MYBA Winter 2023-2024 RULES
Revised 12/22/23 by President Tre Roper
The National Federation of State High School Association Rules of Basketball shall control play unless otherwise modified herein.
STARTING THE GAME
Teams must have a minimum of five players present to start a game. There will be a 10-minute grace period. If team/teams do not have 5 players at game time, The timekeeper shall put 10 minutes on clock and start it. If within the 10-minute time frame, and each team has 5 players that are on their roster the game shall begin. The entire game will be running clock except for timeouts. After the 10-minute grace period expires – the game will be declared a forfeit.
Once a game has started, either team may play with fewer than 5 players.
A "Jump Ball" shall determine the initial direction and possession of the ball. Possession shall alternate for a Held Ball, at the beginning of each quarter/half, and during any overtime period. Direction shall alternate at the beginning of the quarter/half. Possession at the beginning of any overtime period shall be determined by a “Jump Ball”.
No jewelry of any kind will be permitted during game play. Any player injured and wearing a soft cast, hard cast or splint will NOT be permitted to play.
BALL SIZES
28.5 – 3rd/4th boys and all girls’ divisions.
29.5 – All boys divisions 5th/6th and above.
CLOCK MANAGEMENT
The time clock shall run during all non-shooting fouls and violations, except as noted below.
The time clock shall stop during all shooting fouls and timeouts. However, the referee may stop the clock when any inordinate delay occurs when returning the ball to play. During the final minute of each quarter/half and any overtime period the clock shall stop for all out of bounds, violations, both shooting and non-shooting fouls.
The clock shall stop during all time-outs, shooting fouls, and at the end of each quarter/half. Substitutions must be made in a prompt fashion the clock will not stop on substitutions. Coaches are not allowed on the floor during substitutions, except for the U10 (3rd /4TH Grade) age group. See SUBSTITUTION section.
For the U10 (3rd/4th Grade) age group, the game shall consist of four (4) eight (8) minute quarters.
For the U12 and up age groups, games shall consist of two 16-minute halves with five minutes between halves.
4-minute halftime period. The referee may shorten halftime by not more than two minutes to keep games on schedule.
Each team shall have 2-60 second time-out and 2- 30 second time-outs per game. Each team will receive 1-60-second time-out for each overtime period. Timeouts DO NOT carry over into overtime.
Running clock rule – If a team has a 20-point lead at any time in the 2nd half; the game clock will continue to run unless a time out is called. The running clock will only be in place when the score difference remains 20 points or greater.
During a game when a team is ahead by 20 points or more, the team in the lead may not press. Game officials shall warn the coach upon the initial violation. Any further violations may result in a two shot technical foul being assessed against the offending team. ***3RD/4TH Teams shall receive at least 2 warnings before a violation is called at the official’s discretion. ***
This technical is a TEAM technical foul and is not assessed as a direct or indirect to the head coach. Therefore, the coaching box privilege is not forfeited. Coaches are requested to do their best to not “run up the score” when ahead by a large margin.
TIME OUTS
Each team shall have 2-60 second time-outs and 2-30 second time-outs per game. Each team will receive 1-60-second time-out for each overtime period. Timeouts DO NOT carry over into overtime.
The head coach and only those players on the floor and in the game shall be permitted to call a time-out. Teams may call a time-out only when in actual possession of the ball or during a stoppage of play prior to the opposing team's possession of the ball.
The referee may call an "Official Time-out" at any time, which shall not be charged to either team. Coaches may substitute during an "Official Time-out" but may not call their team over to the bench nor enter the playing area.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Players entering a game shall check in at the Scorer's table and shall not enter the game until the referee so indicates.
FOR THE U10 AGE GROUP:
Substitutions for the purpose of “matching up” shall be done at or around the 4-minute mark of each quarter during a dead ball situation. This is a substitution stoppage in play, not a time out. Match ups will have a 30 second time limit from the time the official calls the subs in. If a coach goes over the time limit a delay of game warning will be issued. After receiving two delay of game warnings the third warning will be a technical foul (follow technical foul rules). Coaches are permitted on the floor to assist with the match ups.
BACKCOURT
Ten seconds are allowed to bring the ball across the division line. The player bringing the ball up court must have both feet and the ball across the division line or must pass the ball to a player with both feet across the mid-court line in ten seconds or less.
A backcourt violation shall be called when the offensive player controlling the ball has crossed the mid-court line with both feet and the ball and then retreats across the division line by placing the ball or any part of the body on the floor on division line or in the backcourt area. There is no backcourt violation on a throw in.
CHANGE OF POSSESSION
A change of possession shall be called when the offensive player controlling the ball is prevented from passing or dribbling the ball for a period of more than 5 seconds by the defensive player located within 3 feet of the offensive player with the ball. This rule shall be liberally applied keeping in mind the ages of the players involved.
As a result of the referee's possession call, possession of the ball shall alternate between teams as determined by a "Possession Arrow" maintained at the Scorer's table. The "Possession Arrow" shall indicate the direction of the next possession. The team gaining possession shall inbound the ball from the closest sideline or baseline to where the possession call occurred.
PERSONAL, TEAM AND TECHNICAL FOULS
Any player accumulating five personal fouls during a game, including all overtime periods, shall be required to withdraw from the game.
A team accumulating seven or more team fouls in any half shall be in the "1 and 1" or bonus free throw situation. A team accumulating ten or more team fouls in any half shall be in a two-shot bonus free throw situation.
Technical fouls count as personal and team fouls. Referees are instructed to strictly assess technical fouls for poor sportsmanship or abusive or improper language by any player, coach, parent, or spectator and may remove the offending party or terminate the game at any time.
A player who is charged with a technical foul for fighting shall be ejected from the game and further action will be taken by the Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC). Any player ejected for any reason action will be taken by the Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC).
During a game when a team is ahead by 20 points or more, the team in the lead may not press. Game officials shall warn the coach upon the initial violation. Any further violations may result in a two shot technical foul being assessed against the offending team. ***3RD/4TH Teams shall receive at least 2 warnings before a violation is called at the official’s discretion. ***
This technical is a TEAM technical foul and is not assessed as a direct nor indirect to the head coach. Therefore, the coaching box privilege is not forfeited. Coaches are requested to do their best to not “run up the score” when ahead by a large margin.
Coaches that receive a technical foul must remain seated for the remainder of the game while the ball is in play. The assistant coach must always remain seated during the game when the ball is in play.
Any parent ejected for any further action will be taken by the Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC).
Area Coordinators and Coaches are held responsible for insuring that any player, coach, or spectator that is suspended fully serves their suspension, including losing the privilege of attending games, whether their own or another teams. Further action will be taken by the Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC).
INBOUNDS SITUATIONS
During an inbounds situation, the referee shall designate an area approximately three feet away from the player passing in bounds in any direction. No player on either team may approach within three feet of the passer when the ball is thrown in from the sidelines. This is due to limited space in some gyms for the player to properly throw the ball in bounds.
The player throwing the ball inbound shall have a period of five seconds to release the ball on a pass onto the court.
The front, sides, top and bottom of the backboard are considered in bounds. The back of the backboard and the backboard supporting structure are out of bounds.
OVERTIME
When a game is tied at the end of regulation play, a maximum of one, three-minute overtime period shall be played without change of baskets. A Jump Ball shall determine possession at the beginning of any overtime period. If the game is still tied at the end of overtime, the next period will be sudden death, as the first team to score shall win the game.
There shall be 1 minute between quarters and any overtime periods.
Each team shall receive 1-60 second time out for each overtime period. No carryover from regulation play.
Overtime periods shall be considered as an extension of the fourth period/second half regarding personal and team fouls.
During the final minute of any overtime period the clock shall stop for all out of bounds, violations, and both shooting and non-shooting fouls.
Overtime periods consist of the following- Overtime #1: 3 minutes; Overtime #2: Sudden Death (1st team to score WINS).
U 10 SPECIFIC RULES
28.5 size basketballs shall be used.
Substitutions for the purpose of “matching up” shall be done at or around the 4-minute mark of each quarter during a dead ball situation. This is a substitution stoppage in play, not a time out. Match ups will have a 30 second time limit from the time the official calls the subs in. If a coach goes over the time limit a delay of game warning will be issued. After receiving two delay of game warnings the third warning will be a technical foul (follow technical foul rules). Coaches are permitted on the floor to assist with the match ups.
Pressing is allowed in the backcourt area for both teams the last minute of each quarter. If the winning team is up by 20 points pressing is not permitted. No zone presses or double teams are allowed all man to man and double team rules still apply.
U10 Man to Man Defense
Man to man defense is required for the entire game for the U 10 age group.
In situations where an offensive player takes a position outside the three-point arc or near the perimeter of the court (i.e.: spread offense) the defensive player shall not be required to closely guard (be within (6) feet) the offensive player. The defensive player shall not be positioned in the lane and must be on the same side of the court as the offensive player they are covering. Once the offensive player moves inside the three-point arc, the defensive player is required to be within three (3) feet of the offensive player. IF the offensive player is within three feet of the lane, the defensive player may be in the lane provided they are guarding their assigned player and maintain the three feet requirement. Defensive players are allowed to anticipate helping their teammates in the lane.
Due to the stringent requirements and consequent penalties for failure to maintain a man-to-man defense, coaches shall not run “isolation” plays designed to give a more skilled player an obvious advantage. Additionally, no “bumble bee” offenses may be run. This occurs when four offensive players are placed on one side of the court and another player is on the opposite side without the intention of a reasonable play being called. Coaches must be aware that the man-to-man requirement at the U10 age group is designed to teach players the fundamentals of defense; not to create unfair advantages for more skilled ball handlers. Teams shall receive a total of not more than two (2) warnings for violations the entire game. Additional warnings will result in an automatic two shot technical foul.
U10 Foul Shots
All foul shots shall be taken from a line THREE feet closer to the basket than the regulation foul line. Since the shooter is allowed to shoot three feet closer to the basket, the 4 defensive and 2 offensive players shall be lined up starting in the neutral-zone area (under the block). (Otherwise, if lined up normally, the last defensive players would be standing behind the shooter.) Upon receiving the ball from the Referee, the foul shooter shall have a maximum of ten seconds in which to attempt a shot. Players may not change positions on the lane after the foul shooter has received the ball from the Referee. The ball must hit the rim to be a valid attempt. A ball hitting only the backboard or net on the final shot shall not constitute a valid attempt. A failure to hit the rim on a final attempt shall result in a disallowance of the shot and the awarding of possession to the opposing team.
Players occupying the boxes in the lane may leave their spot once the ball is released. The shooter and all other players must wait for the ball to hit the rim. This rule applies to all age groups.
U10 INBOUNDS
A single inbound pass into the backcourt area shall be allowed after a time-out called by the team having possession. If the team having possession calls a second time-out prior to moving the ball into the frontcourt, the inbound pass following the second time-out shall be made into the frontcourt. The referee shall assess a two shot technical foul against the team involved for a violation of this rule. No warning shall be provided.
U12 AND UP - PRESSING
Pressing is allowed in the backcourt at any time during the game and any subsequent overtimes thereafter. During a game when a team is ahead by 20 points or more, the team in the lead may not press. During any period that pressing is prohibited, the team that has lost possession must immediately cease all backcourt defense and fall back behind the mid-court line. Game officials shall warn the coach upon the initial violation. Any further violations may result in a two shot technical foul being assessed against the team involved. However, referees may use discretion in not calling technical fouls if backcourt defense is deemed inadvertent, instantaneous, and no advantage has been gained such as just after a defensive rebound situation.
U12 AND UP - DEFENSE
Any type of frontcourt defense may be played at any time during the game.
U12 AND UP – FOUL SHOTS
Foul shots shall be taken from the regulation distance. Upon receiving the ball from the Referee, the foul shooter shall have a maximum of ten seconds in which to attempt a shot. Players may not change positions on the lane after the foul shooter has received the ball from the Referee. The ball must hit the rim to be a valid attempt. A ball hitting only the backboard or net on the final shot shall not constitute a valid attempt. A failure to hit the rim on a final attempt shall result in a disallowance of the shot and the awarding of possession to the opposing team.
Players occupying the boxes in the lane may leave their spot once the ball is released. The shooter and all other players must wait for the ball to hit the rim.
COACHES
During game play, only 2 coaches and the team members shall occupy the "bench" area.
A coach’s box shall be designated per The National Federation of State High School Association Rules of Basketball.
One coach may occupy the coach's box during game play. The remaining coach and all team members not currently playing shall remain seated during the game (unless a player is preparing for substitution)
Only the coach in the coach's box may address a referee during game play. Referees shall be addressed quietly and privately only during stoppage in play and only regarding the clarification of a call. Clarification of a specific call is at the discretion of the referee. Abusive or intimidating language will not be allowed or tolerated.
Coaches may not advance beyond their respective areas across the division line or onto the court area during game play.
Coaches in violation shall be assessed a technical foul. Once assessed a technical foul, the coach must remain seated for the rest of the game. Coaches receiving two technical fouls shall be ejected from the game and required to immediately leave the game facility (not just the gym area, but the facility entirely).
ALL Volunteer Coaches MUST be 18 years of age or older due to liability reasons.
REFEREES
Referees shall manage the conduct of the game and enforce all rules as prescribed in The National Federation of State High School Association Rules of Basketball. All other rules and goals contained herein shall be the responsibility of the League Board of Directors.
Where no advantage has been gained, the referees are encouraged to apply the rules liberally and consistently in mind the age group involved and with an emphasis on instruction and continued play.
The referee shall record and report the following to MYBA Board of Directors
Players assessed technical fouls.
Coaches assessed technical fouls.
Players ejected from games.
Coaches ejected from games.
Parents/Spectators removed from ANY contest.
Any serious incidents such as fighting, egregious unsportsmanlike conduct, or threats to officials.
Any protests or eligibility questions shall be handled by Area Coordinators and the MYBA Board.