Basketball Game Rules

Game Rules:  5-6-Year-old division

A team must have a minimum of 4 players to start a game.  In the event a team only has 4 players, the opposing team has the option to play 4 on 4.  As soon as the 5^th player arrives, he/she may enter the game.

Officials have the authority to stop any game due to behavior issues with either or both teams. If a game is suspended, the situation will be referred to the Program Director to determine follow-up and any disciplinary action that needs to occur. Decisions may be appealed to the office of the Athletic Director. All decisions from the office of the Athletic Director shall be final.

Players: All players shall play two full quarters. No substitutions are permitted except for injuries and/or health issues (i.e., asthma).  (2022-23) Exceptions will be made for players with disabilities.

Defense:  Teams will set up defense behind the three (3) point line.  Upon crossing the half-court line, the offense will have five (5) seconds to advance the ball past the three (3) point line.   At this point the defense may be played beyond the three (3) point lines.

Goal Height:  8 feet

Ball Size: 27.5”

The Clock:  Teams will have a one (1) minute break between each quarter during regulation play. 5 minutes break during halftime to allow for free throws.

Timeouts: Two 30 second timeouts per half (timeouts do not carry over, use or loose).  During overtime play, each team will have One 30 second timeout.

Technical Fouls: (2022-23) A second technical foul on a player or a coach constitutes an ejection from the game and the player are not allowed to re-enter that game. The player will serve a one-game suspension. The coach will be subject to disciplinary action by the League Director or the Athletic Director. The Athletic Director will be the final court of appeal on any suspensions and/or discipline.

Other Rules:

• A five (5) minute running clock for each quarter
• All players will shoot one (1) free-throw during halftime.Shots made will count toward the team score.(2022-23) Teams will receive an equal number of shots.
• The clock will stop on the officials whistle during the last minute of each quarter.
• A Three (3) minute running clock is set for overtime in the event of a tie at the end of regulation play.(2022-23) In the case of an additional overtime, each player will shoot an equal number of free throws to determine the winner of the game.If an equal number of free throws are made the game will end in a tie.
• The clock will stop on the officials’ whistle during the last minute of overtime play.

  Points of emphasis (2023-24):

•  Game Rules: 7-9-Year-old division

• A team must have a minimum of 4 players to start a game.  In the event a team only has 4 players, the opposing team has the option to play 4 on 4.  As soon as the 5^th player arrives, he/she may enter the game.

  Mercy rules:

• 15-point lead, no pressing
• 20-point lead, the clock continues to run even during whistles
• 30-point lead, officials may terminate the game

  Officials have the authority to stop any game in the process due to behavior issues with either or both teams. If a game is suspended, the situation will be referred to the League Director to determine follow-up and any disciplinary action that needs to occur. Any decisions may be appealed to the office of the Athletic Director. All decisions from the office of the Athletic Director shall be final.

  Players: Each player will play one full quarter. No full-court defense is allowed.  No substitutions are permitted during the first half of the game, except for injuries and/or health issues such as (i.e., asthma). (2022-23) Exceptions will be made for players with disabilities.

  Fouls:  Players receiving seven (7) fouls have fouled out of the game and will no longer be able to play in the remainder of the game. 

  Technical Fouls: (2022-23) All technical fouls are two shots and possession of the ball.  A second technical foul on a player or a coach constitutes an ejection from the game and the player are not allowed to re-enter that game. The player will serve a one-game suspension. The coach will be subject to discipline by the Director or the Athletic Director. The Athletic Director will be the final court of appeal on any suspensions and/or discipline.

  Goal Height:  9 feet

  Ball Size: 28.5”

  The Clock:  Teams will have a one (1) minute break between each quarter during regulation play.

  Timeouts – Two 30 second timeouts per half.  One 30 second time out during overtime.

  Other rules:

• Have a six (6) minute running clock for each quarter.
• The clock will stop on the officials whistle during the last minute of each quarter.
• A Three (3) minute running clock is set for overtime in the event of a tie at the end of regulation play.The clock will stop on the official’s whistle during the last minute of overtime play.(2022-23) In the case of an additional overtime, each player will shoot an equal number of free throws to determine the winner of the game.If the score is still tied after the free throws, the game will end in a tie.

  Points of emphasis (2023-24):

  Game Rules: 10-12-Year-old division

  GAME RULES:  A team must have a minimum of 4 players to start a game.  If a team only has 4 players, the opposing team has the option to play 4 on 4.  As soon as the 5^th player arrives, he/she may enter the game.

  Mercy rules:

• 15-point lead, no pressing
• 20-point lead, the clock continues to run even during whistles
• 30-point lead, officials may terminate the game

  Officials have the authority to stop any game in the process due to behavior issues with either or both teams. If a game is suspended, the situation will be referred to the League Director to determine follow-up and any disciplinary action that needs to occur. Any decisions may be appealed to the office of the Athletic Director. All decisions from the office of the Athletic Director shall be final.

  Players: Each will play at least one (1) full quarter.  No substitutions are permitted in the first half of the game.  This rule applies for the 3rd and 4th quarter only: Players that are late for the game are allowed to substitute during the time remaining of that quarter, which is considered the player's full quarter of play.  (2022-23) Exceptions will be made for players with disabilities.

  Fouls: Players receiving six (6) fouls have fouled out of the game and will no longer be able to play in the remaining game.

  Technical Fouls:  All technical fouls are 2 shots and possession.  A second technical foul on a player or a coach constitutes an ejection from the game and the player are not allowed to re-enter that game. The player will serve a one-game suspension. The coach will be subject to discipline by the Director or the Athletic Director. The Athletic Director will be the final court of appeal on any suspensions and/or discipline.

  Goal Height:  10 feet

  Ball Size: 28.5”

  The Clock: Teams will have a one (1) minute break between each quarter during regulation play and four minutes during halftime.

  Timeouts – Two 30 second timeouts are given per half.  Teams are allowed one, 30 second timeout during the overtime period.

• A seven (7) minute running clock for each quarter.
• The clock will stop on the officials whistle during the last minute of each quarter.
• A three (3) minute running clock is set for overtime in the event of a tie at the end of regulation play.The clock will stop on the officials whistle during the last minute of overtime play.(2022-23) In the case of an additional overtime, each player will shoot an equal number of free throws to determine the winner of the game.If the score is still tied after the free throws, the game will end in a tie.

  Points of emphasis (2023-24):

  • 3 second violation: Officials will pay close attention to offensive players in the lane.  The 3 second violation shall be called if an offensive player has at least one foot in the lane longer than 3 seconds.  The lead official is responsible for making this call; however, if the trail official observes the violation, he/she can make the call also.   
  •  Foul (Reaching): Reaching is not a foul or a rule.  However, if the defender makes illegal contact with the offensive player who possesses the ball, the official will whistle the violation and indicate it is a foul for reaching. The contact must give the defensive player an advantage by taking away legal movement from the offensive player. 

   

   Game Rules: 3 on 3 – 13-15 Division ONLY

  Players: Max of 5 no less than 3.

  Fouls: Players cannot foul out

  Goal Height: 10’ ft

  Time: 10-minute running clock per game

  Time outs: No time outs allowed (only for injury)

  Court: Half-Court

  Ball size: 29.5

  Officials: 1 per game

  Score Keeper: 1 per game

   

  • All games will be 10 minutes long.
  • All games will be played using half-court.
  • All players must play a minimum of 3 minutes per game. the game is tied at the end of the 10-minute period, the next point wins.
  • Teams will shoot from behind the 3-point arc to determine who starts with possession.
  • Team scoring a basket retains possession of the ball (Winners out).
  • After each made basket or change of possession, the ball must be taken back behind the 3-point arc before a shot can be attempted.
    • If a team scores a basket without taking the ball back, the basket will be disallowed but the offending team will retain possession.
  • After a basket, out-of-bounds, violation, or foul, the offense must “check” the ball with their opponent before play resumes and the ball must be passed to start play.
    • No free throws because of a foul.
  • Players must call fouls and violations as necessary to keep the game under control.
  • All held balls are awarded to the defense first then they alternate.
  • Substitutions may be made at any time that play is stopped.
  • There will be one official – the official will not call violations unless there is a dispute.
    • If an official determines fouls are excessive or intentional the official can award a technical foul to the offending team.
      • The penalty for a technical foul will be one free throw and the ball out.
  • Officials may remove a player for any reason that violates the program code of conduct or for the second technical foul.
  • All decisions by the official are final.
  • Teams will have a five-minute grace period if the team does not have enough players before the official calls the game a forfeit.
  • At the end of the season, the top two teams will play for the championship game.
    • Only the winning team will receive the championship award.