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 Timing:
Games will always start at time scheduled, never earlier, and later only if the previous game is running late.

  1. 5-minute warm-up time (minimum), the clock starts right after the previous game ends
    1. No-Show Forfeits – if a team does not have 5 players on the floor within 10 minutes of the scheduled start time the final score will be recorded as 15-0. Teams are still able to commence and play (4 on 5) if both coaches agree to continue. However, no matter the decision to play or not, the game’s final score will be reported as 15-0.
    2. In-Game Forfeits – As per WA Official Game Rules and NFHS guidelines, if a forfeit is ruled by officials during a game, then the final score shall be the score at the time of the forfeit (if the team that wins by forfeit was in the lead at the time of the forfeit), or the final score will be recorded as 2-0 if the teams that win by forfeit was tied or trailing at the time of the forfeit.
  2. 3-minute halftime
  3. All timeouts will last 1 minute and cannot be carried over between halves or to overtime.
  4. All overtimes are 2 minutes. Sudden Death after 2 OTs. 1 additional timeout per overtime (no carryover).
  5. No pressing or trapping with a 20-point lead.
  6. Teams listed on the left of the schedule (or on the top of the bracket) are Visitors and will wear dark. Teams listed on the right of the schedule (or listed on the bottom of the bracket) are Home and will wear light.

Participant Conduct: The Hooptown Youth League staff and officials reserve the right to eject any player, coach, official, or spectator from a facility for objectionable behavior.

Referee Complaints – Coaches: Please address any officiating disputes in a professional manner with your gym’s designated 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.

These rules apply to all divisions and grade levels except for the below differences at grade levels:

KINDERGARTEN, 1st GRADE, 2nd GRADE:

  1. Games will be played on an 8-foot hoop (where applicable) with a 27.5 (size 5) Junior Basketball.
  2. 30-minute running clock games of two 15-minute halves. The score clock will only stop every 5 minutes for substitutions to be made.
  3. Each team will have 1 timeout per half. If overtime occurs 1 timeout will be provided per overtime. There is no carryover of timeouts to overtime.
  4. Every team must play man-to-man defense. Zone or pressing defense is not allowed. Players may start defending at the half-court line.
  5. Players are not allowed to steal the ball when another player is dribbling or holding the ball. A player can only steal the ball when a pass is made.
  6. Due to the shortage of Officials, all Kindergarten, 1st-grade, and 2nd-grade games will be officiated by the combination of the team’s coaches. The HYL gym supervisor will make the final decision if the coaches cannot reach an agreement.
  7. Parents will be asked to act as scorekeepers using the supplied flip charts. 1 parent from each team is preferred.

3rd-4th GRADE:

  1. Games will be played on a 10-foot hoop (where applicable) with a 28.5 (size 6) basketball.
  2. Clock guidelines:
    1. Recreational – 32-minute game consisting of four 8-minute stopped clock quarters. 1-minute break in between quarters.
    2. Competitive - games will consist of four 8-minute stopped clock quarters. The clock is only to be stopped on dead balls, fouls, and timeouts. 1-minute break in between quarters.
      1. When a team is leading by more than 20 points in the second half, the clock will run continuously until the lead is below 20 points, at which time, normal stop-clock time rules apply.
    3. Each team will have 2 timeouts per half. If overtime occurs 1 timeout will be provided per overtime. There is no carryover of timeouts to overtime.
    4. Every team must play man-to-man defense. Zone or pressing defense is not allowed.
    5. Players are allowed to steal the ball when another player is dribbling or holding the ball.

5th-6th GRADE:

  1. Games will be played on a 10-foot hoop with a 28.5 (size 6) basketball.
  2. Clock guidelines:
    1. Recreational – 32-minute game consisting of four 8-minute stopped clock quarters. 1-minute break in between quarters.
    2. Competitive - games will consist of four 8-minute stopped clock quarters. The clock is only to be stopped on dead balls, fouls, and timeouts. 1-minute break in between quarters.
      1. When a team is leading by more than 20 points in the second half, the clock will run continuously until the lead is below 20 points, at which time, normal stop-clock time rules apply.
    3. Each team will have 2 timeouts per half. If overtime occurs 1 timeout will be provided per overtime. There is no carryover of timeouts to overtime.
    4. Teams are allowed to play zone and pressing defense. If a team is up by more than 20 points pressing is not allowed. Please see rule explanation above. 
    5. Players are allowed to steal the ball when another player is dribbling or holding the ball.