Rules

Rules for 2023-2024

JBA  2023/2024 RECREATION BASKETBALL RULES

Applicable to All Divisions:

• Failure to adhere to the following rules may result in at least a one game suspension. 
• Any participant found using foul language, unsportsmanlike conduct, and/or fighting may be suspended for a minimum of one game.  
• In free-throw situations, the two marked lane spaces closest to the end line will be vacant effective with the 2009-10 season.
• Games shall be played in accordance with the most recent High School Basketball Rules for Boys and Girls as published by the National Federation of State High Schools Associations. Kansas City, Missouri and as amended below.

Coaches:  Two coach maximum on the team bench. Head coach only may question referees.

High School Division (Grades 9-12): 

HS fed. rules will be followed, All JBA rules will apply except for the following:

Games are composed of two 20-minute halves. [TO BE CHANGED FOR 2024-25 SEASON]

Each team receives 3 timeouts per game.

A team must have 5 players to start or will forfeit the game.

The clock will run continuously and stop only for timeouts, foul shots & referee stoppages (substitutions, halftime, etc) until there are 2 minutes left in the game. For the final two minutes (and overtime, if necessary), the clock will stop at each whistle.

Games that are tied at the end of regulation time will go to a 3 minute overtime period. 

Player substitutions will be made at or about the 15, 10, and 5 minute marks of each half and must be made within the following parameters:

For 6 players, each player must sit for at least one 5 min period per game and no player can sit for two consecutive periods.

For 7-10 players, each player must sit for at least one 5 min period per half and no player can sit for two consecutive periods (note that consecutive periods reset at halftime and the end of regulation time. Thus, a player can, for example, sit for the final period of the first half and then sit for the initial period of the second half).

For 11+ players, no player may sit more than 2 consecutive periods and play fewer than 3 total periods.

No player substitutions can take place during a 5 minute period except for the following:

A player is injured.

A player has 4 fouls or has fouled out.

Teams reach the first bonus after 7 personal fouls on the opposing team in a given half which results in a 1-and-1 free throw. Teams reach the second bonus after 10 personal fouls on the opposing team in a given half which results in 2 free throws. Team fouls reset at halftime but not at the end of regulation [TO BE CHANGED FOR 2024-25 SEASON].

Any player or coach getting 2 technical fouls will be ejected and will sit the following game.

Any player fighting will be ejected and will sit the following game. The JBA Character Counts Committee will determine any further suspensions.

Full court pressing is permitted at all times except by a team that is ahead by 15 points or more.

1. Four 8-minute periods will be played. Clock will stop around the 4 minute mark by the referees whistle for substitutions only, not to be used as a time out.
2. Minimum playing time will be 16 minutes per player.
3. Any player that did not play the previous period must play the next period. Only exception is at the half where a coach can change his initial lineup & overtime where the coach may start a new lineup.
4. All players must sit out once per half, unless you have 6 or less players. If only 6 players then each player must sit out one 4 minute period per game.
5. No substitutions will be allowed during any period (except for injury or a player incurs 4 fouls).
6. If a player has 4 fouls a coach is permitted to pull the player for another player from the bench. The new player would be allowed to play the remaining minutes of the fouled player as well as his or her own allotted minutes. The player with 4 fouls would be permitted to reenter at their next allotted time.
7. Running clock: Clock will stop for shooting fouls. The clock will stop the last 4 minutes of the game on the referees whistle. (time permitting) 
8. Three 1-minute time outs per game.
9. Three-minute half time break.
10. Full court pressing is allowed 
11. Mercy Rule: All pressing will stop when a team has a 15 point lead on the opposing team. Pressing may resume when the teams lead falls to 10 or below.
12. A two-minute overtime will be allowed for tied games. However the overtime must begin ten minutes before the start of the next game. Overtime is a two-minute running clock, stopping for foul shots and time outs only. 

1. Four 8-minute periods will be played. Clock will stop around the 4 minute mark by the referees whistle for substitutions only, not to be used as a time out.
2. Minimum playing time will be 16 minutes per player.
3. Any player that did not play the previous period must play the next period.
4. All players must sit out once per half, unless you have 6 or less players. If only 6 players then each player must sit out one 4 minute period per game.
5. No substitutions will be allowed during any period (except for injury or a player incurs 4 fouls).
6. Running clock: Clock will stop for shooting fouls only. The clock will stop the last 2 minutes of the half and the last 2 minutes of the game if time permits.
7. Three-minute half time break. (Referee may shorten depending on time)
8. Three one minute time outs per game.
9. All games must start and end on time. It is the responsibility of the referee and coaches to enforce the time schedule.
10. A two-minute overtime will be allowed for tied games. However the overtime must begin ten minutes before the start of the next game. Overtime is a two-minute running clock, stopping for foul shots and time outs only. 
11. Three point shots count.
12. Mercy Rule: All pressing will stop when a team has a 15 point lead on the opposing team. Pressing may resume when the teams lead falls to 10 or below.
13. Back court defense/pressing rules: Once a defensive player secures control of the ball in his/her backcourt, all opposing players must clear to the front court beyond the mid-court line and not defend an offensive player with the ball until that player or the ball enters into the front court.  For each half-1st offense- One warning shall be allowed to each team. 2nd offense- A Technical foul will called against the violating team and 2 foul shots will be award to the offensive team.   Full court pressing allowed the last 2 minutes of the first half and the last 2 minutes of the game.  
14. Any player receiving two technical fouls for conduct in one game shall be removed from the game. Any coach that receives 2 technical fouls in a game must leave the building. If there is no Assistant Coach present the game will be forfeited. Coach will be reported to the league for disciplinary action and must serve at least a one game suspension. 
15. All players, coaches and attendees must abide by character counts rules.
16. Hall monitors need to be supplied by the head coach of each team. At no time should anyone attending a game be hanging out in the hallways, bathrooms or locker rooms. After two warnings offenders are to leave the building.

• This division is still instructional, but also competitive. The rules are very basic

• League is 4 v 4

• Maximum team size is 8 players

• Four (4) 8-minute quarters. Clock stops for substitutions every 4 minutes, for injury, and for foul shots only. Otherwise it's a continuously running clock.

• The clock will stop on the blow of the whistle during the last minute of the game.

• All players must sit out once per half unless you have 5 or less players. If only 5 players then each player must sit out one 4-minute period per game.

• Minimum playing time is 4 substitution periods (approximately 16 minutes) per player.

• A player must not sit 2 consecutive substitution periods.

• Two options when foul shooting:

• Players may shoot from behind the regular foul line. If in the shooting process, they cross over the foul line, no violation should be given.
• Players may shoot from the blue taped line which is one tile up from the original foul line. Players can not have their foot on the blue line or cross over the line since they are already at an advantage of shooting one tile up from the original line.

• No backcourt press

• Once a team brings the ball over the mid-court line, the backcourt extends back to the foul line in both White Rock Upper and Stanlick APR.
• Once player crosses half court and a whistle is blown to cause an inbound pass. Backcourt resets and you're now granted that free space to pass the ball to.

• Every team makes a single elimination playoff based off of regular season standing

• Tie Breakers are determined in this order.
• 1 - Head to Head
• 2 - Point Differential
• 3 - coin flip
• ie: 3 teams tied and: Team 1 beat Team 3; Team 2 Beat team 3; Team 1 beat team 2 In the above example since 1 beat 2 and 3 they would be top seed, Team 2 beat team 3 so 2 would be 2nd seed followed by team 3. If they all have 1 win against each other or still tied move to point differential.

• A two-minute overtime will be allowed for tied games. However the overtime must begin ten minutes before the start of the next game. Overtime is a two-minute running clock, stopping for foul shots and time outs only. 

• C division will be required to play man to man defense the entire game. Trapping or double teaming above the key is not allowed and each team will get one warning per half and after that a technical foul will be called on the team. 

• Please also remember the head coach is responsible for the conduct and behavior of substitutes, disqualified team members and all other bench personnel. At no time should the Assistant Coach be standing up yelling to the refs and/or players.

   ASSISTANT COACHES MAY NOT:

   Stand in the coaching box at any time.

   Go to the table to seek information at any time.

   Speak directly to the refs during or after the game

   ASSISTANT COACHES MAY:

   Leave the bench at halftime.

   Stand during time‐outs or intermissions.

   Attend to an injured player after being beckoned.

   Spontaneously react to a play.

Any violation of the bench rule by an assistant coach or any bench personnel is charged to the offender and an indirect technical foul charged to the head coach.

NOTE: Any bench personnel may rise to applaud an outstanding play or applaud a player that has been replaced, but must be seated immediately.

• League is 4 v 4 - Do your best as coaches to rotate the players in and out every 4 minutes

• All games will consist of (4) 8 minute quarters - have a coach or parent keep time

• Games will utilize a colored wrist band system.

• Players will wear a color based on talent level and height
• Feel free to designate talent to color with your opposing coach
• Do your best to downplay this system with your players to avoid any stigmas

• Only 2 coaches should be on the court on opposing baskets.

• These coaches should instruct from the court as well as officiate.
• Please be vigilant in instruction especially with ball handling violations (double dribble and travel) as well as fouls on and off the ball.
• Allow players to shoot foul shots for fouls made in the act of shooting

• No full court press whatsoever

• Please refrain from stealing from the dribbler

• No pressing the ball after half court.

• Defense MUST ALLOW the first offensive pass without stealing.
• After that initial pass, defense can intercept and steal the ball.
• Please be vigilant with this as it allows an actual game that resembles basketball to occur.
• Again, please refrain from pressuring the ball handler as that prevents a natural rhythm.

• Please refrain from excessive fast breaking

• We understand that it can be exciting however it does not teach them organized basketball.
• Periodic fast breaks are fine, however, stress the players setting up an actual offense.  This will pay off when the players move up to the next level.
• Otherwise teach the kids good fundamentals and team play.
• Move the ball around and find an open man and/or the best shot on the court.
• Stress high percentage "easy" shots.
• Remember that 3rd grade becomes REAL basketball