Youth Basketball Rules

I.  LEAGUES

A.   LOWER DIVISION

3rd Grade

4th Grade

UPPER DIVISION  Boys and Girls          

5th Grade

6th Grade

7th Grade

8th Grade

II.  TEAMS

A.   All   team  rosters  will  consist  of   not  less  than  six  (6)  nor  more  than  twelve (12) players. 8 is preferred.

B.    A player shall be permitted to play only after the player has submitted a completed Registration form and payment to the Recreation Department.  No player shall be permitted to play on more than one league team.

C.    Any team losing a player for any reason after the initial drafting of players and  before the start of the 3rd game of the season, must notify the Recreation Office who will assign a player from the waiting list.  If a team falls below 5 remaining players, and there are no comparable players to select from on the waiting list, the Recreation Department, in his/her sole discretion, shall determine an equitable solution.  So long as a team has 5 remaining players, there will be no replacement players added to a team once the 3rd game has started.

D.   Each team must have an adult head coach, a team parent and should have an assistant coach.  The only individuals allowed on the player’s bench are the head coach, one assistant coach and the teams currently playing.  There will be no exceptions to this rule and a technical foul shall be called after a first warning for this infraction.  All head coaches and assistant head coaches must be approved by the Recreation Department and be screened according to the department’s policy.  The Recreation Department League Coordinator or Recreation Superintendent have the discretion to remove any coach and to remove or not approve an Assistant Coach.  An adult shall be present on the bench in the event an acting coach is under the age of eighteen.

E.    Coaches are required to have a mandatory meeting with parents of team members before league practices begin to cover rules, the Recreation  Code of Conduct, and encourage parent participation.  It is required that every adult and child participating in the league will abide by the Recreation Code of Conduct.  At least one parent ( or parents agent/representative) must, at registration, sign the  Code of Conduct on behalf of the player’s entire family.

G.   In accordance with the State mandate, each coach, assistant coach, Board Member and referee must complete and sign a Disclosure Statement and be fingerprinted.

III.  LEAGUE PLAY

A.   The basketball skills of each boy and girl will be rated for purposes of team balance when and if time permits.  Players will sign up and teams will then be selected by school grade.  Beginning players must be placed in the division of the grade they are in as September 1st, prior to the start of the season. Players may be asked to present a report card of the prior year at the time of registration. Players in upper divisions may play up if the division they are graded to is full and their skill warrants it through the Recreation Departments evaluation. Players may not play up at only the parents request.  

B.    Play

1.     League play shall start at the discretion of the Recreation Department.  Teams may play practice games prior to the start of league play.

2.     No team will be allowed to play more than three games per week, unless make-up games or tiebreakers for a play-off position are necessary.  (Summer Leagues may waive this rule). 

3.     Game starting time will be as indicated on the league schedule distributed by the Recreation Department League Coordinator.  Any deviation of the originally scheduled times and/or location can only be made by the League Coordinator.

4.     Failure to field a team of at least four (4) players at the scheduled starting time shall result in an automatic forfeit.

5.     Officially postponed games will be played at a later date if scheduling permits.  The date will be decided by the Recreation Department League Coordinator.

6.     Trophies will be awarded to 1st place teams for  the regular league season . All players will receive a trophy of participation.

7.     It is the responsibility of the home team to supply an adult timekeeper.  The game shall not proceed unless an adult timekeeper is present.  The home team is the team listed first on the official schedule.

8.     Only 1 coach at a time per team can be standing during the course of a game.  Exceptions: time-outs, injuries, between quarters and at half time.  The standing coach may roam only in the area between the end of the scorer’s table closest to his/her team’s bench and the far end/last chair of his/her team’s bench.  The first violation for a team for the game will result in a warning to the head coach; the head coach will be charged with a technical  foul for a 2nd violation;  the head coach will receive a 2nd technical for a further violation, resulting in ejection from the game and an automatic suspension for the next game.  A technical called pursuant to this rule will not be charged to the team for purposes of forfeiting the game.  After a coach receives one technical as a result of coach’s conduct, the coach receiving the technical must sit for the balance of the game.

9.     Coaches are not allowed to communicate (yell, complain, etc.) to officials on any matter while the game is in play.  Coaches must take an official “time-out” to discuss any matter (play, call, ruling, etc.) with an official in a quiet, professional manner.  (Official time-outs and game breaks are also permissible time for such discussion.)  Coaches must control any discussion or comments to officials, from their bench or player’s parents, at all times.  No one is permitted to discuss any game matters with the officials during time-outs other then coaches.  Violations will draw a warning from the officials.  Subsequent violations will warrant technical fouls and/or expulsion from the gym.  The League Coordinator or Recreation Supervisor shall be fully empowered to enforce this paragraph as if he/she were an acting official on the court floor.

10.  Opposing players and coaches will exchange a cordial, mandatory, congratulatory, handshake after each game.

11.  Any coach or player who is ejected from a game for any reason shall be automatically suspended for a minimum of one game.  A coach or player who has been ejected or suspended shall not be in the gym after the ejection or during the suspension period.  The  League Coordinator, Recreation Supervisor and the Incident Committee shall, as needed, review the circumstances of any ejection/suspension, and within their discretion may impose further penalty on an offender. The official City of Livingston Conduct Policy as attached will be implemented.

12.  Technical or flagrant fouls assessed on players or coaches (including assistant coaches) will be cumulative during the course of the season (including playoffs).  Third cumulative technical or flagrant is automatic next 2 games suspension.  Fourth cumulative technical or flagrant is loss of coaching privileges or playing privileges for balance of season (including playoffs).

 IV.  LEAGUE STANDINGS

A.   PLAYOFFS

1.     The top four teams from each age group will advance to the play-offs.  The play-off seeding will start with the first vs. fourth place, second vs. third place, winning teams advancing to the next round.  Additional teams may be added to the playoff schedule at the discretion of the League Coordinator if there are more than six (6) teams in the Division and there is adequate gym time available for play.

2.     Kindergarden through second grade divisions will not keep standings, nor have playoffs.

B.    TIE-BREAKERS:  In case of ties for any playoff positions, the following formula will prevail:

1.     If two teams tie for first or second, head to head play determines.  If head to head cannot determine, a play-off game will determine the seeding.  Two teams tied for any other play-off position, head to head competition prevails.  If these same teams played once, the team that won is the higher seed.  If these same two teams played twice:  if one team won both games, that team is the higher seed.  If these same two teams each won one game, a coin flip will determine the higher seed for other than first or second place.

2.     Three way ties:  head to head competition prevails among the three teams.  The team with the best record among the three teams will be highest seed, the second best will be next seed, the third best will be the next seed.  If any ties cannot be broken with that formula, a coin flip will determine for other than first or second place.  If four (4) or more tie for a position the rule will follow the same formula for three (3) teams tying.

3.     In the case of any dispute arising from this rule section or need for further tie breakers, the Division Director shall have full authority for final resolution of any such dispute or matter.

V.  OFFICIALS

A.   The Recreation Department League Coordinator shall arrange for the assignment of game officials.

B.    Officials will be provided for all games.  No game will be delayed because of the absence or lateness of one official.  A game MAY be played with ONE official on the floor.

C.    All game officials during the winter season must be dressed in a striped black and white official’s shirt, black shorts (or black pants) and athletic shoes.  No hats.  To be eligible to officiate, officials (referees and scorekeepers) must be at least in the 9th grade (or going into the 9th grade for a summer season) and must have exhibited good character and knowledge of the game and attend an official training workshop and pass the official test put on by the league.

D.   If no officials appear for the game, the game will be re-scheduled.

E.    At the end of a game, coaches are encouraged to advise their League Coordinator of exemplary or unacceptable referee performance.  League Coordinator shall notify the Head Referee of applicable matters.

F.    Officials are  not permitted to play or shoot during the course of the game (including time-outs and quarter breaks).  The adult timekeeper must hold the game ball during all time-outs and rest intervals (breaks in play, quarters, halves etc.).  Officials should keep courts clear of all spectators and non-participants.

G.   Officials will collect score sheets of the games and forward them to the Head Referee and advise the Head Referee of any technical or flagrant fouls called during the game.

H.   In the 5th grade division and above, match-ups are allowed only prior to the start of the game and the second half.  For the 3rd and 4th grade division, coaches can request a match-up at the beginning of a quarter.  The clock will be stopped during match-ups.

VI.  GAME RULES

A.   Rules:  The rules regulating play will be the Official Scholastic Basketball Rules with the modifications that follow.

B.    Rests:  Rest interval between halves is four (4) minutes; between quarter two (2) minutes.

C.    Time Keeping:  Time will be kept by a timekeeper on the official time clock or watch.  The timekeeper must be an ADULT or a game official, at the official’s discretion.  The Official Score Sheet must be kept at mid-court at the scorer’s table.  Both coaches shall sign the Official Score Sheet after the game.  A coach may not protest a game if he fails to sign the Official Score Sheet.

D.   Time Periods:  All games will have four (4) ten (10) minute running time quarters.  The clock will be stopped for time-outs.  Players have ten (10) seconds to shoot free throws from the time the ball is handed to them by the officials.  EXCEPTION:  During the last two (2) minutes of the 4th quarter AND any overtime period:  the clock stops with any whistle, out of bounds, free throw, or time out. Clock does not stop in last 2 minutes of 4th quarter if one team has a (15) fifteen or more point lead.  Overtime periods will be two (2) minutes in length.  There will be a maximum of three (3) overtimes (except play-offs).  A game can end in a tie (except playoffs).  After a time-out the clock will not be started until the ball is live.  Following a time-out, the ball is not live on the free throw line until the free throws are completed and the ball is touched by the rebounder or a player on the inbound.

E.    Game Start and possession of ball:  The game will start with a jump ball at center court.  Therefore, all tie ups will result in alternating possession.  The first possession will go to the team that did not gain possession of the jump ball.  A jump ball starts all overtime periods.

F.    Calling Time Outs:  The coach may call time-outs from the bench (in any division).  Four (4) one-minute time-outs per team (in any division) are allowed per game, with one ADDITIONAL time-out per team each overtime period.  No more than two (2) time-outs may be used per half.  A time-out may be called by the coach or a player when his own team is in possession of the ball, or by either team when there is a dead ball.  There is no carryover of time-outs from any of the first 4 quarters to any overtime period, and no carryover of time-outs from one overtime to the next.

G.   Minimum/Maximum play:  All players on a team must play 2 full, complete uninterrupted (all 10 minutes from the beginning to the end) quarters during a game.Play in less than all of a quarter may NOT be combined with play in another quarter to equal a full, complete-quarter for minimum play requirements.  Any 2 full, complete, uninterrupted quarters (all 10 minutes played) of the game will count toward the 2 minimum quarters.  The official scorekeeper shall be responsible for enforcement and will be the final authority for the rule.

1.     If a coach/team violates the 2 full complete-quarter minimum play rule, the head coach will be automatically ejected from the balance of that game and suspended for the team’s next 2 games.

 2.     If a player is injured having to leave the game, that quarter will count toward his/her two quarter total.  If the player has played only part of one quarter, but cannot return for the balance of the game due to injury, then the player shall receive credit for two periods play.  However, the player may return to the game during that quarter, or thereafter, if he/she is able.  The injured player may stay in the game without a time-out charged to his/her team.

 3.     Players arriving late, but before the second half begins, must abide by the two quarter minimum play rule.  Players arriving after the start of the second half are not allowed to play.  A coach who attempts to circumvent this rule by asking a player not to attend a game, feign an injury, etc., shall be subject to suspension and the forfeiture of that game and will be subject to disciplinary action, including removal as coach and further future suspension.

4.     If a player received a fifth foul prior to having completed two complete quarters of play, that player shall not have fouled out of the game.  Each succeeding foul on that player, after the fifth foul, shall be penalized the same as an intentional foul (two foul shots for the foul plus possession to the offended team), plus foul shots for the foul committed, as applicable.

 a.      A player who commits a 5th foul, and who has previously met the 2 quarter minimum play requirement, is out of the game and may not return (including in overtime).

b.      Player receiving 5th foul during that player’s second quarter of play must stay in game and complete that quarter.

 c.       Player who receives 5th foul in that player’s first quarter must complete that quarter and must play the entire subsequent quarter.

 d.      A player who has fouled out of the game in regulation time may not play in overtime. 

5.     If a team has 7 or more players for a game, each player must sit out a minimum of one full, complete quarter during the course of a game, (not including overtimes).  Any appearance in the game during a quarter constitutes play in that quarter.

a.     A player who is injured during a quarter, and does not remain in the game for that quarter, is considered to have played during that quarter for purposes of the three quarters maximum play rule.

b.     A player who replaces an injured player during a quarter is not considered to have played or appeared during that quarter for purposes of the three quarters maximum play rule.

c.     Any attempt by a coach to circumvent the intent of the three quarters maximum play rule by feigning an injury to a player shall be reported by the game officials and/or the opposing coach to the Division Director who shall further report same to the Incident Committee for Disciplinary action.

 6.     A team with 6 players must have each player play at least three complete full quarters.

a.     A player on a team with 6 players present having played 2 full complete quarters, fouls out and is out for the remainder of the game when assessed a 5th foul.  Said player does not leave the game until completing 2 full complete quarters and does not play 3 complete quarters.

 H.   Time Out Ball Position:  Ball will be awarded to the offensive team at the out of bounds location closest to where the ball was when the time-out was called.

 I.      Fouls:

1.     Technical Fouls:  Officials may call technical fouls within the guidelines of the official rules.  A technical foul on a parent/spectator will be charged to that team’s coach.  Penalty for each technical foul shall be two (2) shots from the free-throw line and possession of the ball to the offended team.

2.     Flagrant Fouls:  A flagrant foul is any foul where the player or coach charged for the foul has caused, or attempted to cause, harm to another player through his/her actions on the court.  Flagrant fouls will be an automatic double Technical Foul with automatic expulsion of the  player and/or coach from the game.

3.     Intentional Fouls:  An intentional foul is any foul where the defensive man is not going for the ball in the opinion of the officials.  Penalty for intentional foul shall be two (2) shots from the free-throw line and possession of the ball to the offended team.

4.     Foul Language:  Use of foul language is automatically a technical foul.

5.     The clock will stop at any time during the game upon the issuance of a technical foul, flagrant foul  or intentional foul and will be restarted when the referee hands the ball to the foul shooter.

6.     Carryover of fouls:  Player’s individual fouls carryover to all overtime periods.  Team fouls from the second half and thereafter carryover to all overtime periods.  A player who has fouled out of the game any time during regulation play is not eligible to play in overtime.

 J.     Forfeiture for Technical Fouls:  Three technical fouls other than “Zone” or “press” technical fouls against a player, team, and/or coach constitutes a forfeit.  The official calling a forfeiture shall make a full and detailed written report to the Division Director within forty eight (48) hours.  A game forfeited in accordance with this rule may not be protested.

 K.   Defense:  A man to man defense is defined as:  When an offensive player is within six (6) feet of the key, the defensive player must guard closely.  When the offensive player clears the key by more than six (6) feet, the defensive player need ONLY clear the key in the direction of his/her man.  Only the player with the ball can be double teamed (double team means two (2) or more defensive players) AND ONLY between the baseline and the extended free throw line, except during an allowable press.  The extended free throw line means a line extending through the regulation free throw line to each sideline.

1.     LOWER DIVISION TEAMS PLAY MAN TO MAN  or ZONE DEFENSE.

 a.     There will be NO PRESSING AT ANY TIME for the 3rd Grade Division and the 4th Grade Division.  Double teaming as defined above is allowed.

 b.     For the 5th Grade Division (Boys and Girls) and the 6th Grade Girls Division, pressing is allowed in the last two (2) minutes of the second quarter, fourth quarter, and all overtimes.  Under no circumstances can a team press with a fifteen (15) or more point lead.  The first violation will be a warning with each further violation being a technical foul.  During pressing situations, double teaming is allowed anywhere on the court.

2.     THE FOLLOWING RULES APPLY TO TEAMS WHO ARE IN A NON-PRESSING SITUATION.

a.     The offense must be allowed to bring the ball into the front court uncontested, unless the rebounding team attempts a fast break off the rebound.

b.     The offensive team must bring the ball across the mid-court line within ten (10) seconds from in-bounding or gaining possession.

 c.     After crossing the mid-court line, the offense has five (5) seconds to cross the five (5) second hash mark.  If the offense does not cross this line within five (5) seconds, the officials will award the ball to the defensive team.  The defense may not enter the five (5) second area until the offensive player has crossed the hash mark.  Once the five (5) second hash mark has been penetrated, the defense may defend anywhere on the court.  If offense has previously crossed mid-court, defense may defend anywhere on the court after a time-out is taken by the offense.

d.     If the players forget the NO PRESS rule and cause a turnover in the back court area, the officials shall warn the offender and the bench and award the ball out of bounds to the offended team.  Repeated violations MAY result in a technical foul.

e.      Should a team fall below five (5) players as a result of a player fouling out of the game, the team will return a player selected by the opposing coach.  A player returning to the game with five (5) personal fouls will be charged a personal foul and a technical foul for each subsequent violation.  These technical fouls will not count toward forfeiture of the game.  The technical fouls will not be assessed if the opposing team has a fifteen or more point lead.

3.     In the 7th Grade, 8th Grade and High School Grade Divisions, and in the 6th Grade Boys (not Girls) Division, a zone or pressing defense may be played at any time. 5th and 6th grade girls division may only be pressed during the last 2 minutes of the 2nd and 4th quarters.  Under no circumstances can a team use a backcourt press with a fifteen (15) or more point lead.

L.    Plays:  IN THE 3RD AND 4TH GRADE DIVISION ONLY, the offensive team in the front court is not permitted to isolate 4 offensive players on one side of the basket and have the 5th player drive to the basket away from the other 4 players.  Penalty is loss of possession.

M.  Free Throw Rules:

 1.      No free throws will be taken until the seventh (7th) team foul of each half (except for technical, intentional, and shooting fouls).  ON the tenth (10th) foul of the half, any foul requires a two (2) shot penalty.

 2.      The 3rd Grade and 4th Grade Division free throw line is eleven (11) feet from the basket.  Officials will spot this line to the best of their ability during the game.

 3.      The 5th Grade and 6th Grade Division free throw line is thirteen (13) feet from the basket.  Officials will spot this line to the best of their ability during the game.

4.      The 7th, 8th, and High School Division free throw line is fifteen (15) feet from the basket (regulation free-throw line).

 5.      On a foul shot, no player can enter the lane until the ball hits the rim.

N.   Key Violations:

1.     The 3rd, 4th grade and 5th and 6th Grade Girls Divisions will play with a five (5) second “key” violation.

2.     The 5th and 6th grade Boys and  7th and 8th grade Divisions will play with a three (3) second “key” violation.

 O.   Three Point Scoring:  Three (3) point baskets are permitted for shots only when there are marked lines on the court indicating the three point circle.

 P.    Games Scores will be reported to the Recreation Department League Coordinator directly after play. It is up to the coaches to sign the score sheets after the games to insure the scores are correct.

Q.    RULES FOR THE SELECTION OF COACHES AND ASSISTANT COACHES:  The Recreation Department League Coordinator shall be responsible for the recruitment and selection of all Coaches.  In the event of any dispute or complaint regarding Coaches or their performance, the Recreation Department Discipline Board shall have total authority to resolve the issue.  Coaches shall only coach one team in the League each year. Any exceptions shall only be with the written approval of the affected League Coordinator.  (Assistant coaches may assist on multiple teams with the approval of the Coaches and League Coordinator. Coaches and Assistant Coaches must abide by the League’s Code of Conduct and must sign the Coach’s Pledge.

 R.     RULES FOR FORMING TEAMS:  The objective is to form teams which are as equal as possible to ensure the fairest competition for all players.  Knowing that every team has been formed fairly will help to make each player’s basketball season a positive experience.

S.    The following procedures will be closely adhered to in the Draft:

1.     All players shall be placed into a blind draft by grade.

2.     Supervised by the League Coordinator, and coaches of each division shall meet and draw players for their team.

3.     Each coach shall draft his own team, with one pick during each round.  The order of each coach’s pick for the first round shall be determined by the drawing of a number, prior to the draft. A coach must pick his/her own child  as their first pick.  Only one coach per team will be permitted to attend the draft. The Second draft pick shall be their assistant coach’s child. Assistant coaches must have proper clearance prior to the draft or they will not be considered and assistant coach.  Coaches/teams are not permitted to trade players at any time.

4.     Coaches may pick any player in any Round at any time.

5.     Coaches may not form a partnership or co-coach if it results in an imbalance in the league.  If the League Coordinator has given approval prior to the draft, Coaches may elect to co-coach or choose an assistant before the draft.

The other Coach’s (Assistant’s) child, or both of their children, must be rated in the 4th round lower

Each division will use the following ball size:     

3rd Grade – Boy 5, Girl 5

4th Grade – Boy  5, Girl 5

5th Grade – Boy 6, Girl 6

6th  Grade -  Boy 6, Girl 6

7th Grade -   Boy 7, Girl  28.5

8th Grade -   Boy 7, Girl  28.5

High School- Boy 7, Girl 28.5