Great Valley Basketball Grade 3_4 Rules Updated: October 2013
3rd / 4th Grade Division Overview This division is for boys and girls in Grade 3 and 4. Children are not permitted to play up into the division. Division Philosophy The programs are built around learning, fun and community. Without the generous volunteers from the community GVBL would cease to exist. There is a large range of ability from a player who is picking up a basketball for the first time to a player who has been playing with older siblings since he/she could walk. The goal is to teach all of the players the rules of the game and proper way to play basketball. At this level the only experience that our coaches need is enjoying kids, patience and the desire to see kids improve and show good sportsmanship. This division is 85% about skill development with 15% dedicated to the instruction of offensive sets. Strict man to man defense is played (no zones). Ball size is 28.5 and 8.5 foot baskets Division Rules In addition to all PIAA rules the following guidelines are specific to the Grade 3_4 Division While refereeing you are teaching the players how play basketball the correct way. This is not high school basketball and you are not expected to call the game like it was. You are expected to call a fair game and be an on court coach to all the players. Specific rules and guidelines for the Grade 3 and 4 Divisions are the following: Game times It is important that games be kept on time. Adjustments may be required to time provided at half time to ensure games stay on track as well as ensuring substitution times are kept to a minimum The game will be played 5v5 with the game consisting of two twenty minute halves, running clock, until the final 2 minutes of the last half In the final 2 minutes of the second half the clock will be stopped on every whistle For the final two minutes of the game players can be picked up at half court.
GVBL stresses equal playing time. All players should be a part of the game and get a chance to touch the ball as much as possible At every 5 minute interval the clock will stop and there will be a substitution time. It is a brief one minute period when both teams substitute players IT IS NOT MEANT TO BE A TIMEOUT. At the beginning of each game and every substitution time (every 5 minutes) the players will line up at center court and match up. Players should be matched up according to ability level as best as possible. Please be discreet when making decisions. A hand over the head of your two best will assist the other coach to line them up properly vs. calling out names. There will be a jump ball to start the game. After this point alternate possession will determine who has possession of the ball starting the second half. Half times will be 3 minutes in length. Two timeouts are provided in each half. There are no carry overs. In the event of a tie overtime will be played following these guidelines: o Two minute overtime. o Free zone is not in effect (guard up to mid court) o Clock will be stopped on each whistle o Jump ball to begin the session o Additional 1 time out will be provided during the overtime o If still tied after 2 minutes a 2 minute sudden death overtime period will take place o Total team fouls from the 2 nd half continue into overtime o Same rules as for the first overtime session (stop time, 1 additional time out, jump ball to start the session) o First point wins the game o If still tied after two minutes the game will finish in a tie o During playoffs the game will be played until a winner is determined o During overtime equal playing time would still be in effect all should get a chance to participate in this exciting part of the game. Overtime is just a continuation of the game and if your best player has played the last 2 of the 5 minute segments they should not be playing in the first OT. Personal and team fouls are kept Coaches are not allowed on the court during the game and must stay within their bench area All players, irrespective of skill level, deserve a chance to play in all types of circumstances (starting the game, ending the game, playing in overtime etc.). First and foremost this is a recreational league.
Offenses Practice time is spent primarily on skill development but offenses can be put into place. At this age the players are only able to handle the simplest of offenses due to skill level and the amount of practice time available. The ability to properly run the offense should not be done at the expense of skill development Picks are allowed. The defensive players can switch until the play has moved on; then they must switch back to their specified opponent. Having the player yell switch is encouraged. Communication is needed during the game. Fouls will be called if the pick is not set properly. No back picks or double/triple picks No designated picker on a team. If picks are used then all should be participating as the person setting the pick as well as receiving picks. No stalling allowed. Effort should be made, even when leading at the end of the game, to advance the ball to the basket. Defenses Man to man defense only. No zone defenses are allowed. There is no hawking the ball. The only time a player can guard a player not assigned to them is to stop a fast break. Once the fast break is foiled, the player must go back and guard their specified opponent. The goal is to try and let each player have a chance to be successful without being overwhelmed. Although the team is in a strict man to man defense, the players must be aware of where the ball is and not ignore it just because their player does not have the ball. The player should always be aware of their opponent and the ball. Free Zone is the three point line. As soon as possession changes, the defense must get back to the three point line. The offense brings the ball up without any defense until they cross the three point line. It is appropriate for the defense to stand behind the three point line and bat the ball away from the offense. Players need to learn to dribble and protect the ball. Individual and team fouls will be kept o Player will foul out after their 5 th foul o One on one is shot on the 7 th team foul o 2 shots are awarded on the 10 th team foul
Shooting fouls will be called. During shooting fouls the clock will continue to run (with the exception being the last two minutes of the game). It is important to line up the players quickly so as to keep the game moving. Coaches can assist in the lining up of the players. If a player is still shooting free throws when the clock winds down to the end of the quarter the scorekeeper will stop the clock at the end of the quarter. The Free throw will continue until possession is determined then a whistle is blown to end the quarter. The player can stand at the modified free throw line (one step in). If a player utilizes a modified free throw line they cannot rebound a missed attempt. If a player shoots from the regular free throw line they are permitted to rebound a missed attempt. When the ball is taken out of bounds the defense must give at least 3 feet. Backcourt violations are to be called Last two minutes of the game you can pick the opponent up at half court. Scoring No ten point rule is in effect. If there is a blowout coaches should demonstrate good sportsmanship by: o Encouraging their team to pass 5 times before scoring o No fast breaks o Encouraging your better players to pass to those that have not scored (easiest way to do this is instruct the player to go to the block and your best player to dribble right to him and hand him the ball then get out of the way) o Certain violations are called tighter after consultation with coaches. For example: no leeway for walking violations. o In the final two minutes of the game to still play behind the free zone line o One of the goals a coach should have at this level is to try and have all of your players score a basket during the season Two adults will be positioned at the scorer s table. One to keep score the other to monitor fouls. No 3-point shots are allowed. Officiating Tips Officiating consistently is difficult at this level. In the beginning of the season, players are allotted more flexibility with infractions. As the players learn more and gain experience their responsibility of the infractions increases. Unlike the 1_2 division the ball should be taken away and awarded to the other team when a violation occurs. Feedback to the kids should be in a positive fashion
Blow the whistle loud and make a definitive call. This will help the kids and their parents learn the game. Blow the whistle often. Games with this age group can get out of control quickly primarily due to excessive contact. Set the tone early in the game that rough or physical play will not be allowed. Have some method by which to ensure you keep alternative possession organized (rubber band on wrist, something in your pocket etc.). Two officials on the floor at all times. Alternative positions high and low to ensure coverage. Technical Fouls: o Technical Fouls of any sort will not be shot. o The other team will be awarded 2 points plus the ball at half court. o A second technical foul will result in the player/coach/fan having to leave the gym. o Fighting, abusive language, trash talk, taunting and other abusive activities by coaches, players or fans will not be tolerated. o Anyone violating this rule will be removed from the game and gym. They will also receive a one game suspension (next scheduled game). o A coach can receive a technical foul for poor fan behavior. o Our GVBL Mission is for youth development, both physical and social, and we need to look to our coaches and parents to be proper role models. Interpretation of the no help rule Player on a fast break any ONE player can stop the player who is on a fast break. Once the person guarding them catches up the player who stopped them must go back to the person they are guarding At this level it is a strict within arm s length of your player even in the key. Players are permitted to bat the ball away from an opponent if they are within arm s length of their own player. Faking the double team is also deemed to be a violation (i.e. running at a person from a distance with the intent being to distract the offensive player with no attempt to double team ). Picks are allowed. The defensive players can switch until the play has moved on; then they must switch back to their specified opponent. Having the player yell switch is encouraged. Communication is needed during the game. Coaches should not take advantage of this by using the same person to set all picks for more talented players. If picks are used then all should participate in setting picks and being recipients of picks. You can help on defense if the offensive player dribbles into a double team situation. Once again, as long as the defender is within an arm length of their own player then the other person is fair game. Players should be taught to avoid this situation.
Coaches should not use this to game the system. An example would be putting a player in each corner of the offensive area and give your best player the opportunity of going one on one with the player guarding them unobstructed for a number of times. Officials will warn the coach if they feel they are behaving in a way that does not follow the philosophy of the league (a fun environment focused on the development of all players vs. winning)