Noon hour competition, the old way. These rules were developed in the 70s before the arrival of the 3 point line. All players must be members of Dalplex (day passes can be purchased for $10 + HST or a 10 pass is recommended for better value). Please, try and have fun!
Play usually begins about 11:30a Monday to Friday (especially Holidays!). Senior players attempt to make even teams to start the day, when 8 players (4 on 4) have shown up. Half court is played, mostly man-to-man defense. This allows better players to guard each other. Generally, the rules followed are those used in Intermediate Men’s, Women’s and High School basketball. Since Oct 15 (Thanksgiving), we switched to FIBA with all the leagues including University Men.
The first game is started with the ball and choice of shirts or skins going to the team having the oldest player. After the first game, ball is given to the winners and from then on, the games are started by the upcoming / challenging team unless the winning team has only one win. As more players arrive a second and then third or more games are started at other hoops. The basket by the weights will be court 1. The opposite end of the main court will be court 2, the near end of the back court will be 3rd, the far end 4th and the middle basket 5th. Winners advance to the next lower numbered court while losers move to the next higher. On court 1, winners have choice of shirts or skins and which ball to use. On all other courts, first to call the choice wins. If any team has a woman playing, they have rights to shirts.
Ball has to clear the foul line extended on a change of team possession UNLESS the offensive team did not hit the basket ring. Regulars enjoy GARBAGE if the ball did not hit the iron ring; e.g. air balls, bad passes and steals. Points are counted by 1's - no extra credit for a 3 point shot. Games go to 11 - win by 2 points except when game is called on another court. A game won on any court should be shouted out Game! and teams leading on all other courts will advance. Games that are tied should stop the game, check the ball to the team that had possession, then proceed with knowledge that the team scoring the next basket wins.
In the cases where the bottom court played with 6 players and game is completed at that court first, the winners must add another player either from the first waiting player or from the losing team shooting off before they call game to stop the game on the other courts. This same addition of a player will also take place when one of the other courts finishes first, but there will be a break in the action while the extra player is determined. The losing team on the highest numbered court may have to shoot off to continue to play if more players are waiting. Later arriving players start at this court but when 6 or more are waiting, the next game starts up.
Late in the day, some players will leave and these players are replaced from the lowest court players; first from those who have just sat off, then from losers of the last game. When enough players are taken so that there are less than 6 players left and thus no game, then the team dropping down also has the chance to shoot off for the leaving player(s). When it gets down to the last game, the score goes to 15 to end the day.
Rough play is discouraged; it is known that some players have played at high levels where opponents are similarly well conditioned. Our players are not well conditioned, are here for fun and don't appreciate injuries from rough play. Most need to go back to work or school. Every player is asked to be on their honour to try and work in a friendly manner when disputes come up. Fouls are called primarily by the offensive team but may be called by the defensive team. Offensive fouls are rarely called but in the spirit of fun and to cut arguing time, the offensive team gets the ball back - no score allowed. In most cases when there is a disagreement, the decision will be decided by the defensive team taking possession of ball, no hoop. Discipline for extreme bad behaviour may result in access to all Dalplex being revoked.
Chris Keough on staff at Dalplex has an email group for DNHB; send me an email jwalker@ns.sympatico.ca to receive very infrequent emails re breaking news: gym cancellations, alternate sites, 2 social events each year, etc. Facility schedules, sport info and several other aspects of Dalplex may also be seen on the Dalplex website.
Jim Walker
2009 08 31
Website www.basketball.ns.ca/halifax/ has links to other basketball groups in the Halifax area.