REC. BASKETBALL RULES AND GUIDELINES

GRADES 3 and 4

1. Good sportsmanship is mandatory. This is an instructional league. The league is intended to be a positive experience for all players and all negative comments should be discouraged. No player, coach, or spectator may argue with a referee about any call. If a player argues with the referee, he may in the discretion of the referee either receive a warning or be forced to sit down for 2 minutes. If it happens a second time in the game, he must sit down for the remainder of the game. Similar penalties will apply to any player who shows poor sportsmanship. No trash talking will be permitted. Cursing or intentionally striking a player will result in immediate ejection from the game. At the end of each game, the players are expected to line up and shake hands.
2. Each session will be 75 minutes and extra effort should be made to start on time. Players and coaches should arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled starting time. Coaches must be prompt in order to allow the league to proceed efficiently. Each session will begin with 25 minutes of practice and instruction from the coaches. The games will then follow and be played in four 10 minute periods. There will be running time except for the last minute of the game provided there is a spread of less than six points. Each team will be permitted two time outs per game. Time will also be stopped for injury. If the game ends with a tie, there will be a 2 minute running time sudden death overtime with the "A" squads. If the overtime results in no further scoring, then the game ends in a tie.
3. Coaches will divide their teams into an "A" squad and a "B" squad based on skill and experience level. The 5 players which the coach determines to have the lowest skill level (the weaker players) will be the "B" squad and the other stronger and greater skilled players will be on the "A" squad. The "B" squad for each team must play the entire 1st and 3rd periods of each game. The "A" squad from each team will play the entire 2d and 4th periods. Accordingly, the "B" squads of each team will play each other and the "A" squads of each team will play each other. Coaches will be entrusted not to subvert the rules by putting one of their best players on the "B" squad. In this manner, all players will have equal time to play and the level of play will be more evenly matched and consistent and the kids will all understand the rules and not beg to play or substitute all the time.   If a team has less than 10 players on any given day, then the five weakest players present on that day will be the "B" squad and must play the entire time in the 1st and 3rd periods and the coach may then use any of his designated "B" players to fill in as needed on the "A" squad.
4. Only Man-to-Man defense will be permitted and double-teaming or trapping will only be permitted inside the free throw lane. The purpose of this rule is to teach the kids how to play defense by staying with their man. Double teaming is only allowed inside the free throw lane. If a player is beat outside the free throw lane, another player is permitted to help but as soon as a second player arrives, one of them must return to guard another man. This means that a player may not try to steal the ball from an opposing player who is guarded by another teammate outside the free throw lane, i.e, trapping will not be permitted. Trapping/Double-teaming is a violation but not a foul (see Item #6 below). This will hopefully keep the game moving and prevent several kids from simply attacking the player with the ball.      
5. Fouls --   All fouls which affect the play (cause a loss of ball, missed shot, errant pass etc.) must be called by the referee. Incidental fouls which do not affect the play are in the discretion of the referee but the general goal should be to keep the game moving and to instruct. Upon each foul, play is stopped and the ball is either taken out of bounds or placed in the backcourt to bring up by the team that was fouled. Each team is permitted 7 fouls in a half.    If a player is fouled in the act of shooting and less than 7 fouls have been committed, then the foul is charged and possession is retained by the shooting team. After the seventh foul in a half, the opposing team is awarded one point plus possession of the ball for each foul committed after 7. If a player is in the act of shooting and is fouled and the ball goes in and more than 7 fouls have been committed, the shooting team gets another point for the foul but does not retain possession.   This rule will hopefully deter unnecessary fouls.
6. Violations--Travels, double dribbles, backcourt, trapping, double-teaming and similar violations must be called for instructional purposes but will not result in a change of possession in the first 3 weeks while instruction continues. After a break-in period, all violations will be called at least for the "A" squads and depending on a review of the level of play after three weeks for the "B" squads as well.
7. Free Advancement of Ball -- After a change of possession (whether by turnover, rebound, foul etc.), a team is permitted to advance the ball to half court without interference. The team on defense must drop back to beyond half court. There is no full court pressing.   Of course, once again, there is no trapping at half court either, only man-to-man defense.
8. Jump Balls -- There will be a jump ball at the beginning of every period. Thereafter, in the event of any tie-up or jump-ball, possession will be determined on an alternating basis.
9. Referees -- Unless referees are present, each team will have one coach or assistant coach on the Court as referee. The coach or assistant coach off the Court will keep a record of the score, the number of fouls on each team in the half, and the possession arrow.
10. Other Rules -- Players must wear team shirt and sneakers. No jewelry or watches may be worn.
11. Court #1 is closest to gym lobby. In the event of bad weather, WNLK - 1350 AM will be notified of cancellations after 7:30 A.M. All players and coaches should listen to the announcements on WNLK and check the Website for updates.