2015-16 Youth Basketball Rules

I.Organization and Competition

A. Official Rules

  1. The current National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS) rules will govern league play, except when superseded by local rules.
  2. The PCPRA reserves the right to act on situations not covered by these local or NFHSrules. All interpretations and/or rule intents will be made by the PCPRA.
  3. Coaches may not deviate from these rules.
  4. There will be NO protest in youth basketball.
II.Players

A.Age Control and Divisions

  1. The age control date is the player’s age as of December 31st, 2015.
  2. The following age group criteria will be used in 2015-16 Youth Basketball:

Boys: 8u (Coed), 10u, 12u,

Girls: 8u (Coed), 10u, 12u

  1. Players of a younger age shall be allowed to play in an older age division by one age year with parental consent. Older age players are not permitted to play in a younger age division.
  2. A player can be a member of only one team at a time to participate in the PCPRA basketball program, except for 12 year olds can participate on the Middle School team and in the Rec. basketball program.
  1. Uniforms & Jewelry
  2. All teams must wear PCPRA issued jersey.
  3. Teams may not alter the jerseys in any way, except they may put their names on the back of the jerseys.
  4. Teams may purchase shorts and warm-ups, but cannot make it mandatory for players to purchase them.
  5. All glasses must be worn with a strap.
  6. Players cannot wear any beads in their hair or jewelry of any sort.
  7. All shoes must be soft soled, smooth, non marking basketball style shoes.

D. Conduct

1. Any player, coach, parent or spectator ejected from a game because of unsportsmanlike conduct will be suspended for the next game at which his/her team plays. (The PCPRA reserves the right to review all suspensions)

2. On players, coaches, parent or spectators second offense, the result is automatic expulsion from the program. The PCPRA reserves the right to review all cases.

3. The PCPRA reserves the right to suspend all players, coaches, managers, parents and spectators for unbecoming conduct before, during, or after a game.

4. Use of any tobacco products, alcohol or drugs of any form isPROHIBITED!

5. Persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs shall be suspended from the gym.

6. In accordance with National Federation Basketball Rules, the coach’s box will be used. Coaches must stay in the designated area marked. They may rise to coach, but they may only leave the box during time-outs or injuries. The coach’s box dimensions will begin six (6) feet from the score’s table and will extend to the end of the team’s bench area.

7. If informed by the referee, the coach(s) may lose their coaching box privilege and be restricted to sitting on their bench quietly.

III. Playing Time

A. Mandatory Playing Time

1. There will be a30 second mandatory substitution timeoutthat will take place in the first (1st), second (2nd) & third(3rd) quarters. The clock will be set for 6 (8U Coed)or 8minute quarters. At the 3 (8U Coed)or 4minute mark of eachquarter, substitutions will enter the game at the horn. Players entering the game at this time must remain in the game until the end of the quarter. You may substitute a starter for a starter if there are less than (10) players on a team after the Mandatory Substitution time. The only exceptions to this substitution rule are illness, injury, or disqualification. “Foul Trouble” is not an exception. Mandatory substitution shall be in effect in all quarters except the fourth (4th), where there is free substitution the entire quarter.

2. A team must have at least four players to begin the game. If at any time a team falls below four players, the game is a forfeit.

B. Length of Games and Time Limit

  1. All leagues play four quarters in a game, each quarter shall be eight (8) minutes in length. (Exception: 8U)
  2. A continuous running clock will be used except for the following: mandatory substitution, time outs, free throws, interference with facility objects, injuries, substitutions, and the last two minutes of the game in which the clock stops on every whistle as in regulationHigh School Rules.
  3. Two (2) full one (1) minute timeouts are allowed during the game, along with the three (3) mandatory 30 second substitution timeouts.
  4. If a game is tied after regulation play, an overtime period will be played with the following guidelines:
  1. The overtime period will be two (2) minutes in length with one (1) full timeout.
  2. Clock will stop on each whistle for the entire overtime period.
  3. There will be a maximum of one (1) overtime period. If the score is still tied after one overtime, the game will be ruled a tie.
  1. 15 Point Mercy Rule
  2. In 10U & 12U age divisions, if a team has a 15 point or more lead it will not be allowed to full court press or fast break. Teams behind by 15 or more points MAY continue to press and fast break.
  3. Teams charged with excessive full court pressing violations with a 15 point lead or more will be charged a technical foul.
IV. Special Rules

8U Coed

  1. Fast Breaks or Full court pressing will NOT be allowed in the 8U league.
  2. Defense must setup inside the 3-point arc and can only leave the area inside the 3-point arc to rebound or recover a loose ball or once the offense has penetrated the 3 point arc then regular defense can be played. Abuse of this rule will result in a technical foul charged to the coach. The offensive team after crossing the half court line will have 10 seconds to penetrate the 3-point arc to initiate an offense. If the offensive team does not initiatean offense within 10 seconds, it is a violation and the ball changes possession. Defense is allowed to steal the ball off the dribble from the offensive team inside the 3-point arc or once regular defense has been established.On 3-point shotattempt the offense must first penetrate 3-point arc then move ball back out to be legal and therefore the defense can now defend the shot.
  3. Prior to the beginning of each game, every player that is on the roster will shoot one free throw. All made free throws will be recorded in the official scorebook and on the scoreboard. If team "A" has eight players and team "B" has seven players, then team "B" will have one of their players shoot an additional free throw so that both teams had an equal number of shots. This gives everyone present the chance to score at least one point.
  4. 8U Coed will play four (6) minute quarters. Goal Height: 8 ½ feet, FT Line: 12 feet, Ball size: 28.5 Intermediate

10U Boys & Girls

  1. Fast Breaks are allowed in this age division. Full Court pressing is only allowed during the in the 4th quarter. Exception: 15 point mercy rule.
  2. 10U will play four (8) minute quarters. Goal Height: 10 feet, FT Line: Regulation, Ball size: 28.5 Intermediate

12U Boys & Girls

  1. Fast Breaks and Full Courtpressing are allowed in this age division. Exception: 15 point mercy rule.
  2. 12U will play four (8) minute quarters. Goal Height: 10 feet, FT Line: Regulation, Ball size: 28.5 Intermediate

The PikeCountyParks & Recreation Authority will make any and all decisions deemed necessary for the benefit of the league. This league is designed for fun, recreation, safety and skill. The PCPRA reserves the right to deny participation to anyone who detracts from this program.

Rev.11.17.15