Basketball Competition Rules

Keeping sports simple.

Basketball Competition Rules: All tournament and league games will be conducted under NFHS basketball rules, unless otherwise noted.

1.Uniforms:

While it is required to have numbers on the back of the uniform jersey, it is recommended that uniform numbers be on both sides of the uniform jersey. All other NFHS rules regarding uniforms and uniform numbers are waived. It is recommended, but not required, that all teams have a dark and a light colored uniform jersey.

2. Home Team Designation:

In bracket play, the top team listed will be the home team. In case of conflicts, the home team will wear the lighter color. The home team should use the bench to the right, as you face the basketball playing court. Each team's basket for the pre-game warm-up will be the furthest basket from its bench.

3. Game Balls/ Scorekeeper/Clock Operator:

A Step Up Sports Staff will handle these duties.

4. Basketball specifications:

The intermediate size ball (28.5") will be used for the 5th&6th grade boy's division and for all girls divisions. Practice balls will not be provided.

5. Regulation Clock and Exceptions:

a.Unless otherwise noted, a regulation game clock will be used with the following game time lengths.

5th&6th Grades: 14 minute halves

7th&8th Grades: 16 minute halves

9th &10 Grades: 16 minute halves

b.All overtime periods will be 3 minutes

c.Running Clock Rule ("25/20 Rule")

When a team leads by 25 points or more during the 2nd half only of a game, a running clock timing method will be deployed.

If the lead is reduced below 20 points, the regulation clock timing method will be resumed.

While the running clock timing method is in use the clock will be stopped only for timeouts,injuries and at the officials discretion.

d. Pressing Rules ("25/20 Rule")

Teams are not allowed to press beyond half court if they have a 25 point lead or more during the 2nd half of the game.

Once the lead is reduced below 20 points teams are allowed to resume a full court press.

6. Half-Time will be a 5 minute period:

This time period may be reduced at the option of the Site Director.

Half-Time warm-up is available to team members in uniform playing in the next scheduled game on that particular court.

Pregame Warm-up will be a minimum of 5 minutes (Time length may be reduced at the option of the site director).

7. Free Throws:

Teams will not shoot the traditional 1 & 1 free throws on the 7th,8th or 9th team fouls. Teams will shoot the double bonus / 2 shots beginning with the 10th team foul.

8. Timeouts:

Each team will be allowed 4, 30 second timeouts per game. Teams will receive 1 additional timeout for each overtime period. Players are permitted to sit on the bench during any timeout.

9. Coach/Player Ejection:

Any coach or player involved in an ejection will be suspended from the remainder of that particular event/tournament and from the event facility and physical grounds including but not limited to the parking lot. These actions would be governed by the Conduct Standards Policy.

10. Behavior Standards:

Inappropriate behavior must not and will not be tolerated. Each coach is responsible for the conduct of his or her coaches, fans and players on and off the court and inside or outside the event facility.

The Site Director or any game official may remove an attendee, coach or player from the event venue for acts of inappropriate behavior. A Step Up may take other such corrective actions it might deem necessary to assure proper sportsmanship, the safety and well being of all participants, and integrity and standards of each A Step Up Sports Event. All teams, coaches and spectators are subject to such rulings and corrective actions.

11. Application of Rules:

The tournament rules may be modified whenever A Step Up Sports deems it to be in the best interest of the event to do so and all teams, coaches, players and attendees will be bound by any such change.

12. Best Practices/Risk Mitigation:

Due to the unique circumstances surrounding COVID-19 and in support of a healthy, safer nation. We ask that you use what you and your family have decided are your best practices/risk management. Any other such changes shall be communicated to a team represnative in advance of any scheduled event where such changes would apply.