The MBA promotes the game of basketball in the community by encouraging team play and good sportsmanship in a safe and respectful environment.

1.1 The annual registration fee for players shall be set by the Board of Directors prior to the beginning of the season.

1.2 Player registration shall take place as soon as the meeting is concluded and a start date for the season has been determined.

1.3 No player will be eligible to play a league game until all documentation is complete with the league and fees have been paid.

1.4 All players wishing to participate in the Senior League must be 17 years of age or older. Players wishing to participate in the Junior League must be 12 to 17 years of age.

1.5 By participating, Players, Captains, Spectators and Parents agree to abide by the MBA Code of Conduct. Failure to follow the Code of Conduct can result in ejection from the game, facility, or suspension from future games.

2.1 All games under the jurisdiction of the Association shall be played on floors approved by the Directors.

2.2 Games are played 4 on 4 full court (may vary given on future venue sites).

2.3 A team must be ready to play at the time and place scheduled under penalty of default. Game clock will start at the time designated for tip-off unless prior game continues longer than their allocated time. Teams must have a minimum of 3 players present at tip off to start the game. Once a 10 minute grace period has elapsed on the game clock and a team does not have enough players to start then they are assessed a loss by default. The scheduled time for that game may be used for open run by picking up additional players who are REGISTERED in the league.

Players must be present at tip-off to be entered into the game. If a player is not present during tip-off time he is allowed to enter into the game up until half-time. Once the second half begins and the player is not present, he becomes ineligible and is not allowed to enter in the game.

If a team becomes ready to play within the 10 minute grace period, they assessed a technical foul for every minute that has elapsed on the game clock. Two shots will be awarded for each technical and possession to begin the game.

2.4 The players’ full name (first name and last name) and number are to be entered on the score sheet prior to game time. Falsification of names is an automatic breach of the Code of Conduct.

2.5 All players must wear their team uniform from the current year. Failure to do so will result in the player being assessed a technical foul. If a player does not wear their team uniform for the third time in a year, they will be assessed a one game suspension.

2.6 No jewelry may be worn in any game. This includes chain, rings, earrings, bracelets, etc. and no exception will be made. Player safety is the upmost priority of the league.

2.7 Games in all divisions shall have referees assigned by the MBA.

2.8 All teams WILL shake hands after game completion.

2.9 Standings in league play shall determine placement for playoffs.

2.10 Playoff format will be established by the Schedulers and approved by the Board of Directors.

2.11 Referees enforce the rules of competition on the Court during the game. The Board enforces its rules in all other areas including entrances, exits, hallways, etc. and before and after the game.

2.12 Players may play in a lower age division or move up a division under certain circumstances and is subject to review by the Board of Directors.

2.13 Players are not permitted to play for more than one team in a season of play regardless of League.

3.1 All games shall be played according to the Official Basketball Rules of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), which provide more explicit detail than this document. Please see: https://www.fiba.com/downloads/Rules/2014/Official_Basketball_Rules_2014_Y.pdf

Exceptions are included in this document and are instituted where necessary to facilitate an appropriate recreational experience for all.

3.2 Teams will shoot at the basket furthest from their player bench to start the game.

3.3 Game length – all games are played with two 20-minute halves with running clock. Final 2 minutes of the game is “Stop-clock” if the game is within 10 points or less. During “Stop-clock”, the clock will be stopped on all made baskets, whistles and out of bounds plays. Halftime is for 2 minutes. League games tied at the end of regulation time will be recorded in a tie. Playoff games will result in a 2 minute overtime until a winner is determined.

3.4 Mercy Rule – a regulation game shall be declared if a team is leading by 30 points with less than 10 minutes left in the game.

3.5 Each game starts with a jump ball. Players cannot move into the circle until the ball is tapped. After the jump ball to start the game, the alternating possession arrow will be used.

3.6 On courts where a 3 point line exists, the three point shot will be in effect for both league and playoff games.

3.7 The sides and the top of the backboard are in play.

3.8 Falling down with the ball is not travelling. Attempting to stand up with the ball is considered travelling. If you fall to one knee, or receive the ball with one knee on the floor, you are not permitted to stand up – if you do stand up, you are deemed to have travelled.

3.9 Team fouls penalty – After the sixth foul, the opposing team is awarded at least one free throw for any defensive or loose-ball foul, they will be awarded a second free if the first free throw was successful. Two bonus free throws will be awarded on the tenth
(and subsequent) team foul of the half.

3.10 Personal fouls committed by the team in control of the ball will not result in free throws. If a teammate of the player in control of the ball commits a foul that would previously have resulted in a penalty of two free throws as a result of 8 fouls in the half, the ball will be awarded to the defensive team and play will resume from the out of bounds point closest to the foul.

3.11 On foul shots, there can be a maximum of 5 players lined up along the lane; 2 offensive players and 3 defensive players. The two bottom spaces may only be occupied by the defense. The offense is entitled to the next two spaces, and the defense is entitled to one of the third spaces. The two top spaces, one on either side of the shooter, must be left vacant. All other players must line up behind the 3-point line and the free throw line extended.

3.12 On a foul shot, only lane violations (i.e. going into the lane too soon) by the shooter will nullify a made foul shot. On missed free throws, violations by defensive players on the lane will entitle the shooter to another free throw; violations by offensive players on the lane during the second of two free throws will entitle the defense to a throw in fromthe side (foul line extended). Players lined up along the lane may enter the lane as soon as the ball leaves the shooter’s hands. The shooter and all other players must wait until the ball hits the rim.

3.13 Substitutions will be allowed between multiple free throws. Substitutions will not be permitted before the first and after the last free throw provided it is successful.

3.14 Technical fouls for unsportsmanlike conduct by a player will result in 2 foul shots and possession of the ball at the mid court line. These fouls count towards the player and team totals. A player sitting on the bench can be assessed a technical foul and it will count toward the team’s total.

3.15 In accordance with FIBA rules, “persons who are guilty of flagrant acts of aggression against opponents or officials shall be disqualified”, i.e., ejected from the game by the Referee. There is no appeal of an ejection under this section.

3.16 Two technical fouls committed by an individual will also result in an automatic ejection from the game by the Referee. There is no appeal from an ejection under this section. Any players assessed with five technical fouls will be assessed a one game suspension and every other technical foul thereafter (7, 9, etc…).

3.17 Ejections may result in further disciplinary action.

3.18 Flagrant fouls and ejections may result in further disciplinary action by the Board of Directors upon full review of the incident.

3.19 Substitutions will be allowed on all whistles.

3.20 Time outs may be called by the Captain or only players on the court. Each team shall be entitled to one 30-second time outs per half, and one 60-second time out per overtime period. Unused timeouts shall carry over between halves but not into overtimes. Teams may not “buy” additional time outs at the expense of a technical foul.

3.21 During the last 2 minutes of the game, when the ball is to be inbounded in the back court after a timeout taken by the team entitled to the throw in, the throw in shall be at half court.

3.22 A player who commits six personal fouls over the course of a MBA game, fouls out and is disqualified for the remainder of the game.

3.23 Every team must field a team of minimum of 3 players otherwise a forfeiture will occur. It is at the discretion of the opposing coach/captain to play 4 on 3 or 3 on 3. If a forfeiture does occur,  the game will result in a 30-0 loss for the forfeiting team.

3.24 When a player establishes ball possession in the frontcourt, the ball cannot go back in the backcourt otherwise a violation will occur. There are three (3) specific exceptions to this rule. They occur during a JUMP BALL, THROW-IN, or WHILE ON DEFENSE, a player may legally jump from his/her frontcourt, secure control of the ball with both feet off the floor, and then return to the floor with one or both feet in the back court.

5.1 – The league will establish a salary cap trade deadline after which any team above the cap will have a penalty applied.

5.2 – The league will establish a hard trade deadline after which no trades may be made and salary cap penalties will double.

5.3 –  Any team over the cap will receive a 5-point penalty per $100,000 (rounded up to the nearest dollar) over the cap for every game that they play whilst over the cap. This penalty will double after the date set in 5.2.

5.4 – If a team is able to get under the cap prior to the start of the season but after the deadline set in 5.1, they will only receive the penalty in their first game. In other cases, the penalties stipulated in 5.2 will only apply for games where the team is over the cap.

5.5 – Teams may request non-binding mediation from the league to assist with any trades. This must be requested at least 1 week before the deadline set in 5.2.

5.6 – In cases where resolution cannot be reached, teams can enter into binding arbitration where the league will determine the most suitable trade. This must be requested at least 1 week before the deadline set in 5.2.

6.1 – Each team will be assigned a reserve player based on the teams with the most available cap after the regular player draft is complete.

6.2 – Reserve players will only be able to play when a team falls short of 2 of its regular players.

6.3 – Reserve Players Cannot enter a game if a person is fouled out, ejected or injured during the game.