SLV Hoops is a youth recreational league to introduce and build fundamental skills in Basketball. This fact guides our decision-making process when developing rules and decisions involving events outside these rules.

2023-2024 Rules Review & Suggested Changes

  • Define when high-point players can go back into the game.
  • Consider lowering the 3/4 sportsmanship rule to 15
  • Elimination of Playoffs
  • Tie Breaker Rule – Points Scored, Points Allowed, Coin Toss

Game Locations

Court A: SLV High School, Closest To Highway 9
Court B: SLV High School, Closest To Locker Room
SLV Middle School Full Court
SLV High School Full Court

Equipment

We use the MacGregor or Champion Composite Leather ball. The league provides 1 game ball for each team and individual balls for each player.

Boys 3/4 Division – Composite Leather Ball – 27 1/2
Boys 5/6 Division – Composite Leather Ball – 28 1/2
Boys 7/8 Division – Composite Leather Ball – 29 1/2 (Same as high school)

Girls 3/4 Division – Composite Leather Ball – 27 1/2
Girls 5/6 Division – Composite Leather Ball – 28 1/2
Girls 7/8 Division – Composite Leather Ball – 28 1/2 (Same as high school)

General Rules

  • Games are about an hour in length.
  • Quarters are 12 minutes in length with a running clock
  • 5 Minute half-time with a 1-minute break between quarters.
  • Each team has 1 timeout per half (30 seconds), which does not carry over to the 2nd half.
  • The clock may be stopped at the referee’s discretion (injury, illness, or teaching opportunity)
  • The 5th/6th and 7th/8th age group: During the last two minutes of the game, the clock will stop on the whistle if the point differential is 9 points or less at the 2:00 minute mark. Once a decision is established at the two-minute mark, the rule does not change.
  • Regular season games can end in a tie. There is no overtime. Additional 5-minute periods for playoff overtime (2 maximum)
  • At their discretion, referees can stop the clock for instructional purposes.
  • Teams will play 4 on 4 when either team cannot fill their 5-player roster. Coaches may agree to play 4-on-4 under special circumstances.
  • The home team manages the scorebook. The visiting team works the clock. Volunteers must be at the score table 5 minutes before start time.

Practice

Each team can practice 2 times per week. Teams are allocated 1 indoor practice each Sunday in the SLV Middle or SLV High School gym. We recommend 1 additional outdoor practice per week on any SLVUSD campus.

Our basketball program is only insured on SLVUSD facilities. Teams ARE NOT permitted to reserve indoor gym space on their own.  If it is determined that a team has an INDOOR practice at a facility other than the SLVHS Gym or SLVMS Gym, on scheduled days, that team will forfeit their next game. A second occurrence will result in the team forfeiting their remaining games.

Play Time & Substitutions

  • Each player must play two quarters (24 minutes). No player can play four quarters unless all other players have played 3 quarters.
  • Failure to meet the minimum play requirement above will result in a forfeit.
  • There are no free substitutions unless there is an injury. All substitutions are at the quarter.
  • If a team has more than 6 players, and a player is injured, becomes ill, disqualified, or cannot continue, the opposing coach will choose the substitution for that player. The opposing coach may waive this option.

Fouls

3rd/4th Division

One (1) foul shot is awarded from the bottom of the free throw circle on all fouls (except offensive). Made or missed, the ball is given out of bounds to the shooting team. If the player is fouled while shooting and makes the basket, they are awarded 1 foul shot, and their free throw is live.

5th/6th & 7th/8th Divisions

7th foul of each half, the team will shoot 1-and-1 (bonus). After the 10th foul, 2 free throws will be awarded (double bonus). All shooting fouls are shot accordingly to the point value of the shot attempted. The Home team MUST provide a scorekeeper who must keep track of fouls.

5th Foul Disqualification

Players in the 5th/6th-grade and 7th/8th-grade divisions are disqualified from continuing play when receiving their 5th foul.

In the 3rd/4th Grade Divisions, players do not foul out as they continue to learn the game but may be required to leave if their overly physical play jeopardizes the safety of the opposing players in the judgment of the referee. The referee should make all attempts to curb this if possible by speaking to the coach.

Flagrant Foul

A flagrant foul is a deliberate foul, in the judgment of the official, that puts another player in harm’s way or increases the likelihood that a player could be injured as a result.

Example

  • The player with a breakaway goes for a layup. An opposing player deliberately pushes the player while proceeding to the basket or in the act of shooting.
  • A player fouls the opposing player with no attempt to go for the ball or make a legitimate defensive move to stop the player.
  • Physically holding a player to prevent their movement will be considered by the referee as a possible flagrant foul.

Penalty

Shot as a technical foul (2 free throws) with only the shooter lined up. In the event the fouled player cannot attempt the free throws and must exit the game due to injury, the coach must select a player already on the floor prior to substitution for the injured player. The shooting team retains possession. The player committing the foul must leave the game for 6:00 minutes of clock time. A second flagrant foul in the same game by the same player will result in that player’s disqualification from the remainder of that game, and they will not play in the next upcoming game.

A second disqualification occurrence during the season will result in the player being removed from the league.

Technical Foul

Coach (Bench Technical)

When excessive complaining about calls or non-calls by officials, arguing with officials during the game, or failure to stay within the bench area or out on the floor area when the game is in progress, a technical will be issued by the official. The opposing team shoots two free throws and retains possession of the ball. A second technical during the game occurs then the coach must leave the facility. If no other person is able to fill the position of coach, then the game will be forfeited. If the coach refuses to leave the facility in a timely manner, the official will declare the game a forfeit.

Player Technical

Arguing with officials, using disrespectful language, “trash talking” to opposing players, and throwing/slamming the ball down or at a wall are grounds for a technical foul to be issued by the officials. The opposing team shoots two free throws (selected by the Head Coach, which are shot alone) and retains possession of the ball. Players committing the technical must leave the game for 6:00 minutes of clock time. The second technical, or combined with a flagrant foul, is disqualified for the remainder of the game and the next scheduled game. If two disqualifications occur during the season, then the player is ineligible for the remainder of the season.

The player on the bench called for a technical foul

Same standard as the player in the game, but the player will not re-enter the game until 12:00 minutes of clock time have passed.

End-of-game time penalties

Any player who receives a time penalty during a game but has less time in the game than the penalty, then the remaining time carries over to the following week’s game. It is the responsibility of the officials to notify the league if any scenario occurs.

Playing Time

A coach is not required to meet a player’s two-quarter (24 minutes) playing time minimum if they are issued a flagrant/technical foul.

Defense

3rd/4th Divisions

  • Can play either man or zone defense – It’s suggested you stick to one.
  • No double teaming outside the key area
  • No backcourt pressure (except to stop a fast break, this is a judgment call by the official)
  • No initial defense until the offense has moved the ball past center court.
  • The team has 10 seconds to cross center court to engage defense. This is to prevent stalling in end-of-game situations.

5th/6th Divisions

  • Can play either man or zone defense

7th/8th Divisions

  • Can play either man or zone defense
  • No backcourt pressure until after the third game of the season (additional information below)

Pressing or Backcourt Pressure

3rd/4th & 5th/6th Division

No backcourt pressure in these divisions.

7th/8th Division

Backcourt pressure is allowed after the third game and only in the last 5 minutes of each half.

No backcourt pressure when a team leads by 20. They may engage in backcourt pressure again if their lead is 9 points or less.

Sportsmanship Rule

If a team leads by 20 or more points, the team’s top two scorers must be removed from the game immediately. The only exception occurs if a team has six players or less (then the highest scoring player sits) or if either player has not fulfilled their two-quarter playing time minimum.

Uniforms

All players MUST wear their league-issued uniforms for a game or league-provided pinnies. Failure to do so will result in a technical foul (2 free throws and the opposing team retains possession) assessed before tipoff or once the referee acknowledges the incorrect uniform on the floor. The technical foul does not count against the player for the game itself.

Guest Game and Practice Players

Guest players may be used when a team will have less than five players for a scheduled game. Guest players must be approved by the opposing coach and the league administration before the game. Guest players must already be registered and assigned to a team in the same division. Coaches needing a guest player will handle all arrangements and approvals 48 hours before game time. Approval must be in writing. Abuse of this rule will result in forfeit.

Players not registered in the league cannot participate in practice or games.

Reminder To All Coaches

Most of the youth basketball referees are high school students (who once played in this league) and are not professional NBA officials. Coaches and parents are not to argue with the officials on judgment calls. Any demonstrative behavior by adults at the games will not be tolerated, and those responsible parties will be required to leave the facility. Repetitive occurrences of this will be dealt with by the exclusion of those adults from future games and practices.

The best practice to discuss a call with an official ideally is in between quarters and in a respectable fashion.

Also, remember, as a youth basketball league, sportsmanship is and always will be a top priority. It’s OK to cheer on players from the opposing team to create a supportive environment for all players, beginners and advanced.

Any questions about these rules and their application may be discussed with the proper league representatives.