What Is Rapid League?

Rapid League is a curtain-raiser game that tips off one hour prior to each Sal’s NBL game. Rapid League games exclusively feature the Kiwi bench players the Sal’s NBL squads, providing younger players with an environment to fast track their on-court development and fans with the opportunity to watch the extended squad in action.

Featuring four-minute quarters rather than the traditional ten minutes, Rapid League games are a fast-paced, bite-sized basketball experience. Fans are able to enjoy two games for the prize of one as tickets for the Sal’s NBL game include entry to the Rapid League curtain raiser. 

Rapid League is a standalone competition from the Sal’s NBL, having it’s own results, ladder and end of season awards. However, the points scored for-and-against in Rapid League do count towards the overall point differential on the Sal’s NBL ladder. At the end of the regular season, the team with the most Rapid League wins is crowned the Rapid League champions.

The ruleset for Rapid League is nearly identical to the Sal’s NBL barring a handful of minor changes. Player decision-making is prioritised 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. 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.