Streetball Showcase Event & Tourney Rules

How the rules are different to basketball…

  • 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!

How the game starts…

  • 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.

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 the game is scored…

  • 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 girls are involved in the game…

  • 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).
  • Additionally, 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.

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 to the opposition and by any audience members near the court is welcomed –  this adds to the atmosphere of the game! The Event Coordinator will also be heavily involved in commentating on the game, managing the game in a relaxed manner, incorporating music for each game, and generally just having a blast alongside all the other players on the court
    • 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!

How the game is managed…

  • There will be one Event Coordinator for each game who will manage the game in a loose fashion, as per the tradition of streetball. In other words, minor travels and “carries” will largely be played on, as some “trick moves” performed by players may involve “bending” the traditional rules of basketball.
    • THIS DOES NOT OCCUR WITH FOULS – fouls will still be called if contact is made by the defence on an opposing player.

PLAYERS: Teams may have up to a maximum of ten players for any game. There must be a minimum of three players (per team) on the court in order for the match to be played. If a team has less then this number, play cannot start, but the score clock will commence and the team will be penalized two points per minute.

  • If a team still doesn’t have 3 or more players by the time 10 minutes has past, the game will be called a forfeit and the other team awarded the points.
  • As a rule for our mixed competition, there can be no more than three players of either sex on the court at any one time.

CODE OF CONDUCT: Respect the Event Coordinator and other players at all times. At no time can a player verbally or physically assault another player. If this occurs the Event Coordinator will ask the player to be subbed out until they can cool down. If the player repeats this action they will be excluded from the rest of the game, and the Event Coordinator will complete a report submitted to the League Manager outlining the details of the incident. The player will be contacted by the League Manager & further action/disqualification may be taken.

  • A player may be ejected immediately after the first offence if an incident that occurs that puts another players safety at risk or constant abuse to a referee.
  • Whilst we would only do as a last resort for constant issues, Urban Rec may refuse a player to play in other tournaments/leagues/social events if the code of conduct was repeatedly broken or a physical altercation was to take place.

GENERAL: If injury occurs please report it immediately to the Event Coordinator. Last of all… HAVE FUN! We want the tournament to be an enjoyable experience for all players.

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! 

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