Rules
How Ottawa Ballers games run.
Fair, safe, and fun. Specific rules may vary between pickup, league, tournament, and clinic events.
Arrival & readiness
- Arrive at least 15 minutes before tip-off, dressed and ready to play.
- Confirm your check-in with the game coordinator on arrival.
- Late arrivals may be subbed in at the next stoppage.
Game format & timing
- Games are played on a full basketball court in an indoor gym.
- Standard format: two halves with a running clock, unless posted otherwise.
- Overtime and timeouts follow the format posted for each event.
Substitutions & rosters
- Substitutions happen on stoppages and are managed by the coordinator.
- Rosters must be confirmed before the first whistle.
- Injured players may be replaced according to the event's posted policy.
Fouls & ejections
- Personal and team fouls follow standard recreational basketball rules.
- Referees may issue technical fouls or ejections for conduct violations.
- Ejected players may face additional review under our Code of Conduct.
Safety
- No jewellery on the court. Braces and supports are welcome.
- Play stops immediately for blood or injury; return to play requires clean-up and clearance.
- Report any facility hazards to the game coordinator right away.
Full rule sets for recreational play, league games, tournaments, and clinics are provided at check-in for each event.