BAS i The BUCS Basketball Championships shall be conducted in accordance with the following BUCS sport specific regulations, the BUCS general regulations, and the FIBA (Federation Internationale de Basketball) Official Basketball Rules as interpreted by the relevant National Governing Body.
BAS ii In the event that these regulations contradict the BUCS general regulations, these BUCS sport specific regulations will supersede, unless specifically stated otherwise.
BAS iii In the event that these regulations contradict the FIBA (Federation Internationale de Basketball) Official Basketball Rules as interpreted by the relevant National Governing Body, these BUCS sport specific regulations will supersede, unless specifically stated otherwise.
BAS iv The gender eligibility criteria for the BUCS Basketball Championships will be determined as per REG 4.3.
BAS 1 Fundamental principle: The game must take place Notwithstanding the regulations contained herein, all participants are required to use their best endeavours to ensure that all fixtures; (a) take place and (b) are completed. It is not possible to deal in these regulations with each and every circumstance that could arise which might affect BUCS fixtures, but participants (including match officials) are expected at all times to regard this principle as a prime consideration.
BAS 1.1 If a team considers its interests to have been harmed by the application of this principle, they are at liberty to play under protest and use the standard BUCS match appeal process.
BAS 2 Affiliations
BAS 2.1 Club Affiliation All institutions/Playing Entities must affiliate to their respective National Governing Body (NGB) as per the requirements of the BUCS Sport Specific Affiliations Document. Failure to affiliate to the relevant NGB by the deadlines stated in the BUCS Sport Specific Affiliations Document will result in sanctions being imposed as outlined in the BUCS Sport Specific Affiliations Document.
BAS 2.2 Licensing of Coaches and Players
BAS 2.2.1 All players and coaches must hold a valid licence issued via the relevant NGB as per the requirements of the BUCS Sport Specific Affiliations Document.
BAS 2.2.2 Before each match, teams must present to the Match Officials the licences of all players and coaches who are to participate in the match. For Premier Tier/National Championship matches, in the event of a valid licence not being produced for a player or coach, that person shall not be permitted to participate in the match in question. For all other matches, players and coaches unable to present a valid licence at a fixture should be noted on the scoresheet but are able to participate, however, any institution/Playing Entity found to have fielded any player(s) and/or coach(es) without the appropriate licensing in place will face sanctions as outlined in the BUCS Sport Specific Affiliations Document.
Note to BAS 2.2.2: Basketball England no longer issues printed licence cards and now uses digital membership cards. To meet the requirement of BAS 2.2.2 to present a valid licence, an individual must be able to present an active membership card on the HoopsHQ app. This should be shown at the match on the HoopsHQ app, but a screenshot can be accepted. Players and coaches with digital membership cards will not have a licence number to be recorded on the scoresheet.
BAS 3 Minimum number of players for a fixture to start The minimum number of players required for a fixture to start will be five.
BAS 4 Team uniforms and equipment Articles 4.3 and 4.4 of the FIBA Official Basketball Rules shall apply with the following exceptions:
BAS 4.1 Socks are not required to be of the same dominant colour for all team members, but are required to be visible.
BAS 4.2 REG 9.4 shall apply in the place of Article 4.3.3
BAS 4.3 Players are permitted to wear a hijab.
BAS 4.4 All players on the team who wear arm and leg compression sleeves, headgear, wristbands and headbands and tapings, do not need these to be of the same solid colour.
BAS 4.5 Any other equipment not specifically mentioned in BAS 4.1–BAS 4.4 or Article 4.4 must be the approved by the relevant National Governing Body.
BAS 5 Balls
BAS 5.1 For all Men’s fixtures the ball shall not be less than 74.9cm and not more than 78cm in circumference (size 7). It shall not weigh less than 567g and not more than 650g.
BAS 5.2 For all Women’s fixtures the ball shall not be less than 72.4cm and not more than 73.7cm in circumference (size 6). It shall not weigh less than 510g and not more than 567g
BAS 5.3 For all Premier Tier/National Championship matches, Wilson Evo NXT balls must be used. For all other matches, BUCS recommends use of Wilson Evo NXT balls.
BAS 6 Facility requirements Facilities should meet the Club level requirements of Basketball England/Sport England's Basketball Data Sheet.
BAS 7 24-second shot clocks 24-second shot clocks shall be required in all Men’s and Women’s Premier Tier and Tier 1 league matches and National Championship and National Trophy knockout competition matches. There shall be no requirement for 24-second shot clocks in any other matches; this responsibility shall lie with the referees.
BAS 7.1 Failure to provide a 24 second shot clock for Men’s and Women’s Premier Tier and Tier 1 league matches and National Championship and National Trophy knockout competition matches will result in a £100 fine per instance of this breach for the home team. Away teams cannot claim a walkover, play under protest or appeal, as the match can still go ahead timed by the officials.
BAS 8 Match officials Match officials should be appointed as per Appendix 5 (‘BUCS Match Officials Requirements’).
BAS 8.1 Failure to provide an appropriate Crew Chief and Umpire Where, under REG 10.2 it is the responsibility of the first named (home) institution/Playing Entity to arrange the appropriate match officials, REG 10.6.2–REG 10.6.4 shall apply in relation to a failure to provide an appropriate Crew Chief and Umpire.
BAS 8.2 Failure to provide the appropriate Table Officials Where, under REG 10.2 it is the responsibility of the first named (home) institution/Playing Entity to arrange the appropriate match officials, REG 10.6.2–REG 10.6.4 shall apply in relation to a failure to provide the appropriate Table Officials, with the following amendments:
- Where a team is permitted to 'play under protest' under REG 10.6.3.3, they may only appeal the match result if both the Crew Chief and Umpire provide written evidence to substantiate that the performance(s) of the Table Official(s) that did not meet the requirements of Appendix 5 (‘BUCS Match Officials Requirements’) affected the outcome of the match.
- In cases where REG 10.6.4.1/REG 10.6.4.2/REG 10.6.4.3 would apply, the fixture shall only be conceded as a walkover win to the opposition (away) institution/Playing Entity if both the Crew Chief and Umpire provide written evidence to substantiate that the performance(s) of the Table Official(s) that did not meet the requirements of Appendix 5 (‘BUCS Match Officials Requirements’) affected the outcome of the match, but in all cases the first named (home) team will incur a £50 fine.
BAS 8.3 Before each match, all Match Officials must present their licence card if requested by the teams involved.
Note to BAS 8.3: Basketball England no longer issues printed licence cards and now uses digital membership cards. To meet the requirement of BAS 8.3 to present a valid licence, an individual must be able to present an active membership card on the HoopsHQ app. This should be shown at the match on the HoopsHQ app, but a screenshot can be accepted. Match Officials with digital membership cards will not have a licence number to be recorded on the scoresheet.
BAS 9 Results
BAS 9.1 There shall be no drawn result in a basketball match as per FIBA Official Basketball Rules.
BAS 9.2 Under REG 9.3.4.3, if the result of a match played to at least 75% would be a draw, which is not permitted by BAS 9.1, the fixture should be rearranged in accordance with REG 14.3.
BAS 9.3 Under REG 9.3.4.8.1, if the result of a match played to at least 75% would be a draw, which is not permitted by BAS 9.1, if the lateness of the team was caused by the team, or one its members, that team shall concede a walkover, but if the lateness of the team was caused through no fault of the team the fixture should be rearranged in line with REG 14.3.
BAS 10 Scoresheets
BAS 10.1 All fixtures must be fully recorded on an official paper scoresheet which shall be provided by the first named (home) team. Running scoresheets are preferred, but traditional scoresheets will be accepted. Failure to use an official paper scoresheet will result in the forfeiture of a match by the first named (home) team where this is proven.
BAS 10.2 It is the responsibility of the first named (home) team for each fixture to keep a copy of the scoresheet until the end of the season. In the case of a match appeal or dispute regarding a result, the first named (home) team must be able to produce the scoresheet (white copy only) to BUCS when requested.
BAS 11 Additional Premier Tier/National Championship and Tier 1/National Trophy specific requirements
BAS 11.1 Playing facilities must be booked for an appropriate length of time to allow for the full conclusion of the match. BUCS recommends that at least two hours of court time are booked. Institutions/Playing Entities failing to book sufficient time will be considered to have defaulted on the match if for any reason there is insufficient time to bring the fixture to a conclusion.
BAS 11.2 Facilities should be of an appropriate quality for matches and should comply with the Club level requirements of Basketball England/Sport England's Basketball Data Sheet. Ideally, all matches should be played on courts to FIBA specification in terms of court size, run-off areas, player safety, lighting, floor surface and visibility of court markings.
BAS 11.3 A fully working and easily visible scoreboard must be provided showing the match score and time remaining in each period.
BAS 11.3.1 Failure to provide a fully working and easily visible scoreboard will result in a £100 fine per instance of this breach for the home team. Away teams cannot claim a walkover or play under protest or appeal, as the match can still go ahead timed by the officials.
BAS 11.4 Host institutions/Playing Entities should ensure that there is an appropriate level of medical/first aid cover available either at or within close proximity to the courts. In the latter case, the home captain or coach should be aware of how to summon assistance swiftly. Ideally, medical support will be available during the match courtside.
BAS 11.5 All Premier Tier/National Championship teams must have their institution/Playing Entity name (or team nickname) and/or institution/Playing Entity (or team) crest/logo on the front of their playing shirts for all matches. The institution/Playing Entity name can be shortened if required, for example LSBU instead of London South Bank University. These must appear on the front of the playing shirts as follows:
- The institution/Playing Entity name and/or crest/logo must be above the player's number;
- For the institution/Playing Entity name, if the written text comprises one (1) line, the letters shall be a maximum of eight (8) cm in height; if the written text comprises two (2) lines, the letters on each line shall be a maximum of six (6) cm in height;
- The institution/Playing Entity crest/logo shall occupy an area of maximum twenty (20) cm2.
Failure to comply will result in a £50 fine per reported incident.
BAS 11.6 Regular spot checks will be carried out during the season to verify teams’ licences and facilities are meeting the BUCS Basketball sport specific regulations.
BAS 11.7 Representative commitments In Premier Tier leagues, when two or more players from a single institution/Playing Entity are selected for a GB or any of the Home Nation (England, Scotland, or Wales) Senior or Under-20s sides, necessitating their presence at a competition or preparation camp associated with a competition, the institution/Playing Entity concerned shall be able to postpone any affected league fixtures.
BAS 11.7.1 The institution/Playing Entity concerned shall be responsible for informing the opposition institution/Playing Entity of the requirement to postpone the fixture no later than 48 hours (outside of weekends and bank holidays) after the announcement of the squad for the representative team, and no later than five working days prior to the original fixture date. Upon notification of the postponement, institutions/Playing Entities must follow REG 14.3 to rearrange the fixture.
BAS 11.7.2 National Championship knockout competition fixtures are not covered by BAS 11.7.
BAS 12 Discipline
BAS 12.1 Disciplinary matters related to misconduct by Players, Coaches or Bench Personnel (“Participants”), occurring during or immediately prior to, or following a Match will be handled by Basketball England on behalf of the Home Country Associations of Basketball England, Basketball Wales and Basketball Scotland in accordance with these regulations. The Disciplinary Panel shall comprise one representative from each Home Country Association.
BAS 12.2 In the event of a Participant committing a disqualifying foul during a Match, the case will automatically be considered by the Disciplinary Panel in accordance with the following process:
BAS 12.2.1 Each referee is required to submit a written report on the matter to Basketball England no later than 12:00 noon on the Friday following the match, or within 48 hours of the match, whichever comes first. Reports should be submitted here.
BAS 12.2.2 Following receipt of the referees’ reports, a disciplinary notification and a copy of the referee(s)’s reports will be sent to the Institution Administrator(s) of the Participant’s team.
BAS 12.2.3 The Participant and/or their club have the option to submit written reports for the Disciplinary Panel to consider in determining the outcome. Each of these reports shall be prepared by its author making clear as to evidence seen directly by the author. These must be submitted by the timeline stated in the disciplinary notification.
BAS 12.2.4 Where a Participant has been disqualified and video of the incident is available, the footage must be submitted within 48 hours if requested by the Disciplinary Panel.
BAS 12.3 If a Participant is guilty of misconduct not involving disqualification, which any of the Match Officials consider to be of sufficient gravity to warrant consideration by the Disciplinary Panel, a report should be submitted to Basketball England. Where a report is submitted in respect of misconduct involving a disqualification, the matter shall be dealt with in accordance with the process of BAS 12.2.
BAS 12.4 The Disciplinary Panel shall determine the level of sanction based on reviewing the referees’ reports and any additional reports or evidence made available to them.
BAS 12.5 Suspensions will be issued in accordance with the below table:
|
Incident |
Suspension |
|
1 game |
|
2 games |
|
Minimum 2 games |
|
Minimum 3 games |
BAS 12.5.1 Where a Participant receives a second or subsequent disqualification during the same season, they shall receive an additional suspension in accordance with the suspension framework set out below.
|
Second Disqualifying Foul in Season |
1 game suspension plus Incident suspension |
|
Third and Any Subsequent Disqualifying Foul in Season |
2 game suspension plus Incident suspension |
BAS 12.6 Disciplinary action as a result of a decision of the Disciplinary Panel will normally come into effect on the fourteenth day after the incident. Any suspensions will be communicated to the Institution Administrator(s) of the Participant’s team. In all cases should an appeal be lodged against a decision of the Disciplinary Panel; any disciplinary action will only be set aside if an application to do so is submitted and approved in accordance with the Basketball England Appeals Policy.
BAS 12.7 Any suspension must be served during matches of the team for which the suspension was issued.
BAS 12.8 On the day a suspension is served, the Participant is suspended from all BUCS basketball fixtures. For example, if a suspension is issued in connection with a 1st team match, the Participant may not play in a 2nd team match on the same day.
BAS 12.9 Suspensions which cannot be served in their entirety before the end of a season will be carried forward to the following season.
BAS 12.10 Any club or Participant may appeal against a decision of the Disciplinary Panel in accordance with the Basketball England Appeals Policy by submitting an appeal to Basketball England. The appeal will be heard by an independent panel.
BAS 12.11 A Participant under suspension for a Match may not participate in the Match, or act as a Participant from 20 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time of the Match, until after the end of the Match. They may be present in the Venue as a spectator unless otherwise stated by the Disciplinary Panel. A suspension shall only apply to BUCS competitions unless otherwise decided by the Disciplinary Panel.
BAS 12.12 Failure to observe a suspension or breaching any condition applied as part of a suspension shall constitute a breach of suspension. Any breach of suspension will result in the case being referred to the Disciplinary Panel and further disciplinary action will be taken.
BAS 12.13 The Disciplinary Panel shall have the power to amend the awarding of suspensions if they are of the opinion that a miscarriage of justice has taken place.
