2009 BEARCATS MIDYEAR CARNIVAL RULES **

(NB: 2010 revisions are yet to be finalized, the 2009 rule are listed here as a guideline)

1. It is expected that at all times during this tournament every possible endeavour will be made to ensure that each match is played. 
2. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to reschedule games that have been affected by unforeseen circumstances
3. Each Team Manager must report to the Administration Area at the stadium where their first match is to be played at least thirty minutes before their team's first game to confirm the team's playing list, to collect programs and to receive any new information.
4. All players must be under the age of the nominated age group on December 31, 2009 as per BSA.
5. The tournament is open to any division of Under 10 players and teams, players/teams in all other  age groups up to Division 2. Teams and players from Division 1 may nominate for an older  age-group but may not nominate in their usual age-group.
6. Teams entered in Under 12 and older age group, which play a team member who has played in oneor more Division 1 competition games during the 4 weeks preceding the tournament will have each game that player has played recorded as a forfeit against that team.
7.  Players may play for one team and in one grade only.
8.  Players must play a minimum of two games to qualify for the finals.
9. A team may consist of a maximum of 10 registered players.
10. ‘Zone defence’ is not permitted in Under 10,12 and 14 age grades.  

1. the coach who believes that their opponents are playing “zone defence” may draw this to the  attention of the referee at an appropriate break in play
2. the referee will indicate to the ‘offending’ team’s coach that “zone defence” is not permitted
3. the referee should ask the UIC or any Junior Committee Official who may be present to observe the game
4. if it is confirmed that “zone defence” continues to be played, the referee will call a Technical Foul on the bench of the offending team
5. if the offending team continues to play “zone defence”, the referee shall call a halt to the game and declare a forfeit.

For the purposes of simple identification of a “zone defence”, once the defence has moved into position in the opposition’s front court, it must be obvious that each player is defending an opponent, e.g. if a cutter moves through the keyway in offence, a defensive player must move with that player.

11. No slam-dunking or hanging on the net is allowed in the warm up. After one warning, a technical foul on the player shall be given. Two shots will be awarded to the opposing team. The offending team will be billed for any damage.
12.  Each team is required to supply two competent score table officials for each game including all finals.
13. Teams shall be attired in appropriate uniform with legal numbers. Players out of uniform shall have a personal foul recorded against their name on the score sheet and two points awarded to the opposing team.
14. If the referees determine that there is a clash of colours between teams, then there shall be a toss of the coin, and the winner of the toss may elect to change uniforms or oblige the opposition to change uniforms. All teams are responsible for having an alternate set of uniforms available. If required to change uniforms and unable to do so, that team will forfeit that game. However, as per Rule 1 above, coaches, players and referees are encouraged to make every effort to ensure that the game is played.
15. Players who are not playing will be crossed off the score sheet at half time by the referee. Players arriving after half time and names deleted form score sheet will not be permitted to play.
16. All games will run as two twenty minute halves. Clock runs continuously, except for time outs in last three minutes of each half. Full championship timing rules will apply for last three minutes of   the second half. Half time break shall be three minutes.
17. The three-point line will not apply for games played by all Under 12 and Under 14 Divisions .
18. If a team does not appear with five players within ten minutes of the scheduled time of  the game as shown in the program, then the offending team shall forfeit the game. If a team appears within ten minutes, but after the time of the game as shown in the program, then the opposing team shall be awarded on playing point for each minute the offending  team is late.
19.  In the event of a draw in games played in the minor round, each team shall be awarded 2 points.
              In the event of a draw in finals, games will be played within one minute in one three minute period
              as per following finals rules:

•  in Under 14, 16, 18, 20 & 21 Championship grades, full championship timing rules will apply throughout the extra period(s) of play.
• in all other grades (except those outlined above), the first one minute of the extra period is to be played at normal carnival timing conditions with the clock stopping for time outs only. The last two minutes of this period are to be played under full championship conditions.
• if a draw again results after the three-minute period, then a further three minute period is to be played within one minute under the same timing rules as above.
• one time out per team, per extra time period, is allowed.

20.  At the conclusion of each game the completed score sheet must be taken to the administration area by the first named referee.
21. It is the responsibility of each team to check the results board on a regular basis.
22. Standings of Teams: Teams shall be classified according to their win-loss records. 3  points will be awarded for a win, 2 points for a draw, 1 point for a loss and zero points for a game   lost by forfeit.  A 20 - 0 score will be awarded against the team who forfeits.

•  if there are two teams with an equal win-loss record, the result of the game between the two teams will be used to determine the placings. The winner of the game between these two teams will have the higher standing.
• if three or more teams have an equal win-loss record, the "Points Spread" method will be used to determine the standing of the teams taking into account only the results of the games between the teams that have an equal win-loss record. The"Points Spread" is the difference between "points scored for" and "points scored against". The team with the highest "Points Spread" will have the highest standing, the team with the next highest "Points Spread" will have the next highest standing and so on.
•  if, after the application of the "Points Spread" method taking into account only the results of the games between the teams that have an equal win-loss record, two or more of the teams still have the same "Points Spread", then the overall standing of those teams on an equal "Points Spread" shall be determined by dividing the total points scored for (in all games), by the total points scored against (in all games), multiplied by 100. The team with the resulting higher percentage will have the higher standing.

23.  Bad language will not be tolerated and will be dealt with as per FIBA rules.
24. The interpretation of normal playing rules by a referee shall not be considered as grounds for a dispute.
25. Any four team competition will have semi-finals: 1 v 4 and 2 v 3. Winners will play grand final.
26. Any protest or dispute must be referred in writing to the Games Commissioners within one hour of the completion of the game, accompanied with a $100 fee. The Games Commissioners shall determine if there is a case for a dispute hearing. If there is a hearing, all affected parties shall have a right to representation.  The findings of this dispute hearing will be final.
27. This Tournament is officially endorsed by the Basketball Association of South Australia.
28.  With the exception of the above Tournament Rules, BSA then FIBA rules will apply.However the Tournament Director has the final say in any decision required.