Class Athlete Basketball Rules

Number of players (minimum)
A team may start with 4 players. If a team has less than 4 players, a game may be declared a forfeit at the time the game is scheduled to begin.

Game Start
The game begins with a jump ball, but after the opening tip, the alternating possession rule goes into effect.

Alternating possession rule
Any time there is a tied up ball, teams alternate passing the ball in-bounds. At the start of each quarter, the team due for the next possession begins with the ball.

Half-time
Half-time lasts 2-4 minutes.

Overtime
During the regular season there are no overtime games.
Once playoffs start there will be a 3 minute OT period.
If score is still tied after 1st OT period a 2nd period of 2 min will be played.
If there is still a tie after that a 3rd period of 1 min will be played.
If we still have a tie we will go into sudden death and the team to score first will be declared the game's winner.

Substitutions
All substitutions, players must report to the scorer's table. Players are not allowed into the game until the referee acknowledges the scorer's table and let's the player/s in.

Timeouts
Each team may call two 45-second timeouts per half. Unused timeouts cannot be carried over to the next half.
There is one time out per overtime quarter. Timeouts left over from regulation do not carry over to overtime.

Violations
In the younger age group, officials are usually pretty loose with calling violations. If they blew their whistle every time a beginner traveled or double dribbled, the game would be stopped constantly. If the infraction is blatant or a player keeps repeating the same mistake, the official stops play and explains to the player what he's doing wrong.

U7 age group
Games consist of four 6-minute quarters with running clock.
5 vs 5 with an 8-foot drop hoop and cross court.
No referee for this age group; coaches from both teams supervise the play on the court.
We do not keep score at this age group.
Safety is very important to us, so coaches will blow the whistle if a child is in danger of getting hurt.
Basketball size is 27.5

U9 age group
Games consist of four 7 minute quarters with running clock.
5 vs 5 with 8-foot drop-hoop and cross court.
One paid official who referees fair play and offer teachable moments to players during the game.
Teams are allowed to full court press in the final minute of the 2nd & 4th quarters, unless team is already up by 10pts.
Basketball size is 28.5

U12 Age Group
Games consist of four 8-minute quarters with running clock.
5 vs 5 on regulation 10-foot hoop and cross court.
Teams are allowed to full court press in the final minute of the 2nd and 4th quarters, unless team is already up by 10pts.
One paid official who referees fair play. Games will be called as referee sees fit. Adjustments will be made depending on skill levels/match ups.
Basketball size is 28.5

U15 age group
Games consist of two 20-minute halves with a running clock.
5 vs 5 on regulation 10-foot hoop and cross court.
Teams are allowed to full court press in the final minute of the 2nd & 4th quarters, unless team is already up by 10pts.
Two paid officials who referee fair play. Games will be officiated using high school rules.
Basketball size is 29.5