Lake Travis Youth Association

Programs

OFFICIAL LTYA BASKETBALL RULES

Kindergarten Division

(Updated 11/9/08)

GAME SETUP.  Play will be 3 on 3 with 8-foot goals. All games will be played with a "Junior-size (27.0 or 27.5)" basketball. Teams must have 3 players to begin play.   Games consist of a 30-minute practice session followed by a shortened game.

SCORE KEEPING.  No score keeping is allowed.

REFEREES.  A coach from each team will referee the game on the court. The coaches should use a whistle to stop play or to signal a violation. While it is preferred that coaches should be the ones to call fouls on their own team, the goal is for all fouls to be called. Consequently, coaches should feel free to call fouls on either team.

TIMING.  Games consist of two 10-minute halves (continuous clock) with play stopped every 5 minutes on dead balls to allow for substitutions. There is no need for time outs except for injury or other emergencies.  There are no half-times. Play should resume immediately following substitutions between halves.  Games should be ended prior to the next game's official start time, regardless of whether the current game is completed.  The 2nd half should be shortened if a game is running past its time.

PLAYING TIME.  All players must play an equal amount of "half-periods."  If the number of players on a team does not allow for equal playing time, one or more players may be required to play one half-period more than the player with the least amount of half-periods played.  A player may not play two half-periods more than another player on the same team.  Playing time shall be distributed as follows:

FRONT-COURT DEFENSE.  Defenders must play man-to-man defense. Each player must wear a colored wristband to help identify his or her player to cover. Coaches should make every effort to allow players of equal playing levels and/or height to guard each other.  Coaches should assign wristbands according to the following skill/color level:

• orange:  most skilled player
• green:  middle skilled player
• black:  developing skills player

Defenders must stay within 6 feet of the offensive player with the matching wrist band at all times when the offensive player is inside the front court. Defenders cannot "switch" to another player, even if that player is unguarded. Double-teaming is not allowed. All defensive violations will result in the stoppage of play and the ball being returned to the offense at the point where the violation occurred. Once the ball has been returned to the offense, play should resume as normal. Repeated abuse of defensive rules by a coach should be reported to the coordinator and may result in that coach being suspended for one or more games.

DEFENSE RESTRICTIONS.  In order to avoid overly physical games, and to teach players proper defensive position, the following restrictions are placed on defensive play: 1. Defenders may not steal the ball from an offensive player who is dribbling or holding the ball. Players may steal balls that are being passed to another offensive player or a loose ball that has left the control of an offensive player. 2. Blocked shots are allowed, but only when the defender is between the offensive player and the basket (no blocks from behind or the side), the defender's feet are on the ground and both the defender's arms are held high above their head. All defensive violations will result in the stoppage of play and the ball being returned to the offense at the point where the violation occurred. Once the ball has been returned to the offense, play should resume as normal.

OFFENSE:  There will be a 3-touch rule this season.  Each player must touch the ball before a shot is allowed (players must pass the ball to their teammates).  If a shot is taken before the 3-touch rule is met, the ball will be returned to the offense at the top of the key.  It it happens twice consecutively, the ball will be given to the defense to begin play.

FOULS & FREE THROWS.  Fouls will be strictly enforced. Intentional screens or picks are not allowed. Coaches should liberally call fouls first on their own players, then on the other team's players, if they are not called by the other coach. Free throws are not awarded for any fouls called. Instead, the team who was fouled is awarded the ball out of bounds. All effort should be made to keep the players in control. Players should be taught not to reach around or over the back of other players. Coaches should stop the game and instruct their players if they feel the player is not in control or fouling repeatedly. A coach should sit a player who continues to commit fouls that are excessive in nature or in number. Flagrant intentional fouls will result in the player not being allowed to play the remainder of the game.

BACK COURT DEFENSE.  Teams must use front-court defense only (center line to goal) for the entire game. If no center line is marked, coaches should instruct defensive players to back-up beyond the halfway mark before picking up their player. The coaches on the court should call out for the defensive players to back up on defense if they are guarding in the back-court. Teams must advance the ball past mid-court in approximately 10 seconds. While the 10-second rule is not strictly enforced, offensive players may not wait in back-court to set up their offense or to stall the clock. If a player stops short of the mid-court line for more than 5 seconds, the coaches should instruct the player to advance past the line. Failure to advance the ball after the warning will result in a turnover. Once a team has crossed over half-court, players should not dribble into back-court. However, if a loose ball or errant pass goes into back-court and recovered by the offensive team, a back-court violation will not be called.

TRAVELLING & DOUBLE-DRIBBLING.  Double-dribbling and traveling will be loosely enforced. It is up to each coach to call these violations based on his/her understanding of the player's ability. However, a player should not pick up and run with the ball or continuously dribble with both hands at the same time. In such cases, the player should be brought back to the point where he/she started and instructed to dribble correctly or to pass the ball.

3-SECOND & 5-SECOND VIOLATIONS.  3-Seconds in the paint, 5-Seconds to in-bound the ball, and 5-Seconds "closely guarded" rules will not be enforced.

OUT OF BOUNDS.  Wherever out-of-bounds lines are marked, it should be loosely enforced. While stepping or dribbling on the line may be overlooked, when a player or the ball is clearly out of bounds, play should be stopped and the ball awarded to the other team. Where no out-of-bounds lines are marked, the wall, bleachers, or nearest object should be considered out of bounds.

ALTERNATING POSSESSION.  Home team will have the first possession of the game. Possession will alternate after tie-ups and at the start of the second half, but not at half-period substitution times. After half-period play stoppage, the ball should be returned to the team who possessed the ball when time was called for substitutions.

POST SEASON TOURNAMENTS.  There are no end-of-season tournaments for this grade levels.

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 will not be allowed on the court during other teams' games (this includes during half time and time outs). Players should each bring a basketball (marked with their name and phone number) to games for use in the pre-game practice session. 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.