1. Game Format
- 12 minute halves/2 minute half-time break – rolling clock i.e. no clock stoppages.
- No time outs.
- 5 players a side (You do not require a female to be always on the court).
2. Notable rule differences to regular basketball
- Males cannot actively block a female player shooting – but females can block other
females. - For clarification for b) above, males can hold their position and raise their arms
straight up but cannot actively defend by leaning in or moving. - No strict 24 second rule enforced – at their discretion, the referee will tell players that
they need to move the ball around and attempt to score or else it becomes the
opposition’s ball.
3. Substitutions
- Substitutions can be made during any break of play (e.g. ball out of bounds, half
time). - At the referee’s discretion, mandatory substitutions may be required in order to allow
everyone to have a fair amount of game time.
4. Violations – resulting in an opponent throw-in from the sideline
- Double dribble
- Travelling
- Not passing/shooting/dribbling the ball within 5 seconds if closely guarded.
- Not bringing the ball into the opponent’s half of the court within 8 seconds.
- Ball returned to the backcourt
- Goaltending
- Interference in and around, or with, the hoop thereby affecting the ball entering the
basket
5. Fouls – resulting in an opponent throw-in from the sideline or points that would
have been scored from a shot attempt (see ‘Scoring’ section).
- Illegal screening
- Charging (except for within the no-charge semi-circle areas)
- Blocking – illegal personal contact that impedes the progress of an opponent with or
without the ball - Repeatedly jabbing an opponent
- Hooking/wrapping/holding an opponent
- Pushing off an opponent
- Using an extended arm fend to prevent opponents coming close when dribbling
- Any violent, disrespectful or unsportsmanlike conduct as determined by the referee
Sin Bin up to 5 minutes (rather than permanent send-off):
- The same player commits 5 fouls or 1 foul to a very serious degree.
- A permanent send-off may occur if the referee deems that the conduct was very
unsportsmanlike or violent.
For an in-depth explanation of general basketball rules, please see FIBA’s Official Rulebook:
https://basketballvictoria.com.au/wpcontent/uploads/2016/02/Official_Basketball_Rules_2014_Y.pdf