Games are played under the FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (in force from 1 October 2026), with the competition settings below. The rules, interpretations and a summary of the 2026 changes are published by FIBA at about.fiba.basketball.
Entry and eligibility
- Each team registers a roster of 5 to 20 players by the entry deadline. Only registered players may play. A player may play for one team only in the competition.
- False information given at registration is grounds for disqualification. Players should carry photo identification: the organiser may ask for it at any time.
- Up to 12 players may be entered on the scoresheet for each game (the FIBA maximum), with a head coach and, if the team wishes, a first assistant coach.
- Players wear numbered shirts in the team colours. The first team named (home) wears light shirts, the second (away) dark, unless the teams agree otherwise.
Playing time
- 4 periods of 10 minutes, with 2-minute intervals between the first and second, and third and fourth quarters, and 15 minutes at half-time.
- If the score is tied at the end, the game goes to overtime periods of 5 minutes, as many as needed, with 2 minutes before each.
- Shot clock: 24 seconds (reset to 14 in the situations the rules set out). 8 seconds to bring the ball into the frontcourt.
- Time-outs: 2 in the first half, 3 in the second half (no more than 2 in the last 2 minutes of the fourth quarter), and 1 in each overtime.
Fouls
- A player with 5 fouls leaves the game. After a team's 4th team foul in a quarter, each further defensive foul gives 2 free throws.
- The 2026 rules replace the unsportsmanlike foul with two fouls: a disruptive foul (contact that stops play or gains an unfair advantage, which does not count towards disqualification) and a flagrant foul (serious contact against the spirit of the game, which does).
- Technical fouls are in two categories. A player is disqualified from the game for two category 1 technical fouls, two flagrant fouls, or one of each. Category 2 technical fouls do not count towards disqualification.
- A disqualified player or coach takes no further part in the game and may face further sanctions from the organiser.
Results and the table
- A win earns 2 classification points and a loss 1 (as FIBA sets out). A team that forfeits earns 0.
- Forfeit: a team that is not present, or cannot field 5 players, 15 minutes after the scheduled start loses by forfeit: the score is 20–0 to the opponent. In this competition a team that forfeits again stays in it and its results stand: each game it does not play is a forfeit (20–0, 0 classification points).
- Default: a team that has fewer than 2 players on the court loses by default. If the winning team was ahead, the score stands; if not, it is 2–0. The defaulting team earns 1 classification point.
- Ties in the table (FIBA Appendix D): teams level on classification points are separated by their games against each other: first the classification points in those games, then the points difference, then the points scored. If still level, the points difference in all games decides, then the points scored in all games, and finally a draw. Whenever a team is separated at any step, the steps start again for the teams still level.
- Games stopped and not finished (for example by bad light or weather) are completed or replayed as the organiser decides. Until then the game is shown as awaiting its result.
After the game, and protests
- The referees' decisions are final and are not reviewed by video or other recordings, except where the rules allow the Instant Replay System to be used.
- A protest follows FIBA Appendix C: the captain signs the scoresheet in the "captain's signature in case of protest" box within 15 minutes of the end of the game, and the team gives the reasons in writing within 1 hour. The organiser (as the competent body) decides no later than 24 hours after the game, and may set a protest fee that is paid only if the protest is rejected. A protest may be about a scoring, timing or shot clock error the referees should have corrected, a decision to forfeit, cancel, postpone or not resume the game, or a player's eligibility.
- The organiser records results from the official scoresheet.
Conduct
- Good sportsmanship is expected from players, coaches, team staff and supporters. Fighting, taunting, intimidation or abuse of an official, player or spectator can lead to forfeiting the game, removal from the event, and further sanctions by the organiser, the national federation or FIBA.
- The team captain speaks for the team and helps control the conduct of teammates and team followers. Questions and disputes are dealt with through the captain (and the head coach, in 5x5).
- Players and teams follow the FIBA Code of Ethics and the FIBA Code of Conduct and Fair Play, and the FIBA Anti-Doping Rules, including testing.
Equipment
- No guards, casts or hard braces (leather, plastic, plaster or metal) on the elbow, hand, wrist, finger or forearm, even if padded. Soft braces, sleeves and wraps are allowed unless they are a danger to others. No jewellery, hair clips or hard hair accessories.
- The referees and the organiser may refuse any equipment or clothing they judge dangerous or inappropriate.
Responsibility
- Everyone takes part at their own risk and is responsible for their own property. The organiser is not liable, as far as the law allows, for loss, injury or damage connected with taking part.
- Personal details given at registration are used to run the competition. Anti-doping information may be shared with the national federation and FIBA as the anti-doping rules require.
Western Basketball League 2025/26: its own rules
Where these differ from the rules above, these apply.
Rosters and game-day squads
- Each team registers a roster of up to 20 players for the season.
- Up to 12 of them are named for each game, as FIBA sets out.
Licences
- A player without a GBBA licence may play while their licence is pending with the Ghana Basketball Association.
- A player who already holds a GBBA licence keeps that licence number.
