• All games may start and be completed with any number of players (3,2,1).
• Both teams will warm-up at the same time prior to the start of the game.
• Only those teams scheduled to play are allowed to occupy the court at the scheduled time.
• Teams must be at their court at the scheduled game time, even if games are “running behind” for any reason (inclement weather, slow play, etc…). The final point of reference for scheduling procedures shall be the Bracket Area, not verbal information provided by a Official or Event Coordinator. The players are ultimately responsible for obtaining accurate scheduling information and being at their court to play when their game is to begin. Game time is forfeit time. Information given by the Official or Event Coordinator is not final.
• SPECIAL NOTE: Bavubuka suggests that you be at your court 15 minutes before the scheduled game time and stay there until game is played.
• No dunking allowed – warm ups or games. Any participant registered to play in the Bavubuka tournament observed dunking on any basket at any time may be dismissed from the tournament. Entry fee will not be refunded.
• Note: Dunking is allowed on the Top Men’s and Top Women’s divisions during games only. NOT during warm-ups. 

• One (1) or two (2) officials on court as determined by centre court supervisor.
• Disputes or questions on interpretation are settled by the centre court supervisor.

• Each team must have four (4) players on their roster and be registered as a team by the predetermined entry deadline. Additions and/or changes made prior to registration will be allowed according to registration guidelines. No changes will be allowed after a team’s first scheduled game. Once a player has registered on-site, no substitution can be made for that player.
• A roster consists of four (4) players. A game may start with a minimum of two (2) players.
• Player substitution is permitted during any dead ball situation. Players must “check-in” at the scorer’s table prior to entering the game. In case of obvious injury, injured player must sit out at least until the next dead ball .

• Game Time is Forfeit Time
• “One Hour Rule” – Any game(s) that begins more than one hour after the original scheduled time, the game winning scores will be reduced by five (5) points, until a time where games begin within one hour of the scheduled start time.The rule will be applied on a court by court basis. The Event Coordinator Staff will have the authority to implement its use. (This rule will be utilized under certain circumstances, due to slow play).

• A field goal is worth 1 point.
• A successful goal from beyond the 21-foot arc is worth 2 points.The player shooting must have both feet completely behind the arc when initiating the attempt.
• All games will have a 25-minute time limit.The Official starting time will be recorded by the Game Official on the scoresheet, The Official Time will be under the jurisdiction of the Game Official. (The Official Time will be stopped only during timeouts – regular and/or injury.)
• The team leading at the end of the 25-minute time limit will be declared the winner.
• If the game is tied after 25 minutes of play and no team has reached the required number of points to win the game, the Game Official will add one minute until the first team to score will win the game. This will be done for 3 minutes. 

• Each team is allowed two (2) one minute time-out per game. 
• If play is stopped by a teammate or the Official to attend to an obvious injury, then the injured player must sit out at least until the next dead ball.
• Player substitution is permitted during any dead ball situation

• All jump balls go to the defensive team.
• If Play is Half-Court: The ball must be “taken back” to the marked line on the court on every change of possession. “Taking back” means both feet and the ball behind the take back line. Violation occurs only if a basket is made by the team failing to properly “take it back”, and will result in loss of point scored and possession of the ball will go to the other team. If the ball is not “taken back” and then advanced, any other violation, common foul, offensive foul, intentional, flagrant or technical foul called by the official will be honoured. Exception: If a player is fouled in the act of shooting and makes the basket prior to properly “taking it back”, the foul will be honoured; however, no points will be awarded.
• After all successful shots, the ball must be checked by the defense and passed in by the offense.
• Each team is allowed two (2) one minute time outs per game.
• Dunking will be allowed in the Top Divisions only during games, NOT during warm-ups. 
• Player will foul out of the game on his or her 6th personal foul.
• Dunking prior to the game will result in a technical foul.

All Shooting fouls will be handled in the following manner:

• One (1) free throw will be awarded to the fouled player, even if fouled in the act of attempting a shot from behind the 2-point line.
• Non-shooting fouls – on or after the 7th team foul – will be handled in the following manner:

      FREE THROW OPTION:

• in any free throw situation, (including technical fouls), the designated shooter may at his or her option choose to shoot from the free-throw line (15 ft.) for one (1) point, or from behind the 2 point line for 2 points. In either case, the player shooting must have both feet completely behind the line when initiating and completing the attempt. If the 2 point shot is chosen, the non-shooting team will be awarded possession on the ensuing throw-in regardless of whether the shot is successful or not (Exception: technical fouls).

DEFINITION:

The Game Official may assess a Technical Foul for any misconduct, flagrant, or intentional fouls committed by a player(s). This may include:

1. A Contact Foul intended to hurt an opponent, fan or Game Official
2. Vulgar or verbally abusive behaviour
3. Other misconduct deemed inappropriate by the Game Official (e.g. intentionally kicking the ball, etc….) 
4. A contact foul designed to neutralize an opponent’s obvious advantageous position.
5. Fighting and/or ‘Throwing a Punch’ automatically results in a Technical Foul assessed against the players(s) involved. Free Throws will be awarded as described above and will result in immediate dismissal of the player(s) from the tournament.
6. A Technical Foul will be counted as a Personal Foul and Team Foul.
7. Continuous misconduct, intentional and or flagrant fouling by a team or player may result in dismissal from the game or tournament at the discretion of the Game Official or other Tournament Official.
8. Any player ejected from a Bavubukar Tournament for misconduct, intentional and/or flagrant fouling, fighting or throwing a punch, will be automatically banned from participation in future Bavubuka Tournaments for a period of one (1) year.
9.  Misconduct by a player and/or team while playing in their final game of the tournament or after already being eliminated from competition in the tournament, and/or while acting as a ‘spectator’ at another game(s), may jeopardize that player and/or team from further participation in that tournament and/or future Bavubuka Tournaments, at the discre- tion of tournament officials.

PENALTY:

A choice between two (2) Free Throws from the Free Throw Line (15-ft.) for one (1) point each, OR two (2) shots from behind the 2 point line for 2 points each will be awarded to the offended team. In either case, the player shooting must have both feet completely behind the line when initiating and completing the attempt. The Team Captain may designate the player to shoot. The Offended Team will retain possession of the ball whether the shots are made or missed. 

Any player committing two (2) Technical Fouls in a game is automatically ejected from that game and his/her teams’ next game.

FIVE SECOND RULE:

A player shall not remain for five (5) seconds in that part of his/her free-throw lane between the end line and the farther edge of the free throw line while the ball is in control of his/her team. Allowance shall be made for a player who, having been in the restricted area for less than three seconds, dribbles in or moves to try for goal. The count shall not begin or it shall be terminated during an interrupted dribble.

THE KNEUPPLE RULE:

Double Foul – In the case of a Double Foul, because no advantage is gained the offensive team will retain possession.

• All women’s divisions and 10 and under age divisions will use the intermediate size basketball.
• No alcoholic beverage will be allowed for player consumption on-site.
• HIV/AIDS – The Game Official, Bavubuka Officials, or Medical Personnel shall order any player who is bleeding or has blood on his/her skin, shirts, shorts or uniform to leave the game for appropriate treatment.The player may not return until the bleeding has been stopped, the injury covered with medical dressing and the player’s clothing is rid of any bloodstains. Re-entry into the game will be at the discretion of the Official. Return to the game must take place on a deadball situation.
• The Team Captain is always the team spokesperson, not a coach, parent, spectator, or one of the other players. We ask that all coaches and parents play “the role of a spectator only”.
• Jewelry (earrings, rings, watches, etc…), hats, bandanas, and/or casts are not allowed to be worn by players during tournament games. Any player that refuses to remove any such item prior to play, is not eligible to participate in that game.