KNOX YOUTH SPORTS BASKETBALL RULES AND REGULATIONS I. PURPOSE & ORGANIZATION A. Purpose. The purpose of Knox Youth Sports basketball is to provide a quality recreational basketball experience. KYS basketball will promote good sportsmanship, teach the basic fundamentals, and foster the concepts of teamwork and fair play. B.Organization. KYS basketball is operated by Knox Youth Sports, Inc., a Tennessee not-for-profit organization, under the auspices of the City of Knoxville Department of Parks & Recreation. II. LEAGUES A. Official Age. A player s Official Age is that child s age as of September 1. B. Leagues. KYS basketball will be composed of the following leagues: 4-5 yr. coed, Boys 5-6 (3on 3),Girls 6-8(3on 3),Boys 7-8,Girls 7-8, Boys 9-10,Girls 9-10, Boys 11-12,Girls 11-12 III. PLAYER PARTICIPATION A. Player Participation. The goal of player participation regulations is to provide as much actual playing time for each participant as is practical under the circumstances. Therefore, coaches are urged to maximize each child s actual playing time. (As used herein, the term entire quarter shall mean from the beginning of a quarter until the end of that particular quarter.) 1. Minimum Playing Requirement. Each player must play 2 quarters. 2. Minimum Bench Requirement. Each player must sit 1 quarter. 3. Substitutions. Substitutions can be made after all playing requirements have been met. 4. Injuries. When a player is injured, he/she must be taken out of game. The player who enters the game in place of the injured player will not be counted as playing such quarter. B. Penalties. Failure of a team to adhere to these player participation rules in a game will result in forfeiture of the game by the offending team. IV. PLAYING RULES A. High School Rules. In all situations not covered herein, the National Federation of State High School Association s rules will govern play. B. Clock Operation. The clock will only stop during the last 2 minutes of the first and second half, timeouts and free throws (except for the 11-12 league which runs a continuous clock). 1. Quarter Breaks. 1 minute 2. Time-outs. 3 per game, 45 seconds each 3. Half-Time. 2 minute 4. Free throw shots. The clock will begin again once the ball hits the rim on the second free throw, or on a missed first attempt in a one-and-one situation. C.Three-Point Goals. Only counted in 10U and 12U leagues. D. Back Court Pressure. Differs by league and only with a lead below 10 points. When violated,will result in a 1 shot technical foul on 3 rd violation per half. E. Entry into Front Court. Except at times when back court pressure is allowed, the defensive team must allow the offensive ball-handler into the front court. (Note: The ball-handler is officially in front court when the ball and both feet are across the half court line.) F. Defense. Illegal defenses will result in a 1 shot technical foul on 3 rd violation per half. G. Isolation. Isolation type plays not allowed in man to man defense. When violated, the ball will be turned over to the team on defense.
H. Playing Rules by League. Each league has alterations in certain areas in order to better suit different age groups. 1. 5-6 Boys and 6-8 Girls a. Three-on-three. 3 players at a time; full court b. Defense. Man to man c. Goal height. 8 feet d. Basketballs. 27.5(junior) e. Free Throw Line. 10 feet f. Time Regulations. 6 minute quarters g. Double-teaming. Allowed only within the free throw lane EXCEPT at times when back court pressure is allowed. h. Back Court Pressure. Last 2 minutes of each half and overtime. i. Overtime Periods. Sudden death. First team to score is winner. 2. 7-8 Boys & Girls a. Defense. Man to man b. Goal height. 8 feet c. Basketballs. 28.5(intermediate) d. Free Throw Line. 12 feet e. Time Regulations. 8 minute quarters f. Double-teaming. Allowed only within the free throw lane EXCEPT at times when back court pressure is allowed. g. Back Court Pressure. 4 th quarter and overtime. h. Overtime Periods. 2 minutes with clock stopping on whistle the last minute.. 3. 9-10 Boys & Girls a. Defense. Man-to-man 1 st half. Zone is allowed only in the 2 nd half. b. Goal height. 9 feet c. Basketballs. 28.5(intermediate) d. Free Throw Line. 12 feet e. Time Regulations. 8 minute quarters f. Double-teaming. Allowedonly within the free throw lane EXCEPT at times when back court pressure is allowed g. Back Court Pressure. 2 nd half and overtime. h. Overtime Periods. 2 minutes with clock stopping on whistle the last minute. 4. 11-12 Boys & Girls a. Defense. Any defense b. Goal height. 10 feet c. Basketballs. 29.5 for boys, 28.5 for girls d. Free Throw Line. 15 feet e. Time Regulations. 10 minutes each. f. Overtime Periods. 2 minutes with clock stopping on whistle the last minute.
V. TOURNAMENTS A. Season-ending Tournament. All KYS teams will compete in a season-ending tournament during early February at locations to be determined by KYS. This will be a single elimination tournament. Trophies will be awarded to the champions and runners up. VI. CODE OF CONDUCT A. Prohibitions. Actions by coaches, officials, players or spectators which endanger, embarrass or detract from the purpose of the program will not be tolerated. In order to insure a quality league the following common-sense conduct rules will be strictly enforced. 1. Coaches. Coaches are the authority figures for their teams and shall always conduct themselves in a fashion designed to promote good sportsmanship. Under no circumstance should a coach verbally or physically threaten, harass or abuse any player, official, spectator or other coach. Coaches will serve at the pleasure of KYS. 2. Players. Players are encouraged to cheer on their teammates while using common courtesy towards opposing teams. Under no circumstance should a player verbally or physically threaten, harass or abuse any official, coach, spectator or other player. 3. Spectators. All persons other than those participating in a game may view the contest from the bleachers or other areas outside the playing court. Under no circumstance should a spectator verbally or physically threaten, harass or abuse any player, umpire, coach or other spectator. 4. Officials. An official s primary responsibility is to call games as best he can and to maintain order at all times. An official is the final authority on the court. B. Penalties. If a coach, player, spectator or official violates the Code of Conduct, KYS will take the following actions. 1. First offense will result in a warning. 2. Second offense will result in expulsion from the gym with child and possible forfeiture of game. 3. Third offense will result in possible suspension from KYS programs, to be considered by the Knox Youth Sports Board of Directors. The bottom line: If the kids are learning and having fun, and we, as adults, are always doing what is in the best interest of the kids, then we have succeeded!! Thanks for all you do for the KYS kids!!