On a subsequent violation, the coach will be suspended for the remainder of the tournament.

*For the 2022 Provincial Championships, no one player shall play more than a one shift difference than any other teammate. (this rule replaces the current rule for the year of 2022).*

10.1.1 Overtime – Any player who has not fouled out of the game is able to play in overtime. Rule 10.1 will still apply for all overtime periods, with the following exception: any game which requires overtime will not have a maximum number of shifts as long as no one player plays more than a one shift difference through the entire game (regulation and overtime).

10.2 Substitutions during a shift – If a player fouls out, becomes injured or is unable to play their shift, they must be replaced by a player who has not played for more than 20 minutes (5 shifts X 4 minutes). The player replacing this player will be charged with the full shift and the injured or unable to play player will also be charged for the full shift. The coach may if he or she so chooses to not substitute a player and play with only 4 for the remainder of the shift.

*For the 2022 Provincial Championships,  If a player fouls out, becomes injured or is unable to play their shift, they can only be replaced by a player who has not played more shifts than another player. The replacement athlete will be charged with the full shift and the injured or unable to play athlete, will also be charged for the full shift. The coach may choose to not substitute a player and play with only 4 athletes for the remainder of the shift. (this rule replaces the current rule for the year of 2022).*

10.3 Minimum number of players – A team shall consist of no less than eight (8) players, five (5) of whom must be present to start a game. If a team begins a game with fewer than 8 players but more than five (5), and finish a game with eight (8) or more athletes,  the athletes must play according to the equal time rule, in order for the game to be official. If fewer than eight (8), but five (5) or more are present, the game is to be officiated and scored. If a team finishes a game with fewer than eight (8) players, the game is recorded as a default. A team must have used a minimum of eight (8) players to complete an official game.

*For the 2022 Provincial Championships, teams must register a minimum of 8 players on their roster. If athletes are unable to attend games due to sickness, or other unforeseen circumstances, teams must play the game with at least five players. (this rule replaces the current rule for the year of 2022).*

10.4 No 3 Point Baskets – All successful attempts at a basket, with the exception of free throws, shall be awarded 2 points. There shall be no 3-point shots in the Under 12 age class.

10.5 Free Throw Line – The free throw line will be shortened by 3 feet to a 12-foot length.

10.6 No Full Court Defense – After a made basket, or dead ball in the front court, the team now going on defense must retreat back to the 3-point line area in their own back court until the opposing team crosses half court. In the case where there is no 3-point line, the top of the key area should be used.

10.6.1 Full Court Defense Exception – In Under 12 Divisions 1 and 2, a player to player only, full court press will be permitted.

10.7 Player to Player Defense – Defense must be player to player. Zone defenses of any kind are not permitted.

10.8 No Double Teaming – Double teaming is not permitted. Help defense is permitted but not in a sustained manner such as a trap. When an offensive player has beaten their defender, another defender may step in to help momentarily, but then must immediately return to guard their own offensive player or switch players to return to player to player. 

10.9 Penalty for Illegal Defenses – If in the view of the referee there is intent to play a zone defense or double team, the following penalties shall be assessed:

10.9.1 First offence – a warning will be given to the Coach

10.9.2 Second & subsequent offences – one shot and possession of the ball at the point of interruption.

10.10 Last 30 Seconds Timing – In order to allow the defense to attempt to gain possession of the ball without the clock expiring, the clock shall not start when:

10.10.1 The offensive team has a 3-point lead or less;

10.10.2 There is 30 seconds or less remaining in the game;

10.10.3 And the offensive team has not yet brought the ball over half.

**This rule applies to Under 12 Division 3 and below. **

10.11 Penalty Foul Shots – In all Under 12 levels, 2 shifts will count as 1 quarter (Shifts 1 and 2 – 1st quarter; shifts 3 and 4 – 2nd quarter; etc.). A team accumulating a total of 5 team fouls in a quarter, would allow the opposing team to reach a penalty situation where they would shoot 2 free throws for the fifth and every foul thereafter in the quarter. The foul count is reset to 0 at the start of each subsequent quarter.

11. UNDER 10 DEVELOPMENTAL JAMBOREE DIVISION AGE CLASS VARIATIONS

11.1 Game Timing – Under 10 Developmental Jamboree will be ten 3:20 minute run time shifts, with equal play required. A teams must have used a minimum of six (6) players to complete an official game, four (4) of whom must be present to start the game. Six (6) players must be available by the fifth shift. In the event of a default due to a shortage of players, the game shall still be officiated.

11.1.1 Half-time – 2 minutes when and where possible. Half-time may be shortened if the game is running

behind schedule.

11.2 4 on 4 Play – In all levels of Under 10 Developmental Jamboree play shall be 4 on 4.

11.3 No Scores Displayed – At no point during the game shall the score be displayed.

11.4 Equal Play – In all levels of Under 10 Developmental Jamboree, no one player shall play more than a one shift difference than any other teammate.

11.5 Basket Height – In Under 10 Developmental/Jr. Mini Jamboree, the baskets shall be set so that the rim is at a height of 8 feet 6 inches.

11.6 No 3 Point Baskets – All successful attempts at a basket, with the exception of free throws, shall be awarded 2 points. There shall be no 3-point shots in Under 10 Developmental/Jr. Mini Jamboree.

11.7 No Full Court Defense – After a made basket, or dead ball in the front court, the team now going on defense must retreat back to the 3-point line area in their own back court until the opposing team crosses half court. In the case where the court has no 3-point line, the top of the key area should be used.

11.8 Player to Player Defense – Defense must be player to player. Zone defenses of any kind are not permitted.

11.9 No Double Teaming – Double teaming is not permitted. Help defense is permitted but not in a sustained manner such as a trap. When an offensive player has beaten their defender, another defender may step in to help momentarily, but then must immediately return to guard their own offensive player or switch players to return to player to player. 

11.10 Penalty for Illegal Defenses – If in the view of the referee there is intent to play a zone defense or double team, the following penalties shall be assessed:

11.10.1 First offence – a warning will be given to the Coach

11.10.2 Second & subsequent offences – one shot and possession of the ball at the point of interruption.

11.11 No Screening – Screening of any kind is NOT permitted (including ball screens, area screens, and dribble weaves/handoffs). If there is a screen set, legal or not, and there is contact it will be called a foul. If there is a screen set, legal or not, and there is no contact it will result in a turnover.

12. DIVISION 1 HIGH SCHOOL EXCLUSION RULE

12.1 Eligibility – With the exception of those specified in Rule 12.3, a player who plays on a Division 1 High School team is not eligible to play in minor basketball/U16 Provincials.

12.2 Classification of a D1 Player – A player shall be deemed to be playing on a Division 1 High School team if they have played more than two High School Division 1 games, including exhibition and tournament games.

12.3 Grade 9 Athletes – Acknowledging the fact that a minority of High Schools includes Grade 9 students, and that any Grade 9 student who made the High School team would most likely see limited playing time, this rule does not include players who are in Grade 9.

13. U18 & U16 HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES (Additional to the D1 High School Exclusion Rule)

To ensure a competitive environment for all athletes, please apply the registration classification clarifications below with regards to any High School athletes playing Varsity or Junior Varsity on your team. These will help guide your registration but note that regular seeding for these divisions still applies. Select the division that best represents your placement during the year. Please note that you may not end up in the same division as registered and divisions will be determined by the seeding process, the below is just a guideline. We strongly recommend any and all teams who are planning on participating in the 2022 Provincial Championships send all exhibition/seeding game results to your respective seeding coordinator as soon as possible. Additional questions about your athlete’s eligibility, based on their high school, should be directed to Basketball Nova Scotia’s Technical Director (bnsprovcoach@sportnovascotia.ca).There will be no exceptions to the rules below regardless of rural or urban location.

References:

• NSSAF Division Allocations

• Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association

• National Preparatory Association

Also included are:

• Halifax Prep and King’s-Edgehill Prep

13.1 U16 /18 Girls – Registration Classifications

*Any club team with one (1) or more Division 1 High School athletes Grades 10-12 (As per the NSSAF Division Allocations) or Preparatory Athletes (see references above) on their roster are required to play AAA club provincials. If you register your team in the wrong division, per the outline below, your team will be disqualified from the competition.

*When there is a low volume of teams that would be classified as AAA or AA, teams may be grouped into other divisions based on seeding info at the discretion of BNS*

• NSSAF Division Allocations

• Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association

• National Preparatory Association

Also included are:

• Halifax Prep and King’s-Edgehill Prep

U18 Girls

AAA: Division 1 High School + Preparatory School athletes

• *May Include Division 2 high school athletes

• *Any club team with one (1) or more Division 1 High School athletes, Grades 10-12 or Preparatory athletes on their roster are required to play AAA club provincials, otherwise they will be disqualified from the competition.

AA: Division 2 & Division 3 High School & Junior Varsity level athletes

• *May include Division 1 club teams

• *Any club team with one (1) or more Division 1 High School athletes, Grades 10-12 or Preparatory athletes on their roster are required to play AAA club provincials, otherwise they will be disqualified from the competition.

Division 1: Division 1 Club teams MBANS U16-18 division + other U16/U18 combined teams from across province

• *May include Division 2 Club teams*

• *Any club team with one (1) or more U18 aged athlete (see Section 13, Age Requirements) on their roster are required to play in U18 provincials, regardless of the number of U16 age athletes.

Division 2: Division 2/Division 3/Division 4 Club teams

• MBANS U16-18 division + other Division 2/Division 3/Division 4 U16/U18 combined teams from across province

• *Any club team with one (1) or more U18 aged athlete (see Section 13, Age Requirements) on their roster are required to play U18 provincials, regardless of the number of U16 age athletes.

U16 Girls

*Any club team with one (1) or more U18 athlete (see Section 13, Age Requirements) on their roster are required to play U18 provincials, regardless of the number of U16 age athletes.

Division 1: Division 1 Club teams

• MBANS U16-U18 division + other U16 teams from across province

• *Any club team with one (1) or more U18 athlete (see Section 13, Age Requirements) on their roster are required to play U18 provincials, regardless of the number of U16 age athletes.

Division 2: Division 2/Division 3 Club teams

• MBANS U16-U18 division + other D2/D3 U16 teams from across province

• *Any club team with one (1) or more U18 athlete (see Section 13, Age Requirements) on their roster are required to play U18 provincials, regardless of the number of U16 age athletes.

Division 3: Division 3/Division 4 Club teams

• MBANS U16-U18 division + other D3/D4 U16 teams from across province

• *Any club team with one (1) or more U18 athlete (see Section 13, Age Requirements) on their roster are required to play U18 provincials, regardless of the number of U16 age athletes.

13.2 U18 Boys – Registration Classifications

*When there is a low volume of teams that would be classified as AAA or AA, teams may be grouped into other divisions based on seeding info at the discretion of BNS*

*Any club team with one (1) or more Division 1 High School athletes, Grades 10-12 or Preparatory athletes on their roster are required to play AAA club provincials, otherwise they will be disqualified from the competition.

AAA: Division 1 High School + Preparatory School athletes

• *May Include Division 2 high school athletes

• *Any club team with one (1) or more Division 1 High School athlete, Grades 10-12 or Preparatory athletes on their roster are required to play AAA club provincials, otherwise they will be disqualified from the competition.

AA: Division 2 & Division 3 High School & Junior Varsity level athletes.

• *May include Division 1 club teams & athletes

• *Any club team with one (1) or more Division 1 High School athletes, Grades 10-12 or Preparatory athletes on their roster are required to play AAA club provincials, otherwise they will be disqualified from the competition.

Division 1: D1 club teams

• MBANS U18 + other D1 club teams from across province

• *May include Division 2 club teams

Division 2:  Division 2/Division 3/Division 4 Club teams

• MBANS + other D2/D3/D4 club teams from across province

14. AGE REQUIREMENTS

14.1 Current Season – The term “current season” shall be defined as the normal period of operation for the basketball season extending from September 1st August 31st.

14.2 Under 10 Developmental Jamboree Eligibility – A player must not have reached the age of 10 prior to January 1st, 2022. Birth year of 2012 or later.

14.3 Under 12 Eligibility – A player must not have reached the age of 12 prior to January 1st, 2022.

14.4 Under 14 Eligibility – A player must not have reached the age of 14 prior to January 1st, 2022.

14.5 Under 16 Eligibility – A player must not have reached the age of 16 prior to January 1st, 2022.

14.6 Under 18 Eligibility – A player must not have reached the age of 18 prior to January 1st, 2022.

15. ROSTERS

15.1 Playing for Another Club – A player must play provincials with club that he or she was registered within league play.

15.2 Playing in Higher or Lower Division – Any player may play in an older age class, but no player shall play down in an age class younger than their eligibility. **No team shall be permitted to play at an age level higher or lower than which they played all year (i.e. U10 to U12). All teams will remain in the same age group in which they played throughout the course of the minor basketball season with the exception of U10 teams, which are not permitted to play in U12 Provincial Championships. Any and all U10 teams are only permitted to participate in the U10 Jamboree.

15.3 Number of Rosters Athlete can Play On – No player can be listed on more than one roster for Provincial Championships. (Includes U10 Jamboree)

15.4 Official Team Roster for Coaches – Subject to Rule 13.5, all persons present on the bench during a game must be listed on the team’s official roster. This includes coaches, assistant coaches, managers and other team or club officials.

15.5 Coaching Approval Request – During Provincials, should a coach be unavailable for a team’s game, and a person not listed on the team’s roster be required to fill in, the substitute coach must qualify under the coach screening policy, as a Category 4 coach (click to see coach screening policy here.

16. OVERTIME

16.1 U12, U14, U16, U18: If a winner has not been determined at the end of regulation play, there will be 5 minutes of overtime. If a winner still hasn’t been determined after that, overtime periods of 5-minutes will repeat until a winner has been determined after the time expires at the end of one of the periods.

**Please look into specific age class’s for possible variations based on equal shifting rules.**

17. GAME LOST BY FORFEIT

17.1 Rule

17.1.1 – The team is not present or is unable to field 5 players ready to play 15 minutes after the game is scheduled to begin.

17.1.2 – Its actions prevent the game from being played.

17.1.3 – It refuses to play after being instructed to do so by the crew chief.

17.2 Penalty

17.2.1 – The game is awarded to the opponents and the score shall be 20 to 0. Furthermore, the forfeiting team shall receive 0 classification point.

17.2.2 – If in a tournament the team forfeits for the second time, the team shall be disqualified from the tournament and the results of all games played by this team shall be nullified.

18. GAME LOST BY DEFAULT

18.1 Rule

18.1.1 – A team shall lose a game by default if, during the game, the team has fewer than 2 players on the playing court ready to play.

18.1.2 –  If a team is unable to field required number of players to start the game per their age class variations listed above, but still plays the game.

18.2 Penalty

18.2.1 – If the team to which the game is awarded is ahead, the score shall stand as at the time when the game was stopped. If the team to which the game is awarded is not ahead, the score shall be 2 to 0 in its favour. The defaulting team shall receive 1 classification point.

19. FIBA TIE BREAKING PROCEDURE

19.1 Procedure – Teams shall be classified according to their win-loss records, namely one (1) point for each game won, zero (0) point for each game lost (including lost by default) and zero (0) points for a game lost by forfeit.

19.1.1 – If there are two teams in the classification with equal records, the tie breaker will be determined by the result of a head to head match between the two teams that are tied (if they’ve already played against each other in the tournament).

19.1.2 – If the two teams did not play head to head during the tournament, the team with the lowest accumulated points against will win the tie.

19.1.3 – If there are two teams in the classification with the same record, they did not play head to head during the tournament and points against are equal, the tie breaker will be determined by the highest point differential.

19.1.4 – If, at any stage, using the above criteria, a multiple team tie is reduced to a tie involving only two teams, the procedure in 19.1.1 and 19.1.2 above will be applied.

19.1.5 – More than two teams – equal points:

Team      Wins      Losses

A               1              1

B               1              1

C               1              1

Results between A, B, C:

Game	Result
A vs. B	82 (A) – 76 (B)
A vs. C	77 (A) – 80 (C)
B vs. C	88 (B) – 77 (C)
EXAMPLE 1

Team	Points Against (-)		Place
A	-156			1st
B	-159			2nd
C	-165			3rd
EXAMPLE 2
Team	Points against	Point differential	Place
A	-156	76	2
B	-156	80	1
C	-165	50	3