City of Mesa Youth Sports BASKETBALL RULEBOOK Winter 2018 Due to the goal of our league and nature of kids still trying to understand the concepts of the game, it is unrealistic for our referees to call absolutely every violation. We ask everyone to please be patient with our referees. They truly want to help the kids so will be both guiding and officiating them. The first game will be officiated with a little more leniency so the kids can get acclimated to the league and game. Games will be officiated as fairly as possible while still allowing a flow and continuity to the game without constant stoppage. This is to help ensure the kids enjoy the playing experience as much as possible. (National Federation of State High School Association Rules will be followed and enforced unless otherwise noted below.) Section 1: League Divisions Co-Ed 1 st -2 nd Grade Co-Ed 3 rd -4 th Grade Co-Ed 5 th -6 th Grade Section 2: Team Composition All teams will have approximately 10 players. A team shall consist of the following number of players to start a game: o Play 5 vs. 5, but can play with as few as 4 in order to avoid a forfeit. o If a team only has 4 players, the other team does have the option of playing with 4 or 5. Section 3: Court Dimensions and Equipment Teams play on a standard full court. All measurements are approximations. Courts may be adjusted to meet the needs of the league and facility space. Co-Ed 1 st -2 nd Grade o 8 foot hoop height o 27.5 inch, size 5 ball Co-Ed 3 rd -4 th Grade o 10 foot hoop height o 28.5 inch, size 6 ball Co-Ed 5 th -6 th Grade 10 foot hoop height o 28.5 inch, size 6 ball Section 4: Uniform Participants receive a team shirt with a number at their first game. This shirt must be worn to each game. If shirt is lost or forgotten, player/coach must notify referee prior to the start of the game. Uniform shirt must be worn on the outside layer of all clothing and must be tucked in. Athletic shoes are required during all practices and games for safety reasons. No jewelry except medical alert items.
Section 5: Regular Season Games Each team will play six regular season games. (plus pre-season game) Games will start on time as scheduled and are unable to be delayed to wait for coaches, players or teams. Players and coaches are expected to arrive early in order to prepare and be ready to play on time. Postponed games may or may not be rescheduled depending on availability in the season and is at the discretion of the league director. Forfeited games will not be rescheduled. If both teams fail to show up to their scheduled game then both teams will be given a forfeit. Home team will be listed first on the schedule. Section 6: Single Elimination Tournament Each team will play in a single elimination tournament within their division on the last week of the season. Medals will be given for 1 st and 2 nd place tournament winners in each division. Participation ribbons are given to all other teams. Tournament seeding will be determined randomly. The tournament games will follow the same rules and guidelines as regular season except that 1 st -2 nd grade divisions will keep score during the tournament. Due to ongoing sportsmanship issues during the tournament, there is a zero tolerance policy. A court monitor will be supervising each game to ensure proper conduct is displayed by everyone. Section 7: Volunteer Coaches Abide by the Coaches Code of Ethics, Coach Handbook and League Rulebook At least one approved coach must attend all practices and games. If unable to attend a practice or game, they must contact the league director in advance to make other arrangements. Only the approved coaches who have been cleared by the league director and completed the requirements may coach a team during games and practices as well as be on the team bench and team sidelines. This is for safety reasons. Volunteer coaches will be given a team shirt at their first game. This shirt must be worn to each game. Volunteer coaches must wear their volunteer badge at all practices and games. Only two coaches per team may coach a team during a game. Section 8: Sportsmanship Youth Sports takes sportsmanship very seriously. All players, coaches, parents and spectators must demonstrate positive sportsmanship and follow league policies at all times. Failure to do so may result disciplinary action. See section 9.4 for violation and penalty details. Participants are expected to follow the Participant Code of Conduct and Guidelines. Spectators are expected to follow the Spectator Code of Conduct. Coaches are expected to follow the Coaches Code of Ethics. Section 9: Equal Play Policy This is an equal play league which means equal opportunity for all kids to participate in both playing time and positions. We ask all coaches to carefully track and monitor each participant s playing time and positions played to provide an equal opportunity for all.
No participant may play in three quarters until everyone has played in two quarters. No participant may play in four quarters until everyone has played in three quarters. Only exception to this is if a player has documented repeated absences from practices and games on the official team attendance sheet. A participant is limited to playing a position no more than half of the total game time. Coaches are responsible for creating practice and game plans that allow for a rotation of players through multiple positions throughout the season so they can gain experience. Failure to comply with these policies may result in the following unsportsmanlike conduct and disciplinary actions in the game: o 1st Equal Play Violation of the Season-Verbal warning from staff. o 2nd Equal Play Violation of the Season-Unsportsmanlike conduct game penalty issued (yellow card). Any person issued an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty within a season will be removed from the game in which it is called and suspended for the team s next scheduled practice and game. If the violation occurs during the tournament, the game becomes a forfeit instead. o 3rd Equal Play Violation of the Season-Any person issued a second unsportsmanlike conduct game penalty within a season (red card) will be removed from the game in which it is called as well as removed from the program with no refund given. If the violation occurs during the tournament, the game also becomes a forfeit. Section 10: Officials and Elasticity Clause The league will supply two referees per game as well as an official scorekeeper. They will track scores and time for each game. Their scores are considered the official and final scores. Referees shall be granted authority to assess penalties in which coaches, players, and spectators can be ejected from any game. Any person ejected from a game at any time will be suspended for at least one game (the team s next scheduled game). A second violation will result in suspension from the program. No refunds will be given. The basketball rules in this manual do not cover all rules and situations that may occur in the game. Those rules and situations not covered in this manual will be governed by commonly accepted basketball rules as understood by the referees. Some violations will be called at the discretion of the official in order to allow for a flow and continuity of the game without constant stoppage. This is to help ensure the kids develop in and enjoy the playing experience as much as possible. Section 11: League Administration All administration will be conducted by City of Mesa Youth Sports. City of Mesa Youth Sports has the right to make any changes or additions to the league that they feel are necessary to better benefit the program and its participants. Section 12: Score and Standings 2 points are awarded for every successful field goal made. 1 point is awarded for every successful free throw made. 3 point shots will not be awarded as they are not marked on the court. It is important to know that this league focuses more on having fun and developing in the sport, and less about what the score is or wins vs. loses. With that being said, we do feel there is an age when it is appropriate to begin keeping score. -1 st -2 nd grade division will not keep score
-3 rd -4 th grade division will keep score -5 th -6 th grade division will keep score We ask that all participants, coaches, parents/guardians and spectators concentrate on the fundamentals and love of the game rather than the score. We will not track or post game results or standings. All divisions including 1 st -2 nd grade will keep score in the tournament. Coaches should make every effort to ensure that games are safe, fair and fun for players. In particular, in those cases where one team is substantially dominating the game, coaches should do all they can to minimize the chances of lopsided scores. The mercy rule will come into play to discourage a team from running up the score. A game will end if a team is winning by 20 points or more after the 2 nd quarter or any time after that. This is left at the discretion of the officials if they feel efforts are made or not by the winning coach to adjust players, positions or other attempts to minimize the lopsided score. If the winning team scores a basketball for the opposing team more than once, they will forfeit the game. The officials may stop tracking the score on the visual scoreboard if they feel a lopsided game is occurring. This is to help players, coaches and parents redirect their focus off the score and back to having fun and developing in the sport. The officials will continue to keep score on their official scorecard though and may return the score display once they feel it is appropriate. Section 13: Game Length, Halftime, Timeouts and Overtime Games will consist of four 8-minute quarters. There is 1 minute between quarters and a 5-minute halftime. Teams switch ends of the court at halftime. They remain on the same bench, but they shoot at the opposite goal for the 2 nd half. The game clock runs continuously. It only stops during the last minute of the 2 nd and 4 th quarter as well as during free throws and during timeouts. Repeated delays of game may result in a penalty. Delay of game includes taking too much time with game start, huddles, timeouts, in between plays, quarters and halves, and substitutions. Each team will receive two 30-second timeouts per half. Each team will receive one additional timeout in overtime. Timeouts may not be carried over to the next half or overtime. During the regular season, if the game is tied at the end of regulation time, then it will be declared a tie. During the tournament, if a game is tied at the end of regulation time, there will be a 2- minute overtime period. Subsequent 2-minute overtime periods will be played if needed until a winner is declared. Section 14: Substitutions Player substitutions may only occur during a dead ball. Coaches must signal to the referee for a substitution request. The referee will signal when the substitution can be made. Section 15: Sidelines: Coach Placement, Team Bench, and Safety Line Teams in the 1 st -2 nd grade division may have two coaches stand on the sideline during play to instruct players OR may have one coach on the sideline and 1 coach under their own offensive basket. However, teams may not have any coaches underneath their
defensive basket or on the court during the game. Coaches may not stand in front of the opposing team s bench or the score table. Coaches in the 3 rd -4 th and 5 th -6 th grade divisions must remain on the sideline. Coaches may not stand in front of the opposing team s bench or the score table and may not stand on the court, the baseline or under the baskets. A coach may stand during play to instruct players in a non-disruptive manner and may stand and move about their bench to speak to players. Acts deemed disruptive by the referee shall be sanctioned. Examples of disruptive/unsportsmanlike act shall include, but are not limited to: loud or abusive language, comments to official(s), comments to opposing teams, throwing of objects, displaying disgust in an overt manner or, interfering with proper officiating of the game. At all divisions, the referee has the right to request that any coach be seated or to move if he/she feels it is in the best interest of the players and the match. Only registered participants and approved coaches are allowed in the team bench area during the game. Everyone must be wearing their team shirt. Parents/guardians and spectators are not allowed on the playing court, team sidelines or bench area, or underneath the hoops. They must remain on the spectator sidelines. Parents/guardians and spectators may not run up and down the sidelines. Find a comfortable place to sit or stand and enjoy the game. Section 16: Defense Man-to-man defense is required in 1 st -2 nd grade and encouraged in 3 rd -6 th grade so players can learn the basic skills of individual and team defense. Zone defense (3-2 or 2-3 only) is allowed in the 3 rd -4 th and 5 th -6 th grade divisions only. Double teaming is allowed anywhere on the court in 5 th -6 th grade division only and as long as the score differential is under 10 points. If a team is winning by 10 or more points, the winning team s defensive players must drop back past the half court line before they can double team. Full court pressure is allowed in 5 th -6 th grade division only and as long as the score differential is under 10 points. If a team is winning by 10 or more points, the winning team s defensive players must drop back past the half court line. Once the ball crosses half court, the defense can guard the ball. For 1 st -2 nd and 3 rd -4 th grade divisions, no backcourt defense allowed. Defensive players must drop back past the half court line. Regardless of the situation; after a made shot, a turnover, or a rebound, teams must drop back to half court and allow the ball to be dribbled down without pressure. Once the ball crosses half court, the defense can guard the ball. 1 st -2 nd and 3 rd -4 th grade divisions may not block a shot. If a player takes a shot, the defender is allowed to stand with arms extended straight up in the air, but he/she cannot jump up or swat at the ball. If a player s ball is blocked while shooting, it will be a deemed a shooting foul and the offense will receive one point and possession of the ball. 5 th -6 th grade divisions may block a shot without penalty. 1 st -2 nd and 3 rd -4 th divisions may only steal the ball on a pass. 5 th -6 th grade divisions may steal the ball at any time. Section 16: Fouls Personal fouls will be recorded in 5 th -6 th grade division only. An individual will foul out of the game when they receive their 5 th personal foul.
The official scorekeeper will track team fouls. After a team reaches ten fouls per half, the opposing team will receive a bonus point with each subsequent foul and possession of the ball. After a team reaches two fouls in overtime, the opposing team will receive a bonus point with each subsequent foul and possession of the ball. When a player is fouled while shooting the ball: o 1 st -2 nd grade: The offensive team will receive one point and possession of the ball. No free throws. o 3 rd -4 th grade: The offensive team will receive one point and possession of the ball. Free throws on shooting fouls will be used instead in only the last two minutes of each quarter as well as the entire overtime period. If a player is fouled while shooting and makes the basket, they will receive one free throw. If a player is fouled while shooting and misses the basket, they will receive two free throws. o 5 th -6 th grade: Free throws will be used the entire game. If a player is fouled while shooting and makes the basket, they will receive one free throw. If a player is fouled while shooting and misses the basket, they will receive two free throws. If a foul is called, possession of the ball will be given to the team who did not commit the foul. They must then inbound the ball. Types of fouls that will be called o Blocking-physically impeding the progress of another player who is still moving o Charging-running into or pushing a defender who is stationary o Holding-restricting movement of an opponent o Illegal Screen-a form of blocking in which the player setting the screen is still moving when the defender makes contact o Over the Back-infringing on the vertical plane of and making contact with a player who is in position and attempting to rebound o Reaching In and Slapping-extending an arm or making contact with a ball handler in an attempt to steal the ball o Tripping-extending a leg or foot and causing an opponent to lose balance or fall o Shooting-defender makes contact with a player who is shooting the basketball o Shot Blocking (1 st -2 nd and 3 rd -4 th only) - If a player takes a shot, the defender is allowed to stand with arms extended straight up in the air, but he/she cannot jump up or swat at the ball. Section 17: Violations (Please note: Some violations, especially in 1 st -2 nd grade division, will be called at the discretion of the official in order to allow for a flow and continuity of the game without constant stoppage. This is to help ensure the kids develop in and enjoy the playing experience as much as possible.) If a ball handling or time violation is called, a turnover will be awarded and possession of the ball will be given to the defense. They must then throw the ball in from out of bounds. Types of ball handling violations that will be called o Traveling-taking more than one step without dribbling o Carrying the Ball-when a player turns the ball a complete rotation in the hand between dribbles o Over and Back-returning the ball to the backcourt by an offensive player after he/she has crossed into the frontcourt o Double Dribbling-resuming dribbling after having stopped dribbling (and no defender interrupts the player s possession of the ball) or dribbling with both hands at the same time Types of time violations that will be called
o In the Lane-offensive players may not remain in the lane for more than 5 seconds (1 st -2 nd and 3 rd -4 th ) and 3 seconds (5 th -6 th ) seconds without an attempted shot by offense. The count will reset when both feet are out of the lane or a shot is attempted by offense. o 10 Seconds in the Backcourt-offensive team takes 10 or more seconds to get the ball across the midcourt line. o 5 Seconds Inbound-offensive team fails to throw the ball within 5 seconds from the time the official hands the inbounder the ball. Timeouts must be called before the fourth count if a team is having trouble inbounding the ball. o 5 Seconds in Possession-offensive player fails to get rid of the ball within 5 seconds after being guarded within six feet by a defender in the frontcourt. A player can avoid penalty by continuing to dribble towards the basket, pass or shoot the ball. Section 18: Free Throws 1st-2nd grade: The offensive team will receive one point and possession of the ball. No free throws. 3rd-4th grade: The offensive team will receive one point and possession of the ball. Free throws on shooting fouls will be used instead in only the last two minutes of each quarter as well as the entire overtime period. If a player is fouled while shooting and makes the basket, they will receive one free throw. If a player is fouled while shooting and misses the basket, they will receive two free throws. 5th-6th grade: Free throws will be used the entire game. If a player is fouled while shooting and makes the basket, they will receive one free throw. If a player is fouled while shooting and misses the basket, they will receive two free throws. Clock will stop for all free throws. Section 19: Jump Balls The game and any overtime begins with a jump ball at center court, but after the opening tip, the alternating possession rule goes into effect using a throw in. The throw in will occur at the nearest place of where the jump ball situation occurred. The team entitled to the next alternating possession at the end of any quarter shall start the next period with a throw in at the center line extended. A jump ball will be called and alternating possession will be given for any of the following reasons: o Tied up/held ball between players on both teams o Double penalties/fouls between both teams o Referee uncertainty o Inadvertent whistle by the referee o A live ball lodges between the ring and the backboard (except between free throws). The official scorekeeper will track ball possession. Section 20: Technical Fouls Excessive fouling, stealing, or rough play may result in a technical foul. One point and the ball will be awarded to the other team for each technical foul. Coaches and players may be given technical fouls for unsportsmanlike conduct. If a coach or player receives two technical fouls, they will be removed from the game. See Sportsmanship section 8 for further detail.
Unsportsmanlike conduct from parents/guardians and spectators may result in a bench technical foul for their team. If a parent/guardian or spectator receives two bench technical fouls for their team, they will be removed from the game. Any person ejected from a game at any time for unsportsmanlike conduct will be suspended for at least one game (the teams next scheduled game). A second violation may result in suspension from the program. No refunds will be given.