What Is Rapid League?
Rapid League is an innovative new addition to the Sal’s NBL that is designed to fast track local player development and provide more opportunities to up-and-coming players and coaches. Rapid League debuted in Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa for the 2023 season and is now set to be implemented into the Sal’s NBL for the 2024 season.
Before the regularly scheduled Sal’s NBL game, there will be a curtain raiser Rapid League game tipping off an hour beforehand. Rapid League is a standalone competition from the Sal’s NBL with its own results, ladder and awards. However, points scored for-and-against by a team in Rapid League will be added to the team’s overall points scored for-and-against on the overall Sal’s NBL ladder. At the end of the regular season, the team on top of the Rapid League ladder will be crowned Rapid League Champions for the season.
Rapid League games are a bite-sized basketball experience, featuring four-minute quarters with game clock stops on each whistle. Fans will now be able to enjoy two games for the price of one and watch the wider squad in extended action as Sal’s NBL starting five members and import players are not eligible to play in the preceding Rapid League match.
The ruleset for Rapid League is nearly identical to the Sal’s NBL barring a handful of minor changes.
Player decision-making is prioritised in Rapid League as coaches are not permitted any timeouts during games. Instead each team is given one player timeout per half where regular player timeout rules apply.
Players are permitted five personal fouls and teams enter the bonus on the third team foul each quarter.
If the score is tied at the end of regulation, an overtime period of one-minute will immediately commence with a jump-ball at the centre circle.
