League Rules

All games will be played under the rules followed by the National Federation of High School Basketball, with exceptions noted below.

Equipment by Division

• K–2 (Boys & Girls): 27.5” ball | 8.5 ft hoop
• 3–6 (Boys & Girls): 28.5” ball | 10 ft hoop
• 7–12: 29.5” ball | 10 ft hoop

Game Format

• Four 10-minute quarters
• Clock stops for:
• Timeouts
• Final minute if the score is within 10 points
• Only one head coach and one assistant coach are allowed on the bench.

Timeouts & Overtime

• 2 timeouts per half (do not carry over)
• Overtime:
• 1st OT: 1 minute
• 2nd OT: Sudden death (first to score wins)

Playing Time (MANDATORY)

• Every player must play at least 20 minutes per game
• Coaches must clear the bench every 5 minutes
• See points of emphasis for clarification below.

Fouls

• Players foul out at 6 total fouls
• 1-and-1 on 7th team foul per half
• Double bonus on 10th foul per half
• Technical foul = 2 free throws + possession

Defense Rules

• 5th grade and up: Full-court press allowed
• All divisions: No full-court press when leading by 10+ points

3–4 Grade Special Rules

• First 30 minutes: Man-to-man defense only
• Last 10 minutes: Any defense allowed
• No helping off your player unless the ball enters the paint (See points of emphasis for clarification below)
• Free throw shooters may step over the line

Reference Event Code of Conduct for expected behaviors from players, parents, and coaches.

We use a structured substitution system to keep things fair and simple:

• Substitutions every 5 minutes (stopped by referees), quick as the clock still runs.
• 10-player teams: Full line change every rotation
• Less than 10 players:
• Each player must sit at least once
• Max playtime = 35 minutes (unless only 5 players)
• No substitutions during intervals (unless injury or foul-out)

Why it matters:

• Guarantees equal opportunity (20-minute minimum)
• Keeps rotations simple
• Ensures development for every player

This system keeps things fair, consistent, and easy to track, ensuring every player gets their time on the court.

Man-to-Man Defense Required (First 30 Minutes)

• Teams must play man-to-man defense for the first 30 minutes of the game.
• Defenders must stay within arm’s length of the player they are guarding.
• Help defense is only allowed when the ball-handler enters the free-throw lane area AKA the paint.

No Clear-Out Offenses

• Offenses may not isolate one player by placing them on one side of the court while the other four are on the opposite side.
• If this happens, the defense may switch to help defense freely.

Penalties for Violations

• First offense: Warning
• Second offense: Technical foul — 2 free throws and possession awarded to the other team

These rules are designed to encourage proper defensive positioning, teamwork, and fairness in early gameplay development.

At this level, it’s all about learning, confidence, and having fun.

Game Approach

• 5-on-5 controlled play
• Defensive pickup starts behind half-court
• 8.5 ft hoops for proper shooting development

Scorekeeping

• Score is tracked for tournament seeding
• No individual stats recorded

Rules & Teaching

• Basic rules (traveling, double dribble) are introduced from the start to help players learn the game the right way.
• Referees prioritize teaching over strict enforcement
• We can’t call every violation; doing so would leave little actual playing time. Referees will call common violations and use them as teaching moments, focusing on building good habits over time, not perfection.

Final Note

We’ve designed every rule and format with one goal in mind:

Help kids improve, build confidence, and enjoy the game.

Trust the process — it works.