Rock River YMCA Basketball Rules Objective: The main objective of the league is to teach young boys and girls important life values and skills. Good sportsmanship, teamwork and respect for others are yet a few of the topics coaches will introduce. We want to teach the children the fundamental skills of basketball: dribbling, passing shooting, defense and rules. General Rules: Each game should start with kids shoulder to shoulder standing in front of the person they are to guard to recite the sports pledge. Game will conclude with players and coaches shaking hands saying Good Game. The team and coaches should remain in the designated area on the sidecourt (except 5/6; 1 coach can be on the floor.) 7/8 can have 1 coach on floor until January games begin. The coaches will be responsible for the conduct of both the players and the parents of his/her team. Officials and Gym Supervisors have the authority to ask any parent, coaches, players or any other spectators, who do not display conduct in keeping with the YMCA philosophy, to leave the gym. All players should learn all positions. It is strongly encouraged that teamwork is stressed to avoid a one-man team. You may start the game with 4 players. If your 5 th player has not arrived by the start of the 2 nd quarter, a forfeit is declared. All leagues: at any time a team has a 20-point lead the clock will be continuous and only stop on injuries. Fair Play Rules: In order to create a relaxed and stress free learning environment for the children, the following rules will be enforced: All teams will follow and enforce the basketball rules. All teams will behave in an appropriate manner. All teams will respect the officials, coaches and players of the opposing team. 3/4 will not keep score. This league is instructional only. 5/6, 7/8 & 9/10 score will be kept as a normal game (volunteers running the game clock are appreciated) It is expected that all coaches, players and spectators by their participation in our youth sports program, have accepted and will abide by the fair play rules. All parents must try and contribute to the program if this season is to be a worthwhile experience for the children.
Players: Playing Time: In 5/6, 7/8 & 9/10 each player must participate a minimum of two quarters each game. If a player arrives at half-time, he/she is required to play only one quarter. 5/6 & 7/8 will sub at end of each quarter. 9/10 will sub at end of first two quarters then half way (or as close to as possible) of 3 rd & 4 th quarter. This will allow the coach to work with different player combinations. Substitutions: Substitutions may only be made ½ way of quarter and between quarters. If a player is injured during the game, the coach may substitute for the remainder of the quarter. Please see age specific rules on substitutions. Attendance: All players are expected to attend practices as well as games. No child will be disciplined for missing a practice. He/she is still entitled to the minimum according to their age group. Positions: All players should have the opportunity to play all positions by the end of the season. Coaches: Teams will remain in a designated area for the game. 5/6 & 7/8 one coach will be allowed on the court during the game to help instruct the players. (Please see above notes) All other age groups coaches will remain on their half of the court on the sideline. Equipment: All players must wear non-marking athletic shoes. All players must wear team jerseys for all games. Jerseys will be tucked in during play. Basketball size shall be as follows: o 3/4 will be a Mini ball (22 inches) o 5/6 will be a Junior ball (27.5 inches) o 7/8 & 9/10 will be a leather intermediate ball (28.5 inches)
Game Specifics: Length o All games must start at their designated time. o Teams may share players if a team has fewer than 4. o Game times: 5/6 division: 8 min qtrs. & 8 ft basket 7/8 division: 10 min qtrs. & 9 ft basket 9/10 division: 10 min qtrs. & 10 ft basket o Overtime 5/6 will not play an overtime. Game can end in a tie. 7/8 will play a 1 minute overtime. There will not be a second overtime. Game can end in a tie. 9/10 will play a 2-minute overtime. Second overtime is sudden death o The timekeeper will only stop the clock for official time-outs and foul shots (until the players are set). The clock will only stop in the final minute of the 4 th quarter for 9/10. This will occur on all dead ball situations. o Each 5/6 & 7/8 team is allowed 1 timeout per half. 9/10 are allowed 2 timeout per half. Timeouts cannot be carried over to next half or OT. o At half time the teams in all age divisions (except 5/6 & 7/8) will switch baskets o There will be 1 minute breaks between quarters and a 3 minute break between the halves. Jump Balls: o There will be a jump ball at the start of each game. o The teams will alternate possession out of bounds for all tie ups during the game. Referees: All referees are to be treated with the utmost respect.
Offensive Regulations: 5/6 & 7/8 teams will go the same direction the entire time. They will shoot at the basket to their bench side. 9/10 teams will switch baskets at half. They will begin shooting at basket opposite of their bench & finish at basket to their bench. 5/6 & 7/8 players must be allowed to inbound the basketball without obstruction. All defensive players must stand back at least 3 feet or an arm length away. If a violation is called between the free throw line and the center line, the ball will be taken out of bounds in the back half of the offensive court. 5/6 must hold the ball on all defensive rebounds and inbound plays until the defense has had time to drop back into the backcourt. (controlled fast breaks only) All violations will be called appropriate to the age group playing. The referees will use discretion for all minor violations (5/6 & 7/8 traveling/double dribble). As the season progresses, the referees will enforce the RULES a little more strictly. 5/6 & 7/8 lane violations will not be called but coaches must teach players they cannot camp out in the lane. Defensive Regulations: 5/6 & 7/8 must use a man-to-man defense! No double teaming will be allowed. Each team must stay with their person the whole quarter, players can help defense so long as they get back in a timely manner. Prior to the start of the game/quarter coaches should attempt to match players by ability. Players will wear wristbands to help them keep track of who they are guarding. 5/6 & 7/8 NO STEALING off dribble will be allowed. Players can steal a pass however. Please be mindful of kids dribbling off their foot/feet. Players who also dribble out of control tend to lose the dribble into another players hand. These are all judgment calls by the officials. 9/10 may use man or zone defense. Teams can press 4 th quarter if they choose. No team may press with a 10-point lead. 5/6 & 7/8 defense may only play defense behind half court. There is a line to denote half court. This allows the offense to advance the ball untouched. The 9/10 cannot play defense until half court. Please see pressing rules. Defensive players must have body under control when leaving their feet to block a ball. Please teach kids to play straight up. Team Fouls: 5/6 will not shoot free throws. 7/8 will shoot free throws from in front of the free throw line if needed. 9/10 will shoot free throws from free throw line. Players may move forward if needed. Upon coach or ref judgment. Any flagrant foul called by the referee will result in two points and possession of the ball for the other team. Two flagrant fouls in one game can result in the ejection from the game and possibly league.
Time clock will stop on shooting fouls until shooter receives ball. Clock will then continue to run as normal. Technical Fouls: A coaching/player/parent technical will result in two points plus ball possession for the other team. Any coaching/player/parent technical will be reported to the director by the officials. Technical fouls along with profanity and poor sportsmanship are mandatory automatic removal. If a player receives a technical foul for misconduct he/she must sit the remainder of the game and the following game. If a coach receives a technical foul for misconduct he/she must leave the gym and will not be eligible to coach the following game. The use of profanity will not be tolerated by any participant in the league. The use of profanity on or off the court is grounds for immediate ejection from the game (and possibly league). Two points & possession will be awarded to the opposing team. The referees and staff reserve the right to dismiss players/coaches from the league for misconduct Rule Bending 5/6 & 7/8 ONLY: Rule bending is permissible on occasion during the season. Rule bending is permitted to allow all players the opportunity to learn in a relaxed game environment. This is not a competitive league, no standings will be kept. The purpose of this league is fun, fitness, skill development, teamwork and fair play. Rule bending is done on an equal basis. No preferential treatment will be given to an individual or a team. By the fourth game, rule bending will be minimal to non-existent. The children need to realize that certain infractions have consequences. All flagrant/dangerous violations should be called form the beginning of the season. Possession will be awarded to the other team in any flagrant or dangerous play.
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