A. General 1. In order to participate in the league, a child must live in the District 89 attendance area or have previously played in the league. 2. There are two divisions within the league: a Junior Division (for 3 rd and 4 th graders); and a Senior Division (for 5 th and 6 th graders). The Senior Division will be split into two leagues, one for girls and the other for boys. The number of teams will be determined by the number of registrants, and players on each team. 3. The commissioner(s) will establish the evaluation and team-forming procedures. 4. All players shall wear the official league uniforms during the games. Players are responsible for the care of their uniform. 5. Footwear shall be either standard basketball shoes or soft-soled athletic shoes of some type. In inclement weather, players should carry their shoes to the school and change there to prevent the gym floor from becoming wet and slippery. 6. The coaches will pick team names. 7. Volunteer officials (coaches, parents, etc.) will referee the games. The referees will have total authority in rule interpretations and calls. Game protests are allowed only for disputes pertaining to player eligibility or violation of player-usage rules, and only if the respective coaches cannot reach agreement among themselves. 8. A coach may request that a player be dismissed from his/her team for misconduct. Such requests shall be made to the commissioner(s). Both the player and the parents shall be given ample warning and a chance to correct the situation prior to requesting player dismissal. 9. If a team loses a player during the course of the season, the commissioner(s) may elect to replace the player. All such replacements will be made with the intention of maintaining equity and balance among teams. 10. Every effort must be made to play the games as scheduled. If unusual circumstances arise that merit special consideration, the league commissioner(s) will determine if and when the game can be rescheduled. 11. The commissioner(s) may modify or add rules during the season if deemed necessary to address new developments or special circumstances, and if the specific changes are felt to be in the best interests of the league. B. Special Game Rules 1. Each game will consist of four 7-minute quarters utilizing a running clock. There will be a 3- minute break between quarters and a 5-minute halftime break. If overtime is required, there will be a 1-minute break before the first overtime and between subsequent overtime periods. 2. For seniors only, if a game ends in a tie, then a 3-minute overtime period will be played. If the game remains tied after the first overtime, then a second 3-minute overtime period will be played. During the regular season, if the score remains tied at the end of the second overtime, then the game will end in a tie. In the post-season tournament, additional 3-minute overtime periods will be played until a winner is determined. The Junior Division will have no overtimes. 3. Each team is allowed two (2) 1-minute timeouts per half. One (1) 1-minute timeout will be allowed per overtime period. A team may only call a timeout when they have possession of the ball or when the ball is not in play. Timeouts do not carry over into the next half or overtime period. 1
4. Every player on the team who is present for the game must play a minimum of two full quarters, and at least one quarter per half. 5. If a player is not in full uniform (league shirt and shorts), a warning will be given the first time, and there after a technical foul may be assessed in subsequent games. 6. Except for the two cases described in a and b below, a team may always inbound the basketball into the back court (from any position on the court) and then has 10 seconds in which to advance the ball into the frontcourt. a. When a team calls a timeout in the backcourt at any time during the game, the team has a total of 10 seconds to enter the ball into the frontcourt. That is, the time in the backcourt before the timeout plus the time after the timeout cannot exceed 10 seconds, otherwise a violation and turnover results. b. Whenever a team calls a timeout in the frontcourt, the ball must be inbound into the frontcourt after the timeout. If a team passes the ball into the backcourt in this situation, it s a violation and turnover results. 7. Full-court presses are not permitted. On a made basket, the offensive team must return to its defensive half-court area. When the defensive team controls the rebound, the other team must immediately return to the other side of the half-court line. Exception: when the team rebounding the ball attempts a fast break, then the other team may guard the ball-handler and other players anywhere on the court. The defenders may reach across the centerline, but they cannot step on or over the line unless they have touched (i.e., deflected stolen, etc.) or caught the ball first. Jr. Division Only: The offensive player must be allowed to dribble across the centerline, and the defenders must stay back behind the red line and cannot contact the offensive player or the ball until the offensive player loses the dribble, passes the ball, or crosses the red line. 8. The following rules regarding fouls apply: a. In each half of play, beginning with the 6 th team foul and on every subsequent personal foul, the player who was fouled shall shoot one free throw, and if it s made, the player shall shoot another free throw (i.e. the bonus is in effect). On the 10 th and subsequent team foul, a double bonus will go into effect for that half. b. Both an individual player s personal foul situation and the number of team fouls shall be carried over from regulation into the overtime periods. c. A player is no longer eligible to play after he/she commits a 5 th personal foul. d. When a defensive player commits an intentional foul, the player fouled shall receive two free throw and possession of the ball after the foul shots have been taken. An intentional foul is a foul committed by a player who, in the opinion of the referee, makes no reasonable effort to go for the ball. e. When, in the opinion of the referee, a defensive player uses excessive force in fouling an offensive player in the act of shooting (i.e. a flagrant foul), the player shall be awarded two shots and the fouled player s team will also be awarded possession of the ball. f. If a player or a coach either through verbal means or physical actions commits an act which in the opinion of the referee is deemed unacceptable behavior or unsportsmanlike conduct (e.g. throwing the ball, excessive questioning or complaining about the referee s call), the referee has the authority to assess a technical foul and the opposing team will be awarded two free throws and possession of the ball. The referee has the authority to suspend a player for the game for fighting or similar actions. 2
9. Game time is kept by the running clock method. That is, the clock is stopped only when a team calls a timeout or when the referee calls a timeout for an injury or a free throw. One the player s last free throw, the clock is to be restarted when either 1) the free throw is missed or a player has touched the ball; or 2) the ball is inbound after a made free throw. The only exception to the running clock is that the clock will be stopped for all whistles during the last 1-minute of the game or the last 1 minute of each overtime period. 10. Except in the final minute of the game, when two opposing players have joint possession of the ball (i.e. a held or jump ball situation), the team who is behind takes possession of the ball. If the score is tied, then the defensive team is awarded possession of the ball. With 60-seconds or less in the 4 th quarter, the above applies to the first jump ball; on subsequent jump balls, possession alternates between the two teams. 11. A team may play with as few as 4 players. If a team has fewer than 4 players, the team must forfeit the game. Five minutes after the scheduled start of the game is forfeit time. 12. On inbound passes, the defender must be a minimum of 3 feet away from the player inbounding the ball. 13. For the first 4 weeks of games in the Junior Division only, ball control and ball-handling violations (e.g. traveling, stepping over the various boundary lines, double dribble, etc.) will not result in a change in possession (i.e. a turnover). The referee will blow the whistle and the call will be made for instructional purposes. However, the team that committed the violation will retain possession of the ball. A ball that goes out of bounds is a turnover. Fouls will be called and treated, as they normally would be. 14. Both Junior Division and Senior Division games will begin with a jump ball at center court. Possession will alternate for the remaining quarters. A jump ball at center court is to be used to start each overtime period. C. Playing Time Rules 1. Every player must play a minimum of two (2) complete, uninterrupted quarters in each game, unless injury or illness prevents the player from participating. 2. If a player must leave a game due to injury but is able to return later in the same period, the player must re-enter the game during a timeout. If a player has to be removed from the game due to injury, he/she shall be considered to have played a full quarter regardless of the time played and regardless of whether the player returns to action in that quarter. The player who enters the game for the injured player shall be credited with a quarter played for the purpose of counting 3 or more quarters played, but it shall not count as a quarter played in terms of satisfying the minimum requirement of playing two full quarters. 3. The 2-quarter rule may be waived for disciplinary reasons, provided both coaches and referees agree to the removal/benching of the player. 4. For players who arrive late to a game, the following rules shall apply: 1) If the player arrives before the start of the second quarter, then the player shall play a minimum of two full quarters; 2) if the player arrives before the start of the third quarter, then the player shall play a minimum of one full quarter; and 3) if the player arrives after the start of the third quarter, playing time shall be at the discretion of the coach. Both scorekeepers are to be notified of late arriving players. 5. Before any player plays more than three (3) full quarters, every other player on the team that is present and able to play must also have played 3 quarters before the end of the game. 3
(Note: this rule does not apply to overtime periods.) 6. Player substitution during play (i.e. within a 7-minute quarter) is only permitted under the following circumstances: a. A player fouls out of a game. b. A player has an injury that requires him/her to leave the game c. A coach may substitute a weaker player into a game for a stronger player, provided the 2-quarter rule has been followed. This should occur when one team attains a large lead over the opposing team. The substitution must occur during a time out and the opposing coach must be notified and agree with the substitution. 7. Players are not to sit out consecutive overtime periods. All players sitting out an overtime period are to enter the game if a subsequent overtime period is required. 4. Basic Rules of Basketball 1. The league will follow the rules of the National Federation of High Schools, except as modified by the special rules contained in this and other sections of the Briar Glen Basketball League Rules. The following list sets forth some of the basic rules of basketball and described in simple terms in order to serve as a teaching tool. The list is by no means is all-inclusive. 2. OUT OF BOUNDS LINES A player who has possession of the ball cannot touch or go over the lines that form the boundaries of the court. 3. TRAVELING On offense, a player can only take one step without dribbling. If he/she takes two steps, it s called traveling (also called walking and steps) and possession of the ball is transferred to the other team (a turnover). If the player keeps one foot stationary (called a pivot foot), he/she can move the other foot as many times as they wish. 4. AIR BALL If a player makes a valid attempt at a shot, but misses the backboard and rim, the ball is considered live and the same player may rebound the ball and NOT be considered traveling. However, a player cannot pass the ball to himself. It is the referee s call as to whether the player was attempting a shot or not. 5. DOUBLE DRIBBLE A player can only touch the ball with one hand at a time once he/she is dribbling. Also, it if the player dribbles, then holds the ball (with one hand or two), and then dribbles again, this is also a double dribble violation and results in a turnover. 6. LANE VIOLATION When on offense, a player cannot stay inside the free throw lane more than 3 seconds in the Senior Division, and 5 seconds in the Junior Division. Players should not just stand inside the free throw lane on offense (unless they re trying for a rebound). Always try and walk or run through the lane. 7. BACK COURT VIOLATION After a basket is made or a change of possession, the offensive team has 10 seconds in which to pass or dribble the ball past half-court line. This line is also called the 10-second line. 8. 5 SECOND VIOLATION When in-bounding the ball, the offensive player has 5 seconds after the whistle to pass the ball into a teammate, otherwise it s a violation and a turnover. Also, for the Senior Division only, if a player is being guarded in the front court (within 5 feet), and is either dribbling in one spot or holding the ball, he/she has 5 seconds in which to either dribble out of the area or pass the ball, otherwise it s a turnover. 9. FOULING Hitting/slapping, blocking, charging, pushing, etc. are fouls. When a player commits a foul, he/she must raise their hand. When a player commits his/her 5 th foul, then the player has fouled out of the game. 4
10. BACK COURT VIOLATION Once a team on offense brings the ball past the half-court line they cannot allow the ball to go back past this line (unless a member of the opposing team hits or deflects the ball). If they do, it s a backcourt violation (also called over and back ) and results in a turnover. A player is considered to have entered the frontcourt when all three points, the ball and both feet have crossed the centerline. If any one of those three points then crosses into the backcourt, a violation has occurred. 11. FREE THROW LINE VIOLATIONS a. Type 1 The shooter cannot step over the line on the shot. If the shooter jumps to shoot the ball; he/she must land without touching or going over the free throw line. In the Junior Division the player s momentum may carry them over the line after the shot. b. Type 2 A player who is standing on the side of the free throw lane cannot enter the lane until the ball hits the rim. 12. JUMP BALL If a defensive player grasps the ball while it is currently being held by an offensive player a jump ball or held ball condition exists. Both players must appear to have possession for at least one full second. When the situation arises, and the referee blows the whistle, the team that is behind, or the defensive team if the score is tied, will be awarded possession. E. Game Procedures 1. Both teams are responsible for setting up the game clock and for providing a capable person to run the clock during the game. 2. The coaches of both teams for the last games of the night are responsible for returning the clocks and the basketballs to their proper location. 3. The game basketballs are to be kept in the closet in the back vesibule. The smaller ball (marked junior ) is the Junior & Sr. Girls Division game ball. The standard size ball (marked senior is the Senior Division ball. These balls are for game use only, and are not to be used for practice. 4. Each team shall provide a scorekeeper who shall record the scoring, fouls, and playing time for both teams. The scorekeepers should verify the scoring, fouls, and playing time with each other after each quarter. 5. Referees will be assigned to games based on a schedule. Referees will be coaches and other volunteer adults and older children 5
F. Coaches Notes 1. Remember to review the rules with your players prior to the first game. 2. The practice schedule and game schedule will be distributed to coaches and posted in an accessible location. 3. Players should be instructed not to bring their personal basketballs to the games. There are plenty of balls at the school for pre-game warm-ups and they only risk misplacing or losing their ball. 4. Please note that liability and medical insurance applies only to the Briar Glen gym. Practices are NOT allowed anywhere except at the Briar Glen school. 5. There is to be no ball playing, dribbling, or any horseplay in the school hallways. It is the responsibility of all coaches (and parents) to monitor their players and other kids to ensure that calm and order is preserved. 6. Players should be encourages to wear street shoes to the school and to change into their basketball shoes in the hallway outside the gym. This is especially important in wet and inclement weather. A wet slippery gym floor is unsafe and could lead to injuries. 6