Official Tournament Rules

All games will be played under the current FIBA rule system.



  1. SHOT CLOCK. A 24-second shot clock for 18U+, 17U, 16U and 15U divisions and a 30-second shot clock for ages 14U and under will be kept by the officials.
  2. GAME TIMES. All games will consist of 4 - 10 minute periods with a five (5) minute halftime. Overtime periods will consist of five (5) minutes each.
  3. NO ZONE DEFENSES AGES 13U to 14U: In keeping with the “spirit of the game,” all coaches are asked to play 'man-to-man' defense at all times.  No zones, zone presses or match-up defences of any kind are permitted.  Man-to-man does allow “help” or double-teaming on the ball at any time on the court. Teams cannot double-team a player without the ball on an inbound play.  Teams cannot triple-team the ball.  Defenses can rotate to address any traps or double teams but must still guard a player, not a place on the floor.   No “clear-out” offenses are to be used to isolate a player and test the boundaries of the rules.  Referees are asked to review this point in their pregame conference with the head coaches and captains. Any style of defense can be played at the 15U, 16U, 17U and 18U or older age levels. Violations of the 'No Zone' rule will see the referee...
    1. 1st Infraction per game: Give an official warning to the team to be recorded on the scoresheet.
    2. 2nd Infraction per game1st technical foul assessed to the head coach
    3. 3rd Infraction per game: 2nd technical foul assessed to the head coach resulting in the head coach being removed from the game 
  4. RESTRICTED AREA. The new FIBA wide rectangle key will be used at all levels if marked. If only the trapezoid style of "key" (or restricted area) is marked, then that will be used.   
  5. THREE-POINT LINE. The marked FIBA three-point line (6.75m) will be used throughout the tournament at all age divisions.  The 6.25m (old FIBA line) 3-point line will be used if marked, or if not, the 6.75m line will be used if that is the only line on the court.
  6. TIMEOUTS. Each team will be allowed two (2) timeouts in the first half and three (3) timeouts in the second half of sixty (60) seconds each.  Each overtime period will see one (1) timeout per team (no carryovers between halves or into the OT).  Timeouts must be requested through the score table and will be granted at the next stoppage in play. 
  7. ROSTERS. Team rosters become "frozen" after the start of a team's first game. New players are NOT permitted to be added after this point. NO EXCEPTIONS.
  8. JERSEYS. Teams will not be penalized for "illegal jerseys", but all attempts to have the same colour jerseys for the games must be made.
  9. OFFICIAL BALL. The Wilson Evolution will be the official tournament game ball.  The Size 6 basketball will be used for all female categories as well as 13U and 14U males. Age 15U, 16U, 17U and 18U males will use the Size 7 basketball.
  10. WARM-UP BALLS. Teams are to provide their own warm-up balls for the games.
  11. TIME MODIFICATION. Basketball Manitoba reserves the right to change a game to a 'running time' format in the 4th period if there is a difference in score of 30 points or more.  
  12. BEHAVIOUR: Inappropriate actions or behaviour of players, coaches or spectators will not be tolerated.  The decisions of Tournament Officials and Organizers are final.  The Basketball Manitoba Codes of Conduct will be in effect throughout the tournament. 
Tie-Breaking Format
The final pool standings are to be determined by the best win/loss records of the teams. If the teams are tied, the tie will be broken by:
  1. The results from the HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPETITION BETWEEN THE TIED TEAMS.
  2. The POINTS FOR / AGAINST RATIO BETWEEN THE TIED TEAMS;
  3. Formula - ([total points FOR with tied teams] - [total points AGAINST with tied teams]) = X (the team with the higher number will advance)
  4. If still tied, the TOTAL POINTS FOR, ONLY IN THOSE GAMES BETWEEN THE TIED TEAMS
  5. If still tied, the TOTAL POINTS FOR, IN ALL TOURNAMENT GAMES
  6. If still tied a coin toss.


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