Youth Basketball Rules

SMALL SHOTS (AGE 4-5)

MINI MITES (AGE 6-7)

Keep in mind, these rules are designed to give all players an equal opportunity for success. If you have any questions concerning the following, choose to play within the spirit of the rule. In other words, avoid loopholes. Remember that we are here to teach the players caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

BASKETBALL RULES

I. DURATION OF THE GAME

Games will consist of two 12-minute halves. Clock will be set for 15 minutes for each half to account for substitutions. The clock will not stop for substitutions and run continuously.

II PLAYER TIME

All players must play equally.

III. SUBSTITUTIONS/ Borrowing Players

Substitutions are allowed at the 8 and 4-minute mark. After substitutions, players must be matched up quickly before play continues. If a child stops playing before a scheduled substitution, play must be stopped and the new players matched up. / Players from the opposing or another team may be used if you don’t have enough (5) players.

IV. FOULS AND VIOLATIONS

Blatant fouls should be called. The ball will be awarded out of bounds to the opposing team on which the infraction was called. No three-second or backcourt violations will be called. Double dribbling, traveling, & other violations should be corrected and play continued. Players are not allowed to take the ball from another players hands.

V. FULL COURT PRESS

No full court press shall be used. After any made basket or on any change of possession under the basket, the defense may pick up their man after they cross the red ¾ court line.

VI. REFEREES

If there is no YMCA referee available, the coach referees or appoints his\her assistant or a parent.

VII. DEFENSE

No zone defense allowed. Man on man only.

VIII. THE BALL

A junior sized ball will be used. Basket setting will be at the lowest level, which is resting on the bottom (not in a slot) for the 4-5 year olds and in the second slot for the 6-7 year olds.

IX. SCORE

No score will be kept.

X. SPORTSMANSHIP

All games will conclude with a sportsmanship line-up.

MIGHTY MITES AGE (8-9)

BASKETBALL RULES

I. DURATION OF THE GAME

Games will consist of four 6-minute quarters. The clock will run continuously stopping only for injuries, substitutions, time outs and on any dead ball during the last minute of a game.

II. PLAYER TIME

All players must play equally. If you have an uneven amount of players at a game, no player on the same team should have more than a ½ quarter playing time than the next.

III. SUBSTITUTIONS/ BORROWING PLAYERS

Substitutions are allowed at the start and middle of each quarter. Each team has 30 seconds to substitute players. “Sub time” is only for taking players in and out of the game, this is not the time to coach players, plan strategies, etc. Coaches should have their subs ready to go into the game. If either team is not on the floor and ready to play within the 30-second time limit, the scorekeeper will be instructed to start the clock. / Players may be borrowed from the opposing team only if you do not have enough players (5) to field a team. If the other team does not have extra players then a player, or players, will be selected by the YMCA with the utmost fairness in mind.

IV. TIME-OUTS

Each team is allowed one 30 second time-out per half. Unused time-out does not carry over.

V. FOULS AND VIOLATIONS

All fouls will be called. The ball will be awarded out of bounds to the opposing team on which the infraction was called. No free throws will be awarded for any type of foul. Only personal fouls will be tracked. Once a player commits five fouls they will be removed from the game. **New ** Backcourt violations will be enforced. Teams will have 10 seconds to cross midcourt.

VI. FULL COURT PRESS

Can’t pick up the opposing offensive player until they have crossed ½ court. **New ** NO PRESSING

VII. JUMP BALLS

Alternating possession will be used to determine ball direction in tie up situations during the game and at the beginning of each quarter.

VIII. DEFENSE

A zone defense is not allowed. Man on man only.

IX. REFEREES

A referee will be assigned to work all games. He will be in full control of any game and his decision will be final. There will be NO PROTESTS.

X. THE BALL/ BASKET LEVEL

A (28.5) size ball will be used and played on a regulation (10) foot basket.

XI. SCORE

Score will be kept during the game by a volunteer scorekeeper. Not more than a 12-point differential will be kept on the scoreboard. Actual score will be kept on paper. Final scores or statistics are not recorded.

XII. SPORTSMANSHIP

Unsportsmanlike conduct in any way, shape, or form by players, parents or coaches will not be tolerated; this includes but not limited to swearing, taunting, or fighting. All games will conclude with a sportsmanship line-up.

XIII. TIE GAMES

In the event the score is tied at the end of regulation play there will be no tiebreaker.

HOT SHOTS (AGE 10-11 Boys & 10+Girls)

BASKETBALL RULES

I. DURATION OF THE GAME

Games will be played on half of the gym. Games will consist of four 8-minute quarters. The clock will run continuously stopping only for injuries, substitutions, time-outs and on any dead ball during the last 2 minutes of a game.

II. PLAYER TIME

All players must play equally. If you have an uneven amount of players at a game, no player on the same team should have more than a ½ quarter playing time than the next.

III. SUBSTITUTIONS/ BORROWING PLAYERS

IV. TIME-OUTS

Each team is allowed one 30 second time-out per half. Unused time-out does not carry over.

V. FOULS AND VIOLATIONS

Double dribble, three seconds, and traveling violations will be called and possession awarded to the opposing team. Backcourt violations will be enforced using a ½ court line as the backcourt line. Teams will have 10 seconds to cross the mid court. Players are automatically disqualified from the game on their 5^th foul. Teams will shoot 1 and 1 on the seventh team foul per half and two shots on the tenth team foul per half.

VI. PRESSING

Can’t pick up the opposing offensive player until they have crossed ½ court. Pressing is allowed only in the last two minutes of the game. However, if a team has a 10+ point lead it cannot press at anytime.

VII. JUMP BALLS

There will be a jump ball to start the game then alternating possession will be used to determine ball direction in tie up situations during the game and at the beginning of each quarter.

VIII. REFEREES

A referee will be assigned to work all games. He will be in full control of any game and his decision will be final. There will be NO PROTESTS.

IX. THE BALL/ BASKET LEVEL

A 28.5 size ball will be used and played on a regulation ten (10) foot basket.

X. SCORE

XI. SPORTSMANSHIP

XII. TIE GAMES

In the event the score is tied at the end of regulation play there will be no tiebreaker.

BIG SHOTS (AGE 12 & up)

BASKETBALL RULES

I. DURATION OF THE GAME

All games will be full court games. Games will consist of four 8-minute quarters. The clock will run continuously stopping only for injuries or time outs and on any dead ball during the last 2 minutes of the game.

II. PLAYER TIME

All players must play equally. If you have an uneven amount of players at a game, no player on the same team should have more than a ½ quarter playing time than the next.

III. SUBSTITUTIONS/ BORROWING PLAYERS

Substitutions are allowed at the start and at the mid-point of each quarter. The clock will stop for substitutions. Players may be borrowed from the opposing team only if you do not have enough players (5) to field a team. If the other team does not have extra players then a player, or players, will be selected by the YMCA with the utmost fairness in mind.

IV. TIME-OUTS

Each team is allowed one 30 second time-out per half. Unused time-out does not carry over.

V. FOULS AND VIOLATIONS

Players are automatically disqualified from the game on their 5^th foul. Teams will shoot 1 and 1 on the seventh team foul per half and two shots on the tenth team foul per half. Backcourt, double dribble, three seconds, and traveling violations will be called and possession awarded to the opposing team.

VI. FULL COURT PRESS

Pressing is allowed. However, if a team has a lead of 10+ points they cannot press at anytime.

VII. JUMP BALLS

There will be a jump ball to start the game then alternating possession will be used to determine ball direction in tie up situations during the game and at the beginning of each quarter.

VIII. REFEREES

Two referees will be assigned to work all games. They will be in full control of any game and their decision will be final. There will be no PROTESTS.

IX. THE BALL/ BASKET LEVEL

A regulation size ball will be used and are played on a ten (10) foot basket.

X. SCORE

Score will be kept during the game by a volunteer scorekeeper. Final scores or statistics are not recorded.

XI. SPORTSMANSHIP

Unsportsmanlike conduct in any way, shape, or form by players or coaches will not be tolerated; this includes but not limited to swearing, taunting, or fighting. All games will conclude with a sportsmanship line-up.

XII. TIE GAMES

If at the end of a regulation game the score is tied a sudden death playoff will be played after a one-minute break. A jump ball will determine possession. The first team to score wins. It is at the coach’s discretion to choose his/her players for the sudden death playoff. Players who have fouled out are not eligible.