The following playing rules will be in effect for the TRBL youth season. The purpose of the rules is to ensure the games run smoothly, fair play for all players, and eliminate any controversies or disputes. The TRBL Board reserves the right to amend or add rules during the season as needed. Proper notice of any such changes will be provided. 1. Rules in effect: 2. Timing of games: OHSAA rules will be in effect, except where specific league rules differ. A. Games will consist of four 10-minute quarters with a continual running clock, except for the following: The clock will stop on every whistle during the last minute of the 4 th quarter Request from an official for time-out due to injury or other stoppage in play. The clock will stop briefly at the 5-min mark of each quarter for team substitutions with team in possession retaining the ball. Possession is maintained at the substitution mark. Possession arrow is used between periods League officials have the right to adjust the clock if needed. B. The clock will run in the last minute of the game if one team is ahead by 15 points or more. If the differential goes under 15, the clock stops on foul shot whistles. C. Half-time will be 3 minutes each game. D. The scorer s time clock is official and final. The scorer s horn at the conclusion of each period constitutes the end of the period. E. If a game is tied at the end of regulation, two-minute overtime will be played. Fouls will carry over. F. TRBL will provide scorekeeper to keep score, run the clock, and track fouls. If a league appointed person is not available, teams may provide adults to help out. 3. Fouls: A. TRBL will follow the new OHSAA rule regarding foul shot alignment for players, which is: A maximum of 7 players may be aligned on the key for all foul shots; the shooter and 3 players on each side of the lane. All other players must be behind the foul line extended and outside of the 3-point circle. Page 1 of 5
B. Players on the line cannot move until the ball hits the rim; players on the 3-pt arc cannot enter the lane until the ball hits the rim. If the ball does not hit the rim, the official will whistle the play dead and the ball will be inbounded by the other team. C. Foul shots are shot at the regulation foul line but players are allowed to jump over the line, permitting it does not create an advantage (per referee discretion) in obtaining the rebound. D. A player will be removed from the game after his/her fifth foul in a game for a discussion with the coach, but then may return to play at the next substitution; continued fouls accumulated may result in the removal of the player from the game. This is will be at the discretion of the Commissioner. E. A one-and-one rule will be in effect beginning with the tenth foul of each half. F. Fouls in the second half carry over to overtime. G. The scorer s tabulation of individual and team fouls is official and final. H. During the game, 2 shot fouls will result in one point, one foul shot. Team will be credited with one point upon each shooting foul and teams will line up for one shot which will become live. If the player makes the foul shot, the second point will be added to the shooter s team. Shooting fouls that result in 3 foul shots (fouled while shooting a 3 point shot) will be handled the same except the team will be credited with 2 points and will shoot one shot. 4. Timeouts: 5. Defenses: A. Each team will receive two 45-second timeouts per game. Unused timeouts do not carry over to overtime. Time clock will stop. B. Each team will receive one 45-second timeout in overtime. Time Clock will stop. C. The scorer s tabulation of timeouts is official and final. The scorer will also time the length of each timeout. A. Man-to-man defense is the only defense permitted. Players are required to be within the proximity of the person they are checking. Help defense is allowed. B. No zone defenses (a zone defense is defined as an obvious attempt by a player to defend an area rather than his/her player). Page 2 of 5
6. Offense: 7. Eligibility: C. In man-to-man defense - a player must play at least halfway between his/her player and the basket. A player may leave his/her person to: Defend against another player driving to the basket, but then must recover. Stop a break away. If a player is not consistently playing man-to-man, a warning will be issued. If it persists, a technical may be issued by the referee. D. In quarters 1 thru 3, defense is to pick up their opponent at the 3 point arc. In the 4 th quarter, defense is permitted to pick up their opponent after they cross ½ court. If a team is winning by 15 points or more, that team will pick up their opponent at the 3 point arc. E. Full court pressing is not permitted. Violations will result in a technical foul. (Note: Under high school rules, a technical foul is also a charged personal foul on the violator.) F. Defenses are not allowed to contest, defend passes or impede the progress of other team while in backcourt during transition of controlling team s ball. Play will be stopped and the ball will be awarded to team that was in control. Continued violations will result in a technical foul. G. Double-teaming or swarming is not permitted. H. Possession of jump balls will be determined by the alternating possession arrow maintained at the clock. Possession in the backcourt will be established when a defensive player has taken possession of the ball. Referees will determine possession on close calls in the backcourt. Once possession has been established in the backcourt, the defensive team must release pressure. 1 st offense is a warning; 2 nd offense is a technical, 2 foul shots and the ball. A. Players must play in the grade appropriate division that equals their school grade. Players are not eligible to play in a higher division than their current school grade. B. Eligibility requires the player to be a resident of the Twinsburg City School District. C. Any team caught playing with an ineligible player will forfeit any and all games that he/she played. D. Teams are limited to 10 players. No additions to roster after games begin. Page 3 of 5
8. Playing time: TRBL provides a format for a set rotation schedule that MUST be followed for each game. If a team has ten players, all players play an equal amount. If a team has less than 10 players for a game, the rotation schedule MUST be followed. Players will rotate every 5 minutes. Over the course of a season, coaches are encouraged to give equal playing time rather than consistently giving the extra periods to the same player. 9. Bench conduct: A. Only members of the team and coaching staff shall be on the bench or in the bench area. All players not in the game must remain seated on the bench during play. B. Substitutions will occur at the 5-minute mark of each quarter and in between quarters. Only injury substitutions, foul outs and situations that both the officials and coach fell it is necessary to substitute a player for behavioral issues can be done outside the mandatory substitution periods. C. Coaches, parents and players shall focus their energies on player participation, team play, and sportsmanship. Coaches, parents and players shall not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct, especially towards referees and scorers. D. Any coach, player or parent who is ejected from a game may not attend that team s next league game. 10. Responsibilities of coaches and parents: A. Any game that is canceled due to weather conditions or school activities will be posted on the web-site www.twinsburgbasketball.com. TRBL will make every effort to reschedule the canceled game or games as soon as possible based on gym availability. B. It is the responsibility of the league and team coach to notify all parents via phone or email of any cancellation due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. C. It is our expectation that all coaches and parents will follow the guidelines and intent of our league rules. The playing rules have been established to promote and further the objectives stated therein. Please abide by the rules and please do not try to twist them or use them to get a competitive advantage. Enjoy the season! D. Parents and fans shall focus their energies on player participation, team play, and sportsmanship. Parents and fans shall not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct toward players, fans, referees or scorers. E. Any parent or fan who is ejected from a game may not attend that team s next league game. Page 4 of 5
11. Grievance process: A. Although protests of games are not permitted, the league recognizes that issues may arise that need to be resolved. B. Grievances shall be limited to the following area: 1. Player eligibility. 2. Violation of leagues rules and policies. 3. Unsportsmanlike or other improper conduct. C. The first step in the process shall be to contact the TRBL President within 24 hours of the occurrence or discovery of the problem at twinsburgyouthbasketball@gmail.com D. If the issue cannot be resolved at that level, the matter will be turned over to the grievance committee. The aggrieved party shall submit a written report of the grievance to the committee members. E. The committee shall set up a meeting within one week of the request, sooner if mandated by the circumstances. It shall be held at a convenient site and time for all parties. All committee members must be present. F. The committee shall hear and consider all evidence and witnesses. A written decision shall be delivered to all parties within one week sooner, if mandated by the circumstances of the case. G. The decision of the grievance committee shall be final and will be TRBL Board approved. Page 5 of 5