Metro Basketball Association FIBA Rule Variations
The following are rules affecting in game play which vary from the FIBA rules:
U10 Boys & Girls
Ball Size – 5
Mercy Rule – no score displayed
Game Timing – 10 x 3:30 shifts, no quarter break, half only
Last minute of play – clock does not stop. All other FIBA rules pertaining to the last 2 minutes of play are in affect.
Shot Clock – 30 seconds, shot clock rules from 2017 apply. Any back court foul, full 30 second reset; front court foul on the ground below 14 resets to 14 above 14 remains as is; Shooting foul full 30 second reset; offensive rebound full 30 second reset.
Time Over Half – 10 seconds
Number of Players – 4 on 4
Substitutions during a shift – If a player fouls out or becomes injured and cannot return to play: The player replacing the player coming off will be charged with a shift if there is 1 minute or greater on remaining on the game clock for that shift. The player subbing in for the fouled out/injured player will NOT be charged with a shift if there is less then one minute remaining on the game clock in that shift. No other substitutions may be made during a shift!
Basket Height – The basket height for U10 is 8’ 6”
Free Throw Line – 12’
3 Point Baskets – do not exist and shall count as 2 points.
Defence – No full court defence permitted, following a score of back court inbound, teams playing defence must retreat to the area behind the 3 point line until the offence has gotten the ball over half.
No zone or double teaming permitted.
Once the ball enters the key all defensive restrictions are off. Should the defence get the rebound the opponent must immediately revert to man-to man.
Penalty situations – There is no foul shots for penalty. Treated as a normal foul on the ground.
No Screening – Screens are NOT permitted.
U12 Boys & Girls
Ball Size – 5
Mercy Rule – Division 1, teams may not press when up by 15 or more points
Game Timing – 8 x 4 minute shifts, 1 min quarter break, 4 minute half time. Every 2 shifts is 1 quarter
Last minute of play – clock stops when score is with in 10 points. All other FIBA rules pertaining to the last 2 minutes of play are in affect.
Last 30 Seconds – U12 Division 2 and below, during the last 30 seconds of a game if the offence is leading by 3 points or less the clock will not start until the ball crosses half.
Shot Clock – 30 seconds, shot clock rules from 2017 apply. Any back court foul, full 30 second reset; front court foul on the ground below 14 resets to 14 above 14 remains as is; Shooting foul full 30 second reset; offensive rebound full 30 second reset.
Time Over Half – 10 seconds
Number of Players – 5 on 5, team must have 8 players by start of play in second half. Games are to be officiated as long as 5 players are present.
Substitutions during a shift – Only permitted is a player becomes injured or if a player fouls out. The player replacing the player coming off will be charged with a shift no matter the time remaining in the shift, the player coming off is also charged with a shift. Coaches may opt to finish the shift with 4 players if they choose.
Basket Height – The basket height for U12 is 10’
Free Throw Line – 12’
3 Point Baskets – do not exist and shall count as 2 points.
Defence – No full court defence permitted, following a score of back court inbound, teams playing defence must retreat to the area behind the 3 point line until the offence has gotten the ball over half.
EXCEPTION – U12 Division 1 may full court, man-to-man press so long as the point spread is less then 15.
No zone or double teaming permitted.
Once the ball enters the key all defensive restrictions are off. Should the defence get the rebound the opponent must immediately revert to man-to man.
U14 Boys & Girls
Ball Size – Girls: size 6, Boys: size 7
Mercy Rule – Teams may not press when up by 25 or more points.
Game Timing – Division 1 & 2: 4 x 8 minute quarters, 1 min quarter break, 4 minute half time.
Division 3 and below: 6 x 4 minute shifts, 1 x 8 minute quarter, 1 min quarter break, 4 minute half time.
During all playing time designated as a quarter, teams may sub freely at FIBA subbing opportunities.
Last minute of play – clock stops when score is with in 10 points. All other FIBA rules pertaining to the last 2 minutes of play are in affect.
Shot Clock – 30 seconds, shot clock rules from 2017 apply. Any back court foul, full 30 second reset; front court foul on the ground below 14 resets to 14 above 14 remains as is; Shooting foul full 30 second reset; offensive rebound full 30 second reset.
Time Over Half – 10 seconds
Number of Players – 5 on 5, teams must have 5 players prior to starting the game
Substitutions during a shift – Only permitted is a player becomes injured or if a player fouls out. The player replacing the player coming off will be charged with a shift no matter the time remaining in the shift. Coaches may opt to finish the shift with 4 players if they choose.
Basket Height – The basket height for U14 is 10’
Free Throw Line – 15’
3 Point Baskets – exist at this level
Defence – Full court defense is permitted so long as the point spread is less then 25 points. In cases where a team is leading by 25 or more points: following a score of back court inbound, teams playing defence must retreat to the area behind the 3 point line until the offence has gotten the ball over half.
No zone or double teaming permitted.
Once the ball enters the key all defensive restrictions are off. Should the defence get the rebound the opponent must immediately revert to man-to man.
Penalty for Illegal Defence
For all U10, U12 and U14 divisions, zone defence or double teaming is not permitted. The penalty is as follows:
On the first offence, play shall be stopped, and a warning shall be issued to the coach utilizing the illegal defence. Play shall resume with the ball being awarded to the offensive team at the point of interruption.
On the second and any subsequent offence, the offensive team shall be awarded one free throw and possession at the point of interruption.
U16/U18 Boys & Girls
Ball Size – Girls: size 6, Boys: size 7
Mercy Rule – Teams may not press when up by 25 or more points.
Game Timing – 4 x 10 minute quarters, 1 min quarter break, 5 minute half time.
Last minute of play – clock stops when score is with in 10 points. All other FIBA rules pertaining to the last 2 minutes of play are in affect.
Shot Clock – 24 seconds, shot clock rules from 2017 apply. Any back court foul, full 24 second reset; front court foul on the ground below 14 resets to 14 above 14 remains as is; Shooting foul full 24 second reset; offensive rebound full 24 second reset.
Time Over Half – 8 seconds
Number of Players – 5 on 5, teams must have 5 players prior to starting the game
All other FIBA rules apply.
DISCLAINER: This document is for games governed by the Metro Basketball Association. In cases of discrepancy between this document and the “MBA Rules of Play” document, the MBA Rules of Play document shall be where the official ruling is obtained.
Should anyone find discrepancies between the two documents please sent to lerettcp@mbans.ca.