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.

• Seeds 1 and 2 — the division winners. The team that finishes top of the Atlantic and the team that finishes top of the Pacific take the first two seeds, whatever the overall records say. The league tiebreakers below decide which of the two is the 1 seed.
• Seeds 3–6 — by record. The next four teams by overall record across both divisions go straight into the playoffs.
• Seeds 7–10 — the play-in. 7 v 10 and 8 v 9, one set to 25. The two winners take the last two playoff spots.
• Seeds 11 and 12 are done for the season.
• The bracket is reseeded after the play-in results, so the surviving teams line up against the 1 and 2 seeds.

Tiebreakers apply at every stage: head-to-head, then set ratio, then point ratio.

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.]