HERMOSA BEACH
YOUTH BASKETBALL LEAGUE
General Rules & Guidelines
(Complete Rules for each Division are posted in the Gym)

1.   Time for Games and Practice
1. a. Each pair of competing teams will have a 75-minute time slot to be divided between warm-up (20 minutes) and game (55 minutes). For divisions 1 & 2 (Boys and Girls), the warm-up period may be shortened to fifteen minutes to ensure timely completion of the game.
1. b. The game will consist of four nine-minutes quarters. The clock will stop with the whistle during the last two (2) minutes of the game except in Girls 4 and Boys 4, 5, & 6. There will be no overtimes during the regular season games. Five (5) minute overtimes will be played to determine a winner in play-off games.
1. c. Each team is entitled to two 30-second time outs in each half of the game, except in Girls Division 1 where 3 time outs per half are allowed. Either a coach or player may call the time outs with the referee.
1. d. A two minute break will be allowed between each quarter and a five minute break at half time, unless the requirements are such that the referee must shorten these to finish the games.
1. e. It is the responsibility of the coaches and the referee to ensure the games start promptly and end before the designated start time of the next game. The horn will be sounded manually at the scheduled start time of the next game, and any game still in progress will end immediately. The time shown on the East wall clock in the gym will govern.
1. f. In Boys Divisions 1, 2, and 3 and Girls Divisions 1, 2, and 3 each team is entitled to one (1) practice per week (in addition to the 15 minutes before the game) of no more than 60 minutes in length. A team practice is considered to be any meeting where a coach and three or more players from the team are present. Each violation of the practice rule will result in the forfeiture of one game for the computation of season standings and play-off game seeding, and may result in the removal of the coach from the League.
1. g. Girls Division 4 and Boys Divisions 4, 5, and 6 will practice once a week, inside the gym, immediately before their game. The teams will have 1 hour and 15 minutes for a 30-minute practice and a 45-minute game. In addition, each team is entitled to one (1) optional outdoor practice of no more than 30 minutes in length. This extra practice is optional for both the players and the coaches. (THAT IS, NO PLAYER CAN BE PENALIZED FOR NOT ATTENDING SUCH A PRACTICE.) No team practices are to occur at any other times or for any length longer than specified. A team practice is considered to be any meeting where a coach and three or more players from the team are present. Any violation of the practice rule will result in termination of the coach.
2. Basket Height and Ball
2. a. Boys Division 2 & 3 and Girls Division 1 & 2 will play with baskets set at ten feet. Boys Division 4 & 5 and Girls Division 3 will play with baskets at eight feet, six inches. Boys Division 6 and Girls Division 4 will play with the basket at eight feet.
2. b. A Regular size ball will be used by Boys Division 1 & 2.
2. c. A Ladies compact size ball will be used by Girls Division 1, 2 & 3.
2. d. A Junior size ball will be used by Boys and Girls Divisions 4, 5, & 6.
3. Players, Coaches and Referees
3. a. Each player must be played at least the equivalent of two full quarters. Coaches will be given the discretion of playing their players in half quarter or lesser increments (i.e. the coach can play a player for four half-quarters or for one whole and two half-quarters ).
3. b. The minimum playing time rule assumes that players follow coaching instructions and attend practices in a timely and responsible manner. A player who ignores coaching instructions or fails to attend games and/or practices regularly may be allowed to play less than the allotted time as a disciplinary action. A coach who thinks disciplinary action against a player is justified must obtain advance approval of both the Divisional and overall (Boys or Girls) Commissioner. amd and notify the parents and referees prior to the start of the game.
3. c. Substitutions will be allowed during momentary breaks in the action such as when the ball goes out of bounds, a foul is called, or at a time out. However, substitute players must check into the game at the scorer’s table and wait for the referee to signal them to enter the game.
3. d. A team must have at least 4 players to begin a game and a minimum of 3 to finish a game. Teams with 3 or fewer players at game time, or teams that drop below 3 players at any time during the game, must forfeit.
3. e. Coaches are to coach from their bench area, except in Boys Division 5 & 6 and Girls Division 4 or as otherwise permitted by a Commissioner.
3. f.

Paid referees will be present for each game.

 
4.

Game Rules
    ALL TEAMS IN ALL DIVISIONS ARE ENTITLED TO 3 PRE-SEASON TEAM PRACTICES.
4. a.

In Girl's Divisions 1, 2, & 3 and all Boys Divisions a game will result in forfeiture if a team wins by 17 or more points. Coaches are instructed to substitute players according to the score during the game to insure there is not a blowout. If substitution of weaker players for stronger players is not enough to bring the score closer, players should be instructed to pass the ball and reduce their scoring chances and to refrain from pressing the opposing team. A losing team must try to score and reduce the Point Margin. Based on the discretion of the referee, a team that fails to try to score and reduce the Point Margin will be awarded a loss. Remember our goal is to insure that all kids are enjoying and learning the game of basketball.
4. b.

Teams may play man to man (or woman to woman) defense or zone defense except in Girls Division 4, where only woman to woman defense is permitted.
4. c.

Full-court defense (behind the mid-court line) is permitted in Boys and Girls Division 1. Teams with a 20 or more game point lead may not press, but the losing team may press for the entire game in both Boys and Girls Division 1. Boys Divisions 4, 5, & 6 and Girls Divisions 3 & 4 can play “red line” defense only. Girls 3 can press in the last two (2) minutes of the game.
4. d.

The teams with the ball in the back-court will have 10 seconds to advance it past the mid-court line. Failure to do so will result in a turnover, except during the last two (2) minutes of the game.
4. e.

“Over and back” violations will not be called in Boys Divisions 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6 and in Girls Divisions 2, 3, & 4. However, in Division 2, a team that brings that ball back past the applicable defensive line may be pursued by the defending team.
4. f.

A jump ball will be called at center court at the beginning of the first and third quarters. After that, possession will alternate between teams when a jump ball is called by the referee.
4. g.

Referees have been instructed to be especially vigilant about discouraging physically rough play. A player who commits five fouls (except Girls Division 1 in which are 6 fouls permitted) will be removed from the game except in Boys Divisions 4, 5, & 6 and Girls Division 4, where fouls are not counted. In all divisions where fouls are counted, the coach has the option to continue with a “fouled out” player with the following conditions: (1) If a foul is committed after a player has fouled out, two points will be added to the opposing team’s score, (2) the award of two foul shots to the fouled player, and (3) the return of the ball to the fouled team after the second foul shot. Fouls will be called for the following violations, and they will be recorded against the individual player:

1. Charging and making contact with a
stationary defender.
2. Bumping or pushing a player who has
possession of the ball.
3. Hitting or touching the hands or arms, or
holding on to a player dribbling, shooting,
or otherwise in possession of the ball.
4. h.

Lane Violations: In Boys Divisions 2 & 3 and Girls Divisions 1 & 2, players will be called for a lane violation if they remain in the lane area for more than 3 seconds. In Boys Divisions 4, 5, & 6 and Girls Division 4, no lane violations are called. In Girls Division 3, players will be called for lane violations (in the key) if they remain in the lane for more than five seconds.
4. i.

Dribbling: Players will be called for dribbling if they stop with the ball and then resume dribbling.
4. j.

Traveling: Players will be called for traveling if they complete a second step (their second foot makes contact with the floor) without dribbling. In Boys Divisions 4, 5, & 6 and Girls Divisions 3 & 4, traveling will be called based on the rules adopted by the League Commissioner.
4. k.

Free Throws:

1. Two free throws will be given to a player who is fouled in the act of shooting.
2. A bonus situation will go into effect (one and one) after a team commits six fouls in either half.
    3.
Players will shoot free throws from behind the black line.
4. l.

The scorebook should be deposited in the scorebook box at the end of each block of divisional games.

 

 

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