UNITED CHURCH ATHLETIC LEAGUE

 

  RULES OF BASKETBALL

 

Updated 11/15/2004

 

 


I.                GENERAL RULES

 

                A. CONDUCT:

 

                Rules of conduct will be specified by those separate rules as enforced by the United Church Athletic League (UCAL) and will govern the conduct of players, coaches, parents and spectators.  There will be no deviation of these rules allowed.

 

                B.                COMMUNICATION WITH LEAGUE:

 

                All communications with the league will be through the League Administrator.  Any protest, inquiry, or request for clarification may be made to the Commissioner, Administrator, or to the Board of Governors.

 

                C.                SAVINGS CLAUSE:

 

                Unless specified herein, the rules of the University Interscholastic League of Texas shall control play.   Note particularly, UIL rules will be used for 9th grade and above.  The special UCAL rules will not apply for 9th grade and above.

 

                D. DIVISIONS:

 

                Except for 7th – 8th Grade and 9th - 12th Grade which will play in the same division, all other grades will play in their own individual division unless otherwise permitted by the Commissioner and Board of Governors.  An individual player will be permitted to play in a grade division above his/her respective grade if he/she so chooses. 

 

II.                PLAYING COURT AND EQUIPMENT:

 

                A.                COURT:

 

                The Court shall be rectangular in shape with a length of no less than 60 feet and no more than 94 feet and a width of no less than 40 feet nor more than 50 feet.

 

                                1.                2ND and 3rd GRADE DIVISIONS Co-Ed:

 

                                                The basket will be 9 feet high.

 

                                2.                3RD AND 4TH GRADE DIVISIONS Girls:

 

                                                The basket will be 9 feet high.

3.  4TH GRADE DIVISION:

                        

                      The basket will be 10 feet high.

 

                                3.                5TH, 6TH, 7TH - 8TH, 9TH AND 10TH GRADE

                                                DIVISIONS:

 

                                                The basket will be 10 feet high.

 

                B. BALL:

 

                Each team will provide a game ball.

 

                1. 1ST THROUGH 6TH GRADE DIVISIONS:

 

                                Intermediate size balls will be used.

 

                2. 7TH - 8TH AND 9TH - 10TH GRADE DIVISIONS:

 

                                Regulation size balls will be used.

 

                C. UNIFORMS:

 

                Teams must wear the same color jersey.  All players must have numbers in the front and the back of their jerseys.  The numbers assigned to each player must be reported to the scorekeeper by the head coach prior to game time.  Failure to report a number or reporting an incorrect number for a player will result in a technical foul to the offending team for each violation.  A violation does not occur until the player in question enters the game.

 

                D.                ROSTERS AND PLAYING TIME:

 

                Each team shall consist of no more than 10 players and no less than 8 players.  Any team with more than 10 players or less than 8 players must be approved by the Commissioner.  Each team must start a game with 5 players.  The team will have 5 minutes from the scheduled start to field the 5 players or the game will be forfeited.  A team may finish the game with 4 players if an injury or disqualification results in such a number of players that a team is unable to keep 5 players on the court.

 


                Except in the 7th-8th and High School grades...all players must play a minimum of 2 periods each game.  No player shall play more than 3 periods each game, excluding overtime.  (This does not apply if there are only 5 or 6 players in attendance.)  There shall be a goal to start each child at least one half of the games in the league.

 

                Except in the 7th-8th and High School grades...there shall be no substitution during any quarter, except for an injury.  The scorekeeper shall make a note in the scorebook for each quarter in which a player starts.  In the event of a substitution for an injury, if the substitution occurs with more than three (3) minutes in the quarter, then that quarter shall constitute one of the three quarters in which a player may play in a game.

 

                In overtime, substitutions may be made at the beginning of such period just as if it were the beginning of the game.  In the event of an injury, the coach of the other will pick the substitute player.

 

                EXCEPTION TO THE RULE:  In the event a Church has more than ten (10) players but less than sixteen (16) players, then such additional players will be held on a wait list until the day of the draft for such Church.  In the event that less than sixteen (16) players are on such wait list on the day of the draft, then the Church, in consultation with the Mike Honn, UCAL Administrator, will decide how many teams will be utilized by such Church.  Notice will be sent to the other teams in that particular division as to the number of players on the roster.  In the event that any such team has more than ten (10) players on it, the UCAL Administrator will inform all other team coaches how playing time for the players will occur.  While we do not anticipate having to apply this exception to the rule, we must reserve the right to use it in order to avoid eliminating participation among the children.

 

                E. BENCHES:

 

                Benches will be provided at each basketball game for each team.  Those players not on the court are restricted to the bench area.  Coaches shall remain seated at all times, except at time outs.  A team is entitled to one warning.  Each subsequent warning shall result in a technical foul. 

 

III.                DURATION OF GAMES:

 

                A. LENGTH OF GAME:

 

                1. 1ST, 2ND, 3RD AND 4TH GRADE DIVISIONS:

 

                                1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade groups will play four (4) periods, 8 minutes in duration.  The clock will be a running clock, except for the last 30 seconds of the fourth quarter at which time the clock will stop for dead balls and not run again until ball comes into play or, in the event of a change of possession, the clock will not start until the ball crosses mid-court. NOTE, HOWEVER, THAT THE RULES GOVERNING THE TIME RESTRICTION ON ADVANCING THE BALL TO MID-COURT SHALL STILL APPLY EVEN THOUGH THE CLOCK IS NOT RUNNING.

 

                2. 5TH, 6TH, 7TH - 8TH, 9TH AND 10TH GRADE DIVISIONS:

 

                                5th - 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th grade groups will play four (4) periods, 8 minutes in duration.  The clock will be operated in accordance with University Interscholastic League ("UIL") guidelines (i.e. the clock will stop when the ball is not in play and for free throws, etc.), except for the last 30 seconds of the fourth quarter at which time the clock will stop for dead balls and not run again until ball comes into play or, in the event of a change of possession, the clock will not start until the ball crosses mid-court.  NOTE, HOWEVER, THAT THE RULES GOVERNING THE TIME RESTRICTION ON ADVANCING THE BALL TO MID-COURT SHALL STILL APPLY EVENTHOUGH THE CLOCK IS NOT RUNNING.

                               

                                Note:  The 30 second rule will not apply to 9th grade and above.

 

                B.                OVERTIME:

 

                1. 1ST, 2ND, 3RD AND 4TH GRADE DIVISIONS:

 

                                Should the score be tied at the end of regulation, there will be a single 3-minute overtime period.  There will be a 1-minute timeout prior to the start of the overtime period.  The clock will be operated the same way it is operated during the fourth quarter of the game.  Should the game be tied at the end of this overtime period, no further overtime will be played, except in the play-offs at which time consecutive overtime periods will be played until one team has scored more points at the end of the overtime period.

 

                2. 5TH, 6TH, 7TH - 8TH, 9TH AND 10TH GRADE DIVISIONS:

 

                                Should the score be tied at the end of regulation, there will be a maximum of two 3-minute overtime periods.  There will be a 1-minute timeout prior to the overtime period beginning.  The clock will be operated the same way it is operated during the fourth quarter of the game.  Should the game be tied at the end of the second overtime period, no further overtime will be played, except in the play-offs at which time consecutive overtime periods will be played until one team has scored more points at the end of the overtime period. 

 

IV.           START OF PLAY:

 

                A.                PRAYER:

 

                All games will begin with a prayer.  This will be done at mid-court and shall be the responsibility of the Home Team.  A coach or player may give this prayer as dictated by age group.

 

                B.                BEGINNING OF GAME:

 

                A jump ball will be held at the beginning of the game to begin play.

 

                C. SUCCESSIVE QUARTERS:

 

                Possession of the ball at the beginning of each successive period will be determined by the alternate possession rule.

 

                D. ALTERNATE POSSESSION RULE:

 

                The alternate possession rule applies to all jump ball situations after the opening of the game.  For instance, the team that loses the jump ball at the opening of the game will gain possession of the ball at the next jump ball situation, whether it be a held ball, or joint possession situation, or the beginning of the second, or subsequent, period.  Possession will then alternate.  This will be monitored by the score keeper.

 

                E. TIE BALL (1ST AND 2ND GRADE DIVISION):

 

                The tie ball rule (joint possession) is not applicable to the 1st - 2nd grade group.  In the case of a tie ball, the offensive team retains possession.

 

                F.                SCORING:

 

                All goals count for 2 points, except that the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th  Grade Divisions will observe and honor the three point line.  Free throws count 1 point for each free throw made.

 

V.                CONDUCT OF PLAY:

 

                A. BACK COURT PLAY:

 

                1. FULL COURT PRESS:

 

                                a. 1st, 2nd, 3rd AND 4th Grade Divisions:

 

                                Full court press is absolutely prohibited in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade divisions.  Only one person may defend at half court in these divisions.  After the ball has crossed the half court line, defensive pressure may extend throughout the entire court.

 

                                b. 5th, 6th, 7th - 8th Grade Divisions:

 

                                At no time will there a full court press allowed.  In the last 30 seconds of the 4th period, the clock will stop after a basket is made until the ball crosses the half court line.  At that time the clock will resume until the next dead ball situation. 

 

                2. TIME FOR BRINGING BALL TO HALF COURT:

 

                                a. 1ST AND 2ND GRADE DIVISION:

 

                                This age division has 15 seconds to bring the ball across the half court line. 

After crossing half court then if the offensive player goes into the back court that player is no longer protected by the back court.

1ST AND 2ND GRADE DIVISION :  No fast breaks will be allowed.

 

                                b. 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH, 7TH - 8TH, 9TH THRU 12TH GRADE DIVISIONS:

 

                                These age divisions shall have 10 seconds to bring the ball across the half court line. 

For 3rd and 4th grade divisions after crossing half court then if the offensive player goes into the back court that player is no longer protected by the back court.

Fast breaks are allowed

                B.                THROW-INS:

 

                1. 1ST, 2ND, 3RD AND 4TH GRADE DIVISIONS:

 

                                The defensive team may not guard the player throwing the ball in.  The defense may guard as usual all players on the court of play during a throw-in.

 

                2. 5TH, 6TH, 7TH - 8TH, 9TH thru 12TH GRADE DIVISIONS:

 

                                In these age divisions, the defensive player must stand no closer than three (3) feet from the out of bounds line. 

 

                C. FREE THROWS:

 

                1. FOULS IN THE ACT OF SHOOTING:

 

                                Any foul, committed in the act of shooting, the player fouled shall be awarded two free throws.  If a player is fouled while shooting and the shot is made, one free throw will be attempted. 

 

                2. FOULS NOT IN THE ACT OF SHOOTING:

 

                                a. 1ST, 2ND, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH AND 6TH GRADE DIVISIONS:

 

                                For any fouls committed in the last two minutes of the second period, fourth period, or overtime, the person fouled shall be awarded two free throws.  Otherwise, no free throws are awarded for a foul.

 

                                b. 7TH - 8TH, 9TH THRU 12TH GRADE DIVISIONS:

 

                                After the sixth foul in a half, the usual One and One Free Throw will be awarded to a player.  This will apply throughout the game. 

 

                3. INTENTIONAL/BREAKAWAY FOULS:

 

                                For all intentional/breakaway fouls, regardless of the time, the player fouled shall be awarded two free throws and his team shall be awarded the ball in the offensive half court, outside of the free throw line.

 

                D. FOUL LINE:

 

                1. 1ST, 2ND, 3RD AND 4TH GRADE DIVISIONS

In these age divisions, there will not be a line up during the shooting of free throws.  If the offensive player makes one or both of his allotted free throw or throws, then the defensive team will be awarded the ball at the back court.  If the offensive player, however, misses both of his allotted free throws, then the offensive team shall keep the ball.  In the event of a single free through, the defensive team will always be awarded the ball.

 

                2. 5TH, 6TH, 7TH - 8TH, 9TH THRU 12TH GRADE DIVISIONS:

 

                                There will be a line up of players at the foul line at the shooting of all free throws.

 

                E.                THREE SECOND LANE:

 

                This violation will apply only in the 5th, 6th, 7th - 8th, 9th thru 12th grade divisions.

 

                F.                SUBSTITUTIONS:

 

                Before a player may enter the game, he must report to the scorer's table and must be allowed to enter the game in the court of play by one of the referees.

 

                G.                DISQUALIFICATIONS:

 

                A player shall be disqualified from further play upon reaching the fifth personal foul.  That player shall not be allowed to return to the game.  For the purposes of disqualification, a technical foul shall count as one personal foul.

 

                A coach is allowed two technical fouls before he is disqualified and must leave the gym. 

 

                H.                TIME OUTS:

 

                1. REGULATION:

 

                                Regular Season.  Each team is allowed two time outs per half.  These time outs may not be carried over into the next half or into overtime.  The length of a time out shall be 45 seconds.

 

                                Play-offs.  One additional twenty second time-out per half will be added during the play-offs for 5th Grade and older.

 

                2. OVERTIME:

 

                                Each team is allowed one time out per overtime period.  These time outs may not be carried over into the next overtime period.  The length of a time out shall be 45 seconds.

 

                                3.                CLOCK: The clock will stop during each time-out during the game and in the Overtime Period.

 

                I. OUT OF BOUNDS:

 

                The Court will be clearly marked by an out of bounds line.  If any part of a player's body makes contact with the out of bounds line while he/she is in possession of the ball, then possession will go to the opposite team.

 

                J.                 DEFENSE:

 

                1. 1ST, 2ND, 3RD AND 4TH GRADE DIVISIONS:

 

                                Man to man defense must be used in these divisions.    Picks and switching is allowed.

 

                2. 5TH, 6TH, 7TH - 8TH, 9TH THRU 12TH GRADE DIVISIONS:

 

                                Man to man or zone defense may be used in these divisions.   After crossing mid court then zone or double team is allowed.

 

                K.                GIRLS 3rd/4th Grade (NON-COED) DIVISION:

 

                Multiple screens performed by an offense as part of a set play will not be permitted.  The referee will warn the offense upon such an occurrence.  Any subsequent violations will be a technical foul against the coach.

 

                L.                BACK COURT SHOTS:

 

                1. 1ST, 2ND, 3RD AND 4TH GRADE DIVISIONS:

 

                                No back court shots will be allowed in these divisions.  The only time they are allowed is in the last 10 seconds of each quarter. 

 

VI.           SCORE KEEPING:

 

                The official time and score will be kept by the scorekeeper.  Any representative of a team approaching the scorekeeper during play and outside of the presence of the referee shall result in an automatic technical foul.

 

VII.                TECHNICAL FOULS:

 

                When, in the discretion of the referee, the conduct of a player, coach, parent, or spectator for a team, becomes disruptive, a technical foul shall be called.  At that point, the opposing team shall be awarded two free throws and possession of the ball in their offensive half court, outside of the free throw line.  Subsequent technical fouls shall result in the disqualification of the individual committing the subsequent technical foul and disqualification of the head coach.  It should be noted that each team is responsible for the conduct of its players, coaches, parents and spectators.  It is the team that will suffer from the disruptive and unsportsmanlike conduct of its members, coaches, parents or spectators.

 

VIII. OTHER RULES OF BASKETBALL:

 

                A.                OFFICIALS:

 

                1. 1ST, 2ND, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH, 7TH - 8TH AND 9TH – 12TH  GRADE DIVISIONS:

 

                                One official will be used in thru the 6th grade division.  Two officials will be used for 7th grade and up.

 

 

                B. PRACTICES:

 

                1. No team shall meet for more than 2 times per week.  A game and a practice count as two meetings.

 

                2. Each church shall coordinate the practice times for their teams.

 

                C.                GAME SCORES:

 

                The scores of each game need to be reported to the League Administrator by the scorekeeper within 72 hours after the game.

 

Draft System for Basketball

 

The goal of the draft system is to produce teams which are evenly balanced in terms of talent, ability and experience among players.

 

Key Elements:

Draft Rules:

 

  1. Draft choices are made by round
  2. Number of rounds determined by desired number of players on each team (i.e. if 30 kids try-out, we want 3 teams of 10 each and there will be 10 rounds of drafting)
  3. Children of coaches are slotted in the draft grid prior to the start of the draft. Slotting position is based on average of rankings provided by all coaches and is subject to discretion of draft administrator. After evaluations, all coaches assign children of coaches with a ranking for the draft round they believe is appropriate for that child, the draft administrator averages the rankings and slots the player in that round.
  4. Order of drafting is determined randomly, by drawing a team color. Coaches draft in serpentine fashion, with the last team choosing for a particular round receiving the first choice for the next round (i.e. if ROB Red has the last pick of round 1, ROB Red gets the first pick of round 2)
  5. Draft concludes when all players have been placed on teams.
  6. Players not attending evaluations must notify draft administrator of their intention to play and are included in the draft pool. In the spirit of cooperation, coaches and draft administrator are expected to share information on the abilities of any player not attending evaluations to aide in a fair draft.
  7. Late registrants are added to teams based on the discretion of the draft administrator but with the goal of keeping teams even in numbers and balanced in talent and skills of players.

Player Evaluation Worksheet: Basketball

  

Player

Shooting Skills

Dribbling Skills

Speed

Defensive Skills

Scrimmage Notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Draft Grid: Basketball

 

 

 

Round

Team 1

Coach: ____________________

Team 2

Coach: ________________________

Team 3

Coach: ___________________________

Round 1

 

 

 

Round 2

 

 

 

Round 3

 

 

 

Round 4

 

 

 

Round 5

 

 

 

Round 6

 

 

 

Round 7

 

 

 

Round 8

 

 

 

Round 9

 

 

 

Round 10