GAME RULES

• If a team does not have four (4) members on the court within 10 minutes of the game start time, that team will forfeit. Three players are a forfeit. Captains should notify their division vice commissioner 48 hours before the game is scheduled to begin, if they have to forfeit. All forfeits are recorded in the score book as 1-0.
• Two twenty-two (22) minute continuously running halves. The clock stops only for timeouts until the last minute of the second-half and only if the score is within ten (10) points.
  • The clock is stopped in the last minute of the second half whenever the ball goes out of bounds, when a foul is called, when free throws are being shot, and during time outs. When the ball is inbounded, the clock starts once a player touches the ball.
• Three (3) full time-outs per team for the whole game. Only one timeout (1) can carry over during an overtime period. One (1) 30-second timeout will also be provided for each team for each overtime period.
• Players foul out after six (6) fouls.
• After the seventh foul of the half on one team, the opposing team will get the bonus (one-and-one free throws).
• After the tenth foul of the half on one team, the opposing team will get the double bonus (two free throws).
• Overtimes are three minutes. Clock stops for every whistle during the last minute of each overtime period.
• If a player quits in the middle of a game or is ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct, the player is suspended for the next game.

GUIDELINES

• All players should play at least eight minutes of every half including playoffs (captains exempt).
• A present league Vice Commissioner must be told prior to the game of any ill or injured players who are suited to play (so that there will be no playing time penalty imposed on your team).
• The team captain is the manager of the team.
• Each team captain will represent all player and team concerns to the referees. ONLY the team captain may address the referee about concerns.
• The referees will have final say in the calling of penalties, awarding points, and final decisions for all games.
• Subbing: Each individual that wants to sub into active play must check in at the score table first. Only on a dead ball, and with the referee's acknowledgement, will the person be allowed to sub into the game. It is the responsibility of each player to sub themselves in and out, under the advisement of their captain, if needed. It is at the discretion of captains to play certain players at certain times of the game, keeping in mind player participation rules.
• Any further disputes must be brought to the attention of the PBLNYC Board to discuss and resolve. Any larger issues such as referee misconduct or repeated poor calls, should be brought to the Board to address.
• Fans and players who are not playing in an ongoing game should not sit on sidelines and should not interfere with warm-ups or games.
• Bring a bottle of water or other liquid refreshments; PLEASE dispose of them when empty.

ATTIRE REQUIREMENTS

• All players are encouraged to wear proper attire in games.
  • Proper attire includes basketball shoes and shorts.
• Jerseys: All players MUST wear the League-provided t-shirt/jersey for the current season. 
  • T-SHIRT PENALTY
    • If a player does not have their shirt for the current season (i.e. is wearing a non-league shirt or shirt from the prior season) at the start of the game, the team will be given a technical foul and their opponent will shoot two free throws prior to the start of the game.
    • If the free throws are not taken before the start of the game, there will be no penalty.
    • However, if a player violating this rule arrives late, the technical foul shots must instead be taken before the player enters the game.
    • It is the responsibility of the captains to notify the referees of the t-shirt penalty.
• Accessories
  
  • Players are NOT to wear any jewelry during games. This can cause injuries to both the wearer and to other players on the court.
    
  • Fitness bands such as FitBits or Apple Watches are allowed ONLY if they are covered by a sweatband.

CAPTAINS

• Captains are responsible for reviewing the game score-sheet prior to the game and informing the referees of any roster changes at that time.
• Players must limit their interaction with the referees. ONLY Captains should be speaking to the referees, and only about the game in general. Any larger issues (referee misconduct, repeated poor calls, etc), should be brought to the Board to address.
• Division Vice Commissioners may ask captains for mandatory referee feedback every week.

PLAYOFF STRUCTURE

A-Division:

All eight teams will make the playoffs. Teams are seeded based on their record from the season.

• Week 1 of Playoffs: 1-seed will play 8-seed. 2-seed will play 7-seed. 3-seed will play 6-seed, 4-seed will play 5-seed.
• Week 2 of Playoffs: Winner of 1-seed vs. 8-seed and winner of 4-seed vs. 5-seed will play against each other. Winner of 3-seed vs. 6-seed and winner of 2-seed vs. 7-seed will play against each other.
• Championship Weekend will be made up of the winners from Week 2 of Playoffs.

B-Division:

Seeds 1-8 will make the playoffs. Teams are seeded based on their record from the season.

• Week 1 of Playoffs: 1-seed will play 8-seed. 2-seed will play 7-seed. 3-seed will play 6-seed, 4-seed will play 5-seed. The 9-seed and the 10-seed will have a CONSOLATION game.
• Week 2 of Playoffs: Winner of 1-seed vs. 8-seed and winner of 4-seed vs. 5-seed will play against each other. Winner of 3-seed vs. 6-seed and winner of 2-seed vs. 7-seed will play against each other.
• Championship Weekend will be made up of the winners from Week 2 of Playoffs.

C Division:

All six teams will make the playoffs. Teams are seeded based on their record from the season.

• Week 1 of Playoffs: The first week will be 4-seed vs. 5-seed and 3-seed vs. 6-seed. The 1-seed and 2-seed will have an optional EXHIBITION/FRIENDLY game.
• Week 2 of Playoffs: The winner of 3-seed vs. 6-seed will play the 2-seed. The winner of 4-seed vs. 5-seed will play the 1-seed.
• Championship Weekend will be made up of the winners from Week 2 of the Playoffs.

PLEASE NOTE: Playoff structure is subject to change, based on the number of teams fielded each season. The Board will communicate to Captains as soon as possible.

TIE-BREAKER RULES:

If teams have the same record, the Board will follow tiebreaker rules to determine seeding.

1.The first tiebreaker used is head-to-head victories. If teams are tied head-to-head, proceed to tiebreaker 2.

• Example: Team A and Team B each finished with a 5-3 record. The teams played each other once and Team A won. Team A would receive the higher seed.

2. The second tiebreaker is the head-to-head margin of victory. The team with higher points scored differential head-to-head receives the higher seed. If both games were won by the same margin, proceed to tiebreaker 3.

• Example: Team A and Team B each finished with the same record. The teams played each other twice. Each team beat the other once. Team A beat Team B 50-40 in their victory and Team B beat Team A 55-40 in the other victory. Team B's victory was by 15 points while Team A's was by only 10 points. Team B would receive the higher seed.

3. If a tie still remains, then the third tiebreaker is total points scored. The team with more points scored overall receives the higher seed. If both teams have scored the same amount of points, proceed to tiebreaker 4.

• Example: Team A and Team B each finished with the same record. The teams played each other twice. Each team won one of the games. Both games were decided by ten points. Over the course of the season, Team A scored 300 points and Team B scored 250. Team A would receive the higher seed.

These rules may be updated at any time by the Board of Directors of the Pride Basketball League.