July 6, 2008

T.E.A.M. Basketball Rules

It is the intent of T.E.A.M. that ALL players receive equal playing time.

As a coach in the T.E.A.M. program you must understand that it is your duty to treat every player with respect, dignity and equality. It is your job to teach all your players the game of basketball to the best of your ability. It is never your job to win basketball games. After all winning comes out of work not want, If you are willing to put in the work, the winning will follow.

Violation of this rule may result in you being relieved of your coaching duties.

Player rules

Players are allowed to play in only one ( 1 ) game per night and two ( 2 ) games per week.

Each player must play a minimum of eight ( 8 ) minutes per game.
a) Exceptions may be made for disciplinary reasons.

A school may have more than one ( 1 ) team at each grade level. Providing each team has at least eight
( 8 ) players.
If you split, then both teams must be as equal as possible in talent as well as numbers.
Both teams will play their own game schedule. So you will need two ( 2 ) coaches.
Split teams may end up with fewer home games.

If your sixth ( 6th ) grade team has less then six ( 6 ) players, then you may use fifth ( 5th ) graders on that team to help with numbers. Up to a total of eight ( 8 ) players on the team with out penalty.

If your fifth ( 5th ) grade team has less then six ( 6 ) players, then you may use sixth ( 6th ) graders on that team to help with numbers. Up to a total of six ( 6 ) players on the team with out penalty, providing you get permission from the opposing team and the T.E.A.M. sports coordinator.

Game rules

Games will have eight ( 8 ) minute quarters with a running clock. One ( 1 ) minute between quarters and five ( 5 ) minutes between halves.

The clock will stop for:

1. Time outs, coach or official.
   • a. Each team will have two ( 2 ) time-outs per half.
   • b. Time outs will be limited to one ( 1 ) minute.
2. Free throws.
3. Ball out of control due to local facilities.
4. Substitutions at the four ( 4 ) minute point of each quarter. This is not a time out; the clock stops just long enough to get players in and out.

• a. Referee will also allow substitutions during a dead ball situation.

The home team will provide adult timers and scorekeepers, and handle building supervision for the games. In addition, they will provide the visiting team with practice basketballs.

Games start with a jump ball. Ensuing jump balls and change of quarters result in alternate possessions.

All fouls will result in a one-and-one free throw situation, including offensive charging. Except for shooting fouls, which will be two ( 2 ) free throws.

Man-to-man defense only. Help defense is allowed on a drive to the basket.
Double teaming and zone defenses will result in;
First time warning.
Second time and each time thereafter, will be one ( 1 ) free throw and the ball back out-of-bounds at half court.

All technical fouls will result in two ( 2 ) free throws and the ball out of bounds at half court to the fouled team. The coach of the fouled team will select the player to shoot the free throws.
Any player, coach or spectator receiving two ( 2 ) technical fouls in one game will be ejected from the game.
Examples of technical fouls are;

• Unsports-man-like conduct by a player, a coach or a spectator
• Taunting
• Throwing elbows
• Fighting, throwing a punch is an automatic ejection from the game and the next contest.
• Swearing
• Arguing with the officials

After a basket or any dead ball situation, the defense cannot pressure the ball until;

• 5th grade - the half court line.
• 6th grade - the _ court line ( the free throw line extended )

The three ( 3 ) second violation is enforced.

A team has five ( 5 ) seconds to make an out of bounds throw in and ten ( 10 ) seconds to cross mid court

Free throws, the ball must hit the rim prior to players entering the lane.

The free throw line will be;
5th Grade - four ( 4 ) feet shorter than the regulation line. 6th Grade – two ( 2 ) feet shorter than the regulation line.

When an offensive player holding the ball is closely guarded ( within 6 ft. ) for five ( 5 ) seconds a turn over will result.

Three ( 3 ) foot rule; When the side line or end line is to close to an obstruction for a player to make a reasonable throw in from out of bounds the official will keep the defense back three ( 3 ) feet. No offensive player can receive a pass from out of bounds in the three (3) foot area when this rule is in effect.

No jewelry is allowed ( including earrings ).

Tie games end in a tie. No overtime in the regular season. T.E.A.M. does not keep standings

Tournament rules

All tournament games will be played with the same Game rules as the regular season with these exceptions.

A two ( 2 ) minute overtime period will be used to break a tie, until one team is victorious.

No sixth ( 6th ) graders will be allowed to play on a fifth ( 5th ) grade team. No exceptions.

Once a team is eliminated from the tournament, players from that team may not join another team.

Schools with split teams may not combine them for the tournament.

Each player must play a minimum of eight ( 8 ) minutes. Exceptions may be made for disciplinary reasons. Violation of this rule will result in the automatic elimination from the tournament.