Game Format and Rules

• Game Length:
  • Four quarters, 7 minutes each, stop clock.
  • Halftime is 5 minutes
  • Overtime is 3 minutes
• Warm-up:
  • A minimum of 3 minutes, depending on gym schedule.

• Running Clock:
  • If a team leads by 25 or more points at the start of the 4th quarter, the clock will run continuously and stop only for timeouts.
  • The clock will continue to run for the entire 4th quarter even if the lead drops below 25.

• Timeouts:
  • Each team receives 5 timeouts per game (three 60-second, two 30-second).
  • Unused timeouts carry over into overtime.
  • Each team receives one additional timeout for the overtime period.

Roster and Player Eligibility

• Minimum Players:
  • A team must have at least 5 players to start the game. Less than 5 results in a forfeit.
  • If a team starts with 5 and later drops below 5 due to injury or fouls, the game continues.

• Roster Compliance:
  • Players must be on the submitted roster.
  • Use of a non-roster  player results in an automatic forfeit.

• Player Movement:
  • Players may move up to a higher division within the same program.
  • Players may not move down to a lower division.
  • Players may not play for another team within the same division.
  • Playing up must be arranged before the game begins; no mid-game roster changes.

• Pressing and Defensive Rules
  • Teams 6th-8th may not press when leading by 25 points or more.
  • In 5th grade, pressing is allowed in the final 2 minutes of each half unless already up by 25 points.

---

Sportsmanship and Conduct

• Taunting: Taunting or unsportsmanlike behavior results in a technical foul.
• Technical Fouls - Players:
  • A player who receives a technical foul is expected to be substituted out so the coaching staff can address the behavior.

• Coach Ejections:
  • A coach who receives two technical fouls in a game is ejected.
  • Ejected coaches must leave the building immediately. The gym supervisor will escort them out if needed.
  • The coach may not coach for the rest of the day and will be suspended for the following day of games.
  • If a coach manages multiple teams, the suspension applies to all teams they coach.

• Player Ejections:
  • A player who receives two technical fouls in a game or is ejected is suspended for the next scheduled game.
  • Ejected players must remain on the bench with their team for the rest of the game.

• Spectator Conduct: 
  • Spectators who verbally abuse officials, players, or coaches may be removed from the gym by the gym supervisor.
  • Ongoing issues may result in a ban from future events.

---

Game Administration

• Home Team:
  • The team listed first is considered the home team.
  • In tournament play, the higher seed is the home team.

• Scorekeeping:
  • Each team must provide one scorekeeper for every game.
  • The game does not start until both scorekeepers are present. 
  • One person manages the score book and the other manages the scoreboard.
  • If a team does not provide a scorekeeper, the opposing team may assign someone to fill that role.
  • Having representatives from both teams ensures accurate and unbiased scoring.
  • Watch this video tutorial on scorekeeping

• Ball Size:
  • 7th and 8th Grades: 29.5" ball
  • 5th and 6th Grade: 28.5" ball