East Valley Basketball Rules
Grade Divisions: Pre-K, K, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, HS
Grade Requirement: Grade cut off is July 1
SEASON & FORMAT: The season will consist of 6 regular season games plus a single elimination end of season playoff. All teams are seeded for the playoffs based on win/loss record during regular season.
Every team plays 5v5
Pre Game Meeting: Both coaches are required to meet with the referees before every game. The discussion should include a short meet & greet and review of the age division rules. If younger age division coaches both agree to allow stealing, use a higher hoop or use a larger ball for the age division, it should be communicated to the referees in this meeting.
EQUIPMENT & COURT:
Pre-K & K: 8ft hoop, 27.5" ball, no free throws - team is awarded 1 point and ball out of bounds on shooting fouls (saves time lining up for free throws), no 3 second key, Defense: man to man - no stealing or back court press. No shot blocking (team is awarded 1 point, and the ball out of bounds). 50x42 court.
1-2 Grade: 9ft hoop, 27.5" ball (size 5 or junior), no free throws - team is awarded 1 point and ball out of bounds on shooting fouls (saves time lining up for free throws), no 3 second key, Defense: man to man. no on ball stealing or back court press. 50x42 court.
3-4 Grade: Regulation hoop, 28.5" ball, Free throw line - 15'0' with 3 second key, Defense: man to man or zone. 84x50 or 94x50 court, back court press is allowed beginning in 3/4 grade. Only man to man press is allowed in 3/4 grade divisions. No trapping press is allowed. NO PRESSING allowed when team is up by 10 or more.
5-6 Grade: Regulation hoop, 29.5" ball (Girl's league plays with regulation girl size 28.5), Free throw line - 15'0' with 3 second key, Defense: man to man or zone. 84x50 or 94x50 court, back court press is allowed. NO PRESSING allowed when team is up by 20 or more. Trapping press is allowed beginning in 5/6 grade division.
7-8 Grade: Regulation hoop, 29.5" ball (Girl's league plays with regulation girl size 28.5), Free throw line - 15'0' with 3 second key, Defense: man to man or zone. 84x50 or 94x50 court, back court press is allowed, NO PRESSING allowed when team is up by 20 or more. Trapping press is allowed beginning in 5/6 grade division.
High School: Regulation hoop, 29.5" ball (Girl's league plays with regulation girl size 28.5), Free throw line - 15'0' with 3 second key, Defense: man to man or zone. 84x50 or 94x50 court, back court press is allowed. NO PRESSING allowed when team is up by 20 or more. Trapping press is allowed beginning in 5/6 grade division.
East Valley Basketball will provide 1 game ball, but coaches should always be prepared to provide a game ball during any game and if another ball is deemed preferable by both coaches and is approved by game officials and is the correct size, it may be used in league play.
UNIFORMS: Each player will be issued an NBA team jersey. If returning teams would rather use custom uniforms (rather than the league issues NBA jersey) at the team's expense, that is allowable. The custom uniforms need to be numbered and reversible with a light (home) and dark (away) side.
Players must keep their jersey tuck in at all times.
Players names on the back are the exception. Coaches and officials will strictly enforce this rule.
JEWELRY: No jewelry shall be worn during a game. Players refusing to remove jewelry will not be allowed to play. No exceptions!
PLAYING TIME: Player lineup must be turned into the scorekeeper five minutes before game time. Both last name and number are required for each participant, by the coach to the official scorer of the game. The starting lineup may not be changed after being submitted to the scorekeeper. Teams may start and finish with 4 players and this will not be considered a forfeit. Scorekeeper should be notified, when a game begins, that a player has not arrived. Players not present when the game begins, do not have to play. Coaches are encouraged to play such players.
Teams that don't have enough players on their roster to play a game (due to sickness, other activities, vacations, etc.) is considered a forfeit. In order to play the game so that all the players & other team that show up can still play, the team can field a team by adding players from the prior game or another league team (must be grade/division eligible). The team can also mix & match players with the opponent if the opponent agrees. The game will show as a loss on the schedule for the team that didn't have enough rostered players show up, however, the game will still be played. The league enacted this rule to try to ensure all the kids that show up for the scheduled game get to play, even if a team is missing too many players to play the game.
Substitutions may be made during stoppages in play during all times in the game. Once a player has become ineligible to play in a game, for any reason, that player shall remain ineligible for the rest of that game. If a team loses a player due to injury or fouls, the game may continue with less than 5 players. A player fouls out when they receive 5 fouls. If there are only 5 players left, a coach may keep his 5th player in the game after fouling out by assessing a 2 point technical to his team and the other team gets ball out of bounds. No technical foul shot is needed and the other team is awarded the 2 point for each additional foul on the fouled out player.
Penalty - Pre-K, K, No Foul shots they will be awarded One (1) point and the ball out of bounds. When a team reaches 5 fouls in a half, that team will reach penalty no shot (team is awarded 1 point, and the ball). 5 fouls and the team will reach the no shot (team is awarded 1 point, and the ball).
Fouls: In the act of shooting: If basket is made one free throw awarded - If basket is missed two free throws awarded
Team Fouls: Establishes the bonus as two free throws awarded for a common foul beginning with the team’s 8th foul in each half and resets the fouls at the end of each Half.
Technical Fouls: No foul shots will be taken; the other team is awarded 2 points and the ball.
Timing Regulations:
A - LENGTH OF HALVES FOR Pre-K and K divisions will be 16 minutes. For the Pre-K, and K divisions the halves will be 16-minute running clock the 1st half. 2nd half will be 16 minute running clock up until the 1 minute where the clock will stop for on substitutions, out of bounds, free throws and shooting fouls as long as the game is within 10 points or less. LENGTH OF HALF FOR: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 and High School division will be 18 minute running clock the 1st HALF. And in the 2nd HALF will be a 18 minute running clock up until the last 1 minute where the clock will stop for time outs, all substitutions, out of bounds, shooting fouls as long as the game is within 10 points or less.
B - OVERTIME: If the score is tied at the end of the 2nd Half, a 2-minute overtime with a running clock with one :30 timeout will be played. If an additional overtime is needed, it will be sudden death which will be decided when in the favor of the first team to score wins.
C - FORFEITURE: A 5-minute grace period from the scheduled game start time will be allowed before forfeiture. In addition, allowance will be made for late finishes by earlier games. After the delayed start, we’ll begin the game with a full quarter.
D - TIME-OUTS: Three (3) :30 second time outs per game are allowed and can be used at any time there is a "dead" ball situation, or your team is in possession of the ball. One Additional time out will be given to each team for an overtime game. (One per overtime)
E - HALFTIME: Halftime for all games is 2 minutes (*Referees will monitor these rules).
F - When a team is at 30+ points no score will be added to the scoreboard but it will be kept on the scoresheet.
DEFENSE:
1 - Full Court Press:
Pre-K & K - NO PRESSING, man to man only, wristband guarding, no zone defense
1/2 Grade – NO PRESSING, man to man only, no zone defense
3/4 Grade - Man press is allowed (no trapping), NO MAN PRESSING allowed when team is up by 12 or more.
5/6 Grade & Above - Pressing is allowed, zone defense is allowed, NO PRESSING ALLOWED when a team is up by 20 or more.
PENALTY: No penalty for the first violation. Continued violations will receive technical fouls. However, for the back-court defense violation, it is normally the result of over-enthusiasm. The practice is to allow the offensive team to take the ball down the floor without defensive pressure. When this occurs, the official will stop the game by blowing the whistle and moving the defensive player back down the floor.
Officials will enforce this rule. Coaches may remind an official of the rule only during a time out.
Zone Defense: A Zone defense occurs when a defensive player plays the ball as opposed to guarding an offensive player, or when a defensive player guards an area of the court as opposed to guarding an offensive player. Whether or not a defensive player is "zoning" will be a judgement call of the official. Officials are cautioned that the rule does not prohibit a defensive team from "switching" or "sagging".
The intent of this rule is to prevent the "chaser" defense where one or more players chases the ball from offensive player to offensive player, and the tradition zone defense, where one or more defensive player's primary responsibility is protecting an area of the court. Either of these situations is easily detected by anyone knowledgeable of basketball and should be strictly enforced.
The team is given a warning if a zone defense is called. The second offense is a technical foul and the offensive team is awarded 1 point and the ball out of bounds.
3-4 Grade & Up divisions are currently the only divisions in which a Zone Defense is permissible.
PENALTY: No penalty for the first violation. Subsequent violations will receive a bench technical.
M2M Wristbands - K Division - wristbands are mandatory. Wristbands are “opt in” after the first 4 weeks for 1/2 grade games. If both coaches want to wear wristbands for man to man assistance, then they will always be available. After the first 4 weeks, they are “opt out”; meaning both coaches must declare their desire to play without wristbands. Wristbands are required for all Pre-K instructional games.
OTHER NOTES ON DEFENSE: COACHES must be familiar with the League's interpretation of the "zone" defense. A note of caution: while technically, "sagging and switching" defense are allowed, officials are aware of our "NO ZONE" rule and will make judgment calls accordingly.
Switching will be a problem in Pre-K, K and 1/2 Grade due to man to man color coding, so we advise coaches to stay away from teaching it at all. Hedging and sagging are preferable teaching points that can help players improve their understanding of the game.
1/2 Grade Trapping: Half court trapping is allowed in 1/2 Grade but when the trap is defeated, all players must immediately resume man to man. The trap is beaten once the ball crosses free throw line extended. Trapping is no longer allowed in Pre-K, K in East Valley leagues, and “help defense” is only allowed in close proximity to the basket, which is considered 8-10 feet away.
COACHING CONDUCT:
1 - Coaches will not criticize players in front of spectators but will reserve constructive criticism for private discussions or in the presence of the team bench.
2 - Only the Head Coach can stand and speak to referee each game. All assistants and statisticians must be seated while game is being played. Assistants and Statisticians may not speak to referees at any point during the game. At timeouts, all coaches can politely ask questions to referees or scorekeepers.
3A - Coaches will accept decisions (on judgment calls) of the officials as being fair and called to the ability of the officials. Misinterpretation of a basketball rule (non-judgment call) may be challenged.
3B - Coaches (& fans / players) will not criticize the opposing team, coaches, or fans by word of mouth or gestures. Once you are warned to stop, at the referees or site directors discretion, if the bad sportsmanship continues, they have the right to end the game. If the game is ended early, the final score will be whatever the score was at that point.
4 - Coaches will not use abusive language or profane language before anyone connected with the game.
5 - COACHES MUST do everything possible to hold the final score within the following specified point spreads: Pre-K, K - 20 Point Spread 1/2 grade - 30 Point Spread 3/4 & 5/6 grade - 35 Point Spread
EXCEPTION: Point spread does not apply in the end of season tournament for any division. When the game is "in the pocket", players who normally play less time should be given a large share of the remaining game time. Key players should be given bench time. In games that the point spread is exceeded both teams can be given a loss. Coaches may submit a written appeal to the grievance committee if they feel there were extenuating circumstances, but we believe that a team that is well ahead and shoots mid-range shots rather than layups can refrain from running up scores, while still working on execution and teamwork.
6 - Coaches shall not be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
7 - Coaches shall always set a good example and demonstrate leadership in teaching the advantages of sportsmanship to players.
8 - Coaches will not incite players, spectators, or officials by display of bad sportsmanship, either by word of mouth or by gestures, nor will they encourage others to do so. Coaches will do their best to enforce player ethics under PLAYER ETHICS below.
9 – Filming and replays will not be allowed by any team as a tool to support protests or bad calls.
10 - Coaches may be removed at the discretion of the EAST VALLEY Basketball management team.
11- If a Parent is ejected from a game their child and or children that are playing in the game must go with the Parent too.
PLAYER Conduct: Players are expected to comply with the rules and ethics applicable to coaches and officials. The intent of this rule is to establish the right of coaches to require players to comply with reasonable standards of conduct and effort during all league activities. In cases where coaches cannot or do not enforce compliance, league management or its acting agents may do so under the DISCIPLINARY ACTION RULE.
PROTESTS:
A - Coaches should be aware that there are no protest provisions in the basketball rules. Once a game ends it is ended.
B - While there are no provisions for protested games, the possibility exists where a complaint over compliance with league rules might be logged. Prior to filing a complaint as outlined in GRIEVANCES, it might be appropriate to contact league management.
GRIEVANCES: The following rules will apply to all complaints and grievances pertaining to East Valley Basketball
The Executive Committee, consisting of the 2 officers of East Valley Basketball plus the league director, will be the grievance committee.
Any complaints and grievances not covered in the rules and/or by-laws will be considered if it is presented to either officer of the organization, in writing, within 1 week (7 days) of the incident causing the complaint. All complaints will be acted on by the committee within 10 days of receipt of the written complaint. Written notice of the committee's decision will be sent to the person filing the complaint if the committee has received an address.
At no time will less than 2 members of the Executive Committee act on any complaint.
All decisions by the Executive Committee will be final.
Any problem or complaint concerning a coach will be handled using the above grievance procedure.
As with each of us, officials are not perfect. Errors will be made from time to time in the course of officiating a game. It is important to take our lumps and go on, reminding players that life isn't always fair, nor is basketball. Participation in East Valley Youth Basketball includes learning the qualities of good sportsmanship. If you honestly believe an official continually exhibits poor knowledge and /or observance of the game, you may feel the league should be made aware of it. This should be done through the league director.
We trust that our officials will do a fine job, given the differences in rules that exist within the various organizations for whom they officiate. In our discussions within the referee organization and our house officials, we have encouraged the group to err on the side of tight and consistently called games, rather than loosely called ones. This is always an ongoing process as old referees leave and new ones join the organization. Don't forget that player advantage plays a big part in whether a call is made or not.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION:
The Executive Board shall have the power to impose such disciplinary action as deemed necessary for the coaches, players, parents, teams or officials, including scorekeepers and timers, that fail to abide by the rules and goals set forth by this organization. Such disciplinary action may include, but will not be limited to suspension, expulsion from league, and/or forfeiture of contests.
The conduct of spectators including friends and relatives of players and coaches is no less important than that of coaches, players and officials. Inasmuch as East Valley BASKETBALL has the right and duty to enforce compliance with the rules of the league by all spectators. Individuals whose behavior or presence is considered to be detrimental to the aims and reputation of East Valley Basketball may be barred at the discretion of the Executive Board.
In an emergency or a short-term notice situation, as few as 1 member of the Executive Boards may take such action. In an extreme situation it may be necessary for the good of all to remove a player from the league in order to avoid further disruption of association activities by a specific spectator(s).
A coach, any other adult acting in an official capacity, including scorekeepers and timers, or a spectator, may be barred from further participation in the league or any of it activities by violation of any of the following rules: (1) By striking any player, league member, official, spectator or other participants.
(2) Unsportsmanlike conduct, or violation of coaching ethics whether on the floor or as a spectator.
(3) RECRUITING OF PLAYERS FOR SUBSEQUENT SEASONS WHO ARE KNOWN TO BE MEMBERS OF ANOTHER TEAM.
(4) Entering a player in a game with prior knowledge that he/she is bruised or injured to such an extent that further play would jeopardize his/her health.
(5) To knowingly permit an ineligible player to participate in any portion of the game.
(VIOLATION OF THIS RULE ALSO MEANS FORFEITURE)
Whenever possible, prior to the Board's Decision for disciplinary action for coaches, teams, officials or spectators, a hearing will be held with written notice to participants (where possible). If the accused does not appear at the hearing, the right of appeal will be forfeited and the Executive Board can render its decision.
New Players:
All players who sign up before the registration deadlines will be placed on a team. East Valley Basketball reserves the right to add players to ANY team carrying a roster of less than 8 players. All players must play in 4 regular season games to qualify for the end of season tournament.
League Mission: As we are a player development league, it’s our mission to teach basic skills to each player to improve their skill set. Additionally, players will learn team work, good sportsmanship, leadership and character on and off the court.
Our programs offer our community the opportunity to compete and learn in a structured, well organized environment. We have a zero-tolerance policy for poor sportsmanship by players, coaches and parents. We ask that adults model positive behavior during league play and practice times.