PAL REC

RULES FOR Girls 2/3/4 DIVISION

5-on-5 format will work as follows:

• Each game shall consist of two twenty (20) minute running clock halves with the clock stopping in the final one (1) minute of the first half and final two (2) minutes of the second half on dead balls. • Each team shall be entitled to two (2) 45-second time outs per half. (Clock stops.) Unused timeouts cannot be carried over to the next half or overtime. • The clock will stop every 5 minutes for substitutions. • If you have 10 players for a game, each player must play 20 minutes. If you have fewer than 10 players some players will play more than 20 minutes. No player may play more than 30 minutes and each player must play at least 20 minutes. • A player is disqualified from the game on their fifth personal . • A player is automatically ejected from the game on the second of that game called against that player. Referees may also forfeit a game at their discretion if a threatening or uncontrollable situation is developing. • Until the last 2 or 3 games shooting fouls will be the same as non-shooting fouls in that the offensive team will take the ball out. • The last 2 or 3 games of the season players will take foul shots for shooting fouls. Players who have difficulty reaching the basket from the foul line may move up a few feet to shoot. Advanced notice will be given so you can teach your players how to line up for free throws so you don’t waste game time setting them up. • A parent from one of the teams will work the scoreboard and clock. • The score will be kept on the scoreboard but team records will not be kept on the website. The reason is that the emphasis should be on the players learning and having fun. Wins and losses get in the way of the players learning the basic skills for the next level. We want them to compete, but not at the expense of learning. • A game can start with only 4 players on a team.

Defense rules:

• Only man-to-man defense is allowed. No . No double or triple teaming a player with the ball. Players must cover another player and not just follow the ball around the court. Violations will result in a stoppage of play with the offense retaining possession. • Defenders should move their feet to stay with the player they are covering. They may use their hands to shots or deflect passes but may not reach in to the ball off the dribble or reach in to steal the ball when a player is holding it. Violations will result in a stoppage of play with the offense retaining possession. • There will be absolutely no pressing at any time and all children should be given a turn to dribble to ball to make shift "top of area" deemed appropriate by both coaches before the game. Violations will result in a stoppage of play with the offense retaining possession. • If a defender sees an offensive player going to the basket unimpeded, that defender may help to cover the unimpeded player. That “help” defender must switch back to his original man once the original defender gets back to cover his man so there will be no double team. Violations will result in a stoppage of play with the offense retaining possession.

Basic skills:

 Teamwork – if a player can dominate at this level it is meaningless unless they can find a way to get their teammates involved.  Don’t hack the other team to death - just as a matter of safety and well-being, this is the responsibility of the coaches to teach in practice and reinforce during the games. The refs will not be able to control fouling if it is not emphasized in practice. Blow the whistle in practice so the players get used to it.  Dribble looking up, and use both hands. They don’t have to be ambidextrous but a simple crossover now and then will help them evade the defender. Understand .  Pivot rather than travel. Children panic when they can’t find anyone to pass to so they turn their backs and go into turtle mode which means they can’t possibly view the floor for someone to pass to. Teaching them to stand and pivot will give them something to do to avoid moving their feet and getting called for a travel

SPORTSMANSHIP  Any 2/3/4 team that wins by 21 the coach is suspended for the next game. This is in place to deter any team from running up the score.  No fast breaking by a team if they are UP by 15 or more points.  One coach shall be allowed to stand in the coach’s box. All other coaches (max 2) shall remain seated on the bench