Grain Valley 2021 Youth Basketball League Rule

Divisions: Registration will be for Kindergarten through 7th grade. We will have a K/1st division, 2/3rd Boys division, 2/3rd Girls division, 4/5th Boys division, 4/5th Girls division, 6/7th Boys division and 6/7th Girls division.

Special Requests: All special requests will be at the discretion of GVSL and its coaches to honor. There will be NO guarantees!

Team Practices: At the coaches meeting, the head coach for each team will select an open time slot

Players/Teams: No player shall play for more than one team in the same age division during the GVSL basketball season. Players are not allowed to play up into an older division without the permission of the Commissioners of GVSL

Injuries: If a player is injured and will not be able to play the remainder of the season, the coach should notify the Commissioner as soon as possible to discuss the situation.

Basketballs: Game balls are provided by GVSL and are to be used in ALL games. Practice balls are not provided.

Uniforms: Jerseys are provided by the GVSL as a part of the registration fee. A player will not be allowed to play in any game if they are not wearing the current year’s uniform.

Games: K/1 games will be played on Saturday @ Prairie Branch Elementary School. All other divisions will be played on Saturdays, at school locations to be determined. The game day gyms are subject to change.

K/1st Division: Prairie Branch is the only goal low enough- practice must take place here

Our K/1st division is intended to be developmental and instructional to help young children become better basketball players. Traveling, double-dribbling and other fouls will be called loosely. Referees will encourage the players to dribble, pass, get back on defense, etc. Players making an attempt to dribble will not be called for traveling.

Teams will shoot on the goal opposite their bench in the first half and switch goals in the second half. A jump ball will begin the game. Alternating possessions will take effect thereafter for each period of the game. In our K/1st division, teams may have one coach on the floor to help instruct.

Coaches: Coaches are encouraged to walk the court and instruct players during games.

Games: There will be 8 games total. Plus end of season tournament except in the K/1 division

Length of Game: All games will use a 6 minute running clock per quarter. Each half-time will be 3 minutes in length. Around 3 minutes of each quarter, the clock will be stopped for teams to substitute players. Play will continue until the next dead ball, to ensure all players get at least 3 minutes per quarter. This will be the only opportunity to substitute players. The only exception would be if there is an injury. The intent of this rule is to help ensure each player is allowed equal opportunity to participate. The clock stops only during time-outs.

Coaches Time-Outs: Each coach is allowed two time-outs per half and they do not carry over.

Defense: Defense will be man-to-man ONLY. There will be no double-teaming allowed. Blocked shots will be allowed. Players must defend with their hands straight up, no swatting. The ball cannot be stolen or stripped from a player dribbling under control or holding the ball. Passes may be intercepted.

Pressing: Pressing is defined as guarding an offensive player (with or without the ball) in the backcourt. Pressing is NOT allowed in our K/1st division.

Goal Height: The goal will be set at 8 feet for K/1. Basketball Size: 27.5”

2/3rd Division:

Length of Game: All games will use a 8 minute running clock per quarter. Each half-time will be 3 minutes in length. The clock ONLY stops during ALL dead balls in the last minute of the 4th quarter, the last minute of overtime and special situations deemed necessary by the game referee. The clock will not stop during the last minute of the 4th quarter if there is a 20 point lead. The clock will ALWAYS stop during free throws and time-outs. One overtime period will be two minutes in length with the clock stopping during the last minute, as stated above, in the rules. If a second overtime is necessary, then there is a sudden death scoring situation. No time will run and the first team to score will be deemed the winner.

Coaches Time-Outs: Each coach is allowed two time-outs per half and they do not carry over. An additional time-out will be given to each coach during the first overtime period. No additional timeouts will be given during the sudden death overtime.

Defense: Will be man to man and we encourage coaches to match kids up by size. Zone defense will not be allowed

Pressing: Pressing is defined as guarding an offensive player (with or without the ball) in the backcourt. Pressing is NOT allowed in our 2/3rd division.

Teams will shoot on the goal opposite their bench in the first half and switch goals in the second half. A jump ball will begin the game. Alternating possessions will take effect thereafter for each period of the game.

Goal Height: The goal will be set at 9 feet for the 2/3rd division.
Basketball Size: 28.5”
3-Point Shot: 3-point shots are allowed in all divisions.
Free Throw: The free throw line will be one foot closer to the goal in the 2/3rd division.

4/5th Division:

Length of Game: All games will use an 8 minute running clock per quarter. Each half-time will be 3 minutes in length. The clock ONLY stops during ALL dead balls in the last minute of the 4th quarter, the last minute of overtime and special situations deemed necessary by the game referee. The clock will not stop during the last minute of the 4th quarter if there is a 20 point lead. The clock will ALWAYS stop during free throws and time-outs. One overtime period will be two minutes in length with the clock stopping during the last minute, as stated above, in the rules. If a second overtime is necessary, then there is a sudden death scoring situation. No time will run and the first team to score will be deemed the winner.

Coaches Time-Outs: Each coach is allowed two time-outs per half and they do not carry over. An additional time-out will be given to each coach during the first overtime period. No additional timeouts will be given during the sudden death overtime.

Defense: Man-to man and Zone defense are allowed in the 4/5th division.

Pressing: Pressing is defined as guarding an offensive player (with or without the ball) in the backcourt. Pressing is allowed in the 4/5th division until a team has a 15 point, or more, lead.

Teams will shoot on the goal opposite their bench in the first half and switch goals in the second half. A jump ball will begin the game. Alternating possessions will take effect thereafter for each period of the game.

Goal Height: The goal will be set at 10 feet for the 4/5th division.
Basketball Size: 28.5”
3-Point Shot: 3-point shots are allowed in all divisions.
Free Throw: The free throw line will be at regulation length which is 15 feet.

6/7th Division:

Length of Game: All games will use a 10 minute running clock per quarter. Each half-time will be 3 minutes in length. The clock ONLY stops during ALL dead balls in the last minute of the 4th quarter, the last minute of overtime and special situations deemed necessary by the game referee. The clock will not stop during the last minute of the 4th quarter if there is a 20 point lead. The clock will ALWAYS stop during free throws and time-outs. One overtime period will be two minutes in length with the clock stopping during the last minute, as stated above, in the rules. If a second overtime is necessary, then there is a sudden death scoring situation. No time will run and the first team to score will be deemed the winner.

Coaches Time-Outs: Each coach is allowed two time-outs per half and they do not carry over. An additional time-out will be given to each coach during the first overtime period. No additional timeouts will be given during the sudden death overtime.

Defense: Man-to man and Zone defense is allowed in the 6/7th division.

Pressing: Pressing is defined as guarding an offensive player (with or without the ball) in the backcourt. Pressing is allowed in the 6/7th division until a team has a 15 point, or more, lead.

Teams will shoot on the goal opposite their bench in the first half and switch goals in the second half. A jump ball will begin the game. Alternating possessions will take effect thereafter for each period of the game.

Goal Height: The goal will be set at 10 feet for the 6/7th division.
Basketball Size: 28.5” for girls and 29.5” for boys.
3-Point Shot: 3-point shots are allowed in all divisions.
Free Throw: The free throw line will be at regulation length which is 15 feet.

Scorers and Timers: Home Team will provide the official scorebook for all games. The Gym Captain (or designee from a team) for each gym will run the clock. The home team will provide a volunteer to keep the scorebook.

Teams: A minimum of four players is needed to start a game. If the opposing team has five players to start the game, they may play five and are not penalized. If a team does not have at least four players to start the game, then the game will be forfeited to the other team, provided that team has at least four players to start the game.

Coaches: Your job is to coach the team. You coach by having practices and coaching the games. If you need to talk with the official, please do remember that children are around and can hear you. It is not your job to officiate the game. If instructed to sit down by a game official, you must remain seated for the remainder of that game.

Players: Players should make every effort to attend all practices and games. Be on time and ready to play. Those players attending more practices may receive more playing time in games, if the coach deems it appropriate. Each player should play a meaningful portion of each game unless they are injured or foul out. If extenuating circumstances prevent a player from full participation, the coach shall make a reasonable effort to make up for the missed playing time before the season ends.

Parents: Make every effort possible to have your child attend all practices and games. Be on time and have your child ready to play. Support your child’s team by cheering. Please refrain from yelling at the officials, coaches, players and other spectators.
Any coach, player or team supporter who approaches an official, whether during the game or after, and the official feels threatened, the official may suspend that person or persons from the next game or longer, if necessary. The Gym Captain will track these events and assist the official with enforcing rules.

Suspensions: Any player, coach or spectator ejected from a game will not be allowed to participate in that team’s next game. They will be allowed to participate in the practices. GVSL reserves the right to suspend a player, coach, parent or any other spectator for excessive violations of rules and any unsportsmanlike behavior that warrants a suspension for up to one year following violation.