Sponsored By:
Basketball Rules
Youth Basketball Rules:
Click Here to download a copy of the Youth Basketball Rules
21K (grades 2nd/1st/K):
1. Game Support
2. Playing Rules (M.H.S.A.A. rules will apply except for the following differences)
a. basket height will be 8 feet
b. ball size will be 27.0
c. game time will be two 20 minute halves with a running clock (clock stops on all dead balls in the last two minutes of each half)
d. teams will get three 30 second timeouts per half, no carry‐overs
e. if a team does not have 3 players and a coach present 5 minutes after the scheduled game start time, the game will be subject to forfeit for that team (at the discretion of the site director)
f. the game shall be played 3‐on‐3 using a half court (2 baskets)
g. home team starts the game with the ball, away team starts the second half with the ball
h. players must receive equal playing time
i. game jerseys / tshirts must have numbers on the back
j. substitutions are unlimited but must be made during a dead ball
3. Offense
a. ten seconds to advance the ball to half court
b. to allow the game to be played, double‐dribbling and traveling are left to the discretion of the official (if a violation is called it does not result in a turnover, the official will explain the violation and the team keeps possession)
4. Defense
a. pressing not allowed (trap defenses are considered a press), defense must set up at half court before offense advances
b. man‐to‐man only
c. no stealing the ball from the ball handler, steals only on the pass
d. shot blocking only with hands straight up
65B & 65G (grades ‐ 6th/5th):
1. Game Support
a. home team provides a clock operator, away team provides a score keeper
b. coaches / players must pick up all trash around the team benches after every game
c. respect must be shown to all coaches, players, and referees
2. Playing Rules (M.H.S.A.A. rules will apply except for the following differences)
a. basket height will be 10 feet
b. ball size will be 29.5 (boys) and 28.5 (girls)
c. game time will be two 20 minute halves with a running clock (clock stops on all dead balls in the last two minutes of each half)
d. two minute over‐time with a jump ball start for all games that end in a tie, each team allowed one 30 second timeout
e. teams will get three 30 second timeouts per half, no carry‐overs
f. if a team does not have 5 players and a coach present 5 minutes after the scheduled game start time, the game will be subject
to forfeit for that team (at the discretion of the site director)
g. each half will begin with a jump ball
h. two shot free throw for shooting / technical fouls
i. players must play at least half of the game and are allowed 6 personal fouls per game
j. game jerseys / tshirts must have numbers on the back
k. substitutions are unlimited but must be made during a dead ball
3. Offense
a. ten seconds to advance the ball to half court
b. three seconds allowed in the lane
c. fast breaks are allowed except for winning team if leading by 10 or more points
d. double‐dribbling and traveling result in a turnover
4. Defense
a. pressing is allowed except for the winning team if leading by 10 or more points
87B & 87G (grades ‐ 8th/7th):
1. Game Support
a. home team provides a clock operator, away team provides a score keeper
b. coaches / players must pick up all trash around the team benches after every game
c. respect must be shown to all coaches, players, and referees
2. Playing Rules (M.H.S.A.A. rules will apply except for the following differences)
a. basket height will be 10 feet
b. ball size will be 29.5 (boys) and 28.5 (girls)
c. three minute warm up prior to start of the game and at half time
d. game time will be two 20 minute halves with a running clock (clock stops on all dead balls in the last two minutes of each half)
e. two minute over‐time with a jump ball start for all games that end in a tie, each team allowed one 30 second timeout
f. teams will get two 30 second timeouts per half, no carry‐overs
g. if a team does not have 5 players and a coach present 5 minutes after the scheduled game start time, the game will be subject
to forfeit for that team (at the discretion of the site director)
h. games will begin with a jump ball and then alternate possession after that
i. two shot free throw for shooting / technical fouls
j. players are allowed 6 personal fouls per game
k. game jerseys / tshirts must have numbers on the back
l. substitutions are unlimited but must be made during a dead ball
3. Offense
a. ten seconds to advance the ball to half court
b. three seconds allowed in the lane
4. Defense
a. pressing is allowed except for the winning team if leading by 20 or more points
