Community League Rules
Goals:
Have Fun
Build Self-esteem
Teach fundamental basketball skills
Promote team play
Divisions, Ball Size, Hoop Height:
4-5 COED - Youth ball (27.5”) / 8ft hoops - clinics on Saturday only and will be played at Broadneck, Arnold or Windsor Farms Elementary / possible scrimmaging towards end of season as players develop
6-7 COED - Youth ball (27.5”) - 8ft hoops - Saturday only combined practice and games / Games will be played at Broadneck, Arnold or Windsor Farms Elementary
8-9 Girls - Youth ball (27.5”) / 9ft hoops /no full court press / 1 practice on a weeknight / Games will be played at Broadneck, Arnold or Windsor Farms Elementary
8-9 Boys - Intermediate Ball (28.5”)/ 9ft hoops/no full court press / 1 practice on a weeknight / Games will be played at Broadneck Elementary or Windsor Farms Elementary
10-11 Girls and 10-11 Boys - Intermediate ball (28.5) / 10ft hoops / 1 practice on a weeknight / Games will be played at Severn River Middle School or Arnold Elementary
12-13 Boys - Official Ball (29.5”) / 10ft hoops / 1 practice on a weeknight / Games will be played at Severn River Middle School
We will follow the National High School Federation Rules with the following exceptions:
Game Format:
6/7U - Game format is being adjusted to 4-on-4 (rather than 5-on-5). This will allow coaches to slow the game down for the inexperienced players. Games are not timed and are unscored. Standings are not kept. There are no playoffs. Both coaches are on the floor as referees. Players are rotated through as needed at a break in play.
8U+ - Age 8/9 have 1 ref and age 10+ have 2. Scoring and standings are kept. Ranks are used for seeding for playoffs. For divisions with 8 or more teams, there will be 2 brackets in playoffs at the end of the season.
Game Time:
Each game will consist of (4) four, (8) eight minute quarters. The clock will be a running clock that will only stop for time outs, injuries, substitutions, shooting fouls(clock will restart after the ball hits the rim on the foul shot), and the last (2) two minutes of the second and fourth quarters and overtime the clock stops for all normal whistles (fouls, violation, injury). Breaks between the quarters will be one minute in length. Half time is five minutes in length or what time allows.
Ties/Overtime:
If the game is tied at the end of regulation, there will be a (2) minute overtime period. If the game is still tied it will be recorded as a tie.
Time Outs:
Each team is allowed (2) two time outs per game. No carryover into overtime. Each time out is one minute in length. Overtime each team will receive (1) one, (1) one minute timeout.
Substitutions:
There will be a stoppage in play after (4) four minutes for substitutions. Please have players ready. All players must play at least half or the equivalent amount of time based on the number of players at the present game. Remember this is not a time out. Outside of the 4 minute mark, end of quarter, and end of half, there are no other substitutions allowed except for an injury. Only the injured player can be replaced (unless it occurs at a normal substitution time). For the 12/13 Girls Co-Op league with Severna Park, substitutions will be made at the end of every quarter, unless there is a need to sub for injury.
Defense:
First violation of failure to play defense as listed below is delay of game. Second and subsequent violation is a direct technical to the coach.
For age 6/7U, 8/9U, & 10/11U, man to man defense only.
For age 12/13U, coaches can decide which to use, but we reserve the right to change and require man to man defense during the season if needed.
Defensive Alignment:
4/5U - two feet in the lane during any scrimmaging
6/7U - stay below the top of the key extended to either sideline
8/9U - stay below the top of the key extended to either sideline (except while pressing - see “Pressing” section)
10/11U - stay below half court (except while pressing - see “Pressing” section)
12/13U - stay below half court (except while pressing - see “Pressing” section)
“Safe Zone”:
The safe zone is an offensive area where defense is not allowed. Outside the lane (4/5U), between the top of the key and halfcourt (6/7U and 8/9U), and back court (10/11U and 12/13U) are safe zones. Defensive players CANNOT defend in those areas. To be clear…they CANNOT jump in on a lazy pass. They can only defend those areas if there is a loose ball or they are allowed to press (see “Pressing” section below). Any violation will result in possession remaining with the team in the offensive zone. Multiple violations could result in a warning or technical foul to the defensive coach (at the referee’s discretion).
Double Team & Traps:
Switching coverage from one player to another is allowed and encouraged but players cannot linger.
Pressing:
If a team is leading by (10) or more points, pressing will not be allowed.
For ages 8-9, half court press is allowed during the last 2 minutes of each half & entire overtime period. Defensive players can go anywhere on the half court they are defending up to the half court line.
For ages 10+, full court press is allowed during the last 2 minutes of each half & entire overtime period. Defensive players can go anywhere on the court.
Offense:
NO use of isolation plays. An isolation play is one designed to have a skilled player go to the hoop on their own while everyone else gets out of the way.
Fast breaks are allowed and encouraged.
Offensive plays are allowed. The key word is “allowed”. Typically, offensive plays are not taught until middle school. For player development, it is important to “see the court”. Players learning at a young age to take advantage of what the defense gives will help them improve quickly. Running plays discourages inexperienced players from understanding how to play correctly and can also make them very predictable. Plays are allowed but be sure to focus on fundamentals.
Each home team is required to supply a parent to maintain the scoreboard.
Awards:
Players in 4U, 5U, and 6/7U will receive participation trophy
Players in 8/9U will receive a participation medal
Players in divisions with playoffs (age 8+) will receive a trophy for championship team only. In divisions with 8 or more teams, they will be split into a more experienced and less experienced division for playoffs. Each bracket will receive trophies for the winning team.
Coach/Player/Fan Conduct:
Only the head coach and 1 assistant are allowed on the bench. Only the head coach is allowed to stand. All coaches must stay on the sideline unless acting as referee or attending to an injured player. Assistants unable to observe this will be asked to join the fans on the opposite sideline.
Players & coaches are expected to show respect for all others - teammates, opponents, coaches, referees, and fans of both sides. We will have a zero tolerance policy for unsportsmanlike behavior. The first offense per player will result in a technical foul (opposing team receives two uncontested foul shots and possession of the ball). A second technical foul for a player or coach will result in ejection of that individual. An ejected person must leave the building.
Fans are expected to show respect for all in attendance. Please remember…the players are just kids, coaches are volunteers, referees are human, and no scholarships are being handed out this season. Be the fan you want your kids and their friends to see on the sideline. For a fan who shows unsportsmanlike conduct, a technical foul will be applied to the coach. A second technical foul (from any fan during the same game) will result in the game being suspended. Fans will all be asked to exit the gym. Play may resume once that happens or will end as decided by the official.
The head coach should be the only one in communication with the referee. Referees are now being run by an in-house group. These referees are friends, neighbors, and students that live in our neighborhoods. Please keep that in mind. Fans who enjoy calling the game and fouls from the sidelines are encouraged to contact BAYS.
League commissioner will make any and all schedule changes/cancellations. Whenever AACPS are closed due to poor weather or holiday all practices and games are canceled. Phone (410 222-7312) www.aacounty.org/recparks/cancellations
League Commissioner must approve additional players to teams. All players must be registered with athletic committee.