3rd & 4th Grade Recreation Basketball Rules
Game Rules: No Score Kept
· Players – 5 vs. 5
· Game Length – 32 Minutes – Two halves of 4 minute shifts with a short halftime. Play stops at each 4 minutes for controlled substitution. Teams will match up players at the start of each shift.
· Ball Size – 28.5
· Hoops – 9 feet high
· No full court press – When team takes possession of ball on the defensive end, the other team must clear zone and pick up their man at half court.
· Defense should be encouraged to play their man by shuffling their feet and having their hands out wide.
· Stealing – There will be NO ripping of ball from offensive player’s hands. Defensive players may pick up a loose ball or intercept a pass. There will be no reaching in from the side or back on a dribble. No tying up a held ball. If an offensive player dribbles the ball in front of a defensive player without protecting ball, then the ball may be stolen.
· Five Second Rule – Stress to player’s that they cannot hold the ball for 5 seconds. They must pass, dribble or shoot. This should be called later in the season.
· Travelling and Double Dribble should be called. Players need to learn what they’re doing wrong.
· Coaches – one coach from each team will be allowed on floor to ref if there’s no referee.
· Coaches please take control of game. Please blow whistle! Do not be timid. Please call out of bounds, travelling, double dribble, hard fouls & reaching or ripping of ball.
· NO FOUL SHOTS
· Loose ball & rebounding tie-ups will go to the defense.
· Remind players of 3 seconds in the lane. Tell them to clear lane if you see they have been in lane for a while. You do not need to blow whistle unless player continually does it.
· Pace of Play – slow down the game if teams begin to fast break over & over.
· Man to Man defense only! No double teaming or chasing ball around.
· Encourage moving without ball – v cuts, backdoor cuts, screens. I would not run set plays. Your making kids think and the play usually only involves a couple of players.
· All kids should have an opportunity to bring the ball up court.