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

  • Four (4) 8-minute quarters, stop time
  • 3-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

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

Player Eligibility & Roster Rules

Club & Division Limits

  • 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

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 officials

Suspensions (Players & Coaches)

Disciplinary actions include fighting, inappropriate behavior, or ejection (two technical fouls):

  • First Offense: Suspension for the next AEBL game or playoff game

  • Second Offense: Suspension for the next two (2) AEBL games or playoff games

  • Third Offense: Suspension for the remainder of the AEBL season and playoffs

    • May also impact eligibility for future AEBL seasons

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

U8 / U10 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.