TMSAA and TSSAA rules will govern program unless covered by BGC Youth Basketball Rules.
ELIGIBILITY
• Eligibility of athletes (boys and girls) through 11 years old is determined by the athletes’ age on August 31st.
• Eligible players are those players that are listed on the teams’ official roster held by the Boys & Girls Club.
• Teams are divided up as follows:
BOYS
5 through 6
7 through 8
9 through 11
GIRLS
5 through 6
7 through 8
9 through 11
• Teams shall consist of at least 8 players. Coaches have the option of having more than ten players. If it is necessary to have teams with more than ten players that determination shall be made by the acting directors. This is to create balance among teams and to allow athletes to participate if each has signed up by the appropriate date.
• A team must have 5 players present at the scheduled game time, but all members of the team must have been contacted about the game.
• A forfeited game will not be rescheduled.
• If a player isn’t present by beginning of second quarter he/she will not be permitted to play in that game.
GAME PLAY
BALL SIZE
• ALL Girls - 28.5 basketball
• 5-6 Boys – 28.5
• 7-8 Boys – 28.5
• 9-11 Boys – 29.5 basketball
GOALS
• 5-6 year old league will play on 8-foot goals.
• 7-8 year old league will play on 9-foot goals.
• 9-11 year old league will play on 10-foot goals.
FREE THROW LINE
The free throw line shall be:
• 15 feet for 9-11 year old league
• 15 feet for 7-8 year old league – with no line violation
• 10 feet for 5-6 year old league – with no line violation
2.3.1 No Line violation – If the player’s feet are behind the line before the ball is released, there will be no line violation called.
SCORING
• Each made basket behind the 3-point line will receive (3) points.
• Each made basket in front of 3-point line will receive two (2) points.
• Each free throw made shall have a value of one (1) point.
• Officiating: Two league-approved officials will officiate all games when possible.
• Each team shall have (3) 60 second and (2) twenty second time outs per game.
GAME CLOCK
• Quarters are 10 minutes long for all age groups, with the clock running continuously except for timeouts, except the last two minutes of regular game play (see 2.8). Jump balls start each game; teams will alternate taking out the ball the rest of the quarter. The clock will NOT stop on free throws or out of bounds. Half time will be 3 minutes.
• At the 2 minute mark in the 4th quarter the clock will be stopped when the referee blows his/her whistle.
• Overtime will be 2 minutes with clock stopping on each whistle.
2.10 If overtime ends in a tie, then “Sudden Death” over time will begin.
• A jump ball will begin this overtime
• There will be no clock
• First team to score will win the game
2.10 Playing Time: Each child shall play a full quarter during the game. If each child does not receive his/her quarter of playing time, the game will result in a forfeit for the team in violation of said playing times.
The players that start the first quarter have to finish the quarter uninterrupted. The players that start the second quarter have to finish the second quarter uninterrupted. For the second half teams must insert remaining players that have not played into the game, numbers permitting, by the end of the third quarter all players should have played their uninterrupted quarter and sit for an uninterrupted quarter. In the event that a player is injured or collects 3 fouls they may then be substituted, but the sub must sit the next quarter uninterrupted.
2.11 Starting the Third quarter, the scorekeepers will indicate to the coaches, the players that have not played.
2.12 Referees will NOT call Backcourt Defense:
2.12.1 We ask that coaches do not play full court defense if they have a 20 point lead out of respect for the other team. We need to remember this is a teaching league. We are teaching more than just basketball. Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.
III. COACHES
3.1 Conduct: If a coach exhibits unsportsmanlike conduct he/she will be ejected from one game; for a second offense he/she will be ejected from 2 games; a third offense he/she will be removed from the league. Any physical offense will result in immediate dismissal from the league.
3.2 Coaches are not to speak directly to scorekeepers unless they are requesting information regarding playing time or number of fouls a player has amassed. If there is a problem with the scorekeepers, coaches are to address the referee and let him/her correct any problem if one exists.
3.3. Coaches are to stay within the boundaries of their bench. 5-6 year old league coaches can run the sidelines with their players.
• Coaches shall respect the referees at all times.
IV. SPECTATORS
4.1 Spectator rules for conduct at games:
A. No alcoholic beverages
B. No smoking inside gym or facility or on Boys & Girls Club property
C. No fighting
D. No use of vulgarities or obscenities
E. No debris to be thrown on the playing floor
F. Parents will not antagonize coaches, officials, or scorekeepers. Coaches will be responsible for their fans. If there is a problem with fans, the referee will go to the coach to handle problem.
4.2 Spectators which fail to adhere to common courtesy and respect will be asked to leave the premises by a director or league representative, and will receive a 1 game suspension. If the spectator is asked to leave a game a second time, he/she is suspended for the remaining season, and must set up a meeting with the Athletic Director and Board before being reinstated.
IV. GENERAL RULES
5.1 Any schedule change may be made only the Boys & Girls Club Youth Basketball Board and/or League Director.
5.2 Any questions/comments will be addressed by the Boys and Girls Club Basketball Board and/or Athletic Director. If a coach feels a discussion is necessary, he/she shall contact the league director for an investigation before the next scheduled playing date.
VI. PRACTICE
6.1 Practice times at the Boys and Girls Club will be scheduled through the Boys and Girls Club Athletic Director.
6.2 No more than 2 hours of practice will be permitted within a one-week time frame.
6.3 It is encouraged that athletes to be at all practices to play in a game that week, however this will be to the coach’s discretion.
