Rules
DIVISIONS
- Pre-K / K (must be at least 4 years old or enrolled in Pre-Kindergarten)
- 1st / 2nd Grade
- 3rd / 4th Grade
TEAM ROSTERS
- Rosters will be limited to 8-10 players. (TEAMS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED MORE THAN 10 players or less than 8 players, to create equal playing time for the kids).
PLAYERS
- Each team must have 5 players at the start of each game, but may play with 4 in the event of an injury/illness.
- This league is designed and made for ANY SKILL LEVEL. Everyone on each team will play and everyone will play an EQUAL amount of TIME. Coaches use their discretion as to how to ensure the playing time.
- The intent is to provide all participants equal playing time regardless of skill level or experience. It is the role of the coach to help ensure that every child plays and has a positive experience on and off of the court.
YOUTH SPORTS BATHROOM POLICY
The children’s parents are required to take care of their child’s bathroom needs. If a child needs to use the restroom and their parent is not there a coach or team parent may take them, but two additional children MUST accompany them. A staff or coach is never to be alone with one child, and never take a child to the bathroom alone as well. When taking them, staff or coach must check and clear the bathrooms and then send all three children in together. This is for protection of the child as well as staff and volunteers.
COACHES AND SPECTATORS
Volunteer Coaches:
All coaches are volunteering their time to make this a great experience. We try and select coaches who are knowledgeable in skills we are trying to teach. If you have are interested in being a coach or have a concern about a coach please notify the league immediately.
Referees:
The referees are in charge of the game and their decisions are final. Right or wrong, they are always right on the court. Please cooperate with the MRYB staff in creating and maintaining an environment in which each participant may have fun, learn the game and be a good sport. The referees may occasionally stop play for instructional purposes when necessary in the younger divisions, and will subjectively make allowances (as discussed and set up by league directors) based on ability, for violations. We encourage parents to focus on the children and not the referees. This will make the league much more enjoyable for everyone. Coaches agree to support and influence good sportsmanship, high moral standards and area responsible for the conduct of their players and spectators. This includes, but is not limited to, Unsportsmanlike disagreements with officials, player disagreements with each other, or insubordinate acts against supervisory staff. The MRYB Staff reserves the right to send home anyone (this includes coaches, players, spectators) who are in violation of the rules and regulations set by the program for the health, safety, and welfare of all participants.
Spectators Code of Conduct:
As a spectator, we hope to provide a fun and rewarding experience for you and your child. In order to achieve our goal we ask that you adhere to the following criteria:
1. Applaud good plays by your own team & the opposing team.
2. Never ridicule or scold a child for making a mistake during a game or practice.
3. Encourage players to always play according to the rules.
4. HAVE FUN!!!!
5. As a parent you are not allowed to approach the coach and team’s bench during a game. If you have a comment for the coach please wait until after the games are over to speak with the coach. If you have a complaint during the game, please direct it to the MRYB Basketball Director onsite.
Parent Involvement:
As a parent or guardian of our leagues we want you to know we appreciate your help and leadership. We suggest you get involved on your child’s team to make the experience more enjoyable for them. Whether it is a snack, water, fruit or high fives the children appreciate you being there! ALL parents must be on site with their children as part of our MRYB policy. Please do not leave your child at the gym too early before their scheduled game or leave them too late after they have played. We appreciate your help in this matter.
TIME
- Time is running.
- There are no overtime periods. All ties are final.
- All divisions play 4 quarters of the specified time for the division.
- Pre-K / K: (4) 8 minute quarters - Substitutions every 4 minutes
- 1st / 2nd grade: (4) 8 minute quarters - Substitutions every 4 minutes
- 3rd / 4th grade: (4) 8 minute quarters - Substitutions in between quarters, or timeout.
- Time is running EXCEPT the last 2 minutes of the 4th quarter. If the losing team is down by more than 10 points the clock will continue to run throughout the entire 4th quarter.
- 1 minute between quarters.
- 2 minutes between halves
- 3rd / 4th grade grade each team will have 2 timeouts per half.
- The coach of the offensive team may call timeouts while the ball is in play.
- Anyone may call a timeout during a dead ball situation
BALL SIZE AND RIM HEIGHT
- Pre-K / K: Ball Size: Youth Rim Height: 7 feet
- 1st/ 2nd grade: Ball Size: 27.5 Rim Height: 8.5 feet
- 3rd - 4th grade: Ball Size: 28.5 Rim Height: 10 feet
START OF GAME
- A coin toss will start the game (away team will call it). To start the 2nd-4th quarters the ball will be put into play with a throw in under the alternating possession procedure.
- Jump balls will be alternating possessions.
- Jump balls occur when two opponents have one or both hands firmly on the basketball.
- Teams will change baskets at the end of the first half.
SCORING
- Field goal: 2 points
PRESSING
Teams must play a man-to-man defense. Defense starts at the mid-court line. The defensive team must retreat back across the mid-court before engaging in guarding an opposing team member. On out of bound plays, the defender must stay on the court at all times.
LANE/KEY VIOLATIONS
When a violation occurs the whistle will be blown, players are asked to stop, a brief explanation will be given and the ball will be turned over and taken out of bounds (unless on a shooting foul). Violations include: double dribbling, traveling, lane violation, 5 second, throw in violation, carrying the ball.
- Pre-K / K: There is no time limit in effect for this age group. Coaches should still train players to understand moving in and out of the key.
- 1st / 2nd grade: There is a 5 second time limit for being inside the key.
- 3rd - 4th grade: There is a 3 second time limit for being inside the key.
OUT OF BOUNDS
- Teams have 5 seconds to put the ball in play.
- Teams have 10 seconds to pass the half court line.
- Except the Pre-K/K. No time limit for this age group.
Fouling & SHOOTING FOULS
Fouls:
- Unnecessary contact of players constitutes a personal foul and equals a team foul. Charging, a half court violation (back court pressing), tripping, pushing, or contact from behind. This may occur on offense or defense resulting in a turn over.
- If a foul occurs in the course of play, the ball is awarded to the other team out of bounds. Violating player is given a personal foul and a team foul.
- Pre-K / K: No fouls will be penalized. Ball will go out of bounds and referee will instruct players on the violation situation in order to educate the players on the violation that occurred. Blatant and obvious fouls will be called.
- Pre-K / K: and 1st / 2nd grade players CANNOT foul out of a game.
- 3rd - 4th grade players will be awarded fouls. No player can foul the opposing team more than 2 times in a quarter. If a player commits 2 fouls to stop play in a quarter that player must be removed from the game and the team will be down 1 player to finish the quarter. A team can lose up to 2 player a quarter to play 5 on 3 if they continue to foul.
- 3rd and 4th grade players will foul out of a game on the 7th personal foul.
Technical Fouls:
- Technical fouls will be called for any taunting, profanity or unsportsmanlike conduct. A technical foul will be called after the first warning has been given. The player that receives the technical foul must be removed from the game and sit out for the remainder of the quarter.
SUBSTATION RULE
- All players must check in with the referee prior to entering the game. The substitution may occur at the end of the quarter, or if there is an injury.
- No substitutions on the fly.
- Players can have their coach notify the official and wait for the ok before entering the game.
COACHES CONDUCT
Coaches can only travel within the assigned areas. Coaches should not be moving all over the court. Any comments made to the referees or the staff should be made before the game, at half time, and/or after the conclusion of the game.
JEWELRY
No jewelry (which includes: dangling earrings, necklaces, bracelets, watches, etc.) shall be worn during games. This is to help ensure the safety of all participants.
FOOD/SNACKS
No outside food or beverages will be allowed inside of the school. We will have food/ snacks at our concession stand. Snacks should be eaten outside of the gymnasium. We ask that you please throw your trash in the designated areas in order to help keep the Gym clean.
Participants are allowed to bring in outside water bottles with Water, Gatorade, or Powerade in them to have in the gym during games. NO carbonated beverages inside of the gym at any time.
Please be respectful of our F&B Policies, our building use permit, depends on it for the league.