Basketball Rules and Regulations
EQUIPMENT AND COURT SPECIFICATIONS
Height Size of Size of Distance of Distance of Free Division of Number of Players Ball Court 3-Point Arc Throw Line Basket
Size 5 K/1st 8’ Half Court Not applicable 14’ 3 on 3 (27.5”)
Size 6 2nd/3rd 9’ Half Court Not applicable 14’ 3 on 3 (28.5”)
Size 6 4th/5th 9’ Full Court Not applicable 14’ 5 on 5 (28.5”)
Note: 3-on-3 half-court play is also recommended for young players to foster enhanced participation and development. We will play 3-on-3 for our K-2nd division on a half court.
RATIONALE
Distance of 3-Point Arc: Although the 3-point arc may exist on the floor, all baskets made beyond this arc only count as two points. Therefore, the distance of the line is not applicable for these age segments. Eliminating the 3-point basket at these age segments will encourage players to shoot from within a developmentally-appropriate range.
Distance of Free Throw Line: K-5th divisions year-olds should take free throws 14 feet from the basket to develop proper form and increase success. Height of Basket: Utilizing a lower basket height for K-5th divisions allows children to develop proper shooting form and increases the opportunity for shooting success.
Scoring: All field goals for K-5th graders are worth two points to encourage children to shoot within a developmentally-appropriate range. This allows for proper mechanics and form. While these age segments may attempt a shot behind the 3-point arc, any field goal made behind the arc will only count as two points.
Size of Ball: A smaller basketball for the younger age segments is advised due to the size of a child’s hand as well as their developing skill level. A smaller ball allows for better control and success.
Size of Court: For our K/1 & 2/3 Divisions we will be playing half court and 3-on-3. This dimension is more appropriate for younger children based on their relative size in space.
GAME STRUCTURE
Game Time Between Start of Game Division Scoring Timeouts Length Periods Possession
Two 60-second timeouts Free throw: 1 permitted in the first half of point play. Two 60-second K/1st Four 6-minute timeouts permitted in the Coin flip. Team periods second half of play All field goals: 2 awarded possession 1 minute points starts with throw-in at NO half court OVERTIME Unused timeouts may not No 3-point carry over to the next half field goals or into extra periods
Two 60-second timeouts Free throw: 1 permitted in the first half of point play. Two 60-second Four 8-minute timeouts permitted in the Coin flip. Team 2nd/3rd periods second half of play All field goals: 2 awarded possession 1 minute points starts with throw-in at 4th/5th NO half court OVERTIME Unused timeouts may not No 3-point carry over to the next half field goals or into extra periods
GAME TACTICS
Double-Team/ Stealing from Division Playing Time Set Defense Pressing Defense Crowding the Dribbler
Only Double-team/ Stealing from a K/1st player-to-player crowding is not dribbler is not Pressing is not allowed Equal playing time defense allowed allowed throughout the competition 2nd/3rd throughout the throughout the throughout the competition competition competition
Player-to-player defense may be extended full court Equal playing time Only in the 4th period and each Double-team/ in periods 1-3. Coaches player-to-player extra period crowding is not Coach's discretion discretion 4th/5th defense allowed in the 4th period throughout the throughout the Leading team may not throughout the and each extra competition competition extend the defense over competition period half court when leading by 25 points or more
Definitions:
● Player-to-Player Defense – ● Each player is responsible for guarding and moving with one offensive player. This requires the defensive player to move according to the offensive player’s movements with or without the ball. ● The defensive player must stay on the same side of the court as the offensive player, divided by the rim line. ● If an offensive player with the ball advances past their defensive player, another defender may rotate to guard that offensive player. ● Pressing Defense – Defensive guarding, either on or off the ball, within the backcourt. ● Double-Team/Crowding – Two or more defensive players guarding a single offensive player
RATIONALE
Double-Team/Crowding: Crowding the ball with multiple players (referred to as “double-teaming”) is not allowed for K-5th Divisions due to skill and size discrepancies among children at these ages.
Playing Time: To ensure that all young children participating in the sport have an opportunity to experience the game, equal and fair playing time is recommended for K/1st and 2/3rd Division. For the 4th/5th Division, equal playing time is recommended for periods 1-3, while allowing coach’s discretion in the 4th and extra periods. Equal and fair playing time is encouraged throughout all segments.
Pressing Defense: Pressing defense is prohibited for the K/1st and 2nd/3rd Divisions to help children develop principles of movement with and without the ball in a half-court setting. For 4th/5th Division, permitting player-to-player defense to extend full-court in the 4th and extra periods allows players to become accustomed to full-court defense while not having to understand sophisticated zone presses. It also allows for an introduction to competitive tactics.
Set Defense: The player-to-player requirement for K-5th Divisions encourages physical activity and movement, and promotes the development of individual skill related to guarding a player both on and off the ball.
Stealing from the Dribbler: At the K/1st & 2nd/3rd Division, players are not allowed to steal the ball from an active dribbler. This allows ball-handlers to develop dribbling skills and confidence with the basketball. HIGHLIGHTED GAME PLAY RULES
Backcourt Shot Clock Division 5 Seconds Closely Guarded Timeline Clock Stoppage
K/1st Not Not applicable Not applicable On any dead ball applicable 2nd/3rd
Not applicable Only when the offensive player is holding the 4th/5th 10 seconds On any dead ball basketball
RATIONALE
Backcourt Timeline: Not having a timeline violation for the K/1st and 2nd/3rd Divisions allows coaches to communicate to players before they reach half court. This assists coaches in teaching children, particularly for those first learning the game. The progression to 10 seconds for the 4th/5th Division, allows the game to flow while developing skills such as ball-handling, passing and decision-making.
Clock Stoppage: Fewer clock stoppages for the K-5 Divisions allows for a better game flow.
Shot Clock: Not applicable for the K-5th Divisions
HIGHLIGHTED GAME PLAY RULES CONTINUED
Number of Players Length of Time Advancement of Division Permitted on Free-Throw Substitutions for a Free-Throw Ball after a Timeout Lane
Offense may have 2 players on the K/1st lane, including the shooter Either team may substitute 10 seconds Not applicable when the clock is stopped 2nd/3rd Defense may have 2 players on the lane
Offense may have 3 players on the lane, including the shooter Either team may substitute 4th/5th 10 seconds Not applicable when the clock is stopped Defense may have 3 players on the lane
RATIONALE
Advancement of the Ball after a Timeout: For the K/1st & 2nd/3rd Divisions, the focus is on development over strategy. Therefore, there is no pressing defense at this level, and the ball will not automatically advance after a timeout. Similarly, the ball does not advance after a timeout for the 4th/5th Division because the focus remains on development over strategy.