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 3rd Grade - 8th Grade

Game Timing:

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

·        8-minute quarters for all grade levels

·        5-minute pre-game warm-up (minimum)

·        2-minute half-time

·        1 minute between quarters 

·        Overtime Period:  3 minutes (Continue with overtime periods until tie is broken) – no game will end in a tie.

·        Clock stopped at each stoppage of play (unless 30-point Mercy Rule is in effect – see below for Mercy Rule specifics). 

·        Team Timeouts: 3 (60-second time outs) per game, 2 (30-second time outs) per game.  Each team will receive 1 (60-second time out) per overtime period (no carry-overs).

Game Play:

·        Full Court Press:

o   Full court press is allowed in HYL Club at all age divisions.

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.

·        Zone Defense:

o   Zone defenses are allowed in HYL Club at all age divisions.

·        30-Point Mercy Rule:

o   When a team is winning by 30 points in the second half 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, time between quarters, or the administration of free throws. 

o   If the score difference between teams becomes lower than 30 points, then the clock will be stopped per standard operation.  

·        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 TAKEN).  

·        Home teams will wear white jerseys, and the away teams will wear dark jerseys. 

·        Ball Size:     Girls Grades 3 through 8 28.5 (Size 6)

Boys Grades 3 through 6 28.5 (Size 6)

Boys Grades 7 and 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).

 

   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:  3 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   Players are allowed to block shots.  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.

·        8-minute quarters

·        5-minute pre-game warm-up (minimum)

·        2-minute half-time

·        1 minute between quarters

·        Overtime Period:  3 minutes (Continue with overtime periods until tie is broken) – no game will end in a tie.

·        Clock stopped at each normal stoppage of play (unless 20-point Mercy Rule is in effect – see below for Mercy Rule specifics). 

·        Team Timeouts: 3 (60 second time outs) per game and 2 (30 second time outs) per game.  Each team will receive 1 (60 second time out) per overtime period (no carry-overs).

·        20-Point Running Clock Rule:

o   When a team is winning by 20 points in the second half 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, time between quarters, or the administration of free throws.

o   If the score difference between teams becomes lower than 20 points, then the clock stoppage will revert to standard operation. 

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 Grades 3 through 6 - 28.5 (intermediate size)

Boys Grades 3 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).

 

      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.

·        8-minute quarters

·        5-minute pre-game warm-up (minimum)

·        2-minute half-time

·        1 minute between quarters

·        Overtime Period:  3 minutes (Continue with overtime periods until tie is broken) – no game will end in a tie.

·        Clock stopped at each normal stoppage of play (unless 20-point Mercy Rule is in effect – see below for Mercy Rule specifics). 

·        Team Timeouts: 3 (60 second time outs) per game and 2 (30 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 is winning by 20 points in the second half 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, time between quarters, or the administration of free throws.

o   If the score difference between teams becomes lower than 20 points, then the clock stoppage will revert to standard operation. 

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 3 through 6 - 28.5 (intermediate size)

Boys Grades 3 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).

 

    HYL School Competitive 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.

·        8-minute quarters

·        5-minute pre-game warm-up (minimum)

·        2-minute half-time

·        1 minute between quarters

·        Overtime Period: 3 minutes (Continue with overtime periods until tie is broken) – no game will end in a tie.

·        Clock stopped at each normal stoppage of play (unless the 20-point Mercy Rule is in effect – see below for Mercy Rule specifics). 

·        Team Timeouts: 3 (60 second time outs) per game and 2 (30 second time outs) per game.  Each team will receive 1 (60 second time out) per overtime period (no carry-overs).

·        20-Point Running Clock Rule:

o   When a team is winning by 20 points in the second half 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, time between quarters, or the administration of free throws.

o   If the score difference between teams becomes lower than 20 points, then the clock stoppage will revert to standard operation. 

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 Grades 3 through 6 - 28.5 (intermediate size)

Boys Grades 3 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).

 

HYL School Competitive League: 5th Grade - 8th Grade

Game Timing:

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

·        8-minute quarters

·        5-minute pre-game warm-up (minimum)

·        2-minute half-time

·        1 minute between quarters

·        Overtime Period:  3 minutes (Continue with overtime periods until tie is broken) – no game will end in a tie.

·        Clock stopped at each normal stoppage of play (unless 20-point Mercy Rule is in effect – see below for Mercy Rule specifics). 

·        Team Timeouts: 3 (60 second time outs) per game and 2 (30 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 is winning by 20 points in the second half 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, time between quarters, or the administration of free throws.

o   If the score difference between teams becomes lower than 20 points, then the clock stoppage will revert to standard operation. 

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.

·        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 3 through 6 28.5 (Size 6)

Boys Grades 3 through 6 28.5 (Size 6)

Boys Grade 7 and 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).

 

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 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.