Game Days: All games played on Sundays – each team plays two games.

Game Length: Games will be scheduled in 1-hour time blocks. Forfeit if not ready within 10 minutes of scheduled game time

• Grades 3-8

  • Four 6-minute quarters. Stopped clock

Warm-Up: 3-minute pre-game warm-up

Timeouts: 3 per game, 30-seconds

Halftime: 2 minutes

Overtime: 1:00 minute stopped clock. Double OT- Sudden death.

Score/Clock Table:

• Home Team: Scorekeeper

• Visiting Team: Clock operator

Ball Size:

• Grades 3–6: Women’s 28.5

• Girls Grades 7–8: Women’s 28.5

• Boys Grades 7–8: Men’s regulation ball

Grades 3-5:

• Man-to-Man Defense is required — no zones allowed. However, man defense includes teaching players how to provide appropriate help without abandoning their responsibilities. Here's how help-side defense should be taught and officiated:

  • Help is allowed on drives and ball screens. The helper must recover to their original matchup once the threat is neutralized.

  • Brief or unintentional double teams may happen during help — that’s acceptable as long as it’s not a trap or a designed zone concept.

  • Off-ball defenders may position themselves halfway between their man and the ball, commonly referred to as “splitting the rims.”

    • This help positioning allows defenders to provide support while still staying connected to their assignment. Players should remain active and ready to recover as the ball or their man moves.player on the block

  • Full court press NOT ALLOWED except in final 2 minutes (if score difference <10)

    • Only man-to-man; NO TRAPPING

Grades 6-8

• Any defense allowed

  • Most high school programs use a mix of defenses depending on the situation. Allowing middle school teams to explore multiple defenses helps athletes adjust earlier to the strategies, terminology, and rotations they'll need at the next level.

• No press allowed with 20+ point lead

• Pressing allowed again only when lead drops below 10

Fouls & Free Throws

• Foul Tracking: Personal and team fouls recorded

  • Personal Fouls: 6 fouls allowed per game per play

  • Bonus: Begins at 6th team foul each quarter

• Free Throws: Always shot in full (no automatic points)

  • Distance adjustments:

    • Grades 3-4 may shoot from 12-ft line

    • Shooter must stay behind line until ball hits rim.

Mercy Rule – Running Clock

• A running clock will be used in the second half if a team leads by 25 points or more at any point.

• The clock will continue to run for the remainder of the game, regardless of score changes.

• The game will be played to completion — there will be no early stoppage or forfeit.

• Why this matters:

  • This rule helps keep games moving efficiently while still allowing all players to compete and finish the game. It prevents excessive score-stretching and supports sportsmanship, while giving both teams meaningful reps.

Single Elimination Bracket

• Tournament played on Week 6 of session

• Seeding based on league record

Tiebreakers:

1. Head-to-head

2. Point Differential

3. Fewest points allowed

Uniforms: Teams must have reversible jerseys or two sets. No duplicate numbers.

Conduct Expectations:

• Coaches are responsible for players, assistants, and parents.

  • 1st ejection: 1-game suspension

  • 2nd ejection (player): Removal from league

  • 2nd ejection (coach/parent): Team removed from league. NO REFUND.

• Varsity Coach Oversight: Not required to attend but accountable for team behavior

• TEAM MUST CLEAR BENCHES OF TRASH AFTER GAMES. Team coaches are responsible for maintaining bench area.