HYL Official Game Rules
The Hooptown Youth League (HYL) will follow the NFHS Rules (National Federation of State High School Associations) and align with the WA State Middle School Championship format. All games and teams will follow the general rules outlined below:
Game Rules / Highlights
Hooptown Youth League (HYL) Club / School Competitive League / Tournament Series
· 2 x 23 minute halves with RUNNING CLOCK
· Clock only stops on an official's time out or charged time out.
· During the final two minutes of the second half, the clock stops on all dead balls (exception is when 20 point Mercy Rule is in effect).
· 20 Point Mercy Rule: When a team is winning by 20 points or more in the final two minutes of the second half, the game clock will run continuously except for an official's time out, a charged time out, or the adminstration of free throws.
· 5 mintues pre-game warm up (minimum).
· 2 mintues half time.
· Team foul count resets at the 11 minute mark of each half.
· Games will always start at the time scheduled, never earlier, and later only if the previous game is running late.
· Team Timeouts: 3 x 60 second time outs per game. Each team will receive 1 x 60 second time out per overtime period (no carry overs).
· Overtime Period: 1st overtime period is 2 minutes. The clock stops on all dead balls. Foul counts carry over from the 2nd Half. All overtime periods begin with a jump ball. If needed, the 2nd overtime period is sudden victory (first to score wins).
Game Play:
· Full Court Press:
o Full court press (Man and Zone) is allowed for 4th through 8th grade divisions.
o 3rd Grade - Man to Man full court press is allowed. Double teams will NOT be allowed.
o 20 Point Press Rule: Any team with a score advantage of 20 points in the second half is required to pull off the full court press. After one warning from the official, if the press is not discontinued, the officials will award a technical foul to the coach’s bench.
· Zone Defense:
o Zone defenses are allowed for 4th through 8th grade divisions.
o Zone defenses are NOT allowed for 3rd grade divisions. Team may double team only inside the three point arc on the defensive end of the court.
· Technical, Intentional and Flagrant Foul Rule:
o In the event any technical, intentional and flagrant foul are given, two points will be automatically awarded to the opposing team along with possession of the ball out of bounds (NO FREE THROWS WILL BE TAKEN).
· Home teams will wear white jerseys, and the away teams will wear dark jerseys.
· Ball Size: Girls Grade 3 27.5 (Size 5) NEW CHANGE
Girls Grades 4 - 8 28.5 (Size 6)
Boys Grade 3 27.5 (Size 5) NEW CHANGE
Boys Grades 4 - 6 28.5 (Size 6)
Boys Grades 7-8 29.5 (Size 7)
· All games will be played on a 10’ hoop.
· Each team will provide a scorebook keeper to assist in tracking the score, individual fouls, and team fouls. The Home Team scorebook will be the official score book if a discrepancy arises.
· The winning coach will review the “Game Score Record Sheet” kept by the score clock operator and will initial next to the score to certify the results/score is accurate.
· “Forfeit” of a Game – will be determined by the Gym Supervisor if both teams are not present and on the court 10 minutes after the scheduled game time (the final score will be 15-0). Both teams must start with 5 players on the court.
HYL School Recreational League: K - 2nd Grade
Game Timing:
· Game Clock: 30-minute running clock game consisting of 2 x 15-minute halves.
· Sub Stoppage: The clock will stop every 5 minutes to allow for substitutions.
· Timeouts: Each team will have 1 time out per half. If overtime occurs, each team will receive 1 additional timeout per overtime (TO’s will not carry over per half or overtime period).
· Overtime Period: 2 minutes (Continue with overtime periods until tie is broken) – no game will end in a tie.
Game Play:
· Hoop Height/Ball Size: Games will be played on an 8-foot hoop rim and with a 27.5 (size 5) Junior basketball.
· Defense: Every team must play man-to-man defense. Zone defense is NOT allowed.
· No Full Court Defense: Players may start defending at the half court line.
· Stealing the Ball:
o Players may NOT steal the ball when another player is dribbling or holding the ball.
o A player may steal the ball when a pass is made.
o Players are allowed to block shots.
· Officiating:
o Due to a shortage of officials, all Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grade games will be officiated together by a coach from each team.
o The HYL Gym Supervisor will make the final decision if the coaches cannot reach an agreement during game.
· Score Keepers:
o The team listed as the home team will provide a parent to act as scorekeeper.
HYL School Recreational League: 3rd Grade and 4th Grade
Game Timing:
· Games will always start at time scheduled, never earlier, and later only if the previous game is running late.
· 2 x 22-minute halves with Running Clock
· Final 2 minutes of the game, the clock will stop on all official deadballs.
· 5-minute pre-game warm-up (minimum)
· 2-minute half-time
· Team foul counts will reset at the 11-minute mark of each half.
· Overtime Period: 1st overtime period is 2 minutes. The clock stops on all dead balls. Foul counts carry over from the 2nd Half. All overtime periods begin with a jump ball. If needed, the 2nd overtime period is sudden victory (first to score wins).
· Team Timeouts: 2 x 60 second time outs per game. Each team will receive 1 x 60 second time out per overtime period (no carry-overs).
· 20-Point Mercy Running Clock Rule:
o When a team is winning by 20 or more points in the last two minutes of the game, the game clock will run continuously for the remainder of the game except for an official’s time-out, a charged time-out, and administration of free throws.
Game Play:
· Defense: Every team must play man-to-man defense. Zone defense is NOT allowed.
· No Full Court Press Defense: Players may start defending at the half court line.
· Stealing the Ball:
o Players may steal the ball when another player is dribbling or holding the ball.
o A player may steal the ball when a pass is made.
· Technical, Intentional and Flagrant Foul Rule:
o In the event that any technical, intentional, and or flagrant foul are given, two points will be automatically awarded to the opposing team (no free throws need be attempted) and possession of the ball out of bound.
· Home teams will wear white jerseys, and the away teams will wear dark jerseys.
· Ball Size: Girls Grade 3 27.5 (Size 5) NEW CHANGE
Girls Grades 4 - 6 28.5 (Size 6)
Boys Grade 3 27.5 (Size 5) NEW CHANGE
Boys Grades 4 - 6 28.5 (Size 6)
· All games will be played on a 10’ hoop
· Each team will provide a scorebook keeper to assist in tracking the score, individual fouls, and team fouls. The Home Team scorebook will be the official score book if a discrepancy arises.
· The winning coach will review the “Game Score Record Sheet” kept by the score clock operator and will initial next to the score to certify the results/score is accurate.
· “Forfeit” of a Game – will be determined by the Gym Supervisor if both teams are not present and on the court 10 minutes after the scheduled game time (the final score will be (15-0).
HYL School Recreational League: 5th Grade and 6th Grade
Game Timing:
· Games will always start at time scheduled, never earlier, and later only if the previous game is running late.
· 2 x 22-minute halves with running clock
· Final 2 minutes of the game, the clock will stop on all official deadballs.
· 5-minute pre-game warm-up (minimum)
· 2-minute half-time
· Team foul counts will reset at the 11-minute mark of each half.
· Overtime Period: 1st overtime period is 2 minutes. The clock stops on all dead balls. Foul counts carry over from the 2nd Half. All overtime periods begin with a jump ball. If needed, the 2nd overtime period is sudden victory (first to score wins).
· Team Timeouts: 2 (60 second time outs) per game. Each team will receive 1 (60 second time out) per overtime period (no carry-overs).
· 20-Point Mercy Running Clock Rule:
o When a team wins by 20 or more points in the last two minutes of the game, the game clock will run continuously for the remainder of the game except for an official’s time-out, a charged time-out, and administration of free throws.
Game Play:
· Defense: Teams are allowed to play man-to-man or zone defense.
· Full Court Press:
o Full court press is allowed.
o 20 Point Press Rule: Any team with a score advantage of 20 points is required to pull off the full court press. After one warning from the official, if the press is not discontinued, the officials will award a technical foul to the coach’s bench. S
· Stealing the Ball:
o Players may steal the ball when another player is dribbling or holding the ball.
o A player may steal the ball when a pass is made.
· Technical, Intentional and Flagrant Foul Rule:
o In the event that any technical, intentional, and or flagrant foul are given, two points will be automatically awarded to the opposing team (no free throws need be attempted) and possession of the ball out of bound.
· Home teams will wear white jerseys, and the away teams will wear dark jerseys.
· Ball Size: Girls Grades 4 through 6 - 28.5 (intermediate size)
Boys Grades 4 through 6 - 28.5 (intermediate size)
· All games will be played on a 10’ hoop.
· Each team will provide a scorebook keeper to assist in tracking the score, individual fouls, and team fouls. The Home Team scorebook will be the official score book if a discrepancy arises.
· The winning coach will review the “Game Score Record Sheet” kept by the score clock operator and will initial next to the score to certify the results/score is accurate.
· “Forfeit” of a Game – will be determined by the Gym Supervisor if both teams are not present and on the court 10 minutes after the scheduled game time (the final score will be 15-0). Both teams must start with 5 players on the court.
Hooptown Youth League: Sportsmanship Policy
-HYL believes that Sportsmanship is everyone’s responsibility! Sportsmanship principles like fair play, respect, and integrity are values that allow for maximum enjoyment and shall be observed by all.
-It is the responsibility of all participants: the coaching staff, parents/guardians, and players to show respect to all players, opposing coaches, spectators, officials, and gym supervisors.
-In the unfortunate event when conduct outside of the spirit of Sportsmanship does occur, HYL staff and game officials reserve the right to eject any player, coach, or spectator from a game or gym facility. Depending on the severity of the unsportsmanlike conduct, HYL has right to enforce further disciplinary actions affecting future games, or removal from participation in HYL.
-Coaches, players, or fans that are ejected from a game will have to leave the gym facility immediately and will not be allowed to participate or attend the following game as a suspension for their actions.
-Coaches are ultimately responsible for the behavior of their players, assistant coaches, and spectators.
-Referee Complaints:
· Coaches: Please address any officiating disputes in a professional manner with the HYL Gym Supervisor. Be a role model for your players and address the situation with respect and grace.
· Parents: If you have an issue with a referee, you must direct it through your coach or contact the HYL Gym Supervisor.
-For any issues that arise before, during, or after that game that require assistance beyond the on-court referees, please contact the onsite HYL Gym Supervisor.
-We strive to make the HYL basketball experience fun, enjoyable, and safe for everyone. Please assist us by fostering great sportsmanship before, during, and after your games.