Interior Youth Basketball – Rules for Minor, Major, Junior Divisions – Revised January, 19, 2023
INTERIOR YOUTH BASKETBALL basic rules are from the
National Federation of State High School Associations Rule Book (Latest Edition)
The following rule exceptions are applicable only to Interior Youth Basketball Association:
PARTICIPATION
Divisions are based on grade level. They are as follows:
A. Little Dribblers: K – 1st & 2nd Grade
B. Minors: 3rd & 4th Grade
C. Majors: 5th & 6th Grade
D. Juniors: 7th & 8th Grade
The playing court will be the same for all leagues with the following exceptions:
1. FREE THROW LINE:
1. Little Dribblers – See Supplemental Rules Handout for Little Dribblers.
2. Minors – 13’ 6” free throw line and 5-second key.
3. Juniors & Majors – 15’ free throw line and 3-second key.
2. BALL:
A. Boys – the Minor league will use a (small) size 28.5 ball; Major and Junior leagues will use a (regular) size 29 ball.
B. Girls – All leagues will use a (small) 28.5 size ball.
C. Little Dribblers – All leagues will use a (junior) size 27 ball. (Do not inflate too hard.)
D. Coaches should always be able to provide a game ball during any game.
3. UNIFORM:
A. Each player will be issued a uniform. Any player who alters his/her jersey in any way will not be able to play. Coaches
and officials will strictly enforce this rule. If a jersey is forgotten, permission to play may be granted on a case-by-case
basis, provided both coaches are in agreement.
4. JEWELRY:
A. Absolutely no jewelry (including facial glitter) shall be worn during a game. Players refusing to remove jewelry will not
be allowed to play.
5. LITTLE DRIBBLERS:
A. 3v3 full court - See Supplemental Rules Handout for Little Dribblers
RULE #2 - REQUIRED PLAYING TIME
1. Player lineup must be turned into the Scorekeeper five minutes before game time. Teams may start and finish with four
players and this will not be considered a forfeit. The Scorekeeper should be notified if a player has not arrived before the
game begins. Players who are not present when the game begins do not have to play, however, if the coach elects to allow
the player to play, the player must play a full quarter; Coaches are encouraged to play such players. Coaches and
Scorekeepers will enforce this rule.
2. All players must play two complete quarters from beginning to end. Coaches should check with the Scorekeeper before the
start of the fourth quarter to determine whether all players have played their two complete quarters. If the opposing team
questions whether or not a player has played his/her quarters, the question must be raised before the fourth quarter
begins. It is up to the coaches to voice any concerns over the eligibility of a player before the beginning of the fourth
quarter.
3. Substitutions may not be made during play within the first three quarters of the game, except for injury. Substitutions
during play may only happen in the 4th quarter, provided the two-quarter rule has been satisfied for all players involved.
4. Once a player has become ineligible to play in a game, for any reason, that player shall remain ineligible for the rest of that
game. If a team loses a player due to injury or fouls, the game may continue with less than five players.
5. Injured players may be removed from the game, but if the player is able to return, coaches are encouraged to make every
effort to ensure that the player plays two complete quarters. If the player can be returned to the game in the same quarter,
it will count as a full quarter.
6. If a player does not show up for practice or is a disciplinary problem, the coach will inform the Program Coordinator of the
problem. The Program Coordinator, after an investigation, makes the final decision on whether the player can play and/or
must play.
RULE #3 - TIMING REGULATIONS
All leagues will play games lasting four quarters.
1. LENGTH OF QUARTERS:
A. Little Dribblers: See Supplemental Rules Handout for Little Dribblers.
B. Minors: Four 8-minute, running clock quarters.
C. Majors: Four 8-minute, running clock quarters.
D. Juniors: Four 8-minute, running clock quarters.
E. All leagues (except Little Dribblers): During the last three minutes of the fourth quarter, the clock will stop for all
fouls and violations. During the rest of the game, the clock only stops for shooting fouls, time-outs, and any
unnecessary delays.
3. OVERTIME: If the score is tied at the end of the fourth quarter, a three minute overtime will be played under the same rules
as the last three minutes of the fourth quarter. There will be as many overtime periods played as it takes for one team to
win the game.
4. FORFEITURE: A five minute grace period from the scheduled game start time will be allowed before forfeiture. In addition,
an allowance will be made for late finishes by earlier games. After the delayed start, begin the game with a full quarter.
5. TIME-OUTS: Four (4) one (1) minute time-outs are allowed per game and can be used at any time there is a dead ball
situation or your team is in possession of the ball. One additional timeout will be given to each team for each overtime
period.
6. HALF-TIME: Half-time for all games is five minutes.
RULE #4 - DEFENSE
1. Junior Division: There are no limitations on the types of defense allowed or when they can be played in the Junior Division.
All other divisions abide by rules #2-5.
2. For rules on defense for Little Dribblers, see Supplemental Rules Handout for Little Dribblers division.
3. There is no press in the backcourt on any dead ball or made basket situation. Exceptions are the last three minutes of play
for Minors and the last quarter of play for Majors. As a press is typically a zone, zone/press will be allowed in the back
court, but once the offense advances the ball into the front court, man to man must be resumed. Teams may defend other
live ball situations in the backcourt such as a turnover or a missed shot, but it must be in a man to man defense unless
pressing is allowed at that time.
No penalty for the first violation. Subsequent violations will receive technical fouls.
4. Double teaming is not allowed in man to man defense, this includes trapping.
5. ZONE DEFENSE:
Minors and Majors may not use a Zone Defense.
**The intent of this rule is to prevent the traditional zone defense where a defensive player protects an area of the court as
opposed to a single player, and also the "chaser" defense where one or more players chase the ball from offensive player to
offensive player. No penalty for the first violation. Subsequent violations will receive a bench technical. Coaches must be
familiar with the interpretation of a zone defense. Sagging, switching, and help defense are allowed, however, officials are
aware of the no zone rule and will make judgment calls accordingly.
RULE #5 - BOOKEEPING AND REPORTING
1. Home team traditionally keeps the official book.
2. Visiting team traditionally keeps the clock.
3. Game scores should be reported to the Program Coordinator at least twice a season. The Program Coordinator will provide
at least a week’s notice prior to asking for mid-season and end-of-season scores. Scores reported after the deadline will
result in a forfeiture of tournament play.
RULE #6 - COACHING ETHICS
1. Coaches will not criticize players in front of spectators but will reserve constructive criticism for private or in the presence of
the team.
2. Coaches will accept decisions (on judgment calls) of the officials as being fair and called to the ability of the officials. A
non-judgment call may be challenged.
3. Coaches will not criticize the opposing team, coaches, or fans by word of mouth or gestures.
4. Coaches will not use abusive language or profane language before anyone connected with the game.
5. Coaches must hold the final score within the following specified point spreads:
A. Little Dribblers – No score is kept
B. Minors 20 Point Spread
C. Majors 30 Point Spread
D. Juniors 35 Point Spread
EXCEPTION: Point spread does not apply to “Advanced” brackets or during tournement play. Coaches may
submit a written appeal to the grievance committee if they feel there were extenuating circumstances.
6. Coaches shall not be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
7. Coaches shall at all times set a good example and demonstrate leadership in teaching the advantages of sportsmanship to
players.
8. Coaches will not incite players, spectators, or officials by a display of bad sportsmanship, either by word of mouth or by
gestures, nor will they encourage others to do so. Coaches will do their best to enforce player ethics under RULE # 6.
9. Teams may not use videotape viewing during a game, including timeouts, quarters, half-time, etc. Filming may not be used
by any team to support protests.
10. Coaches may be removed at the discretion of the Interior Youth Basketball Association Executive Board.
RULE #7 - PLAYER ETHICS
1. Players are expected to comply with the rules and ethics applicable to coaches and officials. The intent of this rule is to
establish the right of coaches to require players to comply with reasonable standards of conduct and effort during all league
activities. In cases where coaches cannot or do not enforce compliance, the Executive Board or its acting agents may do so
under RULE # 10.
RULE #8 - PROTESTS
1. Coaches should be aware that there are no protest provisions in the basketball rules. Once a game ends it is ended.
2. While there are no provisions for protested games, the possibility exists where a complaint about compliance with league
rules might be lodged. Prior to filing a complaint as outlined in RULE # 9, contact the Program Coordinator or a member of
the Interior Youth Basketball Association Board of Directors.
RULE #9 - GRIEVANCES
The following rules will apply to all complaints and grievances pertaining to Interior Youth Basketball Association:
1. The Executive Committee, consisting of the officers of the Executive Board, will be the grievance committee. Any three such
members will be a quorum.
2. Any complaints and grievances not covered in the rules and/or bylaws will be considered if it is presented to any officer of
the organization, in writing, within one week (seven days) of the incident causing the complaint. All complaints will be acted
on by the committee within ten days of receipt of the written complaint. Written notice of the committee's decision will be
sent to the person filing the complaint if the committee has received an address.
3. At no time will less than three members of the Executive Committee act on any complaint.
4. All decisions by the Executive Committee will be final.
5. Any problem or complaint concerning a coach will be handled using the above grievance procedure.
RULE #10 - DISCIPLINARY ACTION
1. The Executive Board shall have the power to impose such disciplinary action as deemed necessary for the coaches, players,
teams or officials, including scorekeepers and timers, that fail to abide by the rules and goals set forth by this organization.
Such disciplinary action may include, but will not be limited to suspension, barring, and or forfeiture.
2. The conduct of spectators including friends and relatives of players and coaches is no less important than that of coaches,
players, and officials. In as much as Interior Youth Basketball Association has contracted rights to utilize gyms, it also has the
right and duty to enforce compliance with the rules of the league by all spectators. Individuals whose behavior or presence
is considered to be detrimental to the aims and reputation of Interior Youth Basketball Association may be barred at the
pleasure of the Executive Board.
3. In an emergency or a short-term notice situation, as few as three members of the Executive Board may take such action. In
an extreme situation, it may be necessary for the good of all to remove a player from the league in order to avoid further
disruption of association activities by a specific spectator(s).
4. A coach, any other adult acting in an official capacity, including scorekeepers and timers, or a spectator, may be barred from
further participation in the league or any of its activities by a violation of any of the following rules:
A. By striking any player, league member, official, spectator or other participants.
B. Unsportsmanlike conduct, or violation of coaching ethics whether on the floor or as a spectator.
C. Recruiting of players known to be members of another team.
D. Entering a player in a game with the prior knowledge that he/she is bruised or injured to such an extent that
further play would jeopardize his/her health.
E. To knowingly permit an ineligible player to participate in any portion of the game. Violation of this rule also means
forfeiture.
Whenever possible, prior to the Board's decision for disciplinary action for coaches, teams, officials or spectators, a hearing
will be held with written notice to participants (where possible). If the accused does not appear at the hearing, the right of
appeal will be forfeited and the Executive Board can render its decision.