Spring Streetball Moore Park [Wed] Rules

THE OBJECT OF THE GAME. The game is played with 2 teams. Each team consists of 5 players on the court at a time. The object of the game is to outscore your opponent by shooting the ball into your basket and preventing them from putting the ball into theirs. The ball can be advanced up the floor with the hands only, either by dribbling or passing to teammates. Below is a summary of how “streetball” differs to “basketball” in not only the rules themselves, but the atmosphere in which the game is to be played – that is, with FUN FIRST attitude! 

THE TEAM Only five (5) players allowed on the field at any one time. There must be a minimum of two (2) members of either gender on the field at all times for the mixed lCompetition. Players require a minimum of 4 players, and one from either gender on the court to avoid a forfeit. 

STARTING PLAY

  • Each team will “shoot to start” to see who will start off with the first possession of the game. One team will nominate one player to shoot from the free throw line. If that player misses, the other team will have a shot from the free throw line. The first team to make the basket will start with the ball.
  • The ball is “checked” to the team with first possession of the game at the top of the 3-point arc, and the game begins.

GAME TIMING: All matches will be played within a "first to 11 points, win by 2 points” structure – OR – a 30 minute timeslot; whatever comes first! 

HOW THE ‘CHECK PHASE’ IS PERFORMED

  • This “check” phase is performed by one team passing the ball to another team at the top of the 3-point line. The team passing the ball to the offensive team, in this situation, may do so once they have “set up” their defence (traditionally, the defensive tactics in streetball is simply a “man-on-man” tactic, rather than a “zone” defence). Once the ball has made contact with the offensive player’s hand, that phase of play will start.
  • The check phase occurs:
    • On every made basketball, with the team who scored retaining possession of the ball for the next phase of play
    • On an out-of-bounds situation, with the team that will be in possession of the ball retaining possession of the ball for the next phase of play
    • On every non-shooting foul, the team that was fouled with the ball will be in possession of the ball for the next phase of play.
  • Every time the ball changes possession (either from a missed shot, a block, a steal, or a turnover), the ball needs to be “cleared” by opposing team by dribbling the ball to outside the 3-point line, before they may attempt to score.

HOW TO SCORE

  • Each 2-point basket will be worth 1 point, and each 3-point basket will be worth 2 points, as per traditional streetball scoring.

HOW THE GAME IS PLAYED

  • The most fun aspect of streetball is that (almost) anything goes.
  • Apart from fouling/fouling other players excessively, streetball is traditionally played in a fast, free-flowing manner, and is conducive to individual players showing off their different talents on the court
  • Healthy, spirited banter against the opposition and to any audience members is welcomed, and the Event Host may be “calling” the game in a relaxed manner.
  • As per the traditional Urban Rec mixed basketball rules, guys are not allowed to block a girl’s shot on any part of the court.
  • If a girl’s shot is blocked, the basketball will be counted from wherever the ball was shot from (1 point counted for a 2-point attempt, 2 points counted for a 3-point attempt).
  • Moreover, the game is to be played light-heartedly, socially and in the spirit of healthy competition – much like you would play a game when walking down to your local courts with your friends!

FOULS Basketball fouls are penalties assessed for rough play to keep a player from gaining an advantage over another player. A player who is fouled is awarded the ball out of bounds unless the foul occurred during the act of shooting, in which case the player who is fouled is awarded 2 free throws. Here are a simple list of fouls. No personal fouls will be recorded, but team fouls may be awarded. 

  • Blocking – A personal foul caused when the defender makes illegal personal contact with an opponent who may or may not have the ball. Blocking is called when the defender impedes the progress of the opponent.
  • Charging (or Player Control Foul) – A personal foul occurring when an offensive player makes contact with a defender who has already established a set position. A player with the ball must avoid contact with a stationary defender by stopping or changing direction.
  • Elbowing – It is a violation for a player to swing the elbows excessively.
  • Flagrant Foul – A personal or technical foul, which is violent in nature. Examples are fighting, striking, kicking, or kneeing an opponent.
  • Hand Check – A personal foul caused by a defender making repeated contact with her hands on her opponent.
  • Holding – A personal foul caused by illegal contact with an opponent, which interferes with his freedom of movement.
  • If a girl is fouled while in the act of shooting the ball, the basket will be counted and the girl will receive 1 additional free throw.

VIOLATIONS  The basketball basic rules include numerous ball handling and time violations that cause a team to lose possession of the ball. Here are some common violations. In Streetball, minor travels and “carries” will largely be played on, as some “trick moves” performed by players may involve “bending” the traditional rules of basketball.

  • Back-court Violation – If a player is the last one on her team to touch the ball before it goes into the back-court, she cannot be the first player to touch it in the back-court. 
  • Closely Guarded (or Five-second Violation) – Violation that occurs when a ball handler in his team's front-court is continuously guarded by any opponent who is within 6 feet of him while he is either dribbling or holding the ball. The offensive player has 5 seconds to either get rid of the ball or drive past the defender.
  • Double Dribble - When a dribbler touches the ball with both hands at the same time or when the dribbler picks up the ball and then starts dribbling again.
  • Goal-tending – Occurs when a player touches a shot ball while it is in its downward flight above the rim. It also occurs when a defender touches a free throw attempt outside the basket.
  • Lane Violation – A violation called during a free throw situation against a player who enters the lane too soon. 
  • Ten Seconds in the Back-court – A team has 10 seconds to advance the ball from their back-court past the half-court line to the front-court.
  • Three Seconds in the Lane – An offensive player cannot remain in the free throw lane for longer than 3 seconds while her team is in control of the ball in the front-court. She has to clear the lane completely with both feet to stop the official's count. If she receives the ball while she is in the lane, she is allowed to stay beyond 3 seconds in order to drive toward the goal for a shot.
  • Traveling – A violation caused by moving the feet in any direction without properly dribbling the ball. It results in a turnover, and the ball is given to the opposing team. While holding the ball, a player has to establish a pivot foot which has to remain on the floor at all times until he passes, shoots, or dribbles. While holding the ball, his knee cannot touch the floor and if he falls, he must get rid of the ball before attempting to get up.

SUBSTITUTIONS: can be made at any time. Players coming onto the field must wait until the player they are substituting with has come off the field.

GAME DURATION: 18 minute halves with a 2 minute break at halftime. No clock stoppages will be made except under exceptional circumstances. Such circumstance will be at the sole discretion of the UR Staff.

WINNING TEAM: The winner is the team with the greater number of points at the end of the game. A draw will be awarded if both teams have an equal amount of goals. For the competition ladder, the winning team receives 3 points, 1 point each for drawn game and no points for a loss. Your position on the ladder when tied with another team will be determined by your Rec Points Rating.  

FAIRPLAY SYSTEM each league night you will have a event staff onsite, but these guys are not official referees. Urban Rec is proud to be the only non-competitive league which practices fair play, meaning you should be making your own calls on the game. There will be one Event Coordinator for each game who will manage the game in a loose fashion, as per the tradition of streetball. Our staff will be there to make the calls not made by individuals, keep time, and help guide the games within the game play rules. Urban Rec Staff have the final say on any issue that cannot be self-resolved. 

SPORTSMANSHIP: if you are seen to be rude or not playing within the respect of the rules you will be asked to sub, and warned by one of our Rep’s if after two times you do not show your sportsmanship, you will be asked to leave the field, and an assessment will be made if you can play again. We do not tolerate idiots. Play fair.

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