The Rulebook

§1PLAYOFF FORMAT

6-Team Division

All 6 teams qualify for the playoffs.

• #1 Seed: First-round bye
• #2 Seed: First-round bye
• #3 Seed vs. #6 Seed: Winner advances to play #2 Seed
• #4 Seed vs. #5 Seed: Winner advances to play #1 Seed
• The highest remaining seed will maintain home/seed advantage where applicable.

8-Team Division

All 8 teams qualify for the playoffs.

• #1 Seed vs. #8 Seed
• #2 Seed vs. #7 Seed
• #3 Seed vs. #6 Seed
• #4 Seed vs. #5 Seed

§2REGULAR-SEASON GAME RULES

Game Length

• Two 20-minute halves.
• The game clock runs continuously except during designated stoppage situations.
• Fouls reset at halftime.
• Team fouls do not reset during overtime.

Bonus / Free Throws

• Once a team reaches the designated 7-team-foul threshold, the opposing team enters the double bonus.
• Double bonus results in 2 free throws.

Shot Clock

• A 5-minute shot-clock period will be used during the final 5 minutes of each half.
• The shot clock will be enforced during this designated period.

Final 2 Minutes

During the final 2 minutes of the second half, the game clock will stop on whistles.

§3OVERTIME

If the game is tied at the end of regulation:

First Overtime

• 2-minute overtime

Second Overtime

• 1-minute overtime

Third Overtime

• Sudden death
• First team to score wins.
• A made free throw counts as the first basket/score and can end the game.

Overtime Timeout

• Each team receives 1 additional timeout for overtime.

Teams may advance the ball from full court to half court during the last 2 mins of the second half after a called timeout.

§4TIMEOUT RULES

Regular Season

Each team has 2 timeouts for the game.

• If a team does not use its first-half timeout during the first half, one timeout is forfeited.
• Unused first-half timeouts do not carry over.
• The remaining timeout(s) may be used during the second half, subject to the league’s timeout rules.
• An additional timeout is awarded during overtime.

Playoffs

Beginning with the semifinals, each team receives 3 timeouts for the game.

• If a team does not use its first-half timeout, one timeout is forfeited.
• Unused first-half timeouts do not carry over.
• Overtime follows the league’s overtime timeout rules.

§5PLAYOFF CLOCK RULE

Beginning with the semifinals, during the final 2 minutes of the second half:

• The clock stops on whistles.
• The clock also stops following made baskets.

This playoff rule is intended to provide a proper competitive finish and allow teams the opportunity to execute late-game possessions.

§6PLAYER TRADES

Player trades are permitted during the season under the following conditions:

• All trades must be submitted to the TBL Commissioner for review.
• The Commissioner must approve the trade.
• The trade must also receive approval by a majority vote of the team captains.
• The Commissioner reserves the right to deny any transaction that is deemed unfair, disruptive, or detrimental to competitive balance.
• Once approved, the trade becomes official and cannot be reversed without league approval.

§7INJURED PLAYER REPLACEMENTS

A team may request a replacement for an injured player.

Requirements

• The injury/replacement must be submitted to the TBL Commissioner.
• The Commissioner must approve the replacement.
• A majority vote of the team captains must approve the replacement.
• The league may request reasonable confirmation of the injury when necessary.
• Replacement players must meet all TBL eligibility requirements.

The purpose of this rule is to protect competitive balance while allowing teams to remain competitive when a legitimate injury occurs.

§8UNIFORM & PLAYER ATTIRE POLICY

TBL is a competitive adult basketball league and all players are expected to maintain a professional appearance.

Required

• Players must wear their official TBL team jersey during games.
• Jerseys must be worn properly and visibly.
• Players are expected to wear appropriate basketball shorts and athletic footwear.

Prohibited During Games

The following are not permitted:

• Jewelry
• Hoodies
• Sweatpants
• Joggers
• Pants
• Extra-long shorts or clothing that is not appropriate basketball attire
• Any other clothing or accessories deemed unsafe or inappropriate by league officials

Players should dress similarly to what would be permitted in a properly organized high school, college, or professional basketball game.

The goal is to maintain a clean, organized, and professional TBL appearance.

§9JERSEY VIOLATION / TECHNICAL FOUL

A player who fails to bring or wear the required official TBL team jersey may be assessed a technical foul.

• The technical foul results in 2 free throws for the opposing team.
• The free throws will be administered at the beginning of the game or, when applicable, at halftime.
• The player may not participate until properly equipped, subject to the referee’s ruling.

TBL strongly encourages all players to arrive prepared and in full uniform before game time.

§10LEAGUE CONDUCT & PROFESSIONALISM

The Bergen League is built around competition, community, sportsmanship, and good vibes.

All players, captains, coaches, and league participants are expected to:

• Respect referees and league officials.
• Respect opposing players and teammates.
• Avoid unnecessary arguing, fighting, or unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Maintain professional behavior before, during, and after games.
• Follow all gym/facility rules.
• Represent TBL and their team in a positive manner.

The TBL Commissioner and league officials reserve the right to address conduct that negatively impacts the league, its players, or the facilities used by TBL.

TBL — COMPETITIVE BASKETBALL. COMMUNITY. RESPECT.

§11VOLLEYBALL — FORMAT & TIEBREAKERS

Volleyball. Twelve teams in two divisions, Atlantic and Pacific. Every match is best-of-3 — sets to 25, 25, and a third to 15. Eight teams make the playoffs, seeded 1–12 by overall record across both divisions. Seeds 1–6 go straight in. Seeds 7–10 play in for the last two spots — 7 v 10 and 8 v 9, one set to 25 — and the winners take seeds 7 and 8. Seeds 11 and 12 are done for the season.

Volleyball tiebreakers, in order: head-to-head result · set ratio (sets won ÷ sets lost) · point ratio (points for ÷ points against — every set counts, which is why the scorer records every set score).

Basketball standings tiebreakers, in order: head-to-head · point differential · points scored.

From the 8/18 league call — pending the league’s written volleyball rules.

§12PAYMENTS & REFUNDS

The $100 deposit is not refundable, but it can be applied to a future registration. [Draft — the full written policy is REQUIRED before online payments go live: what’s refundable, until when, and how. Injury policy.]

§13PHOTOS & MEDIA

[Draft — by registering, players are OK with game photos, video and their name appearing on league channels and this site.]

§14ELIGIBILITY & ROSTERS

[Draft — age minimum and roster size from the league. Mid-season roster moves are covered by §6 Player Trades and §7 Injured Player Replacements.]

§15FORFEITS & LATENESS

[Draft — grace period, minimum players to start, what a forfeit costs.]