Official Game Rules and regulations

Official rules, regulations & Code of conduct

This page serves as the official source for all Atlantic Elite Basketball League (AEBL) rules, game regulations, conduct expectations, and administrative policies. All players, coaches, team staff, and spectators are expected to review and adhere to the following guidelines.

Game site & Management

AEBL is responsible for:

  • Assigning referees

  • Updating the league website

  • Managing standings and statistics

  • Scheduling all league games

  • Organizing and operating the Atlantic Championship Weekend

Game rules & format

Governing Rules

Game Structure

  • ALL games are four (4) 8-minute quarters

  • Run time after a team is up by 20+ points (except for the last minute of each quarter in which it is stop time regardless of score) 

  • 5-minute halftime
  • Teams are guaranteed a minimum of 5 minutes warm-up time prior to their game
    • Additional warm-up time may be granted depending on court availability and prior game timing

timeouts

Regulation Play

  • First Half: Two (2) 60-second timeouts per team

  • Second Half: Three (3) 60-second timeouts per team

Final Two Minutes

  • Only two (2) total timeouts may be used in the final two (2) minutes of regulation

  • Coaches must use one timeout before the final two minutes or that timeout is forfeited

Overtime

  • Timeouts do NOT carry over from regulation to overtime

  • Each team is granted one (1) timeout per overtime period

Forfeiture Policy

  • A 15-minute grace period is granted from the scheduled start time

  • After the grace period expires, AEBL staff will determine whether a forfeit is declared

  • Teams arriving within the grace period will be granted a 3-minute warm-up to reduce injury risk

Forfeited Game Scores

  • One-team forfeit: recorded as 2–0

  • Double forfeit (both teams unable to field a legal roster): recorded as 0–0

overtime rules

  • Overtime periods are 3 minutes, stop time
  • If the score remains tied after the overtime period:

    • A jump ball will be held

    • First team to score wins

Player Eligibility & Roster Rules

Team and Player Regulations

  • Teams must have a minimum of eight (8) players and are allowed no more than fifteen (15) players on a roster

  • Coaches are permitted to coach a maximum of two (2) teams per AEBL season

  • Each session is mandatory for all teams participating in the AEBL

    • Each game missed is subject to a $250 fine which is to be paid prior to the next scheduled session

  • Players must play at least nine (9) games in order to be eligible for AEBL Championship weekend

  • A player may play for only one (1) basketball club per AEBL season

  • A player may participate in a maximum of two (2) age divisions per season

  • A maximum of two (2) players per team may play up an age group

    • Players must remain within their registered basketball club

  • During AEBL Championship Weekend, a player may compete in only one (1) age division

Team & Bench Responsibilities

  • Teams are responsible for cleaning their bench area after each game

  • Each team is permitted up to three (3) coaches/managers on the bench

    • Names must be submitted during the registration process

Sportsmanship Deposit

The AEBL is committed to providing a competitive, respectful, and positive environment for players, coaches, officials, families, and spectators.

The Sportsmanship Deposit Policy is designed to encourage players and coaches to maintain the highest standards of sportsmanship and conduct throughout the AEBL season.

Initial Sportsmanship Deposit

  • Each team participating in the AEBL is required to provide a $200 sportsmanship deposit prior to participating in the league season.

  • The $200 deposit will be held by the AEBL throughout the season and will be subject to the technical-foul rules outlined below.

Technical Foul Tracking

  • Technical fouls will be tracked on a team basis throughout the AEBL season

  • Technical fouls assessed to players, coaches, or team personnel will count toward the teams’ season total

First and Second Technical Foul

If a team receives its first or second technical foul of the season:

  • the team’s deposit remains in place

  • the technical foul is recorded against the team’s season total

  • the team will receive an official warning from the AEBL

There is no additional financial penalty for the first two technical fouls

Third Technical Foul

If a team receives its third technical foul of the season:

  • The team’s deposit is retained by the league

  • An additional $400 deposit is now required in order to participate in further sessions

  • The AEBL review of the team’s conduct

  • The AEBL may impose additional disciplinary action, including

    • player suspension

    • coach suspension

    • team suspension

    • removal from an AEBL event

    • removal from the remainder of the AEBL session

    • Other disciplinary measures deemed appropriate by the AEBL

A third technical foul represents a significant sportsmanship concern and may result in consequences beyond the forfeiture of the deposit.

Fourth Technical Foul or More

If a team received a fourth technical foul or any additional technical fouls during the season, the AEBL reserves the right to immediately suspend or remove the team from future participation

Additional disciplinary action may be applied to individual players, coaches, or team personnel where appropriate.

Return of Sportsmanship Deposit

The team’s Sportsmanship Deposit will be returned at the conclusion of the season provided the team does not reach three (3) technical fouls.

Serious Incidents

The Sportsmanship Deposit Policy does not prevent the AEBL from taking immediate disciplinary action for serious incidents.

Regardless of a team’s technical-foul total, the AEBL reserves the right to suspend or remove any player, coach, team personnel, or team from an AEBL event or future league participation in cases involving serious misconduct.

Examples may include, but are not limited to

  • Fighting or physical altercations

  • Threatening or abusive behavior toward officials, players, coaches, staff, or spectators

  • Harassment

  • Aggressive or inappropriate conduct

  • Damage to facility property

  • Repeated disrespect toward officials

  • Conduct that negatively impacts the safety or integrity of an AEBL event

AEBL Discretion

The AEBL reserves the right to review the circumstances surrounding technical fouls and incidents of misconduct

The AEBL also reserves the right to impose additional disciplinary measures when necessary to protect the safety, integrity, and reputation of the league.

All teams are expected to uphold standards of conduct established by the league

Uniform Requirements

  • Teams must provide uniforms that:

    • Are identical in design across the entire team

    • Contain unique, non-duplicating numbers

Season Standings & Tiebreakers

If teams are tied in the standings, the following tiebreakers will be applied in order:

  1. Winning Percentage

  2. Two-Team Tie: Head-to-head result

  3. Three or More Teams: Points for vs. points against

    • Maximum margin of 20 points per game will be applied

  4. Following a three-team tiebreaker, head-to-head will determine placement between second and third

Spectator Behaviour

  • Noisemakers (e.g., air horns, electronic devices) are permitted only when used positively

  • Noisemakers may not be used to distract opposing teams (e.g., during free throws)

  • Any spectator found in violation of these rules may be removed from the venue at the discretion of:

    • Referees

    • Game coordinators

    • AEBL event staff

Eligibility & Protests

  • All protests must be submitted in writing to AEBL

  • Protests regarding player eligibility require:

    • A legal birth certificate or passport as proof

  • The AEBL Commissioner’s decision is final

    • No appeals or further discussion will be permitted

8U & 10U Division – Modified Game Rules

The following rules apply only to U8 and U10 divisions and are designed to promote development, safety, and fair play:

General Rules

  • Drop-Back Rule: No full-court press is permitted when a team is leading by 15 points or more

  • No Zone Defense: Teams must play man-to-man defense at all times

Playing Time & Fair Play

  • Fair play is strongly encouraged and will be actively monitored

  • Coaches are expected to ensure that all players receive meaningful playing time

  • Score table staff will track and record each player who enters the game to support fair participation standards

Zero Tolerance Policy

AEBL enforces a zero-tolerance policy for the mistreatment of:

  • AEBL staff

  • Referees

  • Players

  • Spectators

Any individual found to be verbally or physically abusive will:

  • Be removed from the venue immediately

  • Be banned from the remainder of the session

  • Be prohibited from all AEBL activities and events during that period

By participating in or attending AEBL events, all individuals agree to comply with these rules and regulations.