Current official rules and regulations are defined by the National Federation of State High School Associations Basketball Rules Book except where amended and superseded by the following AYB standing rules. Go to www.nfhs.org for National Federation of State High School Associations information.

• Each team is allowed TWO (2) timeouts per half.

• Each team is allowed ONE (1) timeout per overtime period

• Once a player commits 5 personal fouls, that player can no longer play in the game and must sit out for the remainder of the game.

• Once a team reaches 5 fouls, then the player who was fouled is awarded 2 free throws.

• Team fouls reset at the end of every quarter.

• On intentional fouls (where you don’t play the ball or where you hug the player or pull on the player’s jersey or shorts), the offending team loses possession of the ball in addition to the free throws being awarded (penalized with a technical foul).

• On flagrant fouls (may be a personal or technical foul of violent or excessive nature, such as striking, kicking, or kneeing) will result in ejection of the player.

• 5 Second Throw-In: A team attempting to throw a ball in-bounds has five seconds to release the ball towards the court. The five second clock starts when the team throwing it in has possession of the ball (usually bounced or handed to a player while out of bounds by the official).

• 10 Second Violation: A player must cross half court in 10 seconds after their team inbounds the ball. If they do not cross half court in 10 seconds, possession is awarded to the other team.

• Backcourt: The dribbler is not considered to be in the front court until both feet and the basketball are in the front court. Once the dribbler has both feet and the ball in the front court, the ball must remain in the front court from that point forward. If the dribbler in the front court passes the ball to a player who catches the ball while crossing the half court line from the back court, that is a backcourt violation because the ball attains backcourt status as soon as that player catches the ball, then front court status again when he/she lands.

• Offensive 3 Second Rule: An offensive player cannot be in their team's foul lane for more than three seconds while his team has control of the ball. The count starts when the offensive player enters the lane and his team has control of the ball in the frontcourt (if a player is in the lane and his team has control of the ball in the backcourt, there is no count).  The count stops when a shot is taken, the player exits the lane or there is a loss of team control/possession.

• 2nd-3rd grade divisions: 27.5" (size 5)

• 4th-5th grade divisions: 28.5” (size 6)

• 6th-9th grade divisions: 29.5” (size 7)

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• All divisions: 10 feet (standard height)

• Games are played with a running clock.

• The final 2 minutes of the game is played with a stopping clock only if the score differential is 20 points or less. A stopping clock is when the clock stops with each whistle blow. The clock will resume once the ball is in bounded and touched by a player.

• The scoreboard will be turned off if there is a difference of 30 or more points between the two teams.

• 2nd-3rd grade division: the shooter’s feet must be behind the free throw line before shooting, but may cross the line after shooting.

• 4th-7th grade division: the shooter’s feet must remain behind the free throw line until the ball hits the rim.

• The players lined up around the key may not enter the lane until the ball is released. The shooter cannot enter until the ball hits the rim. All players behind the 3-point line may not cross the line until the ball has hit the rim.

• If a player is fouled and is injured and unable to shoot free throws, the coach may sub that player out with another player on the bench to shoot the free throws. That injured player will be allowed back into the game if well enough to play again.

• Coaches, players, and parents should use appropriate language at all times, during practices and games.

• Parents should not come onto the court to question the scorekeepers.

• If a player is injured, all other players are to return to their bench. The parent of the injured player may go to the bench, but may not go onto the court.

• At the end of the game, players should huddle and call out the other team's name.

• Line up to commend the other team for a game well played.

• Please also thank the officials.

• Proceed out of the gym for your post game huddle to talk about the positives of the game and what can be worked on at the next practice.

• Games will start at the scheduled time and are 40 minutes long, comprised of four 10 minute quarters.

• If a team does not show up within 5 minutes of their scheduled game time, that team will forfeit the game. A team is allowed to play a game with as few as four players. In the case of a forfeit, the court may be used for practice by the two scheduled teams. The forfeited game will not be rescheduled.

• There is no penalty if a player shows up late to a game that is already in session. That player will still be allowed to play in the game.

• Games tied at the end of regulation will go into a 2 minute overtime period with stopping clock. One timeout is allowed per team. No timeouts will carry over! Should it go into 3 OTs, the first team to score wins.

• Teams may utilize man-to-man or zone defense.

• Teams are allowed to apply a Full Court Press unless they are ahead by 15 or more points.

• Free substitution at anytime.

• Each player must play a minimum of 15 minutes in the entire game.

• Substitutions must wait at the scorer’s table before checking in.

• Coaches can notify the official of the intent to substitute and wait for the okay before
  entering.

• All players will wear the uniforms provided by the league. Jewelry will not be permitted at any time during a game and should be discouraged in practice. All coaches will be responsible for seeing that their players are not wearing watches, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, or hair clips. These items pose a threat to the safety of the players wearing them and to the other players as well.