Welcome to the pack. This page gives players and families a clear view of how our junior domestic basketball works each season, what’s expected on game day, and the key rules that shape a positive, safe competition.
Eligibility and seasons
- Age groups: Competitions run from Under 8 through Under 21, with boys/mixed and girls competitions as specified for each age group. Some age groups may be combined if team numbers require it (e.g., U19/21).
- Season dates: Two seasons each year — Summer (school Terms 4 & 1) and Winter (Terms 2 & 3).
- Age cut-offs: To be eligible for an age group, players must be under the age limit on the cut-off date — 31 December for Summer season and 30 June for Winter season.
- Minimum ages: Players must be at least 5 years old on the date of the first game to participate.
Registration and team placement
- Register before you play: All players must be registered via the competition’s system prior to their first match each season. Unregistered “fill-ins” must enter details at the scorebench before tip-off or the game will be forfeited for ineligibility.
- Team lists and caps: There’s no cap on total registered players per team, but a maximum of 10 may take part in any single match.
- Playing in multiple teams: Players can’t play in two teams in the same age group on the same day, nor for two clubs on the same competition day. Players may play in their age group and also “play up” one age group; if a player chooses to only play up, they become ineligible for the lower age group that season.
- Fill-ins: If a team would otherwise have fewer than six players, fill-ins can be used from within our club following the MEBA Fill-In Matrix (or a correctly aged player who isn’t licensed elsewhere). Fill-ins may only bring the team list to six for that game and must be entered as fill-ins at the scorebench.
Tip: If you’re short for finals, special approval is required at least seven days in advance, with limits on how many fill-ins can be used. Please contact the club early so we can help you meet the criteria.
Training, games and match day basics
- Match timing (regular season): 45-minute slots, 18-minute halves, 2-minute half-time; clock stops on all whistles in the final two minutes of the second half. One timeout per team per half; no timeouts in the last two minutes of the first half.
- Starting a game: You need at least four players in uniform ready to play, and a coach or responsible adult on the bench to commence.
- Ball sizes: Size 5 (U8–U11), Size 6 (U13 and all girls beyond), Size 7 (U15 boys and older). Combined age groups use the younger group’s ball size.
Uniforms and equipment
- Team uniform: Identical jerseys and shorts approved by the competition, with printed/stitched numbers front and back (1–99). No taped or handwritten numbers. Uniform penalties may apply after grading if items are incorrect.
- Undershirts and shorts: Short-sleeve tees are allowed under jerseys if they match the dominant jersey colour; long sleeves must be compression only. Shorts must be basketball shorts without pockets, belts, zips, or buckles.
- Colour clash: The first-named team on the fixture must change singlet colour if there’s a clash; refusing to do so results in a forfeit.
- Safety and accessories: Jewellery should be removed where possible; otherwise tape/padding is required. Fingernails must be short, or taped, or gloves (approved by the referee) worn. Permitted hair accessories include bobby pins and snap clips; no hard/plastic headbands. Mouthguards and sports glasses are permitted.
General Information
Game rules highlights
- Mercy rule: Applied at different margins by age — U8 at 10 points; U9–U15 at 20 points; U17–U21 at 30 points. The leading team must drop back to man-to-man within their defensive three-point area. The trailing coach may request not to enforce it for the remainder of that match.
- No-zone rule: No zone defence is allowed in U8–U13. Zone defence is permitted in U15–U21. Limited exceptions apply only if a team has five or fewer suited players in the younger age groups.
- Shot clock (where available): 24-second shot clock is used in U17, U19, U21 A Grade only (venue-dependent).
- Key technicals: “Behavioural technical” or “unsportsmanlike” fouls trigger a 5-minute “sin bin” (playing time) for the player; under five minutes remaining means they sit the rest of the game.
Finals eligibility
- Qualification: Players must be registered in the team and play at least eight non-finals games (grading + regular season). Byes count as games played. No courtside additions are permitted in finals.
- Exemptions: Injury/illness exemptions require a timely medical certificate. Representative duties for state/national teams can count towards eligibility if criteria are met; requests must be submitted within the stated timeframes.
Scorebench and conduct
- Scorers: Each team must supply one competent scorer aged 15+ who can communicate with referees. The first-listed team operates the scoreboard/time; the second-listed team runs electronic scoring (teams can swap by agreement). Mark only players who are actually present and playing.
- Codes and behaviour: All players, coaches, officials, and spectators must follow Basketball Victoria’s Codes of Conduct. Poor behaviour may lead to removal from the venue, reports, tribunal, and/or sanctions.