SSIFO 2008 Basketball Regulations
1. General Regulations 2008
The SSIFO tournament regulations consist of the following points.
The SSIFO Basketball tournament will be played according to the official B.B.L. (British Basketball Federation) regulations except for cases mentioned in these regulations.
SSIFO is in charge of the tournament, and is responsible for the final co-ordination.
2. Program and tournament Format. The tournament will be played in Capital City Academy . Playing days are: From Saturday 9th of August till Sunday 17th of August 2008. All teams will be issued the scheduled prior to the start of the competition.
3. Age Groups :
A. Junior Boys Under 20.
B. Seniors (Males Over 35)
4. Match duration: Game-time is 2x18 minutes running clock with a 2 minute break. There is a 2 minute break between games. These game times are applicable to the first round matches, the quarter-, semi- and finals. Every team plays a minimum of 4 games in the junior and 3 games in the seniors competitions.
5. Game rules:
a) With 5 personal fouls, a player is suspended for the remainder of the game.
b) Each team is allowed one 30 second time-out. Time outs need to be requested at the game table. Time outs are not permitted in the last 3 minutes of the game. So a time out has to be requested with a maximum of 3 minutes and 30 seconds before the end of the game.
c) Participants are prohibited to wear any sort of jewellery, protecting material or sharp objects during the play to prevent any sort of injury to the opponent.
d) We want to emphasize, especially for the teams from the U.S.A. , and Canada that the tournament will be played according to the European rules. This means a difference in the handle of the “walking - rule” (in Europe the ball has to be in motion before the player does).
e) With a disqualification foul, a player is suspended for the remainder of the game, plus the following game.
6. Scorers. All participating teams should have 1 or 2 delegates act as a scorer per tournament day. Every tournament day the tournament committee will inform you as to when your delegates will have to act as a scorer, taking into account, of course, your own matches. If you would like to bring a referee to the tournament, please inform about the options with the organizers.
7. Number of players per team. All teams should submit the complete list of their players. Teams can bring as many players as they wish to the tournament. However, per playing day you need to hand in a list with no more than 12 players. That day you can only play with the players mentioned on your list. Deviations from this list are NOT possible. So switching players between 2 teams is not allowed, only in case of injuries.
8. Substitution of players During a match . The substitution of players is allowed, but only during the so-called dead moment of the match and with approval of the referee.
9. Team player lists. Each team needs to hand in their team players list daily, 15 minutes prior to the start of the first game. You have to hand in your list to the tournament committee at the sports hall. On the lists you need to fill out the first and last name as well as the dates of birth of your players that will play that day.
10. Prove of age / identity. All players must be able to show their passport or other official document which shows their age on request of the referee or tournament committee.
11. Dispensation rules. In principle dispensation will not be provided. In exceptional cases the tournament committee will determine if players, depending on age, length and weight, will be granted dispensation.
The tournament committees at the different sports halls will know who these special players are.
12. Points awarded . A win is 2 competition points, and a loss is 0 points. The winner of the tournament is the team with the most competition points. In case two or more teams finish with the same number of points, the following system will apply to determine their ranking:
The result of the game between the teams involved. (2 teams). Difference of points scored and points conceived. Highest number of points scored.
In the unlikely event that two teams are still in a draw situation. When there is still no result, free throws will be taken 1 by 1, until there is a decision. In case of a draw in the final, the game will be extended for 3 minutes, until there is a winner.
13.Be on time. Teams are required to register with the tournament committee at least 15 minutes prior to their first game. In case of a game delay due to a specific team failing to appear all points will be awarded to the present team. Missing one or more games without a n acceptable excuse can lead to disqualification of the team. The tournament committee is allowed to make changes in the tournament format mentioned above when another solution is fairer for the duped team.
14. Technical Committee 
The SSIFO Friendship Basketball tournament 2008 will nominate a seven member technical committee which shall deal with all technical matters. The all Star selection will play the London Capitals at a later specified date. The selection of the all star team will be carried by a selected number of coaches and/or technical committee.
15. Fairplay / Respect for referees. It should be needless to say but we expect fair play from all teams! Please respect your opponents as well as the decisions of the referees and try to play as fair as possible. Keep in mind that this is an international tournament with teams from many different cultures. Of course the rules of the game of basketball are (almost) the same in each country, but the way basketball is played is different in each country.
Also the referees may be leading the games in a different way than you are used to at home. Please respect the decisions made by the referees. They are always impartial!
16. Sanctions. In both age groups the referees may use the so-called 5 minutes penalty rule. If a player has been sent off the field definitively, he is suspended during that game. The tournament committee will decide, depending on the violation, whether a player may continue the rest of the tournament. With 5 personal fouls, a player is suspended for the remainder of the game. The tournament committee can decide to impose additional sanctions according to the extent of the committed disqualification foul. Decisions made by the tournament committee are final.
If you play with unlawful players, your team can be disqualified from the tournament. The tournament committee will expel a player for the next game, once he has received 2 technical fouls in one game. For severe misbehaviour or violation, the tournament-committee may decide to expel a team from the rest of the tournament. When, because of misbehaviour, the referee stops the game, the tournament committee can declare a game as being finished and played if the progress of the tournament is at risk. The team which causes the reason why a referee might end a game earlier than scheduled, can get a deduction of 2 points.
17. Protests Decisions. Protests and decisions made by the tournament committee are binding. Protests are not possible. In case these rules and regulations do not apply, the tournament committee will decide.
18. Team outfits. All players have to wear a uniform with numbers. All teams need to bring spare uniforms with numbers. If the (colours of) the uniforms are too similar at the discretion of the referee, the team that is listed first in the game schedule will change to uniforms distinctive from their opponent.
19. Insurances. All participants are obliged to insure themselves sufficiently e.g. in case of calamities, accidents, theft, injuries etc. The tournament committee is not responsible for the loss and theft of personal items or for injuries occurred during the games or at any time while teams are present in and/or around the basketball facilities.
In case of doctor and/or hospital treatment, the involved player needs to show his/her insurance papers to the involved doctor/hospital.
20. Supervision. All participating teams must have a team leader, who is 18 years or older. The name of the team leader needs to be filled out on the official game form. This team leader will be responsible for the behaviour of his/her players during the tournament, during the matches, as well as the behaviour of his/her players on and around the sports halls and at the accommodations where the team stays during the SSIFO Friendship Games London Basketball tournament.
21. Trophies, medals and pennants. For each group the following applies: Trophies will be handed to the 1st and 2nd place teams. Personal medals will be handed to the players which demonstrate good behaviour and skills. The organising committee can give awards as they see fit and appropriate.
22. General warning. Avoid theft. We advise all players and others to take all valuables into the halls and not to leave them in the changing rooms. The tournament committee are never responsible for any costs because of missing or stolen valuables or clothing.
24. Final remark. The organizers of SSIFO Friendship Basketball tournament Games London 2008 are at the understanding that each participant and team leader knows and accepts all items as mentioned in these regulations.