OFFICIAL LTYA BASKETBALL RULES
5th and 6th Grade REC PLUS Divisions
(Updated 11/9/08)
GAME SETUP. Unless an exception is noted herein, rules will follow official UIL High School rules. Play will be 5 on 5 with 10-foot goals. All games will be played with a "Womens-size (28.5") basketball. Teams must have 5 players to begin play. Coaches are to remain on the sidelines during games.
SCORING KEEPING. Score will be kept for all games. All scorekeeping will be performed by two paid scorekeepers. If one scorekeeper is a no show, a substitute scorekeeper should be chosen and agreed upon by both coaches. If both scorekeepers are a no show, two substitute scorekeepers, one designated by each team, should be chosen.
REFEREES. All games will be officiated by two paid on-court referees. If one referee is a no show, a substitute referee should be chosen and agreed upon by both coaches. If both referees are a no show, two substitute referees, one designated by each team, should be chosen.
TIMING. Games consist of two 20-minutes halves (continuous clock) with play stopped the last 2 minutes of the game. Overtime periods will not be played in the regular season. In the post-season tournament, there will be a 2-minute overtime period in the event of a tie game. The clock will stop for all free throw attempts throughout a game. Halftime is 3 minutes.
TIMEOUTS. Each team has two 60-second timeouts per half and one 60-second timeout per overtime period with no carryover to the next half or overtime period.
PLAYING TIME. All players must play half of the game, defined as 4 "5-minute increments." However, every player must sit out at least one "5-minute increment" unless the team only has 5 players at the game. Scorekeepers will record players entering the game at the start of each 5 minute increment. Players must check in at the scorers table before entering the game. Coaches are responsible for checking with the scorekeepers at half time to ensure that they are on track to correctly substitute. If a player leaves the game, due to injury or other circumstance, early in the 5 minute increment (first 2.5 minutes), the playing time should be recorded for the substituting player. If the player leaves the game late in the 5 minute increment (second 2.5 minutes) the playing time should be recorded for the player leaving the game. If player is able to return to the game, he/she should still play half of the game as normal. If a player arrives late to a game or must leave a game early, the coaches of both teams should consult with the scorekeeper and agree on an alternative for that game. In the case of overtime periods, a coach may play any players without restrictions. Coaches failing to abide by the substitution rules in any game will forfeit that game.
SUBSTITUTION PROCEDURE (NEW FOR 2008): Players must present themselves to the scorer table and be kneeling at the table prior to substitution. Substitution will be completed at the dead ball closest to the 5-minute increment. Play will not be stopped for substitutions.
FOULS & FREE THROWS. Fouls will be strictly enforced. Free throws will be awarded according to High School rules, meaning 2 shots awarded to each player fouled in the act of shooting, "1 and 1" awarded for 7 or more team fouls in a half and 2 shots for 10 or more team fouls in a half. Players may not jump over the foul line when shooting free throws. Players, other than the shooter, may enter the lane once the ball leaves the shooters hand. The shooter may not enter the lane until after the ball has hit the rim. A player fouls out of the game after committing a 5th foul. Fouls committed away from the ball during the last 5 minutes of the game, will be considered intentional fouls. Intentional or flagrant foul will be called as technical fouls and two free throws plus the ball out of bounds will be awarded to the opposing team. Any player or coach who commits two technical fouls in a season will be ejected from the game and automatically forced to sit out the following game as well. The grade coordinator will review all technical foul circumstances with the Basketball Board which may, at its discretion, impose more severe penalties.
THREE POINT BASKETS. Shots made from behind the 3-point line will count as 3 points.
VIOLATIONS. UIL Rules. All violations will be called.
FRONT-COURT DEFENSE. There are no defensive restrictions throughout the game. The defense may play man-to-man, zone, or any combination of the two.
BACK-COURT DEFENSE. Back court defense is allowed throughout the game.
ALTERNATING POSSESSION. Games will be started by a jump ball at center court. From that point forward, possession will alternate after tie-ups and halftime break. All overtime periods will be started by a jump ball at center court and possession will alternate for the remainder of that overtime period.
POST SEASON TOURNAMENTS. A double-elimination tournament will be held at the end of the regular season. Seeding for the post-season tournament will be based on regular season records.
GYM ETIQUETTE. Non-marking sneakers are required at all practices and games. Food and drink (including water bottles) of any kind are not allowed in the school. Post game snacks are discouraged and are not allowed inside the schools. All players and coaches should be at the gym 10 minutes before game time. Players and siblings should not play in or roam around the school hallways or bathrooms. All LTISD school equipment should be left as is and not sat or climbed upon. Siblings or players from other teams are not allowed on the court during other teams' games (this includes during half time and time outs). Players may leave their basketballs at home for games. Parents should park in designated parking spots, and not against the red-marked curbs. Parents, coaches, and players should respect LTISD-appointed gym monitors and obey any instructions given by them.
COACHING CONDUCT. Coaches are the foundation of our league. Players and parents rely on coaches to give each child a positive, learning experience. Coaching is a privilege that can be revoked at any time. Coaches must abide by the Code of Conduct agreed to during registration. Specifically, coaches should refrain from yelling at or openly criticizing a player, referee, coach or parent. Coaches should strive to enforce the "spirit" of the rules instead of stretching rules to their limits. Any misconduct by coaches should be reported to the grade coordinator and will be reviewed by the LTYA Basketball Board. Misconduct may result in suspension and/or loss of coaching privileges across LTYA sports.