Players frequently contact us to check what is and isn't allowed to be worn during a game.
Items that can and cannot be worn by players have been detailed below in line with the Official Basketball Rules Art.4 and NBL Rules & Regulations Art.38.
Match officials have a responsibility to ensure that players are aware of the rules.
If a player refuses to comply, as long as the item does not pose a risk to player safety, the player can play and the match official should report this to the competition organisers (the NBL team for Basketball England organised competitions).
What can be worn?
Shoes – shoes can be of any colour combination and do not need to match each other.
Socks – socks must be visible. For NBL1 and WNBL1 teams, all socks must be the same colour for all players of the team. For all other competitions sock colours do not need to match other players of the team.
Headgear – is permitted, as long as it is not dangerous to the player wearing it and/or other players; this means that players are permitted to wear a hijab.
Arm compression sleeves* – of any one solid colour (small logos are acceptable).
Undershirts* – must be made of a compression material and be of any one solid colour, should not be oversized but can be loose fitting around the arms.
Undershorts* – must be made of a compression material and be of any one solid colour.
Leggings* – must be made of a compression material and be of any one solid colour.
Sweatbands* – only sweatbands can be worn, must not be more than 10cm in width and be of any one solid colour; wristbands, bangle, bobbles etc may not be worn but could be covered with a sweatbands.
Headbands* – headbands that are no more than 10cm in width may be worn and must be of any one solid colour; scarf-style headbands are not permitted.
Tape* – can be worn and must be of any one solid colour (this can’t be used for covering jewellery.
Items marked with a * above, when these are worn by NBL1 or WNBL1 teams, they must all be of the same solid colour. For example, player A is wearing a white undershirt, player B cannot wear red leggings.
The rules regarding players having the same colour accessories do not apply to any other leagues governed by Basketball England.
Protective equipment for shoulder, upper arm, thigh or lower leg as long as the material is sufficiently padded.
Knee braces, if they are properly covered.
Protector for an injured nose, even if made of a hard material,
Mouth guard.
Spectacles, if they do not pose a danger to other players.
Ankle braces.
What can't be worn?
Finger, hand, wrist, elbow or forearm guards, helmets, casts or braces made of leather, plastic, pliable (soft) plastic, metal or any other hard substance, even if covered with soft padding.
Objects that could cut or cause abrasions (fingernails must be closely cut).
Hair accessories - with the exception of headbands (as outlined above), bobbles, soft scrunchies and bobby pins/hair grips.
Jewellery – even if taped, jewellery is not permitted.
If you have any questions about the above information, or require any clarification on an item or article that you feel doesn't fit into any of the categories above, please contact us using the button below.
