Skills Day Rules:

The Skills Day will be run by HOOPZONE Basketball to work on fundamentals and find out where each player is at with abilities. Each player will engage in a series of drills made up of running, dribbling, shooting, passing. etc.

We will try to honor requests for kids playing together with their friends within reason, especially when it comes to parents carpooling and siblings. Players can note on registration to be on a certain team.

The last day to register for this league will be on Skills Day.

Finally, this league has been designed for the enjoyment of the kids playing, not for the coaches or the parents. It is our job as role models to the kids to ensure that there are no bad attitudes, or poor sports.

Game Day Rules:

The gym will be open 15 minutes before the first game for players to begin arriving. Enter the school through designated entrance, change shoes and come straight to gym. No one is allowed to wander the hallways, everyone must stay in gym or lobby area of school where you came in.

Coaches shall do their best to allow equal playing time for all players. Realize this can be difficult for both the coach and the parent so please be understanding.

Only the teams playing in the current game are allowed to shoot or warm up on the floor.

All teams will begin with a 15 minute practice, followed by 20 minute half, 5 minute halftime then another 20 minute half making a 60 minute total.

The practice time can be used in anyway the team chooses as they practice on their own hoop. Following the 15 minute practice time the game will promptly start.

Games will use a youth size ball and basket height of 9 feet.

Time will be kept by a timekeeper on the sideline or the referee. Time will generally be considered “running time” but will be stopped on time outs.

MHSAA rules will apply, with exceptions noted below. Referees will only call real obvious calls or when the infraction results in a turnover. A little traveling, double dribbling is OK otherwise we’ll be stopping games too often. Referees can remind youth about their fouling and positioning. Remember we want the kids to learn the game so we’ve relaxed some rules to allow play to continue. Referees are allowed to instruct.

Traveling is allowed for a few extra steps when passing or shooting. Running with the ball will result in referee discussing with athlete and trying again.

No double dribbling allowed, once picked up you can’t start again. Referee to warn at first, then call if it continues.

No lane violation will be called.

Defense is man to man and only allowed on half court, defense must get back within their 3 point arc! No zone defense allowed.

No steals allowed on the dribble or the pass, players can only go after a loose ball on floor.

No blocking of shots, we want the offense to be able to run and shoot so defense will work on turning and sealing out for rebound when faced with a shooter.

Players cannot foul out in games, but may be asked to sit down if they get out of hand. Coaches and refs help to handle this.

Man to Man defenses only. No zones or no double teaming. The defensive team must retreat to inside the 3 point arc so the offense can bring the ball across the half court line. There will be no defense beyond the 3 point arc until the offense initially penetrates the 3 point arc and then they can pickup anywhere in their half court. This will allow teams to dribble up, make a few passes before coming face to face with defense. Let’s try and get the athletes to stick with the opponent they’re guarding rather than the 3-4 kids running around guarding the ball. Please note that if an offensive player breaks away from their defender at anytime, a teammate can leave their assigned player and pick up the breakaway player. Referees may have to stop game once in a while to keep this rule going. Coach this right from first practice and remind them.

Jump Ball will start first period only from then on ball possession will be used.

All shooting fouls will be taken out of bounds or begin at top with point guard. No free throws.

No 3 point shooting. We do not want to encourage this shot.

Substitution to happen on dead balls or after a score, coach to holler out sub and referees stop game to allow substitution. Referees and coaches always help make sure athletes know who they are guarding when coming into games.