BASKETBALL RULES 

 Divisions normally offered:   
5^th/6^th Varsity Boys and Varsity Girls, 
5^th/6^th JV Boys and JV Girls, 
7^th/8^th grade Varsity Boys and Varsity Girls,
7^th/8^th JV Boys and JV Girls

• Two game officials shall be assigned to league contests. Officials shall be paid the published amount according the fee schedule published by the officials’ association.
• Member institutions shall provide two persons at least 18 years old to serve as bookkeeper and clock operator.
• Concussions
  • Any player who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion or balance problems, shall be immediately removed from the game and shall not return to play until they have been evaluated by a licensed medical professional and received written clearance to return to sporting activities.
  • Any coach or parent insisting on returning the player to the game without approved clearance will result in the referee ending the game immediately.
• League coaches must be outfitted in attire, which identifies the member institution they coach for, and they are responsible for having their players in proper uniform.
• Teams who forfeit games shall be responsible for reimbursing assigned game officials. Repeated forfeiture of games will result in suspension from the league
• Member institutions are responsible for keeping the playing floor free of debris during games and for having backboards and walls/stage edges properly padded.
• In the interest of good sportsmanship, stomping/striking bleachers, using noisemakers, and cheering/screaming at opponents (especially in a derogatory manner) is strictly prohibited. Penalties for violation of this rule shall be a warning by game administrator. The warning will be relayed through the head coach of the offending team. A future violation during the same game can result in the game administrator stopping the contest and issuing a forfeit to the offending team.
• The length of games for all divisions shall be four Quarters.
• Each quarter shall be 6 minutes long.  Overtime shall be 3 minutes long.
• A maximum of 24 games may be played during the season. Tournaments count as 2 games.
• It is the responsibility of the Athletic Director to keep current with the arbiter.net (or official’s assignment web site).
• Uniforms should have a legal basketball number on the front and back (1-5, 10-15,20-25,30-35,40- 45, and 50-55).
• All teams must wear white colored jerseys at home and dark colored jerseys for away.
• All schools are asked to have a copy of these rules at the scorer’s table and in each scorebook.
• Schools have the option of conducting evaluations the week prior to the first week in November if the following conditions are met:
  1. Teams are not “announced” in any way, form, or fashion prior to the published calendar date each
  2. This is a period which each group is allowed a one and ½ hour evaluation period to enable AD’s to appropriately place a child on a team.
     • Ex: 5th grade girls can gather for one and ½ hrs. the week before Nov. 1 to be “evaluated” by the AD/coaches/committee however evaluations are conducted at each site. These girls participating in these evaluations are not to be told which team they are on until the official practice date. These girls may not “practice” together again until after the official start of the season nor can they combine with another grade division so have another hour and ½ session this week.
• When a team is entered in the J/V Division the following requirements must be met: School/church must have entered a team in the Varsity division first. Multiple teams entered in the JV division must be balanced as evenly as possible (grade, talent, size, etc.).
  1. The basketball for girls’ divisions and JV boys’ division is 28.5. The basketball for boys’ league games is 29.5 (the same as is used for high school boys).
  2. Three-point goals are allowed for all divisions.
  3. To control runaway scoring (in all divisions), a team with a 20-point lead or greater may not full-court press; a team with a 30-point lead or greater may not half-court trap or run a man-to-man defense (defense must stay within the 3-point arc). Repeated disregard of this rule can eventually result in forfeiture of the game.

Lassie/Peewee Division

• The foul shot line in the following divisions will be 12’ :   5^th/6^th grade Varsity and 5^th/6^th grade JV (both boys and girls).    A player may elect to shoot from the 15’ line but in doing so, must shoot all shots from that penalty shot from the 15’ line for those series of free throws. Also, all rules regarding foul shots will be enforced from the 15’ line – they will not have the 3 feet area
• The Lassie/Peewee JV Division is the only division with a mandatory playing time requirement. Each player (dressed out) at the game is required to play one quarter of each game or 6 minutes.  Any school who does not comply by the rule, it is requested the opponent notify their Athletic Director – the Athletic Director is asked to notify the PAA Board of Directors. Appropriate sanctions will be applied to the offending school.

PAA CHARLIE BROWN/LUCY LEAGUE BASKETBALL RULES

Athletic Directors have agreed to use the CBLL Subbing Pattern. All players present at the beginning of the game are assigned a number based on the number of players in attendance. Coaches are to complete the Pattern Sheet prior to the game and place copy of the scorer’s table. Substitutions are only allowed for: Injury, Fouling out of game or at the player request

Objectives:

1. 1. To teach basic basketball fundamentals in a recreational environment (stress the skills of dribbling, passing, rebounding & shooting).
   2. To teach the basic offenses and defenses (man to man, zones).
   3. To teach players the positions (point guard, wing, high post, low post) and to present it in such a way that all participants understand.
   4. To teach team concepts (get away from the one-man shows, spend time teaching the players that is about “us” and not “me”).

Rules

1. 1. 1. All divisions will play four (4) quarters (6 minutes in length) with the clock stopping on dead balls and at the 3 minute mark each quarter. The break at the 3 minute mark of each quarter is for player substitution according to the CBLL Subbing Pattern. Player transition/subs should be made as quickly as possible – should unnecessary delays occur, the official may issue a time-out after a warning has been given.
      2. Free throws for fouls will be shot during the game with the clock stopped. Free throws will be awarded for fouls where shots are made (one free throw), shooting fouls (two shots) and bonus situations (one and one). Teams will enter the bonus situation for team fouls 7 – 9 and upon reaching 10 fouls – 2 free throws will be awarded. Bonus situations are each half.
      3. One time out per half will be allowed. Time outs not used do not carry over to the next half.
      4. All field goals count 2 points. No 3 point field goals will be awarded.
      5. A coin toss will decide who takes the ball out to start the game. Possession arrows will determine possessions for the remainder of the game.
      6. The head coach will be allowed to stand in the coaching box unless the official deems it necessary that he/she be restricted to the bench.
      7. One team is to provide a volunteer scorekeeper while the other team should provide a volunteer to run the clock.
      8. Press Rule:
         • No full-court pressing is allowed in any division at any time.
         • For 3^rd/4^th grade divisions: During the game, half-court pressing is allowed by teams with a 0 – 14-point lead. Teams with a 15 point or greater lead will be required to play defense within the 3 pt. circle (if no 3 pt. circle exists, defense will be required to stay within the free throw lane).
         • For 1^st/2^nd grade divisions: During the game, full or half court pressing is not allowed at any time. Teams with a 15 point or greater lead will be required to play defense within the 3 pt. circle (if no 3 pt. circle exists, defense will be required to stay within the free throw lane). At the discretion of the official, if deemed unsportsman-like after the first warning, a 1-shot penalty may be assessed against the pressing team.
      9. If the game ends in a tie, one – 3-minute overtime period can be played. Each coach would receive one time-out to use during the overtime period. Should the overtime period end in a tie, there are no additional overtime periods. The game just ends in a tie. 
2.  Officials
   1. 1. Referees used must be registered with an approved officials association – either as active or inactive. Approved associations are TSSAA, MPSA or Metro Officials Association. If a referee holds membership in a different association – referee should contact league office with pertinent information regarding the association. That information will be reviewed by Board of Control and the association can possibly be added to the list of approved associations.
      2. Consistent refereeing should occur. Referees will be instructed to let the players learn within reason and to call the game according to the level of play. As a general rule, fouls & violations will be called by referees especially when one team gains an advantage over the other. It should be understood by all that the children are just learning the game so every violation will not and cannot be called. Every effort will be made to call violations that give one team an advantage over the other.
      3. All referees will be paid the same amount per game – amount will be set by league office. Referees should complete a voucher pay sheet – athletic directors should fax these completed forms to the PAA office by NOON OF THE NEXT SCHOOL DAY following weekend play. (Fax to 901-373-1223).  Failure of a host site to submit vouchers by Monday at noon will result in a $25 fine per game on the second occurrence.

Uniforms

1. 1. Uniforms should be kept very basic (t-shirt or singlet).
   2. Uniforms should have a legal basketball number on the front and back (1-5, 10-15,20-25,30-35,40-45, and 50-55). Teams should make every effort to make sure 2 players do not have the same jersey number – we will not penalize (by a technical foul) for having an illegal number since some schools use the same jerseys for multiple sports.
   3. Every school should make an effort to have players in matching color shorts. P.E. shorts are acceptable in this league – once again – we will not penalize for having non-matching shorts.
   4. Home schools should have some sort of singlets/pennies available in case both schools are wearing same jersey color.

First & second grade boys & girls

1. 1. Ball used is 27 inches – Junior Size ball. Goal is 8 ½ feet.
   2. Free throw line should be marked at 10 feet.
   3. Each player will be allowed one free throw and one lay-up at halftime. Scoring one point for each shot made and the points being added to the game score. It is the responsibility of the coach to keep track of the points and report to the scorer’s table before the 3rd quarter begins.

Third & fourth grade boys & girls

1. 1. Ball used is 28.5 inches (girls high school basketball). Goal is 8 ½ feet.
   2. Free throw line should be marked at 12 feet.
   3. Free throws and lay-ups made during half-time will not be counted toward your game score. Teams can shoot or rest during half-time.

Summary

1. 1. One of the purposes of this league is to introduce grades 1 -4 to the game of basketball – players should be taught the basics.
   2. All players should be given an equal chance at playing time – coaches are to use the CBLL Subbing Pattern.
   3. All players, coaches, parents & fans should have fun and appreciate the value of the League.
   4. Keep controversies to a minimum – athletic director for each site should be on site or have someone designated as a game administrator to handle any problem that should arise.

Games shall not be forfeited if an opposing team does not have the minimum number of players required to start a game. The opposing team may elect to provide extra players to serve temporarily as members of the short-handed team.  If additional players arrive after the start of the game the temporary members may return to their original team.  It is in the best interest to allow all players equal play time per By-Laws Article VII, Section 34.

Gym floors should be kept clean at all times and each playing site is responsible for having backboard and walls/stages properly padded. All sites should refer to the current NFHS Basketball Rules book for the proper requirements for padding, spacing between playing floor and bleachers, etc. Any questions should be addressed through the site Principal/Pastor, Safety Coordinator and Diocesan Director of Risk Management.

Concussions

1. 1. Any player who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion or balance problems, shall be immediately removed from the game and shall not return to play until they have been evaluated by a licensed medical professional and received written clearance to return to sporting activities.
   2. Any coach or parent insisting on returning the player to the game without approved clearance will result in the referee ending the game immediately.

NFHS Basketball Equipment/Apparel Specifications

Sleeves/Tights/Compression Shorts
3-5-3: Arm sleeves, knee sleeves, lower leg sleeves, compression shorts and tights are permissible.

• Anything worn on the arm and/or leg is a sleeve, except a knee brace, and must meet the color restrictions.
• Sleeves/tights, compression shorts shall be black, white, beige or the predominant color of the jersey and the same color sleeves/tights must be worn by teammates.
• All sleeves/tights, compression shorts must be the same solid color and must be the same color as any headband or wristband worn.
• Sleeves/tights and compression shorts must meet the logo requirements. See NFHS Rule 3-6.

Note: A brace is defined as anything worn for a medical purpose to increase stability. In general, it is made of neoprene or elastic knit with an insert embedded to support the joint. It may or may not have a hinge and/or straps or an opening over the knee cap.

Wristbands and Headwear
3-5-4: Wristbands and headwear must meet the following guidelines:

• Headbands and wristbands may be white, black, beige or the predominant color of the jersey and must be the same color for each item and all participants. They must also be the same color as any sleeve/tights worn.
• A headband is any item that goes around the entire head. It must be a circular design without extensions. If worn, only one headband is permitted, it must be worn on the forehead/crown. It must be nonabrasive and unadorned and may be a maximum of 3 inches wide.
• If worn, only one wristband is permitted on each wrist. Each must be worn on the arm below the elbow. It must be moisture-absorbing, nonabrasive, unadorned, and a maximum of 4 inches.
• Rubber, cloth, or elastic bands may be used to control hair and are not subject to color restrictions. Hard items, including, but not limited to, beads, barrettes and bobby pins, are prohibited. See NFHS Rule 3-5-4d
• Headbands/wristbands must comply with logo requirements. See NFHS Rule 3-6.

Undershirts
3-5-6: Undershirts must be a single solid color similar to the torso of the jersey.

• Shirts must be hemmed with no frayed or ragged edges.
• If the shirt has sleeves, they must be the same length.