Basketball Rules of Note

1. The All Play Rule:

All teams must play each of their roster players for one complete playing period in the first half.  If a player whose name appears on the score sheet arrives after the first half, that child will play a quarter in the second half.  The diocesan addendum requires that each child play a minimum time equal to one quarter.  Each player must check in a second time.

Note:  If all players have completed one playing period in the first quarter, the break between playing periods may be eliminated for the second quarter if both teams agree.

NO PRESS means that no defensive action may be taken in the backcourt, including pass interception, and the team with the ball must be allowed to safely bring the ball into the front court.  After a warning, the penalty is a technical foul.

NO PRESS in the 3^rd grade.

NO PRESS in the 4^th grade until the final minute of regulation play.

NO PRESS in the  5^th grade division if there is a 10-point or greater differential.

NO PRESS in the 6^th, 7^th and 8th grade divisions if there is a 15-point or greater differential.

All Technical fouls are two (2) shot penalties.  Any roster player may attempt these shots.

3^rd  grade division teams will play 5-minute quarters with stop-clock.  (Note: Score is not kept in 3^rd grade games. Fouls and time-outs are accounted for.)

4^th, 5^th and 6^th grade divisions will play 6-minute quarters with stop-clock

7^th and 8^th grade divisions will play 7-minute quarters with stop-clock

Coaches’ certification cards must be visibly worn on the person of each coach and will be checked prior to each game.  Uncertified persons may not sit with the team on the bench.  If no certified coach is present with a team, the game may be forfeited.  If a certified coach does not have his/her card, he/she has 48 hours to prove certification or the game may be forfeited.

All profanity on the part of coaches, players and fans will be treated with a technical foul.

With few exceptions, coaches must be seated during play.  Acceptable exceptions are:

1. A coach may rise to request a time out or signal his player to do so.
2. To confer with personnel at the scorer’s table to request a correction or to register a protest.
3. Spontaneously rise to offer praise for a good play ( and immediately return to seat ).
4. To attend to an injured player when beckoned by an official.

              Note:  In gyms where no seating is available, the coach may stand, but pacing          

                         the sideline is prohibited.

              After a warning the penalty is a technical foul.

Free throw shooters at the 3^rd grade level may stand at the bottom of the circle when shooting.

In the 4^th grade National divisions (boys & girls) the shooter must begin at the free throw line but is permitted to land where his/her momentum carries him/her.

Over and back violations are to be called at all levels, both boys and girls.

The regulation sizes of basketballs for CYO play are the following:

1. 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade boys = 29.5”
2. 4^th and 5^th grade boys = 28.5”
3. 4^th thru 8^th grade girls = 28.5”
4. 3^rd grade boys and girls = 27.5"

            The game ball is chosen by the referee, first checking with the home team.  If the teams cannot agree on a game ball, we will play the first half with one ball and the second half with another.

At the end of each playing period, but prior to the beginning of the next playing period, all substitutes shall have reported to the scorer.  At the end of the playing periods during a quarter, players are to remain on the court.  Substitutes will enter as in any other inbounds play.

When there is no possession of the ball (a missed shot is not possession, a pass is possession) at the end of a playing period that happens in the middle of a quarter,  Possession will be determined by the possession arrow.

For grades 4 through 8.  If, at the end of the 3^rd quarter, the point differential is 20 points or more, the 4^th quarter will be played with a running clock.  Only called time-outs will stop the clock.  If, at the 2:00 minute mark, the point differential is 10 points or less, the stop-clock will be reinstated for the remainder of the game.