5^th and 6^th Grade Girls Basketball Rules (Oct 2021)

Goals: Our program has three goals for our young athletes:

Have Fun, Be Safe, Work Hard and Get Better. 

Everything we do should be in line with these goals.  If you are doing something that is not consistent with these goals, please evaluate whether it makes sense.

Referees: Just like our players are learning the game, so are the referees.  In many cases, they know the rules of the game better than the spectators and they are in a better position to see what occurs on the court.  Give them the benefit of the doubt, and remember the things we are trying to teach our young athletes. 

Coaches are responsible for the parents of their players.  Parents should not talk to the referees at any time during the game.  Have this discussion with them before the first game so there are no surprises if someone has to be asked to leave the gym.

The young referees are a vital part of our program, and should be treated that way.  Any coaches or parents giving the referees a hard time will be ejected.  This is not negotiable.

Rosters: Coaches must bring a copy of the current roster, with names and jersey numbers, to each game.  Each team must supply someone to either run the clock, or the score book.  The book needs to be filled out completely.

Ball Size: 28.5 inch

Rim Height: 10 feet

Game Time:  8 minute quarters.  Clock stops for free throws, injuries and timeouts. During last minute of each quarter and the last two minutes of the game, the clock also stops for all dead ball situations. Quarter breaks should be only the time required to substitute players.  Halftime break should be 2 minutes. Times will be adjusted if needed to keep game time to one hour.  No overtime, except playoffs/tournament.

Clock Starts as soon as ball touches the ground

Playing Time: Every player should play an equal amount to the extent possible.  In the case where players are absent, no player should play 4 quarters unless every player present has played 3 quarters.

Substitutions:  For teams with 10 or fewer players, substitutions are only allowed at quarter breaks, unless a player is injured. Injured players may return to the game as soon as they are ready to play.  Teams with more than 10 players will have a substitution only timeout at the 4 minute mark. Substitutions must be a forward for forward or guard for guard    

Timeouts: One timeout per quarter (one minute each). Teams with more than 10 players will have a substitution only timeout at the 4 minute mark. Substitutions must be a forward for forward or guard for guard                                                                                             

10 seconds in the backcourt: Players have 8 seconds to advance the ball into the frontcourt.

Time violations: 3 seconds in the lane and 5 seconds to inbound violations will be called.  5 seconds closely guarded will be called.

Fouls: 5 allowed per player.  Let’s emphasize good defense again this year—footwork, rather than swatting the ball. (We will ask the referees to strictly enforce fouls this year.)

Free Throws: Player will be allowed to land over the free throw line but must jump from behind the line.

Team Fouls: 2 free throws starting with the 7^th team fouls (per half).

Defensive Area:  After a change of possession, no defense in the backcourt.  If the defensive player rebounds a ball after a shot, the offensive player may not steal it.

Defense: Man-to-man defense only, no zone defense, no traps, no double-teams.  Players can slide to help if the defender on the ball is beaten, but they cannot wait in the paint.  Defensive players need to respond to the player they are covering.  Teach help-recover defense

Press: Not allowed at any time.