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Rules Quick Reference Guide

Time Outs:

Three (3) Timeouts per game.  No timeouts in Kindergarten Coed and 1^st-2^nd Grade Divisions.

Clock Stoppage:

Last 2 minutes of second half. Exception is a 15 point lead or greater in the second half.

Substitution Rules for Rec League Only:

1.  All players are required to receive a minimum of 20 minutes playing time per game.                                              

2. The maximum playing time per player per game is 30 minutes (when seven or more players are present)

3.  All players must sit at least once for five consecutive minutes in the first half, and again in the 2nd half (when 7 or more players are present).                                                                     

4.  At every mandatory substitution period (15, 10, and 5 minute mark of the 1st half, and 15 and 10 minute mark of the 2^nd half), all players on the bench must enter the game.                              

5.  The last 5 minutes of the 2nd half are free/open substitution if all other playing time requirements have been met; players may check in at the score table and will be entered into the game on the next dead ball whistle.         

Foul Outs:

Player foul-out of the game on their 5^th personal

FULL COURT PRESS IS NOT ALLOWED BY A TEAM THAT HAS A LEAD OF 15 POINTS OR GREATER.

 

1.      PLAYING RULES AND PROCEDURES

1.1.            The Official High School Basketball Rules published by the National Federation of State High School Associations govern the youth basketball program, unless otherwise stated in these rules.

1.2.            General Rules:

1.2.1.           Each new game starts with one jump ball at the beginning of the game.

1.2.2.           The possession arrow determines all other possessions.

1.2.3.           The game consists of two 20-minute halves

1.2.4.           During the last two minutes of the second half, the clock stops on any referee’s whistle.

1.2.5.           Each team is allowed three (3) timeouts per game (no timeouts for Kindergarten Coed or 1^st-2^nd Grade divisions).

1.2.6.           Each team can commit six (6) fouls per half; on the seventh (7th) through ninth (9^th) team foul, the player fouled shall shoot a one-and-one bonus. Double bonus (two free throws) is awarded on the 10th team foul per half and beyond.

1.2.7.           The free-throw line is 12 inches closer to the basket for the 3rd & 4th Grade Boys/Girls divisions.

1.3.            Technical Fouls:

1.3.1.           Technical fouls can be assessed against a team by the game’s official for any number of reasons, including unsportsman-like conduct by players and/or coaches.

1.3.2.           Any technical foul assessed against one team can result in the other team awarded two (2) free throws and a subsequent in bounding of the ball.

1.3.3.           Coaches and/or players receiving ONE unsportsmanlike technical foul in a game may automatically be ejected from the remainder of the game and further suspended from participating in the next scheduled game at the discretion of the League Director.

1.3.4.           Any team receiving three (3) technical fouls will automatically forfeit the game regardless of the score.

1.4.            Tie Games (Regular Season Games):

1.4.1.           An overtime game will consist of a two-minute period with a stopped clock on any referee’s whistle.

1.4.2.           Each team is awarded one time out.

1.4.3.           If the game is still tied, a free throw shoot-out is conducted involving the last five players on the floor.  Each player is given one free throw, alternating between the two teams (visiting team to shoot first free-throw). The best of five total determines the winner. If the game remains tied after five free throws per team, sudden death free throws begin until a winner is determined.

1.4.4.           A full-court press is permitted during the overtime period if applicable.

1.5.            Tie Games (Playoff Games):

1.5.1.           Overtime periods consists of a (2) minute period with a stopped clock on any referee’s whistle.

1.5.2.           if tied after the first two minute overtime period, the 2-minute overtime periods are repeated until a winner is determined.

1.5.3.           A full-court press is allowed during each overtime period.

1.6.            Player Substitution:

1.6.1.           In every game, each player must participate no less than 20 minutes.

1.6.2.           All players are required to sit out a minimum of five consecutive minutes in each the first half and again in the second half of the game.

1.6.3.           If an opposing team has five players or less, the team with substitutes is not required to have any players sit the mandatory five minutes per half (but all players must still receive their minimum 20 minute minimum playing time per game).

1.6.4.           At every substitution mark (15, 10, 5 minute mark of 1^st half and 15, 10 minute mark of 2^nd half), all players on the bench must enter the game in a normal substitution situation.

1.6.5.           Free substitution is allowed at the 5-minute mark of the second half.

1.6.6.           Substitutions are allowed anytime a player is ill, injured, or in foul trouble (three fouls).

1.7.            Special restriction with four (4) players available:

1.7.1.           A team must have at least four (4) players in order to start a game. A game may be delayed no more than five minutes from the posted start time to allow for more players to arrive.

1.7.2.           Any team may finish the game with less than five players if players have fouled out.  The league permits the last player that fouled out to play the remainder of the game.  However, a foul committed by that player automatically results in the opposing team player shooting two (2) free throws and possession of the ball.

1.7.3.     If more than one player fouls out of the game, the opposing coach may select which player from the team with multiple players having fouled out may remain in the game as the 5^th player.

1.8.            Playing on defense:

1.8.1.           Zone or man-to-man defense is permitted in all divisions.

1.8.2.           Full-Court Press is allowed:

1.8.2.1.        3rd & 4th Grade Boys and 3^rd-5^th Grade Girls Divisions – last 5 min. of second half.

1.8.2.2.        5th & 6th Grade Boys and 6^th-8^th Grade Girls Divisions – last 10 minutes of second half

1.8.2.3.        7th & 8th Grade Division – full game

1.8.3.           The team leading by more than 15 points is not allowed to implement a full court press. The first violation results in a warning and the second violation results in a technical foul and two free throws awarded to the opposing team.

1.8.4.           Time permitted in the key “in the paint”:

1.8.4.1.        3rd -6th Grade Boys/Girls Divisions, and 6^th-8^th Grade Girls Divisions – five (5) seconds. NOTE: This is a judgement call by the refs. Not a strict black/white call.

1.8.4.2.        7th and 8^th Grade Boys Division – three (3) seconds.

1.      SPECIAL DIVISION RULES FOR KINDERGARTEN COED AND 1^ST-2^ND GRADE COED DIVISIONS

1.1         Each game will begin with each a jump ball to determine possession, with alternating possession on jump balls throughout the remainder of the game.

2.1.            The Kindergarten and 1^st-2^nd Grade Coed divisions use a youth size ball (27.5”) in the game and at practices.

2.2.            Grades 1-2: A defensive player may not pick up an offensive player until the offensive player enters the crosses over the 3-point line.  Kindergarten: A defensive player may not pick up an offensive player until the offensive player enters the key.

2.3.            A player may only steal the ball on a pass or loose ball situation.

2.4.            The basketball rims are adjusted to 8 feet.

2.5.            A full court press is not permitted at any time.

2.6.            The free throw line is established by the referee.

2.7.            The three or five second rule in the key does not apply.

2.8.            Team and individual scores are not kept.

2.9.            The playing time is two twenty (20) minute running halves. Game will be played 5v5.

2.10.             The head coach is allowed on the court but must remain out of the key and away from the hoop at all times.

2.11.          One official will be assigned. 2 minute half time.

2.12.      Coaches are allowed on the court at all times.

2.12.1.  Coaches on the court must remain away from the action of the play, and cannot enter the key or stand below the basket at any time.

2.13.      Fouls will be called, and free throws awarded for shooting fouls.  The player that is fouled will shoot two free throws, and all other players will be cleared out past the three point line.  After two free throws, the ball will be given to the opposing team.