Youth Basketball
Alvord, Boyd, Bridgeport, Chico, Forestburg, and Paradise
Game Rules for ages Pre K – K to 4th Grade

  1. The game shall be started by a jump ball in the center circle for the 1st and 2nd and 3rd and 4th grade leagues. The Pre K- K will start with the home team having possession first. The second half will begin with the teams changing goals. The second, third, and fourth periods will begin according to alternating possessions behind the end line you are defending.
  2. Other jumps – the ball shall be put in play by alternating possessions at the side or end line nearest the spot where:
    1. Held ball occurs
    2. The ball goes out of bounds after being touched by two players of opposing teams.
    3. A double free-throw violation occurs.
    4. The ball becomes dead when neither team is in control.
  3. A player is out of bound when he touches the floor on or outside of a boundary. The ball is out of bounds when it touches:
    1. A player who is out of bounds.
    2. Any other person or any objects on or outside the boundary (including the base on portable goals.)
    3. The supports in back of the backboard.
    4. The ball is caused to go out of bounds by the last player to touch it before it before it goes out. If the ball hits the side of the backboard it remains in play. If it hits anything else such as a goal supports it is out of play.
  4. If a ball should hit an official, it is played the same as if the ball hit the floor where the official was standing.
  5. When a ball is given to a player for throw-in, the ball must touch player in-bounds within 5 seconds from the time the official hands the ball to the player. The defender must allow THREE feet to be between him and the out of bounds line or the ball whichever equals three feet.
  6. During a free throw for a personal foul, one opponent of the free-thrower shall occupy each of the lane spaces adjacent to the end line. A teammate of the free-thrower is entitled to the next adjacent space on each side and to each other alternate position along the lane.
  7. Personal Fouls – In 1st/2nd and 3rd/4th grade leagues, fouls are called. If a 3rd/4th player committing five personal fouls “fouls out”, and is not eligible for the remainder of that particular game.
  8. Bonus Situation – In 3rd/4th grade leagues, when a team commits its seventh team foul per half, the opponent will play in the one and one bonus situation for the remainder of that half. A shooting foul is always two shots unless the bucket counts then it is one shot. Team foul counting starts over with the 2nd half.
  9. The offended player shall attempt the free throw, or throws, awarded because of a personal foul. If such player must withdraw because of injury or disqualification, his substitute shall attempt the throw or throws. If no substitute is available any teammate may attempt the throws.
  10. A free throw shall be attempted within ten seconds after the ball has been placed at the disposal of the free-thrower at the line. This shall apply to each free throw. After the final free-throw attempt, the ball shall be put in play by a throw in:
    1. As after a field goal, if the throw is for a personal foul is successful.
    2. By any player of the free-thrower’s team from out of bounds at mid court, if the free throw is for a technical foul.
  11. A player can enter the lane after the ball hits the rim.
  12. Three second violations will be observed in the 3rd/4th grade league only. Offensive players may stay in the lane under their basket for only three seconds. Opposing team will receive the ball on the sideline for any three-second violations.
  13. Coaches must remain within the benches area, except for Pre K- K.
  14. A Gym monitor/school representative will be at the gym during practice and games.
  15. You can only practice once a week for one hour a day. (NO EXCEPTIONS!!!!)
  16. No screens are allowed in Pre K – K or 1st/2nd leagues. In 3rd and 4th grade moving screens will be called on the first offense. Make sure players keep their body and feet set when setting a pick.
  17. BLOCKED SHOTS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN PreK- K, 1st or 2nd grade.  A shot is considered blocked when you snap the wrist or extend the arm toward the ball. IF A SHOT BLOCK IS ATTEMPTED, SHOOTING PLAYER WILL SHOOT TWO FREE THROWS.

 

THE OFFICALS SUPPLIED BY THE LEAGUE WILL BE THE GOVERNING FORCE AT ALL GAMES. JUDGEMENT CALLS ARE NOT TO BE DISPUTED. OFFICALS ARE VOLUNTEERS NOT PROFESSIONALS, THEY WILL MAKE MISTAKES.

Any coach or parent exhibiting bad sportsmanship will be suspended from coaching or the gym for a minimum of one game and a maximum of the remainder of the season. Coaches are responsible for controlling the actions of their parents. Technical fouls can and will be given to parents or coaches for verbal abuse directed at the referees or opposing teams. The referee can call the game at anytime he/she deems necessary.

REMEMBER THIS IS A LEAGUE FOR OUR CHILDREN. WE WANT THEM TO LEARN THE BASICS OF BASKETBALL AND HAVE FUN! THIS IS NOT A COMPETITVE LEAGUE. There are competitive tournaments held at the end of the season for 4th grade and possibly 3rd grade.

 

These rules were adopted and agreed upon by the local youth associations on December 1, 2006. Any suggestions or concerns should be directed toward your local youth association.

Revision Dates:
October 2007 
October 2008

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Basketball Rules
Pre K – Kindergarten

 

Basic Rules: Follow basic NCAA Basketball rules. Variations and specific rules which will be followed are:

  1. Playing Time – Each game will consist of four 6 minute periods with a five minute halftime break. We will play continuous running clock except for time-outs and injuries.
  2. No scoreboard will displayed
  3. Home team will establish wristband matching 1st and 3rd quarters, with visitors establishing matching during 2nd and 4th. Upon controversy (unfair height advantage, skill set of player) – referee will establish matching for the remainder of the game. Home team is the team on left hand side of the score book. Coaches should try to match kids up by skill level.
  4. Substitution Requirement – Each player present must play two complete quarters in each game. There will be no substituting during a quarter unless of injury, or more than 10 players on a team. No player may play four quarters unless all other players present have completed three total quarters. Each player will be required to check in with the book keeper before entering the game.
  5. Advantageous forward progression will not be allowed. (I.e. a player can not stay at the offensive end while his/her team is playing defense).
  6. Coaches are allowed on the floor. However, no closer than 12’ of the centerline of the court (Stay out of the paint.) Only one coach per team allowed on the floor during the game. COACHES WILL SERVE AS REFEREES in this age group and it will also be the coaches’ responsibility that the games start/end on time.
  7. A parent or spectator from each team will be designated as the official timekeeper and scorekeeper at each game.
  8. Games will be forfeited if a team (4 player minimum) is not present and ready to begin within five minutes after the regular scheduled game time. In the event of a forfeit, we would like to encourage the coaches to split the teams up and play a game.
  9. NO Free throws will be shot in this league.
  10. Back court guarding – There will be NO back court guarding. When possession is established, the defending team must retreat into their front court and await the advance of the ball beyond the three point line.
  11. Time-Outs – 2 time outs per half. Clock stops during timeout. If timeout is called in the backcourt it is advanced to mid-court.
  12. Goal height/scoring – Goals will be at 8 ft. Baskets will count 2 points. A youth size ball will be used. There will be no fast breaks in this league.
  13. Defense – The only defense allowed in this league will be man to man. No zone defenses will be allowed in this league. Defenders are not allowed to start guarding the ball until it is inside the three point line. No game stalling outside the three point line. (i.e continuous passing. Only 4 passes will be allowed and then the offense must advance the ball inside the three point line.) No double/triple teaming allowed. Wristbands will be used to assist in man to man defense. NO STEALING ALLOWED. Players must stay AN ARMS length away with their hands straight up. Loose ball and Passes are fair game.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Basketball Rules
1st and 2nd Grade

 

Basic Rules: Follow basic NCAA Basketball rules. Variations and specific rules which will be followed are:

  1. Playing Time – Each game will consist of four 8 minute periods with a five minute halftime break. We will play continuous running clock except for time-outs and injuries.
  2. Scoreboard will be displayed.
  3. Home team will establish wristband matching 1st and 3rd quarters, with visitors establishing matching during 2nd and 4th. Upon controversy (unfair height advantage, skill set of player) – referee will establish matching for the remainder of the game. Home team is the team on left hand side of the score book. Coaches should try to match kids up by skill level.
  4. Substitution Requirement – Each player present must play two complete quarters in each game. There will be no substituting during a quarter unless of injury, or more than 10 players on a team. No player may play four quarters unless all other players present have completed three total quarters. Each player will be required to check in with the book keeper before entering the game.
  5. A parent or spectator from each team will be designated as the official timekeeper and scorekeeper at each game.
  6. Games will be forfeited if a team (5 player minimum) is not present and ready to begin within five minutes after the regular scheduled game time. In the event of a forfeit, we would like to encourage the coaches to split the teams up and play a game.
  7. Free throws will be shot on shooting fouls only. 6 feet from backboard. ALL other fouls are an automatic turnover.
  8. Back court guarding – There will be NO back court guarding. When possession is established, the defending team must retreat into their front court and await the advance of the ball beyond the three point line.
  9. Time-Outs – 2 time outs per half. Clock stops during timeout. If timeout is called in the backcourt it is advanced to mid-court.
  10. Goal height/scoring – Goals will be at 8 ft. Baskets will count 2 points. A youth size ball will be used. There will be no fast breaks in this league.
  11. Defense – The only defense allowed in this league will be man to man. No zone defenses will be allowed in this league. No double/triple teaming allowed. Wristbands will be used to assist in man to man defense. Defenders are not allowed to start guarding the ball until it is inside the three point line. No game stalling outside the three point line. (i.e continuous passing. Only 4 passes will be allowed and then the offense must advance the ball inside the three point line.) On a fast break, a player can be picked up by any defender one-on-one still leaving a man-on-man defense. There will be no fast breaks attempted after an attempted shot. Fast breaks will only be allowed on steals of passes from one player to another. Can NOT steal dribble by swatting at the ball. NO BLOCKED shots. A shot is considered blocked when you snap the wrist or extend the arm toward the ball. An attempted blocked shot will result in two free throw attempts. Loose ball and Passes are fair game.
  12. Walking and double dribbling is an automatic turnover.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Basketball Rules
3rd and 4th Grade

Basic Rules: Follow basic NCAA Basketball rules. Variations and specific rules which will be followed are:

  1. Playing Time – Each game will consist of four 8 minute periods with a five minute halftime break. We will play continuous running clock except for time-outs and injuries.
  2. Scorekeeper – A parent or spectator from each team will be designated as the official time keeper and scorekeeper at each game.
  3. Substitution Requirement – Each player present must play two complete quarters in each game. There will be no substituting during a quarter unless of injury, or more than 10 players on a team. No player may play four quarters unless all other players present have completed three total quarters. Each player will be required to check in with the book keeper before entering the game. NOTE: It is the duty of the official scorekeeper to enforce this rule on his own or upon notification by one of the team coaches. PENALTY: Technical Foul. Repeated violations may result in forfeiture of the game. ONE SUB – One person during a timeout is allowed in the fourth quarter.
  4. Games will be forfeited if a team (5 player minimum) is not present and ready to begin within five minutes after the regular scheduled game time. In the event of a forfeit, we would like to encourage the coaches to split the teams up and play a game.
  5. Free throws will be shot on shooting fouls and Bonus situations 9 feet from backboard. Bonus situation will occur after 7 team fouls in a half.
  6. Fouls – A player commenting five fouls has “foul out” and can not play the remainder of the game.
  7. Back court guarding – There will be NO back court guarding. When possession is established, the defending team must retreat into their front court and await the advance of the ball beyond half court.
  8. Time-Outs – 2 time outs per half. Clock stops during timeout. If timeout is called in the backcourt it is advanced to mid-court.
  9. Goal height/scoring – Goals will be at 10 ft. Baskets will count 2 points.
  10. Ball size - A women’s / intermediate size ball will be used in all girls and boys play.
  11. Defense – The only defense allowed in this league will be man to man. No zone defenses will be allowed in this league. No double/triple teaming allowed. Defensive player is allowed to the steal the ball from an opposing offensive player if the offensive player is dribbling through the defense even if it is not his offensive player. The defensive player is allowed one chance to get the ball then must retreat back to guarding his player. This does not mean a player can run across the court to steal the ball. The offensive player has to be dribbling directly past the defensive player.
  12. NO Zone defense is allowed. Whether or not a defensive player is zoning will be a JUDGEMENT CALL of the official, and WILL NOT BE CONTESTED. The intent of this rule is to prevent the “chaser” defense, where one or more players chases the offensive player having the ball; and the traditional zone defense, where one or more defensive players’ primary responsibility is protecting an area of the court. Either of these situations is easily detected by anyone with knowledge of basketball and should be strictly enforced. This rule is applicable throughout the entire game in the back-court and front-court. Defender is allowed to protect his area as long as the offensive player is within arms reach and he is not double teaming another player.
  13. Coaches and players should not EXPECT complete uniformity in the enforcement of rule #12. No two officials will judge a situation exactly the same. A good team will be one that is adapted it its offense and defense according to how the officials are calling the game. This is true regarding how the officials call fouls, lane violations, and traveling violations. It should be the same with zone defense rule. PENALTY: Technical foul. Repeated violations may result in forfeiture of the game.
  14. Overtime – If the game is tied at the end of the fourth quarter, there will be 1 two-minute overtime. If after the 1st overtime, it will go to a 5 man free throw shoot out.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Youth Basketball

Acknowledgement of Rules
(Form must be signed in all three spots before the first game)
(If form is not returned before the first game, child will not play.)

 

I ________________________________ (player), have read and understand the rules of the Youth Association league. I understand that this is a non-competitive league.  I also understand that unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. I understand that I can be dismissed from a game for unsportsmanlike conduct.  I understand that the officials of this league are volunteers and they are not professionals, they are going to make mistakes. I agree to have fun and enjoy learning the basics of basketball.

 

 

I ________________________________ (parents), have read and understand the rules of Youth Association league. I understand that this is a non-competitive league.  I also understand that unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. I understand that the officials of this league are volunteers and they are not professionals, they are going to make mistakes. I understand that an official can dismiss me from a game and I will be suspended from the following game. I agree to have fun and enjoy watching my child play basketball.

 

I ________________________________ (coach), have read and understand the rules of Youth Association league. I understand that this is a non-competitive league.  I also understand that unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. I understand that the officials of this league are volunteers and they are not professionals, they are going to make mistakes. I understand that an official can dismiss me from a game and I will be suspended from the following game. I agree to have fun and enjoy teaching the children the basics of basketball.

 

Signatures:

 

 

________________________                                   ________________________________
Child                                                                            Parent

 

________________________                                    ________________________________
Coach                                                                          Assistant Coach           
Return form to your local youth association or town contact.