Please note: Regulations are currently under review for the 2025-26 season and so those currently published are subject to change.
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 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 All institutions/Playing Entities, teams, players and coaches must affiliate to their respective National Governing Body (NGB) as per the requirements of the BUCS Sport Specific Affiliations Document. Failure to affiliate institutions/Playing Entities, teams, players or coaches 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 and the possibility of further disciplinary action.
BAS 2.1 Players and coaches must be able to present their individual licences at each fixture should they be requested to do so. Players and coaches unable to evidence their licensing 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.
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, as per Appendix 5 (‘BUCS Match Officials Requirements’), may lead to the forfeiture of the affected match, unless an institution/Playing Entity informs their opposition of a lack of appointed/booked officials in writing at least 48 hours (outside of weekends and bank holidays) before the fixture start time, or, where officials withdraw from the fixture past the deadline of 48 hours (outside of weekends and bank holidays) of the fixture start time (written evidence required, refer to BAS 8.1.3).
BAS 8.1.1 For all competitions, if at least 48 hours’ (outside of weekends and bank holidays) notice ahead of the start time of the fixture has been given, then the away institution/Playing Entity may choose to host the match provided it can supply the appropriate officials and facilities, and notifies the opposition by 11:00 on the last working day before the fixture. In this case the original home institution/Playing Entity is obliged to travel.
BAS 8.1.1.1 Where the away institution/Playing Entity chooses not to host and agreement cannot be reached between the institutions/Playing Entities for rescheduling, the match shall be replayed at a venue and on a date determined by the BUCS Executive.
BAS 8.1.2 Any institution/Playing Entity which fails to provide an appropriate Crew Chief and Umpire and has failed to notify the opposition of a lack of an appointed/booked appropriate Crew Chief and Umpire at least 48 hours (outside of weekends and bank holidays) before the fixture start time in order for BAS 8.1.1 to be followed will forfeit the match and concede a walkover.
BAS 8.1.3 Non-provision of officials due to being let down by an appointed/booked Crew Chief/Umpire past the deadline of 48 hours (outside of weekends and bank holidays) before the fixture start time
BAS 8.1.3.1 If the away team has not yet travelled, and the home side notifies them that they have been let down by an appointed/booked Crew Chief/Umpire past the deadline of 48 hours (outside of weekends and bank holidays) before fixture start time and can prove in writing that the Crew Chief/Umpire was booked, then the match shall be rescheduled to be played at the venue of the original home team. The fixture should be rearranged in line with REG 14.3/REG 14.4/REG 14.5.
BAS 8.1.3.2 If the away team has started their journey and/or arrived at the venue and the home team is let down by an appointed/booked Crew Chief/Umpire and can prove in writing that the official was appointed/booked, the original home team will be obliged to travel to a rescheduled match. The fixture should be rearranged in line with REG 14.3/REG 14.4/REG 14.5.
BAS 8.2 Failure to provide the appropriate Table Officials, as per Appendix 5 ('BUCS Match Officials Requirements'), may lead to the home team incurring a £50 fine, unless officials withdraw from the fixture within 48 hours (outside of weekends and bank holidays) of the fixture start time (written evidence required).
BAS 8.2.1 The away team may choose to play under protest, however, 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.
BAS 8.2.1.1 Should the Crew Chief and/or Umpire not meet the requirements of Appendix 5 (‘BUCS Match Officials Requirements’) then a team shall have the option to appeal the match result (note BAS 8.1).
BAS 8.3 Should the two institutions/Playing Entities concerned agree in writing beforehand to play with non-neutral, not appropriately qualified and/or the incorrect number of officials, the BUCS Executive will accept the result. Neither team can play under protest or appeal against the result of a match played under these circumstances.
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 For promotion/relegation playoffs involving just two teams (REG 8.3.8.5.6), if at the conclusion of the second match the teams are tied on aggregate, as per Article 8.7 of the FIBA Official Basketball Rules the second match shall continue with as many overtimes of five minutes duration each as necessary to break the tie.
BAS 10 Scoresheets All BUCS fixtures should be fully recorded on an official scoresheet.
BAS 10.1 It is the responsibility of the home team to keep a copy of the match scoresheet until the end of the season. In the case of a match appeal or dispute regarding a result, the home team must be able to produce the official 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:
1. The institution/Playing Entity name and/or crest/logo must be above the player's number;
2. 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;
3. 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.
