Extreme Heat Policy - Basketball
In the event of weather of severe heat (in excess of 30-32 degrees Celsius) there will be a
need to enact a heat policy with regard to the stadium.
It is the expectation of management that common sense and consideration for people and
participants will prevail. Common sense and consideration for people includes rotation of
all players during a half so all can have a rest, drink water or fruit juices before becoming
thirsty (parent supervise) and some control over the tempo of the game.
However in conditions of extreme heat (in excess of 30-39 degrees Celsius), Stadium
Management has decided that at their discretion the following extreme heat policy will be
enacted. Referees, Umpires, Coaches, Players and Parents will be given the opportunity to
give a viewpoint but final decision will remain with Stadium Management.
The extreme heat policy shall involve: If a game is played in halves, the game time must
be reduced by 2 minutes per half with 2 team timeouts per half. The referee must call an
additional compulsory timeout close to the half way mark in each half.
The clock will stop for the compulsory referee time outs and other situations under the
normal timing rules.
When the court temperature reaches 40C games must be abandoned.
Subject to any rule or ruling by a competition organiser,
(i) If a game is abandoned before it commences or before or at half time it is counted as a
draw;
(ii) If a game is abandoned after half time, the game score stands as a final result
It is expected that the referees, umpires, scorers and any other officials will also take the
opportunity to obtain a drink and a break.
Finally, Stadium Management and only Stadium Management reserve the right to cancel
games if it is of the opinion that the extreme heat policy will not satisfactorily alleviate the
safety concerns of the participants.
It is anticipated that this policy will relieve any concerns of stadium participants.